Why Cyclists Love Cycling

As an avid cyclist, whether you are an enthusiast for road, gravel or mountain biking or all three, you intrinsically know the physical, mental, and social benefits of cycling. 

Here are seven reasons why we cyclists are hooked on this wonderful sport.

1. Cycling enhances your mental health.   The wind in your face is refreshing.  Going faster on a bike, rather than walking or even running, feels better, whether you ride at 10 mph or 25 mph.  Riding a bike can make us feel like a kid again (because most adult cyclists rode bikes as a kid).  Overall, it boosts our mood.

2. It can make your heart healthier.  Getting your heart rate up makes for a healthier heart.  With cycling you can go at a pace that matches your fitness level, while still getting the cardio benefits.

3. It burns calories.  Who doesn’t like to eat?  However, we also need to burn off some of those calories to help maintain a healthy weight/size ratio.  Cyclists come in all different shapes and sizes.  Even in this year’s Tour de France the commentators mentioned one of the riders who deliberately put on 40 lbs. to ride for better results.  It worked.  He was having his best Tour. 

4. It maintains joint and muscle health.  Cycling is low impact on joints, while strengthening various muscle groups.  Peddling works the legs, quads, back muscles, even your neck and arms.  Your core muscles get a workout.  Yet, your knees and skeletal structure are not being impacted by high impact exercise.  It’s a nice alternative or mix with running.  Some people say, “I hate running”.  However, rarely do we hear a cyclist say, “I hate riding my bike”.

5. It enhances balance, coordination and reflexes.  When cycling, the brain is constantly coordinating your complex nervous, muscular and skeletal systems to keep you upright and moving forward.  (Until you forget to unclip at a stop sign and down you go. Been there, done that.) 

6. You can enjoy it for a lifetime.  Over your lifetime you have options to keep cycling.  Add more sprockets to enhance your gear ratio.  Or upgrade to a lighter bike.  When the time is right you can move to an e-bike for road, gravel or mountain biking.  Even three-wheel bicycles have come a long way in offering different models to provide you that extra balance.  There are some excellent options for para-cyclists looking for hand powered bikes.

7. Cycling connects you with others.  Riding with a cycling club or a group of friends contributes to wellbeing by getting you outside of yourself.  Cycling is not just for extraverts.  Whether you are an extravert or introvert, cyclists stay healthier as they socialize with others.  Cycling is a great way to meet new people, chat as you ride along and make friends who also enjoy cycling.

If you think of another reason why you like cycling, leave a comment. And if you love cycling click the heart below!

If you want to find where you can ride with others go to our website ibisrides.com. It lists cycling clubs across Florida, with a link. 

There is also a tab for weekly rides, which lists regular rides, pace and a link for more information.  Most cycling clubs list their ride schedule, the pace and distance.  Contact a ride leader or club leader for more information.  Most clubs welcome people to ride with them a couple of times without being a member.

Introduce others to this great sport.  Cycling helps lift our spirits, engages the mind, maintains a healthier body and introduces us to new friends – for a lifetime. 

Ride often.  Ride safe. 

Bruce | Lead ibis

Visit ibisrides.com where avid Florida cyclists go as their one place to find cycling events, weekly rides, club rides and even recommended destination routes.