«Nothing can be compared to the simple but miraculous pleasure of riding a bike», John Kennedy said. And his reference was not just accidental. Bike is one of the most useful inventions in humanity. For years it has been the principal way of transports, but today it is a beautiful, economical and beneficial to the body and soul, alternative solution to traveling.
The simplest and essential exercise
The bike can help each of us develop or maintain a nice body. The correct exercise with the bike helps build muscle and endurance and have a balanced body. And it’s a myth that by cycling you train just the legs.
The leg muscles certainly move the pedals and exercise more, but other muscles in the body (the hands, the abdomen, the shoulders) are also activated. The reason is the posture of the body during cycling.
Even half an hour of bike daily will make the difference. It reduces the likelihood of a heart attack, of strokes and also it brings physical balance. If we try to write all the positive aspects (based on scientific research!), we will probably need papyrus.
From the body to the soul
It would be a big mistake if we weren’t referring to our mental health. The bike has a magical ability to relax people. When you ride a bike, the brain increases the production of protein that creates new brain cells. Scientific research has reported doubling, even tripling the production of brain cells. And when that happens, everything works more smoothly.
On the other hand, the bicycle reduces stress, increases the sense of happiness, changes the mood positively. We stop here, because we would also need a papyrus to mention everything. But let’s get to the point. The reason that cycling has all these positive effects is simple. It increases the levels of serotonin, dopamine, endorphin and cannabinoid (!), while it regulates the hormones of cortisol and adrenaline. All these have a direct impact on our mental health.
The bike is just life. Incorporate it into your daily routine and you will surely gain a lot, both physically and mentally. William Sarojan had noted: «The bicycle is the noblest discovery of the human».
