General Cycling Discussion - Endorphine

Many years ago, I ran for my primary excercise. I enjoyed the health benefits until my knees and hips urged me to stop.

One of the most enjoyable aspects to my runs would be waiting for the endorphine to hit. At that point I would float off somewhere happy and relax, while working my a$$ off.

Little did I know, that going from running regularly to biking regularly would be like giving up Tylenol 3 and moving to mainlining heroine.

For me, the buzz hits at about mile 10 or so, and the craziest stuff starts flowing through my brain. Always sunshiney happy stuff about my love for my son or wife thoughts of dinner or dumb limricks. Everything seems so funny or important until I sober up.

Do you have any common theme dreams to your Natures Drug?

Are you in denial of your drug habit?

For some reason, though I used to experience a mild euphoria while running, and am able to reach a similar state in brisk walking, it almost never happens when I cycle: perhaps because I have to be 100% alert due to the heavy traffic I'm almost always in.

It's not that the exertion is less, for I get far sweatier cycling than I ever have through running or walking.

I'm not in denial about the phenomenon, for I enjoyed it a lot, and sometimes I wish I could experience it more often when cycling. Maybe once or twice a year I will get this kind of rush of good feeling, but that's all.

I don't doubt that my chances would be increased if I could cycle on some open road where I could be more carefree (and car-free).
But I live in a heavily urban area and opportunities are almost non-existent for that kind of riding.

I see your point.

I am lucky in that I ride on the bike path at the beach. I can ride for about 100 miles and only have to deal with public roads a small percent of the ride.

There are sections of the path where it gets crazy with skaters, tourists and bikinis, but for the most part you can open it up with no thoughts of cars and traffic lights.

I'd agree with the assessment that it's a lot easier to get blissed out on the trail than it is on the road. I do a bit of both and like them both for different reasons. I rarely if ever feel that euphoria while I'm on the road, but I almost always enter a state of "flow". It feels like my brain is running on full power and awareness, senses heightened, like I'm fully present and fully part of the world. When I'm in this state, it seems like I sense the car coming up behind me long before I actually hear it and like I can read the intentions of the person who's going to make a sudden right turn in front of me without signalling before they make that turn. In a way, though this flow isn't as grin inducing as the blissed out trail ride, I almost like it better. It's like that blissful endorphin feeling is like part of my brain getting turned off, so I don't have to listen to the worry and frets and unhappiness. But when I'm in flow, all of me is up and running like a top and the constant threat of cars, road hazards, etc. are just another input into some huge, beautiful machine that's running smoothly. Okay, I'll stop my rambling now.

Originally posted by JonR
For some reason, though I used to experience a mild euphoria while running, and am able to reach a similar state in brisk walking, it almost never happens when I cycle: perhaps because I have to be 100% alert due to the heavy traffic I'm almost always in.


I take weekend rides on quieter roads and that is when I experience much of my euphoria. Oh yeah, I also like riding in heavy rain too.

Chris

I'm not sure if endorphines hit before or during a ride, but often I feel euphoric (sp?) just from the anticipation of a ride. The best way to describe the feeling is excitement.

When I have an abundance of endorhines, I know, before I leave the house, that I will conquer the first hill!! No doubt whatsoever.
When I don't have this euphoric feeling (lack of endorphines), I have a harder time making it over the first hill. On those occasions it takes five or six miles to get myself "psyched up" for cycling. Only then do I perform well.

I guess its something like having good days and bad days. :confused:

"Endorphins," wow, how could I live without 'em?

I always feel so fantastic from them I could kiss a mule (well, naw!) :D

I am no rocket scientist, but I feel something extraordinary, not only during the ride, but sometimes for hours afterwards. In fact, I feel an overall buoyant strength and energy keeping me "afloat" most of the time, especially for the first hour or so after cycling (and during, of course.) Then again, there's tired... ;)

The best test for whether you have endorphins going for you or not is to get in a car and drive for about an hour.

Doesn't feel quite the same, does it? In fact, it feels kind of the opposite...first a heaviness, then boredom, followed by a gradually increasing anxiety and impatience... ;)

RonH,

I get the anticipation exitement of a ride also. Mabey it's just the Cytomax interacting with the coffee!

A junkie will get a natural high while he's getting ready to fix. Just the site of a needle can induce a drug like high for them.

Don't think you can just quit cycling cold turkey. First it's a single speed bike, then unicycles, to roller skates..........

Originally posted by Greg
Don't think you can just quit cycling cold turkey. First it's a single speed bike, then unicycles, to roller skates..........
...and finally it's just sitting in front of the monitor, doing Bike Forums. :crash:

I get the "high" right after the ride. It's a very good mood and incredible energy to get other work done. It's amazing! I never got it running. The only good feeling about running was stopping!:)


"There are sections of the path where it gets crazy with skaters, tourists and bikinis, but for the most part you can open it up with no thoughts of cars and traffic lights."

Poor Greg....I am really sorry you have to ride around those bikinis. Should you need some help in that battle let me know:D

J.R.,

Don't laugh, I know a guy who had an eye poked out from a bikini.

Originally posted by JonR

...and finally it's just sitting in front of the monitor, doing Bike Forums. :crash:

Ya HAAaaaa Haaaaa!! Jon, that is hilarious. So true it hurts.

Good one, Jon.

Ah . . . that endorphin rush! It is SO addictive, isn't it? It usually hits me somewhere between mile 10 and 20 . . . I believe I do get a silly grin on my face (:D ) , I feel like I could ride forever, and I've even been known to shout "Wheee!" at the top of my lungs as I charge down a particularly long downhill. -- I know, I know . . . I really should learn to control my endorphins better. ;) -- It's just a wonderful euphoric feeling that keeps you coming back for more . . .always thinking about and planning for that next ride . . .having to sneak out of work early some days, just to be sure to get your "fix," . . . And when I CAN'T get out on the bike for more than two days in a row, . . . well, talk about withdrawal! :( You don't want to be around me!

Hmm...well I'd have to say previously it was running. When I would run races, I'd have do "kick" in the last 1/4 mile. It's kind of a neat/weird feeling, but what a rush!

Lately, it's riding up a hill, and getting over the top. That's when I get that adrenalin pumping, that I feel that sudden rush over me. :D Also, after my yoga class, I get that really happy feeling. Like I just want to smile non-stop, and I conquer the world!

All the above get's it going for me! :thumbup: