Social Cyclist
For a lot of people one of the pleasures of cycling is riding with friends and spending time together. A social cyclist.
Enjoying some fresh air and chatting whilst exercising has many positive benefits. If you don’t have a group of friends who are into cycling, cycling clubs are also a great place to meet people. As well as, to socialise and get to know who’s who in the local community with similar interests. Be aware though that clubs can differ in their priorities. Whilst some are catering for more social leisure cycling and a run out to the local cafe. Others can be training biased and competition focussed preparing cyclists and teams for race events.
Even if you are a casual cyclists who rides a few miles with their mates once a week. There is still a benefit to having a bike fit even if they’re not looking for performance gains. Spending time on the bike and being comfortable and in control of the gears and brakes can only improve the experience and mean that the weekly meet isn’t a chore to be endured but something to be looked forward to.
Stress Relief
Cycling is a great way to find relief from the mental stresses and strains of a busy demanding role and promotes general health and wellbeing. One of the most common statements I hear from cyclists with pressurised roles is that regular cycling helps them switch off, gives them headspace and equips them to perform better at work.
The Dutch have a very positive relationship with the bicycle and a 2015 report outlined health benefits that translate into economic benefits of €19 Billion per year through 6500 deaths prevented annually and a longer average life expectancy.
Some would say its because they have the infrastructure, which is true, and one of the major reasons, I hear for people not taking up cycling in the UK given the car centric culture and relationship with bigger and bigger SUV’s we have here which can make riding on the road feel unsafe.
UK Infrastructure
Whilst UK infrastructure investment is lagging behind where it needs to be, it is possible to ride without coming in to contact with cars. Forest centres across the UK have provided some brilliant trails to explore the outdoors and whilst these may be a bit of a distance to travel for some, it is possible to use some of the clever apps we have such as RidewithGPS, Komoot and Strava to plan quiet or off road routes to minimise contact with motor vehicles.
The growing scene of gravel biking and bikepacking has created a new genre of bike that can handle rougher trails than an out and out road bike but retain the ability to roll more easily and efficiently than a mountain bike for those who aren’t looking for an out and out adrenaline filled rocky downhill blast. This makes exploring little lanes and bridleways possible if the tarmac ends and a field edge route suddenly appears.
There are plenty of cycling clubs in the UK which organise regular social rides and can pass on good local information about riding in the area, kit suggestions and nice people to have a chat with as you’re riding along.