The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

Cycling is not only a great way to stay active and explore your surroundings, but it can also be a powerful tool for improving your mental and emotional well-being. By practicing mindfulness while cycling, you can enhance your experience, reduce stress and anxiety, and boost your overall sense of well-being. If you had told me way back when I started cycling that I would be talking about mindfulness I would laugh at you but here I am all those years later doing it. Cycling does change as you age and I find practicing mindfulness pretty cool. This may sound hokey to some of you but I find it serves me well. Understand that I am no longer a competitive cyclist. I do not enter races trying to place high in the standings. If I enter a race nowadays it is just to enjoy the fact that I can ride, meet some cool people, and see if I can finish it. Most of my riding today involves getting ready for multi-day adventures. I don't go fast. It is about endurance but it is also about stopping an...

  I love cycling. I'm one of those cyclists that claims cycling is in my DNA. If I go too long without cycling my mood goes south fast. I'm not sure you can classify it as depression but my wife says it causes me to become a grumpy old man. I have read about some seriously depressed people turning their lives around through cycling. I believe in it so here is a post about it. Depression is a serious mental health condition that affects millions of people around the world. While there are many treatments available, some people may find relief from depression through physical exercise, such as cycling. Here are some ways that cycling can help beat depression and improve overall mental health: Boosts endorphins: Exercise, including cycling, releases endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that can improve mood and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Cycling can provide a natural boost of these "feel-good" chemicals, helping to reduce symptoms of depression. Impr...

Cycling is much more than just a form of exercise or transportation. It can be a life-changing experience that positively impacts your mental health in numerous ways. The feeling of freedom and exhilaration that comes with riding a bike is hard to match, and it's a feeling that can have a profound impact on your mental wellbeing. My wife found out early in our marriage that cycling was "in my DNA." She says she can tell when I haven't been riding enough by the way I act. She says that cycling makes me a much more pleasant and positive person. I don't disagree. It is what keeps my mental health in check. When you're out on your bike, you're able to leave the stresses of daily life behind and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. The wind in your hair, the sun on your face, and the sound of your tires on the road all contribute to a sense of calm and contentment that is hard to describe. It's almost like a form of meditation, where your mind can wand...

Cycling has become a popular activity for many people, from casual riders to professional athletes. It can be an excellent way to improve physical fitness, mental health, and overall well-being. However, like any other activity, it's essential to maintain balance and avoid obsessive behavior. Training obsessively as a cyclist can actually just be a replacement for other dependencies and it's essential to recognize and address these potential issues. I can attest to the fact that I walk a fine line between too much and just right when training for my long rides. Obsessive behavior in cycling can take many forms, such as spending excessive amounts of time training or pushing oneself beyond reasonable limits. While cycling can be a healthy outlet, it can also become a crutch for other underlying problems. For example, someone who struggles with addiction may turn to cycling as a way to cope with their urges. While cycling is a better alternative than harmful dependencies like alco...

Cycling can be an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable form of exercise. There are days when it feels like you are riding through Candyland, with the wind in your hair and the sun on your face. These are the days when everything feels effortless, and the miles just seem to fly by. It's easy to get caught up in the euphoria of these rides and forget about everything else. However, it's important to remember that cycling, like life, has its ups and downs. The very next day, you may find yourself struggling through a ride that feels like a journey through the Valley of Darkness. Your legs may feel heavy, the wind may be against you, and every hill may seem insurmountable. It's on these days, when cycling feels like a chore, that it's important to remember the joy and sense of accomplishment that you felt on your last ride. It's easy to get discouraged and give up, but perseverance is key to achieving your goals. Embrace the challenge, push through the pain, and remind yo...