The "Feel Good" Feeling That You Get From Bicycle Riding

It is well understood that bicycle riding has muscular and cardiovascular benefits that are almost unparalleled and also operate as a means of transportation that is not only convenient but also economically and ecologically expedient. But were you aware of how it just makes us feel good?Sure there are the long-term benefits like lowering blood pressure, improved strength and endurance, a trimmer physique and the confidence that follows, increasing mental alertness, and reducing your odds of cancer, diabetes and heart disease. But bicycle riding simply makes us feel good.There are two primary chemicals involved in making cycling feel good: cortisol and endorphins.

Quite naturally when you are riding your bicycle you are increasing your heart rate beyond its normal levels which stimulates the brain’s pituitary gland to release endorphins, an abbreviation for endogenous (meaning “produced within”) morphine, in the bloodstream. Although casual bicycle riding can garner some of the benefits described above, individual episodes of intense , heart rate topping, blood pumping bicycle riding provides psychological boosts aside from the harder-to-see, harder-to-acquire physical and disease-fighting benefits of bicycle riding .. A single bicycle riding session lasting 20 or 30 minutes at 80 percent of your capacity brings on pain-relieving endorphins, according to work by Robert G. McMurray of the University of Carolina at Chapel Hill. This is especially so when you incorporate hills and paths that offer significant resistance to ride down. Cycling makes you feel better and clears your head. Once you make a commitment to get on that Trek, Schwinn, BMX or Mongoose bike then you are motivated to keep feeling good every day. After about two weeks of bicycle riding and other cardiovascular training you stay on course.I truly find bicycle riding as one way to de-stress and clear my mind. After only one hour of cycling, I feel relaxed. Having a nice hot shower and steam bath after a long ride adds more to the calm state of mind. Not only my muscles are at-ease, but also it helps to clear the worries of the day.

However, it is also important to keep varying the exercise, as our body easily adapts to hormones (endorphins and cortisol) over time. It is important to realize that routine deadens the heart, and you have to change up your bicycle riding regimen. The body always adapts and you need to challenge it. So, vary the intensity, cross train, take dance classes, try a new sport, use a personal trainer for a few sessions, etc. You may also want to join bicycling clubs and organizations that find challenging paths to ride , have competitions or even ride for causes.Another area that you cannot ever forget is bicycle safety. Always remember to wear a helmet and pads and wear reflective clothing if you are riding at night.

Get your cycling on and you will get that high!








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