The anticipation before a decent ride...

[Blackbird]

How many other riders actually notice physical symptoms in anticipation of a decent length ride on their bikes?

I’ve only managed to squeeze in about an hour of riding in the last month and have been missing it badly. I’ve negotiated with my wonderful and long-suffering wife that she drives from Tokoroa in the car on her own to Coromandel tomorrow and I’ll ride up straight after work tomorrow evening.

Since it’s all been settled and despite a heavy workload, it’s hard to think of anything else but visualising bolting home from work tomorrow, going through the ritual of kitting up, mentally running through the route, how I’m going to ride it and trying to slip into the “Zen State” as early into the ride as possible. I’m actually getting that stomach-churning feeling of anticipation and elation whilst I’m typing this!

I’m 59, have been riding for nigh on 40 years and still this happens. Am I just an incredibly sad bugger who needs to get a life or do others feel like this too? Wives need not reply

[MSTRS:Me]

Blah...blahh...excited...blah....nervous...
I’m 59, have been riding for nigh on 40 years and still this happens. Am I just an incredibly sad bugger who needs to get a life or do others feel like this too? Wives need not reply

Yes

[Blackbird]

Yes

Why don't you just get off the fence - your wife looking over your shoulder?

[Pex Adams]

The thought of what could pop up during times of anticipation, doesn't require much imagination!

Nonetheless, The thought of another Takaka run certainly gets the blood circulatiing...

Wives need not reply!

[Blackbird]

The thought of what could pop up during times of anticipation, doesn't require much imagination!

Nonetheless, The thought of another Takaka run certainly gets the blood circulatiing...

Wives need not reply!

Wrong sort of ride and it's not called anticipation, it's called begging

[Jimmy B]

Physical symptoms for me are an understatement Geoff, you may well recall the days leading up to my new bike, I was a physical wreck, losing sleep, appetite shot, chain smoking, I tell you the tension was unbelievable. Then the day came, up at 5.30 for a 10.00am test ride, what a relief to get that overwith.

Since then I have a somewhat milder version before a ride but its still there and it goes just as quickly once I get underway. Perhaps half the joy of riding is that build up and release, so to speak...

[Sniper]

I know the feeling all too well. Its almost the same feeling when you take your new bike out for a ride or get that perfect corner

[frogfeaturesFZR]

Mate, it's called an addiction......and it's great

[MSTRS:Me]

Why don't you just get off the fence - your wife looking over your shoulder?

There's a fence?? Where was the ACC/OSH sponsored warning?

[ceebie13]

Absolutely...I get an enormous amount of pleasure from riding. Whether it be into Welly on a daily commute or, say, down to the inlaws in Christchurch. The anticipation (read excitement) kicks in well before the ride. It's a bit like needing a fix in so much that if the weather is crap for example I feel frustrated and let down. Indeed I too am sitting here at home typing this and it's got me thinking "why am I not out on the bike?" I pour over maps before a long ride too...and sometimes afterwards - to look see where I went. I can even picture a particular stretch of road that Ive ridden just by looking at the map. Its simply called the biking bug and it bites at you whatever you are doing. I NEVER get the same feelings about car journeys. Like I've said in earlier threads, I'll go into the garage and just stare at the bike! (or in my case clean it again!). Or at least tinker in some way or another. If we go out for a scratch of a weekend. I'll sit and admire it when we stop for a break. I spend far too long on here for example...another symptom. But long haul touring trips are my fave...God I'm so anal. I once planned a route through France on backroads to a holiday destination. I spent friggin hours pouring over Michelin maps and logging the itinerary to the minutest detail. I printed out the route directions, including mileage so that I could read it from the map holder
on my tank bag and ride the route without needing to map read. When I got there, my trip meter was about 1km out!
But doing all that preparation beforehand just added to the anticipation. It was great... and it still is. No you don't need to get a life. You've got a bloody good one like the rest of us like-minded sad old gits!

[pritch]

I'm planning an overnight trip this weekend and I'm finding that it's occupying more and more of my mental down-time.

I'm going to be tied up assisting with the running of a rally the following week so tonights Pie & Pint and the overnighter will be it for a coupla weeks. In that case I guess we will be in for fantastic weather over the next fortnight
:-(

[Kendog]

Why can't us wives reply?? I get butterflys in anticipation of a big(ish) ride too!
We're going through to Dorkland later in the month for the U2 concert and the thought makes me tingle in anticipation and I could really go a smoke, but as I've quit, I guess I won't be getting through half a pack the morning of departure. It'll be the longest trip I have undertaken on my own bike, so am looking forward to not having to sit behind lines of traffic!
Mrs KD.

[ceebie13]

Why can't us wives reply?? I get butterflys in anticipation of a big(ish) ride too!

Ooh er!! Is that Mr Kendog you are describing??

[emaN]

How many other riders actually notice physical symptoms in anticipation of a decent length ride on their bikes?

if you mean blabbering non-stop about it, thinking non-stop about it, planning non-stop about it... then, yep, guilty as charged.

should'a seen me last week, counting down to the Suzook trackday last Sat!!

Hope I'm still going strong at 59!!

Enjoy it bro!!

[Macktheknife]

, going through the ritual of kitting up, mentally running through the route, how I’m going to ride it and trying to slip into the “Zen State” as early into the ride as possible. I’m actually getting that stomach-churning feeling of anticipation and elation whilst I’m typing this!

I’m 59, have been riding for nigh on 40 years and still this happens. Am I just an incredibly sad bugger who needs to get a life or do others feel like this too? Wives need not reply

This is a trick question right?
You seem to suggest that this is not normal!
I have also been riding many years and I still love the feeling of anticipation of a good ride, even if it is a short one, and the planning of a tour...well
I have recently spent 7 months off my bike due to injury, and I reckon I must have gone a bit mad.
Just been able to get back on recently for some short hops but can't describe the feeling of being back on the bike.