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I got out on my bike for the first time this year today. Did a 51KM road ride (that wasn't the original intention, but the good trails were a boggy mess so we left them) and I feel so much better for it.
I've been getting more and more depressed as I'm really missing the gym and I've been avoiding my bike because road rides are boring and I now feel elated. I'm in such a better place, mentally, and I wish I'd gone out sooner.
I'm sure this isn't news to a lot of people, but I'm sure I'm not the only person who knows that it's good for you but does nothing and ends up in a downward spiral so I think it's worth repeating. I was firmly in the "If it's not fun it's not worth it" group but today has changed that. You don't have to drive for miles to get the benefits after all.
Yup, couldn't agree more. Ironically the days that it's hardest to get out the door are the days I need it the most!
Great news...glad to hear another person has rediscovered the happy thinking biking (or any exercise) provides.
Great to hear.
Sometimes it's so difficult to overcome the urge to dwell on a low mood and be inactive, but it really does help lift the spirits (even when you see evidence of fly tipping R-soles everywhere)
The weather was a massive help today too; glorious sunshine was a nice change from the gloom of the last week.
I agree.
Mrs_oab and I are released from isolating on Wednesday - I think we might both slope off work for the afternoon for a ride.
As above, often the days it feels the hardest to push yourself out of the front door give the most benefit... But sometimes it's so damn hard to give yourself that shove!
I often feel drained, especially Jan-Mar when my SAD is at its worst, but after a long delivery shift and a HIIT erg workout on Zwift yesterday I feel absolutely drained today. I finally managed to pop out for some groceries a while ago, which has made the prospect of going out again for an hour or so no easier, because even though it was milder than expected the breeze made cycling into the headwind on the ice spike tyred hybrid a real chore.
So the options to head out are either put up with draggy tyres, swap hybrid tyres to some slicks, or grab the road bike off the turbo and hope the lanes aren't covered in filth...
Cycling can make me feel worse if it just feels hard and unenjoyable. However If I can peel myself off the sofa and get upright I can pretty much get out of the door and run regardless of mood and weather and always feel better after... A bit after when the lying in a heap in the hall is over.
I’m sure this isn’t news to a lot of people, but I’m sure I’m not the only person who knows that it’s good for you but does nothing and ends up in a downward spiral so I think it’s worth repeating.
Indeed, it has been one of the real plus sides of last year, hearing folk talk about finding how much they enjoy getting out for a cycle or walk.
The biggest cycling thing I promote at work is commuting.
Now I appreciate that not everyone has an idyllic route to work , but there can usually be ways to map a safe route even if it is less direct.
The benefits to mental and physical health are vast and absolutely addictive.
In the real world, I have an 80 minute bus commute from just outside Stirling into Glasgow every day. Believe me, it isn't a whole lot of fun. However, unlocking a Nextbike from Buchanan bus station and enjoying the 15 minute pedal down to my lab in the West End makes up for everything and sets me up perfectly for the rest of the day.
Struggling to get on a bike at the moment because of health issues, so I'm really missing the mental health benefits. Mind you, all that commute money that I'm not spending is going into my new bike kitty!
C.
Cycling is my therapy and I often think where i would be without my daily fix. Just being outside helps to lift my mood and I’m lucky enough to live where an abundance of wildlife enhances the whole experience. Even when the weather is bad, I rarely regret going out and always find something, sunrise or sunsets or endless Norfolk skies which makes it worthwhile.
Just come back from a slow amble through the picturesque villages around here and feel good also - nearly good enough to face a Monday morning.
This is the truth.
Totally agree, felt rubbish all day, done next to nothing, had a nap this afternoon. Got up and did a hard 30 mins on the exercise bike (partly due to having read this thread earlier) now feel ready for the day to start. Also feel like I haven't fully wasted a day. If the weather improves a little might even get the bike out next week, (I can cope with cold and rain, it's wind and ice that make it miserable and living at 1150ft in the Pennines tend to get both a lot, the upside is great views and great challenging riding both on an off road).
Doing the 100 day challenge and now the additional challenge til April 1st has really stoked my liking of being out on the bike just to ride in any conditions. The benefit to mental health cannot be underestimated. Also makes me more positive about achieving some riding plans this year because I'm concerned with conditions, fitness, and general confidence in my own fortitude.
Bikes are good!
This thread for me out for 1hr on the roads @ a whopping 125 watts and I feel better.
Cheers!
Oh most definitely. I sometimes do a loop from my house that is all uphill on the way out but an amazing long downhill most of the way back. As I fly back into the city I’m literally grinning from ear to ear.
Riding my bike has got me through some dark times.
Cyclotherapy 👍
I concur.
My name is Chris and I support this message.
