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
None today.
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
Reduces Anxiety:
Regular cycling can play a significant role in reducing anxiety, offering both immediate and long-term benefits. Here’s how it contributes to managing and alleviating symptoms of anxiety:
- Physical Activity and Anxiety Reduction: Engaging in physical exercise like cycling has been shown to reduce overall levels of tension, elevate and stabilize mood, improve sleep, and improve self-esteem. Even five minutes of aerobic exercise can stimulate anti-anxiety effects.
- Endorphins and Neurotransmitters: Cycling stimulates the production of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good neurotransmitters. Additionally, it increases the levels of other neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are often low in individuals with anxiety. This biochemical boost can lead to a reduction in anxiety symptoms.
- Stress Hormone Reduction: Regular physical activity, such as cycling, lowers the body’s stress hormones, like cortisol and adrenaline, over time. Lower levels of these hormones can lead to a reduction in anxiety.
- Improved Sleep Patterns: Cycling can help regulate your sleep patterns, which can be particularly beneficial for those whose anxiety disrupts their sleep. Better sleep not only helps reduce anxiety levels but also improves overall health.
- Mindfulness and Focus: Cycling requires a level of focus and presence, which can act as a form of mindfulness exercise. This focus on the present moment can be a powerful tool in managing anxiety, as it shifts attention away from anxious thoughts.
- Sense of Control and Mastery: Learning new skills and improving cycling performance can provide a sense of control and mastery. For individuals with anxiety, this sense of achievement and the ability to set and meet goals can be empowering and anxiety-reducing.
- Social Interaction: If you cycle in groups or join a cycling community, the social interaction and support can be therapeutic. Social engagement can alleviate feelings of anxiety and provide a sense of belonging.
- Nature and Outdoor Exposure: Cycling outdoors, especially in green spaces, can reduce anxiety levels. Nature exposure has been linked to decreased rumination (repetitive, negative thoughts) and reduced activity in the subgenual prefrontal cortex, a brain area related to mental illness.
- Routine and Structure: Having a routine can be beneficial for people with anxiety. Regular cycling provides structure and a sense of predictability, which can help alleviate feelings of anxiety.
- Distraction and Diversion: Cycling can offer a healthy distraction from the everyday stressors and worries that fuel anxiety. Engaging in a physical activity that you enjoy can be a form of diversion that allows your mind to take a break from anxious thoughts.
- Cardiovascular Fitness and Anxiety: Improved cardiovascular fitness through cycling can also lead to reduced symptoms of anxiety. A healthy heart and lungs are linked to overall health, which includes mental health.
Incorporating cycling into a regular routine can thus be a valuable part of a comprehensive approach to managing anxiety. It provides both physiological and psychological benefits that contribute to reduced anxiety levels.
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:
None today.
Here’s a few photos from previous riding adventures:
The Pencil Driven Life 