Cycling for a better mind and body.

Introduction

Cycling has been a part of my life since I was a child. I have always enjoyed the freedom and sense of adventure that comes with riding a bike. Over the years, I have come to appreciate the mental and psychological benefits of cycling as well. Cycling has helped me to think more clearly, to be more creative, and to stay focused on my goals. In this article, I will discuss how cycling has helped me to think more effectively and to stay motivated. I will also share some tips on how to make the most of your cycling experience.

How I Started Cycling

Cycling has been a part of my life since I was a child. I remember the feeling of freedom and joy that I experienced when I first learned to ride a bike. I remember my father teaching me how to ride a bike over a weekend, on one borrowed from a friend. It had one of those slope-back banana seats. It was blue, with white seats. I was about 5 years old; I vaguely remember. My dad shouted out, “Keep pedaling… ”. I kept going and slowly turned the handlebars to come back. I didn’t feel the resistance that someone was holding you. I was flying solo! You don’t forget an emotion as exhilarating as the moment you start to pedal without any support/ training wheels. It was a small victory, looking back now. But all those years ago, it was an astounding achievement, by any 2^nd grade standards. I was hooked.

Not soon after did I get my first bike – a single speed mountain bike for kids called Rough Rider. I got another one a few years later when I got taller – this was called the Ranger. There was no place I did not ride to – to the stores, friends’ houses, school, relatives’ place, just cycling when I felt like it. Without much thought or realization, I was doing 10–15-mile trips, fully engaged in riding and enjoying the freedom more than anything else I had to do or things on my mind.

Little did I know at that time that cycling gave my mind clarity. It would become a source of strength and resilience for me in my adult life.

Cycling Helped Me Find My Inner Strength

I had no given up cycling in college; I just didn’t have time to cycle when I wanted. Course load was also heavy, especially in an Engineering discipline. 4 years flew by. After graduation in my early twenties, I faced a difficult period in my life. Coming out of college and entering the work force as a young adult, I was presented with new, emotional and dynamic situations in both my professional and personal lives that led to depression and anxiety.

I felt like whatever path I was on I was bound to meet failure. I was searching for something to help me find my inner strength and courage. That’s when I realized I had missed cycling.

At first, I was hesitant to get back on a bike. I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with my earlier self. I had put on weight and changed as a person. I became more cautious. I started thinking more about the what-ifs when a ride does not go as planned.

But fond memories made me soon realized that cycling was the perfect way to challenge myself and push my limits, both physically and mentally. I got a new mountain bike and started to take longer rides and explore new routes. I found that the physical exertion of cycling was a great way to clear my mind and focus on the present moment.

As I continued to cycle, I began to feel more confident and empowered. I was able to take on new challenges and push myself further than I ever thought possible. Cycling helped me to find my inner strength and courage. It gave me the confidence to face my fears and take on new challenges.

Cycling has been a source of strength and resilience for me. It has helped me to find my inner strength and courage and to take on new challenges. I am grateful for the freedom and joy that cycling has brought into my life.

How Cycling Helped Me Develop a Positive Mindset

As I grew older, cycling became more than just a hobby; it became a way of life and a part of who I am. Not one day goes by without me thinking of going for a ride. The older person in me put priorities in perspective – something we all took for granted when we were kids, and I missed those days.

Cycling has helped me develop a positive mindset in many ways. For starters, it has helped me to stay physically active. Cycling is a great form of cardio exercise that can help to improve your overall health and wellbeing. It also helps to reduce stress and anxiety, which can have a positive effect on your mental health.

Cycling has also helped me to stay connected with nature. When I’m out on my bike, I’m able to take in the beauty of the world around me. This helps to put things into perspective and reminds me of how lucky I am to be alive.

Finally, cycling has helped me to develop a sense of accomplishment. Every time I complete a ride, I feel a sense of pride and satisfaction. I try to aim for a specific speed or distance with a specific time frame, or longer more paces rides. Achieving these mini goals helps to boost my confidence and encourages me to keep pushing myself to reach new goals.

How Cycling Helped Me Find Balance in My Life

Cycling has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was always an active kid, but it wasn’t until I was an adult that I truly discovered the joys of cycling. I started out with a simple mountain bike, and I quickly found that cycling was a great way to stay in shape and explore the outdoors. Now I ride mountain bikes, road bikes, and gravel bike – those that are between mountain and road bikes.

But what I didn’t realize at the time was that cycling was also helping me to find balance in my life. As I began to cycle more and more, I found that I was able to better manage my stress levels and find a sense of peace and calm. Cycling gave me an outlet to clear my head and focus on the present moment.

Cycling has helped me to stay motivated and productive. I’ve found that when I’m cycling, I’m able to think more clearly and come up with creative solutions to problems. The monotonous pedaling movement gets me in a rhythm. This enables my mind to sort out its to-do lists where each problem is researched and analyzed. The deep breaths I take fuels my brain with fresh natural air. All these combines to help my mind come up with solutions to problems, putting my mind at ease, reducing stress. There is ample supporting research showing the many health and mental benefits of cycling.

If I do not cycle for a few days, I do tend to “lose my mind” and I feel the problems piling up in my head. So, cycling is kind of a releaser-of-stress and executor-of-plans, in a way.

I also found that cycling was a great way to stay connected with friends and family. I started to join group rides and explore new trails with friends. This allowed me to stay connected with people in a way that was both physically and mentally stimulating.

Cycling tips for your Well-Being

1. Set Goals: Setting realistic goals can help focus your energy on a specific task, and give you a sense of accomplishment when you meet them. Goals such as cycling for a certain period or time when you are starting out helps you meet or exceed those goals, giving you more confidence in yourself.
2. Connect with Others: Cycling can be a great way to connect with people. Join a local cycling club or find a friend to ride with.
3. Mix it Up: Variety is key to keep your routine fresh. Try new routes, terrain and distances to keep your cycling interesting and challenging.
4. Make it a Ritual: Developing a regular cycling routine can help keep your mental health in check. Make it a priority and make time for it.
5. Challenge Yourself: Push yourself to reach new goals and challenge yourself along the way.
6.  Refuel: Don’t forget to refuel after a ride with a healthy snack or meal. Eating nutritious food can help keep your energy up and improve your mood.

Conclusion

Cycling has been a great way for me to clear my head and think more clearly. It has allowed me to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and focus on the task at hand. Cycling has also helped me to stay physically active and healthy, which in turn has helped me to think more clearly and be more productive. Cycling has been a great way for me to stay focused and motivated, and I am thankful for the positive impact it has had on my life.

Hope you found this helpful. Check out my other posts as well.