My experiences on the 9+1 reasons to take up cycling
Take up cycling. If you've learnt it once, you never forget it, so all it takes is a little initiative. If you've not learnt it, this is the best time to learn. The best cycles are available and you can choose one that best fits your budget.
1. You’ll get there faster
Commute in any city and you'll find that you'll get there faster. Well, maybe not really faster, but the time difference between a 4 wheel ride and a 2 wheeled pedaled ride is not much.
I started in Sewri (where I stay) and went to Marine Drive land's end in 30 minutes. When I take a car, I reach there in 20-25 minutes. I pedal from Sewri to Seawoods (35km) in 1hr 20min. and if i drive there, I take about an hour. For short circuits of less than 10 kms, you'll actually reach faster in a bicycle. (just the time it takes to take your car out and put it into parking can often take 10-15 minutes).
I started in Sewri (where I stay) and went to Marine Drive land's end in 30 minutes. When I take a car, I reach there in 20-25 minutes. I pedal from Sewri to Seawoods (35km) in 1hr 20min. and if i drive there, I take about an hour. For short circuits of less than 10 kms, you'll actually reach faster in a bicycle. (just the time it takes to take your car out and put it into parking can often take 10-15 minutes).
2. You'll sleep more deeply
If you're the type who tosses on the pillow, then biking will solve that problem in a jiffy. A research by Stanford University School of Medicine researchers asked sedentary insomnia sufferers to cycle for 20-30 minutes every other day and the result was that the time required for the insomniacs to fall asleep was reduced by half, and sleep time increased by almost an hour.
The article quoting this research said, “Cycling helps get your circadian rhythm back in sync, and also rids your body of cortisol, the stress hormone that can prevent deep, regenerative sleep.”
I sleep better now than any other time in my life.
I sleep better now than any other time in my life.
4. Look younger, be smarter, healthier, live longer
Cycling helps in circulation and in regeneration of new cells. Your skin will have a lot less wrinkles (if it already has them), else it will delay wrinkling. Memory loss due to brain cell decay can also be delayed (which usually starts once you've crossed 30). Cycling makes immune cells more active and helps you stay healthier as well. Research with 2400 identical twins showed that such exercise made the body more efficient at defending itself. Though cycling is a great sport at any age, it is imperative after 30.
5. Save the environment
How many times have you wanted to do something active about the deterioration of the environment but it just remained nothing more than lip service. You can now contribute by doing something you enjoy like cycling. Not only do you contribute to saving fuel, but it takes lesser energy to make bicycles and they produce no pollution.
6. Build values for your children
6. Build values for your children
There is no better way to build values in your children than to show them how. If you cycle with them and show them that you care, you'll build lasting values for them (something that every parent strives to do). But more importantly, you'll do it while you're bonding with your kids and while you're having fun.
7. Sure cure against heart disease and keeping away cancer
Exercise is the best way to give your heart a better chance against Cardio-Vascular Disease and strokes. I hear of 35 year olds getting into critical cardiac care very often and it is a sign of the poor lifestyle and uncontrolled diet that we are all getting accustomed to. By keeping cells in good order, such exercise also helps moderate the body. One research shows that those who did such exercise were half as likely to develop cancer as those who didn’t.
8. Fun way to Lose weight in the saddle
Loosing weight is the toughest thing in the world. I lost 4 kilos a couple of years back when I did a 15 day trek. And after that I've been able to lose not even a gram despite having a very regulated diet, regular exercise etc. etc. That's probably because I don't push myself in exercise and I am not paranoid about the diet.
However, cycling is changing all that. The exercise is fun so I tend to do more, it is competitive (if you set records for yourself), and all it needs is a cycle and you. One hour of cycling burns 300Cal and its much better than even running because you don't load your knees with your body weight (which is a valid medical argument against running.)
However, cycling is changing all that. The exercise is fun so I tend to do more, it is competitive (if you set records for yourself), and all it needs is a cycle and you. One hour of cycling burns 300Cal and its much better than even running because you don't load your knees with your body weight (which is a valid medical argument against running.)
9.Develop a positive addiction and get a high (a legal one)
Cycling releases endorphin in your body - the 'happy' chemical. This addictive rush will give you a feeling of well being and get over any work or social depression. Cycling is also like meditation because you keep your focus so sharply on the road that there is little else that enters the mind. Try that without the cycle and you'll know what a difficult state it is to achieve. This will also give you ability to concentrate.
Last few weeks, my happiness index is bursting the charts. :-)
Last few weeks, my happiness index is bursting the charts. :-)
Last of all,
10. Do it because it matters, it matters to the future of mankind.
The more we cycle, the less dependent we are on fossil fuels, expensive cars which choke up roads, and we work towards a better collective future.
Start now, you'll see the benefits accrue faster than you can imagine.
