It is never too early for a bike ride.
It occurred to me recently that I am in the minority of most of my friends in that I still enjoy the childhood pleasure and freedom of riding my bike. Sure, as adults we often take up more maturely acceptable forms of exercise such as running or walking, yoga, or maybe even a little tennis or golf. But cycling? Psshh... that's too much trouble, too dangerous, too time-consuming, too expensive, too childish... Well, yes, it may be all of those things, but I still love it. And I want to share that love (and sometimes disgust) with others this week in a series of fun top five lists. This is partly for my amusement, partly for others' entertainment, and partly because I had too much coffee. So here goes list #1...
TOP FIVE REASONS TO RIDE A BIKE
(in no particular order)
1. ESCAPE - Hopping on a bicycle for an hour or two allows you to leave your worries behind for a little while and temporarily escape life (so to speak). What more could you ask for??
2. HEALTH/EXERCISE - This is kind of a no-brainer. Any exercise is good for you and cycling is no exception. Weekly riding will build and strengthen muscle (especially that ever-important one called the heart), improve lung capacity, and burn calories. Cycling is also much easier on the joints - no constant impact is necessary. Plus, as an added bonus, you get to sit down the whole time you're doing it!
3. SLOW DOWN - We're always in so much of a hurry these days, we rarely have time to slow down and enjoy our surroundings. Cycling allows you to do that! Those same rabbits and squirrels that annoy you in your car as you swerve to avoid them at 45 mph become your companions at 12 mph. They too are just trying to enjoy life that day and not get hit by a vehicle. What about all that beautiful plant-life that's just a colorful blur when you zoom past in your car? On a bicycle you can actually appreciate their beauty as you roll by, and even smell their earthy sweetness! And there's nothing like having a deer or a mare run alongside you as you ride (at a distance of course), or watch a hawk soar right above your head, or see your friendly Southern neighbors wave greetings to you from their front porch, or... the list could go on and on. Suffice to say - slow it down.
4. CHEAPER THAN GAS - While I personally prefer cycling for exercise and recreation, it does double well as a mode of transportation. Instead of burning fossil fuels, you burn calories! Of course this isn't especially easy to do, but it isn't impossible and it's well worth the forethought and effort. I've managed to ride to work and back a couple times and I enjoyed it thoroughly! Sometimes it's just worth seeing all the crazy looks you get from your coworkers. :)
5. FOOD - For me, it's Fig Newtons. For you it may be a Snickers bar or potato chips. Either way, riding a bike (on a constant basis, mind you) affords you the opportunity to eat a little more of those comfort foods you've been trying so hard to avoid. Just like cars need gas to fuel them and make them go, you need calories - so why not indulge a little?
*DISCLAIMER: Riding a bike does not mean you can just eat whatever you want whenever you want. An over abundance of calories can still lead to obesity, biking or not. Don't go overboard!*
Stay tuned for more fantastic top fives!
(If you do come back, you must be really bored...)
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