5 Reasons to Keep Cycling

One unexpected but brilliant side effect of lockdown is that people have been digging their bicycles out of the shed and hitting the roads. If you’re one of the thousands of people that took up their new two-wheeled hobby, you may be wondering what happens now that summer is coming to an end. The colder months are approaching which mean thicker coats, jumpers, and long trousers, but it doesn’t mean that you also need to stop cycling. Although it will get colder and there will be rain and snow, you just need to wrap up warm and get out there! It may be a good idea to wait for the snow to melt though; you don’t want to be slipping and sliding out on the roads.

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1. Fresh air & the outdoors are free

It’s a bit of a cliché but your parents were right when they told you to go outside and get some fresh air. It’s free and you can’t quite beat the outdoors, especially if you’re coasting along whilst taking in the spectacular views. You don’t need the fanciest of equipment to enjoy biking – a sturdy and comfortable mountain bike will still bring you as much fun and excitement as the fanciest one on the market. You could also opt for a hybrid bike if you’re not the off-road trails type of rider. Of course, you will have to initially spend money on your bike, but apart from general upkeep, you (hopefully!) won’t need to keep paying out regular amounts.

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2. It can be social if you want it to be

While cycling alone is a great way to escape from everyday distractions and stresses, cycling with one or more partners can be extremely fun and motive you to get out and pedalling. A shared interest and experience is a good way to spark conversation and meet new people. No matter who you are or where you are from, nothing beats a catch up on the ride over a coffee and slice of cake.

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3. Its improves your mental & physical health

There are very few problems that can’t be resolved by a good bike ride. The repetition of pedalling brings a sense of clarity to your thoughts, allowing you to catalogue them into more manageable chunks. On the flip side, cycling is also beneficial for your physical health; the work your body puts into the bike ride will improve your cardiovascular health, which in turn contributes to overall feelings of wellness and fitness. What’s more, the physical demands of cycling help to build your muscle and improve your strength, making your feel good inside and out.

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4. Its not just exercise

Cycling doesn’t just have to be for sport; you can also choose it as your method of travel, whether that is commuting to work or popping down to the shops. As we have previously mentioned, riding your bike is an extremely cost effective way of travel. It is also great fun, so why not swap out your carbon-fuelled car journey for an eco-friendly bike ride.

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5. Most importantly, riding downhill!

When you were a child, the thrill of speeding down hills on two wheels was second to none. Just because you’re older now it doesn’t mean that it’s less exciting. Riding up hills and over long distances brings you a sense of achievement, but nothing beats sweeping around bends and cruising down steep hills. Without the worry of making it to a checkpoint or even working the pedals you can sit back and let gravity do all the work while you take in the beautiful natural views.

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