harleyfrog

I just look at that as fuel.

no motor?

Studies have shown exercise works better than drugs for mild to moderate depression, especially when combined with diet changes. They would have combined those with some patentable product years ago if they could have.

mustang1

I think if i took up any exercise I would have had the same feeling. Cycling just happens to be the one I'm interested in.

chrys9989

It allows me to leave work, at work, and home at home. Driving, I just get more aggravated. On my bike, I can add as many miles as needed until I'm fine.

CliftonGK1

Yeah, but you know how the engine performs when you fill a sports car with low-grade petrol?

I'm the furthest thing from the "sports car" equivalent, but imagine filling the tank on an old Jeep Wagoneer with Pepsi.

harleyfrog

High octane. Low octane. All I know is that I'd fail an emissions test.

djwid

Cycling both improves my mental well-being and takes a bit away from it when I have unpleasant car/bike interaction. It is a net gain but I do get more and more intolerant of drivers as I age.

Roody

Not me. Besides the exercise, I like the movement, practicality, and being outdoors. Running is too slow, and skating hurts my ankles.

Fantasminha

Ditto! It's like cycling zen...

slloth

The benefits of cycling far out weight the benefits of driving. I could write an essay on this subject but I will summarize quickly. I believe that cycling to work has helped greatly with my Anxiety and depression. it has saved me a ton of money. I have lost weight. My legs are in the best shape ever. It keeps me grounded and humble. It tests my drive, focus and ability. I feel closer to nature. I appreciate modern comforts more. It is fun. It is exciting. The challenge never goes away. I "heart" my bike.

H.A.W.G.

I have only been biking for about a month, and It has done wonders. I am a former college football player and I had to quit because of a headache I had for 6 straight months. I still have one most days, but I find biking helps, probably because I think of nothing at all. I am just focused on getting work done. That is a major difference from my usual state of constantly working my mind through something.

Currently I am on the DL since my bike is awaiting a replacement part, so I havent been on the bike in about a week. Its almost depressing

huhenio

I am still a imbecile.

Roody

Give it a little more time.

Foofy

Exercise in general is good for mental health. One of my professors for a class I took a couple years ago also works as a therapist for a variety of psychological disorders. She's a huge believer that getting depressed people on a regular exercise program is important. I agree. I actually look forward to going to work these days, just to get in a good 30 miles of cycling and the positive feelings from endorphins.

Randochap

I've been a cyclist for over 4 decades. When I look back, I see that the times in my life when I have been depressed and aimless have coincided with the times I wasn't cycling enough.

Silly that I allowed anything to distract from my greatest pleasure. I really do believe, as quoted on my website, that the bicycle is the greatest invention of the Industrial Revolution -- not purely as a product for practical transportation, but as a mechanism for the production of dreams.

Setting goals and keeping a log really reinforce eachother. It is very satisfying to enter the data after each ride/commute and total it up at the end of each week, month, year. Speaking of which, tomorrow I will break 8,000 kilometres for 2008 -- a couple thousand short of my PB, but not bad considering I had an injury, early in the year.

Cycling has helped me overcome two battles with cancer, the first in 2003 and the second last spring, just 6 weeks before I was due to ride my first 200 km qualifier for the 1200km Paris-Brest-Paris randonnee. After major surgery, that cut away part of my tongue and excised the nearby lymph nodes, I completed that brevet (only a few minutes over my PB) the rest of the qualifiers and went to PBP, in August.

I now live with post-treatment challenges that test my patience and spirit, but on the bike I am very much at peace with my life. I feel incredibly lucky to be alive, not to mention fitter and younger at heart than most people my age (56).

James E. Starrs has said "Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling. " I'm not sure that one can't be melancholy and yet still take to the bike. I share the Buddhist view that happiness is not the be all and end all (and can't be assured whether written in contract or constitution) -- bravery is. It is the ability to keep moving forward in life with an open heart and broad shoulders that is important. That much can be achieved with the right attitude. Cycling helps me do that.

Trekke

Okay....

adaminlc

The best part is that the endorphins go on and on, especially on a long ride. Bikes are the best therapy you can buy.

chkuo

Cycling definitely helps my physical and mental health. When I have to take the bus to work, I find myself more cranky and less motivated at work. Fortunately that does not happen too often.

sunburst

Every time I get on my I feel alive and I feel better. And I feel blessed that I live somewhere where I can cycle year-round.

pathdoc

Yes it is a blessing to be able to ride year round. Lots of great comments. Thanks

stevemtbr

It's the only thing that keeps me sane these days.

InfiniteRegress

Ditto here!

Jim from Boston

Cycling has been a part of my lifestyle variably for about 35 years of my adult life and I certainly think it has been valuable for many of the reasons discussed. Since this August, I have been further energized by reading and posting to Bike Forums. It's nice to connect with like-minded individuals because other than those cyclists I pass on my commute, I don't belong to a community of cyclists, and cycle commuting really is an alternative lifestyle. I have realized how much a part of my life cycling is by all the discussion threads that prompt me to reply because I have also seriously thought about those things too. A favorite example is a thread that asked about eating pretzels for cycling, and I had a definite opinion ;-)

The most drastic change that has occurred is now I am willing to commute in the rain, something I always avoided in the past. Now those cagers that don't understand think I'm really nuts.

UberIM

+2; Biking is great for my mental health and overall health and well-being. I do lots of outdoor activities but combining exercise with a reduced carbon footprint really rocks for me.......studded tires (you are from Finland home to Nokian) - what is with the "don't over do it for the first 50km" mean?

As I have stated before, clothing and a few bike modifications and the right mindset and one can commute by bike in the winter.......for those who still cannot-put the bike on a trainer.........there are 45-90 minute tapes which give great workouts-CycleRobx I believe is one........walking is another..........

Nerdanel 

I've had a very similar reaction to Bike Forums, even down to being willing to commute in the rain--provided I have acquired the right gear. These forums have done wonders for my gear acquisition techniques!

BTW, Jim from Boston, it suddenly dawned on me how to describe the drivers in Boston (where I lived for several years in the 1980s): they drive cars the way Joey Bike cycles.