Top 10 Reasons to Start Cycling

By Raymond Tiangco

Introduction

We’ve all been there before. “I promise to start next week”, “I’ll start as soon as work allows me to”, or whatever excuse we can think of to delay beginning a worthwhile endeavor.

While we’ve heard these excuses, from others or ourselves, when making a pact to start going to the gym, or begin jogging regularly, never do we hear such things when it comes to cycling.

Here are 10 reasons to start cycling.

10) Cycling is a sport that appeals to ALL types of personalities

Laid back and easygoing? Mountain biking is for you. Competitive with a Type A personality? What are you waiting for, buy a road bike! Young, fashionable, and easy-go-lucky? You’ll fit right in with the fixed gear scene.

Yes, these are stereotypes, but the only reason there are stereotypes in cycling is because the sport appeals to a crazy wide range of body types, personalities, and preference. It is a veritable melting pot of cultures. How can that ever get boring?

9) Cycling very much a group sport

Road cycling, MTBing, fixed gears. No matter which discipline you fall into, cycling always ends up being a group activity. There is no better thing to do on the weekend than hang out with your mates and lose weight at the same time.

8) Racing

Nothing gets the adrenaline pumping more than being in a bike race. Win or lose, a racing experience is something riders never forget. Winning, is the icing on the cake. If you haven’t tried racing before, you’re in for a real treat.

7) Beer and coffee are an integral part of cycling culture

It is said that a cup of coffee before a ride helps burn fat, while a pint of beer after a ride aids in recovery. Finally, a good reason to down a bottle or two and not feel guilty. Now, who are we to argue with that?

6) The physical benefits are a bonus

Riding bikes is fun, but it’s very good to know that riding bikes lowers cholesterol, burns fat, and chisels your legs. After just a month of riding, expect your co-workers to start noticing. And if you’re single, expect members of the opposite gender to start flirting with you.

5) Cycling is an activity you can get your partner to participate in

Everyone has ridden a bike when they were kids. Getting your spouse to join you for an easy jaunt along the PCN will provide you both with more time to bond and rekindle your romance, not to mention help your spouse go down a waist size…or two.

4) STRAVA

Remember how Facebook was, and probably still is, addictive? Strava is 10 times more than that. Strava.com, click at your own peril!

3) Cycling is like flying

Nothing comes closer to the sensation of flying than riding a bike down a wide open highway, or jumping your mountain bike off a berm and sticking the landing. It is for this reason that cycling is as relaxing as meditating, and is often an activity where the best ideas are thought of.

2) Cycling, whichever the discipline, is a gear nut’s dream

Bikes are probably the most customizable piece of sporting equipment there is. With so many important parts that cannot be taken for granted, the huge variety of brands, materials, colors, and shapes make for an extremely difficult purchase process for the beginner cyclist. In terms of fun, shopping for a bike is just second to actually riding them. So don’t rush when buying that first bike. Read, ask, research and choose the best bike or parts money can buy. You and your bike are in this for the long run.

And the number 1 reason why you need to start cycling…

1) Cycling is the only hobby where buying toys is as much a health investment as paying for medical insurance

Spouse nagging you again about that new carbon seatpost, handlebar, and stem combo? Tell him/her it’s cheaper than paying for open heart surgery down the line. 

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