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Does cycling affect your mood?

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Old 07-17-08, 12:34 AM
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Does cycling affect your mood?

I've found that as my mileage has settled around 90 to 110 miles per week, if I miss a day or two I start feeling a little cranky. I'm not sure if it's because I'm frustrated that I didn't get to ride today, or if it's due to changes in levels of endorphins generated by the daily short rides (13 miles) and weekly longer rides (40-60mi).

I suspect one of three sources:
  • Frustration about being too busy to ride (the enjoyment factor).
  • The lack of stress relief that biking brings me.
  • Endorphin levels dropping after missing a day or two of exercise.

Maybe it's just my imagination.
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Old 07-17-08, 12:37 AM
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The more I ride the less I give a sh*t about the stresses in my life.
Not sure if it is that I'm too tired to care or
if I'm just nulled into complacency with content...
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Old 07-17-08, 12:38 AM
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copy that
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Old 07-17-08, 12:40 AM
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No, but my cycling is definitely affecting Mrs. Woo's mood. Oy.
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Old 07-17-08, 12:41 AM
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Yes. Mucho.
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Old 07-17-08, 12:46 AM
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If I don't ride I'm even more of an ass and my wife will kick me out of the house early the next morning to go riding.
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Old 07-17-08, 12:51 AM
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I try to do a 40 mile ride at least every 2 days. I find that because of issues I can't do the ride I feel kind of left out of my life. I definitely find that doing my rides, especially the longer ones, give me a feeling of well being for a day or two. I worry less, my stress level is way down. I handle business affairs better, I'm more decisive about about work related stuff. I get along with my family better. Cycling is definitely a good mental thing as well as a work out.
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Old 07-17-08, 01:20 AM
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yes
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Old 07-17-08, 01:21 AM
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Not cycling affects my mood...
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Old 07-17-08, 01:25 AM
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I find I get short tempered and cranky the more miles I get in. Maybe it's because I'm always hungry. Dunno, I'm getting kinds upset writing this.
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Old 07-17-08, 03:25 AM
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A bike ride will make a 180 on my bad mood
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Old 07-17-08, 03:36 AM
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It's the ultimate anti-depressant.
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Old 07-17-08, 04:31 AM
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If all you Pcad haters want to get rid of me all you have to do is get my to stop cycling. I'll commit suicide within 90 days.

Good luck with that.
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Old 07-17-08, 04:36 AM
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Old 07-17-08, 05:15 AM
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Yes; I'm hooked on endorphins. I tried to quit cold turkey but then they caught me sneaking out at night to ride. I may have to go to a clinic. Then once there, maybe they could put some weight on me and raise my blood pressure.
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Old 07-17-08, 05:39 AM
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I've missed my ride 4 straight days due to a medical condition. I'm about to climb out of my skin. Cycling vs. not cycling definitely affects my mood.
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Old 07-17-08, 05:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Patriot
When on my bike, I feel closer to God.
When on my bike, I AM God.
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Old 07-17-08, 05:52 AM
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Agree completely.

I am more agitated, cranky and fidgety when I don't get at least 2 rides in a week. Its the ultimate in stress relief for me, and a means for me to stay healthy and to be more conscious about my body. On days or weeks I haven't rode, I find myself extremely jealous of those that I see riding as I am driving by. Just one look at my wife and she goes "I know..... I know.....".

More rides = Happier me
Less rides = Don't even look at me
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Old 07-17-08, 06:01 AM
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Originally Posted by patentcad
If all you Pcad haters want to get rid of me all you have to do is get my to stop cycling. I'll commit suicide within 90 days.

Good luck with that.
+1, my biggest fear is that I break a bone or something and am basically ok, but unable to ride. I honestly don't know what the hell I'd do with myself.

So yeah, all you veggiemafia haters have to do to get rid of me is get me to stop cycling. Not that I have any haters that I'm aware of.

Anybody wanna be my official hater? It doesn't pay as well as Official BD Shill, but you gotta start somewhere.
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Old 07-17-08, 06:13 AM
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Originally Posted by daoswald
I've found that as my mileage has settled around 90 to 110 miles per week, if I miss a day or two I start feeling a little cranky. I'm not sure if it's because I'm frustrated that I didn't get to ride today, or if it's due to changes in levels of endorphins generated by the daily short rides (13 miles) and weekly longer rides (40-60mi).

I suspect one of three sources:
  • Frustration about being too busy to ride (the enjoyment factor).
  • The lack of stress relief that biking brings me.
  • Endorphin levels dropping after missing a day or two of exercise.

Maybe it's just my imagination.
I agree 100%.

I am one sorry SOB if I can't ride when I planned to.
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Old 07-17-08, 06:39 AM
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It's usually the opposite of what you think. Ride too much, too long, too often without proper recovery time, proper nutrition, and time for other activities, and your endorphin high is going to turn into depression.
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Old 07-17-08, 06:41 AM
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I just get really hyper and annoying if I go more than 3 days without a ride.
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Old 07-17-08, 07:22 AM
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all you fockers can piss off. BF'ers are a bunch of internet spandex wearing lame geeks.

i have not ridden in four days .

later.
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Old 07-17-08, 07:25 AM
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Off the bike for a few days and my wife wants nothing to do with me.
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Old 07-17-08, 07:28 AM
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Yes. I feel much better when I ride. Specially after a long or hard ride.
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