ON In this day and age of technological distractions, it can be hard to remember the merits of the amazing world outside. One of the best ways to do this is with sport, and as may be obvious, cycling. Not only is it helpful for your physical and mental well-being, but it can evoke many good feelings as you spectate on the world from your seat. There are many missed wonders in the details, too. The bicycle is a mechanical marvel, with its ability to roll making it a supremely eicient way of travelling. You are the only one that can dictate how far you go on your bike, and that feeling of utter freedom is one that will be discussed later in this magazine! Next time you think about going somewhere, just think: could I cycle there? Keep Pedalling!
FEEL FREE It can be easy to feel overwhelmed or constrained in modern times. Work, social media, relationships; there are all these things and more to think about, and sometimes it can just feel like it is becoming too much. Taking in the world around you, even if just for a moment, can be a great cure for this. But just as stopping and thinking can do it, being active in the great outdoors - as it is labelled - can be one of the best habits to get into. As you have likely realised already, cycling is coming recommended from us. Walking, running, swimming; these things are all great, but there is something about cycling that elevates it above these.
The feelings you get while cycling are unique. Whether you are coasting along, or pelting along at high speed, you get a strong feeling of being self-reliant and, well, free. There is almost nothing better than that pure freedom of knowing that the only thing that can stop you from continuing on is yourself. You are the engine. You are the one pushing yourself further down the road. So I encourage anyone who ever feels like life is getting convoluted to just get on a bike and cycle. You don’t need a destination; you don’t need to go at Olympian speeds. Just go at your own pace and enjoy it! You will find your mind clears and your life brightens.
WHY STOP?
Mechanically, a bike is built as the perfect method of travel. As an invention, it is ingenious; something that is very eicient due to the simple yet brilliant use of rolling. A bike will roll for a huge amount of time compared to the eort you put in, and this is what makes it such a fantastic way of moving from place to place. As mentioned previously in this magazine, a bike manages to cause the superb feeling of freedom. The way a bike is built is a huge contribution to this. As the rider is the one relied on to provide propulsion, he/she becomes the engine! The only real fuel you can apply to a bike is food and drink (those fuel stops can be highlights when you are running low!), so you can basically go as
far as you want to. This can be at a fast pace or a simple cruising speed; it is all down to you. Most importantly, you don’t need to stop. When you focus in on the details of a bike, you find an intricate web of mechanics that ends up producing this fabulous method of travel. The intersecting spokes and wires can look like a cage or confusing blockade at first glance - which is ironic, as they cause the opposite of that - but, as you concentrate on the design, you see the purposeful paths of each bike part. As you follow each individual contribution to the design from start to finish, you realise the inherent beauty of the design. The flowing design ends up matching with the activity it allows.
Of course, the moment you start getting interested in a sport - such as cycling, the sport we’re discussing - it becomes a bigger part of your life and you start to want more. You want to go faster, and you want to go further. But this only helps. Cycling is not only a great form of physical exercise, but also a superb activity mentally. Getting into a routine of cycling early in the morning helps you feel productive; get up at 7am or 8am in the morning, cycle for an hour or so and be home before 10am. Immediately you feel like you have done something useful with your time, and you still have the majority of the day ahead of you. It’s a magical feeling.
This feeling is only helped by the way your mind is cleared through cycling. While out on your chosen route, you often have time to find a speed and stick to it. When you are comfortable with your cycling, your mind can wander into other parts of your life a little. This is positive, though. As I have aforementioned, your head can be in a good place while cycling and this can give you solutions for problems and new ideas. When you return from your ride you can feel enthusiastic and ready to get on with another aspect of your life. Often, you will have the rest of your day to do it, too; instead of lazing around in the morning, you’ve been productive; you’ve been active; most of all, you’ve been cycling.