Long-distance cycling tourism: an explorative study of flow in cycling experiences
Author
Nielsen, Jesper Krogh
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2019
Abstract
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan langdistancecyklister oplever flow under cykelture, i lyset af at cykelturisme er i vækst og forskningen hidtil primært har fokuseret på socioøkonomiske effekter. Med et induktivt, kvalitativt design forankret i en fortolkende forskningsparadigme anvendes grounded theory til at udvikle et analytisk rammeværk. Datagrundlaget omfatter egne ustrukturerede observationer og semistrukturerede interviews, som er kodet og fortolket med flowteori som teoretisk rygrad og suppleret af begreber om sensescapes, materialitet og sociale møder. Analysen peger på, at termiske og auditive landskaber (thermalscapes og soundscapes), turens materialitet (fx navigation, udstyr og ruteattraktioner) samt sociale møder (med lokale, i grupper eller i alenehed) er gennemgående faktorer, der kan både facilitere og afbryde flow. Resultaterne nuancerer etableret flowteori ved at tydeliggøre, hvordan balancen mellem færdigheder og udfordringer påvirkes af sanselige, materielle og sociale forhold under cykling. Praktisk bidrager studiet med indsigt til kundeorienteret udvikling af langdistance cykelturisme, hvor planlægning og produktdesign med fordel kan indtænke disse elementer for at understøtte sammenhængende og meningsfulde cykeloplevelser.
This thesis explores how long-distance cyclists experience flow during multi-day rides, against the backdrop of a growing cycling tourism market where research has largely emphasized socio-economic impacts. Using an inductive, qualitative approach within an interpretive paradigm, the study employs grounded theory to build an analytical framework. Data comprise the author’s unstructured observations and semi-structured interviews, analyzed through coding with flow theory as the backbone and supported by concepts of sensescapes, materiality, and social encounters. The analysis indicates that thermal and acoustic environments (thermalscapes and soundscapes), the materiality of the trip (e.g., navigation, gear, and route attractions), and social encounters (with locals, within groups, or in solitude) are prevalent factors that can both enable and disrupt flow. The findings add nuance to established flow theory by showing how the balance between skills and challenges is shaped by sensory, material, and social conditions during cycling. Practically, the study offers insights for customer-centric development of long-distance cycling tourism, suggesting that route design and service provision should integrate these elements to foster continuous and meaningful cycling experiences.
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