Hell yes. after a really tough week topped by a crap Zwift AdZ on thursday (really struggled to hold power) I was feeling really low. Realised my saddle was too low (pesky kids messing with the turbo) and joined the TdZ stage3 La Reine route on Saturday...absolutely loved it, hard but it was a good hard.
seriously felt high afterwards....I was bouncing 🙂
Cooked Steak whilst enjoying a nice DIPA and followed that by a nice red.
today have been a gentle spin in the actual real world.
bikes are cool, how ever you do them
Had a crap couple of weeks and let the riding slide. Rode yesterday and today and feel lots better, the world's still a bit cold at the moment but riding has made it a bit lighter again. I'm out tomorrow between home schooling lessons.
all uphill on the way out but an amazing long downhill most of the way back
Oh I wish, my local road loop is the opposite, 11 miles and 1000ft of climbing, pretty much all on the second half, gives me a chance to warm up though.
I agree. It’s absolutely essential especially in winter when you don’t see daylight Monday to Friday
I totally agree, unfortunately my wife doesn't so I can't get in a outdoors ride at the weekend. I get that she's then stuck with the kids for a couple of hours but the husband and dad who then comes back would be a much healthier and happier one.
@doomanic, good on you. The occasional reminder of the benefits of exercise never hurts. Glad to hear so many are reaping those benefits, especially these days.
If a bike's involved, all the better. Two wheels good.
but the husband and dad who then comes back would be a much healthier and happier one.
I completed the 100 day till Christmas challenge last year and the family concluded that I was a much nicer and happier person if I exercised every day. As a result they really encourage me to ride my bike because life is better for everyone. The kids sometimes join me especially if I’m going to the woods and they have realised that they also feel better for exercise. As a parent I couldn’t have asked for more!
+1 above, my family know I'm mentally better after riding, hell I'm even allowed to go to the mega each year because I come back totally zen! Talk to your wife @cheers_drive and find some way of compromising.
Due to the weather I've only managed 50 miles so far this year in 3 short rides so to get out today in the sunshine (with no ice to worry about) and do 100km on the SS road bike was wonderful. My legs know about it now but that feeling of just pedalling, allowing the mind to drift off was amazing, a real mood shifter!
The speed and ride stats weren't important, it was just nice to be out.
Good for you op!
Stay upbeat mate and keep chalking up the miles, on road or off.😁
I've tried talking to my wife about it but despite knowing that I've had mental health struggles and I'm still on antidepressants any time she does let me go she then us in a mood for the rest of the weekend. I've tried exchanging 'me time' with her but she says she just wants us to do family stuff. The kids are 2 and 5, I'm hoping after as the youngest becomes more independent then she'll be happier about it.
The mud is getting me down at the moment. So I've spent a few weeks stripping and repainting my old Ribble 653 road bike. It's been only used on Zwift since breaking my spine after getting knocked off my bike. I've hardly used roads since.
So I've loaded up some hilly local routes using loads of quiet roads into my Garmin. Just sick of all the washing.
Well done OP
^^ I'm not going all "STW" on you fossy but are mud guards an option matey?
I wonder what the benefits of exercise are vs just being outside on your bike?
I'm loving cycling at the moment. Have been more doing road rides than normal because in the evening the roads are so quiet where I am that it's actually enjoyable. And going off road at the moment is a complete mud bath requiring a hose down after the ride. Never thought I'd say that!
(road bike is my commuter and fully mud guarded up. MTB has front and rear mudguards but bike is still caked after a muddy ride)
@ cheers _drive. when my kids were that age I set up a static spin bike in the garden under a Pergola and hung up some bird feeders directly opposite. I used it whenever I got the chance and although it wasn’t like a real outdoor ride it was an acceptable substitute. It still gets used now occasionally when I’m short on time.
I totally agree, unfortunately my wife doesn’t so I can’t get in a outdoors ride at the weekend. I get that she’s then stuck with the kids for a couple of hours but the husband and dad who then comes back would be a much healthier and happier one.
Take one or both kids with you - then you are freeing up her time too. Consider taking her with you too - then it is "family time". IME you don't need to be flat out breathing through your arse or clearing jumps to get most of the benefits of being outdoors and active.
I find pooling around the local cycle & shared use paths does me the world of good*, as there is no road stress and you get to exchange pleasantries with other human beings.
* if I'm not actually trying to get anywhere quickly
Mrs_OAB and I either go out with the kids when they were little, out together sans kids now they are as tall as me, and also individually with friends.
Speak to your wife - happy, healthy parents & partner = happy healthy kids & partner.
@cheers_drive - I have three kids and totally understand the impact on family time. My riding is all done at night, after the kids are sorted. It's the only time I get at the moment. Still better than not getting out at all, and the advantage is that it's super quiet at night
Not having a car I ride every day for shopping, exercise and simple pleasure even if it just a 5 or 6 mile loop to Tesco. Keeps me alive 😁👍🏼