What Propels You?
Hello cycling world, this is my first (of hopefully many regular) posts. I’m new to this community and I didn’t realize how many bike lovers there are in the world and the connection that exists between everyone. My eyes are open and I’m impressed.
Why? I never realized or thought about the passion that people have for biking. I viewed bicycles as a necessity of being a child…the first taste of freedom to get around independently and to meet with friends. I, like most everyone else, got to experience this in my youth; and then when I got older, I “moved on” to my car(s) and the need to cycle diminished. Looking back, my bike was a tool for transportation and it never materialized into something that I looked forward to or needed to do daily. Presently, my job as an educator and the relatively short cycling climate I live in (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada) dictates that motorized transportation be my main means of daily travel, further hindering a connection with my bike.
So, what motivates people to become dedicated to cycling? Why are so many people loving the bike? How do I or can I experience the bikers’ passion? These questions have been on my mind for the past couple of months. Since meeting Darryl (my neighbor and the main man behind lovingthebike.com), I’ve been thinking about how I could use my bike more often. I could use it to get in better shape, exercise the dog more, experience the world from a different perspective, go on family rides, etc. Now I look to the cycling community: what propels you to pedal everyday?
Myron
Hiya Myron,
Sorry I missed this post back in March!
All your thoughts for how to use your bicycle more often are good enough reasons to get pedalling once in a while. It was doing just that – thinking about what uses I could find for my old mountain bike that resulted in leaving our car on the driveway more often.
Like yourself, “moving on to cars” I gradually became disillusioned with the so-called freedom the car offers. We have always enjoyed getting out in the Summer for leisure, and popping to the shop for a few grocerys on the way home from such a ride was like being bitten by a deadly cycling insect ;>D
I wasn’t hindered by traffic and didn’t have to go hunting for a decent parking space (the bike stands are right next to the door of the supermarket!).
Even if you only cycle for leisure, you will benefit. If you also get bitten by the bug, then I’m afraid there is no known cure :>D
Oops, forgot to add…
…to answer your question: What propels you to pedal everyday?
The answer is easy, and I’m in complete agreement with ‘WhyEyeBike’ on this one.
“…its still all about loving to ride my bike”
Cycling is good for body and mind, so yes, I definitely agree with Cyclin’Missy. Apart of that, one more advantage for us who lives here in heavily populated area is, cycling is always a practical and also reasonably economic option. With my folding bike I have an option for mix commuting and optimizing our family car. We used to have 2 cars few years back, and we only need one now.
Cycling is my sanity! I think Cyclin’ Missy expressed it exactly. There is something so smooth and natural about riding. Propelling yourself uphill and speeding back down.
Not only do I get in my exercise, I get time to be out in nature and let my thoughts go. It is actually very relaxing for me even though I am working hard!
Had to get rid of the extra baggage around the mid section…but then I realized how much I liked biking and it became less about excercise and more about fun. Now I have gotten into racing and its about competition and sport (and fun)….but its still all about loving to ride my bike; just like when I was a kid.
Isn’t it great when fun and exercise go hand in hand? That is definitely one of the reasons I am loving the bike.
I really enjoyed this article. You have very good blog with good quality recordings. Thanks for the article.
And I echo Bryan…there is nothing like being out in nature. I didn’t want to neglect to add that!
It’s kind of thrilling to exercise by doing something so smooth, so fast. Cycling is a lovely combination of the exhilorating coast and the the heart-pumping climb. It’s not only great for the heart, lungs, muscles and joints, but every ride is also an exercise for the mind.
There’s something about cycling that feels more natural to me than even running (though I enjoy that, too). I love the challenge, riding with friends, riding as transportation. I love the bike.
Thanks for your comments, Missy. Yes, cycling is so great for the body, mind, and everything else. We are very lucky to be involved in such a great sport and passion.
First and foremost, losing the tonnage.
Second, nothing beats riding through nature.
Thanks Bryan…..hope that tonnage is dropping faster and faster.