11/28/23 Biking & Listening

Here’s today’s bike ride metrics. Temperature at beginning of ride: 45 degrees. Brilliant sun with beautiful blue sky, but a little windy.

Photos from today’s ride

I’m a rigger.

Why I ride

Biking is something I both love and hate. The conflicting emotions arise from the undeniable physical effort it demands. However, this exertion is precisely what makes it an excellent form of exercise. Most days, I dedicate over an hour to my cycling routine, and in doing so, I’ve discovered a unique opportunity to enjoy a good book or podcast. The rhythmic pedaling and the wind against my face create a calming backdrop that allows me to fully immerse myself in the content. In these moments, the time spent on the bike seems worthwhile, as I can’t help but appreciate the mental and physical rewards it offers.

I especially like having ridden. The post-biking feeling is one of pure satisfaction. The endorphin rush, coupled with a sense of accomplishment, makes the initial struggle and fatigue worthwhile. As I dismount and catch my breath, I relish the sensation of having conquered the challenge, both physically and mentally. It’s a reminder that the things we sometimes love to hate can often be the ones that bring us the most fulfillment. In the end, the love-hate relationship with biking only deepens my appreciation for the sport, as it continually pushes me to overcome my own limitations and embrace the rewards that follow the effort.

Why you should ride

Enhances the Sense of Well-being:

Cycling can profoundly enhance an individual’s overall sense of well-being. This sense of well-being goes beyond the temporary ‘feel good’ state; it encapsulates a deeper and more sustained level of contentment and life satisfaction. Here’s a look at how cycling contributes to this state:

Connection with the Environment: Cycling, particularly outdoors, allows for an immersive experience with the environment. This connection to the outdoors and nature can significantly contribute to a person’s sense of well-being. Being outside and engaging with the landscape allows for a grounding experience that can help one feel more in tune with the world around them.
Improvement in Physical Health: There is a strong link between physical health and well-being. Regular cycling helps improve cardiovascular health, build muscle, and control weight, which in turn contributes to better physical health and a stronger sense of well-being.
Sense of Autonomy and Freedom: The ability to hop on a bike and go wherever you choose can instill a powerful sense of freedom and autonomy. This feeling can be especially potent in urban environments where traffic and congestion can make people feel trapped. Cycling offers an alternative that is not only efficient but also provides a liberating experience.
Mindfulness and Presence: The focus required when cycling — from navigating the road to maintaining balance — encourages a state of mindfulness. This practice of being present can significantly reduce levels of stress and anxiety, contributing to an enhanced sense of well-being.
Regular Routine and Exercise: Establishing a routine that includes regular exercise like cycling can provide structure and purpose to one’s day or week. This consistency is beneficial for mental health, as it can help to combat feelings of aimlessness or uncertainty.
Social Connection: For many, cycling is a social activity. Whether it’s joining a cycling club or participating in group rides, the social aspect of cycling can foster a sense of community and belonging, which is essential for well-being.
Accomplishment and Progress: Setting and achieving goals is a key part of cycling. Whether it’s increasing the distance of rides or improving speed, the progress made is tangible. This sense of accomplishment feeds into a person’s self-efficacy and contributes to their overall well-being.
Mental Respite: Cycling can provide a break from the mental clutter of everyday life. This respite is vital for mental recovery and can help maintain a balanced perspective on life’s challenges.
Reduction in Negative Health Behaviors: Regular cycling can also lead to a reduction in negative health behaviors, such as sedentary living and poor dietary choices. By promoting a healthier lifestyle, cycling helps prevent the onset of health conditions associated with these behaviors, enhancing one’s well-being.
Balance in Life Domains: Cycling can help balance various life domains — physical, emotional, social, and sometimes even spiritual. This balance is crucial for a holistic sense of well-being.

In essence, the well-being derived from cycling is multifaceted, affecting the cyclist’s physical health, emotional state, social life, and overall lifestyle. The compound effect of these benefits contributes to a deeper and more sustainable sense of well-being, making cycling not just an exercise for the body, but also nourishment for the soul.

Please watch

Here’s a couple of links to groups I like. Hopefully, they’ll encourage you to start riding a bike, no matter your age.

Cycling for those aged 70+(opens in a new tab)

Solitary Cycling(opens in a new tab)

My bike

A Rockhopper by Specialized. I purchased it November 2021 from Venture Out in Guntersville; Mike is top notch! So is the bike. The ‘old’ man seat was salvaged from an old Walmart bike. Seat replaced with new one from Venture Out.

What I’m listening to

Novel:

Amazon abstract:

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series continues: Lisbeth Salander must face the most important battle of her life, and will finally put her past to rest in this thriller that will “leave Salander’s legion of followers clamoring for more” (The Wall Street Journal). • Also known as the Millennium series

Mikael Blomkvist is trying to reach Lisbeth Salander—the fierce, unstoppable girl with the dragon tattoo. He needs her help unraveling the identity of a man who died with Blomkvist’s phone number in his pocket—a man who does not exist in any official records and whose garbled last words hinted at knowledge that would be dangerous to important people. But Lisbeth has disappeared. She’s sold her apartment in Stockholm. She’s gone dark. She’s told no one where she is. And no one is aware that at long last she’s got her primal enemy, her twin sister, Camilla, squarely in her sights.

Look for the latest book in the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, The Girl in the Eagle’s Talons, coming soon!

Blinkist nonfiction book summaries

None today.

Podcast episodes:

Waking Up app series/courses: