Hands up if you ride a bike! That’s great if you do. You’re part of the ever-growing number of recreational and serious cyclists in Australia. After all, cycling in this country has been a popular tradition since the late 19th Century.
Here in Melbourne, major cycling events such as Around the Bay in a Day attract thousands of cycling enthusiasts of all ages. These pedalling devotees just love to get on their bikes. Apart from the exercise factor, the fun of speeding along, and the joy of riding in the fresh air, such activity is also mentally health-boosting.
Bicycling Western Australia – a community based, not-for-profit organization, believes that cycling is not only beneficial for bodily health, but also for one’s mind. “Increasing the physical, social and mental activity levels can help improve an individual’s mental health. … As well as improving physical health, cycling has a positive effect on emotional health – improving levels of well-being, self-confidence and tolerance to stress…” A study in the New England Journal of Medicine, also reports on another positive aspect of joining the pedalling brigade. “People who cycle regularly live longer than those who do not and lead healthier lives.”
While I realize that cycling might not be “everyone’s cup of tea”, there can be benefits and life-lessons to be gained – both on, and off a bike. Not so long ago, I took up recreational cycling again after a long absence. My first “get-back-on-the-bike” ride, took place along a beachside, shared pathway in Brisbane. After a shaky start, I managed to get my brand-new ladies bike wobbling slowly along.
As I cycled rather erratically down the path, I suddenly discovered that I didn’t know how to stop it! It dawned on me that things had changed mechanically since my basic no gears, no handbrakes, childhood bicycle. It was at this point of alarmed recognition that an elderly man unexpectedly walked out from the ‘Gents’ right in front of me. With panicked looks on both our faces, and, through good fortune more than good management, we somehow avoided each other, to our mutual relief.
Although this was a somewhat traumatic start to my cycling ‘re-birth’, I didn’t give up. Cycling, it seems, does give you mental strength. Seriously! It can help you conquer all kinds of fears – not feeling safe when you undertake a new physical activity, fear of falling and being injured, and even being self-conscious about leaving the house and riding a bike in public.
Actually, fear would try to deter us from taking up many positive, stimulating life-activities and skills – and I’m not just talking about the physical kind. Some people are concerned about participating in mental activities such as using the Web, social media, and online banking – to name a few. However, fear doesn’t have to win and deprive us of fun, advancement and interesting activity.
There is a way to eliminate anxiety from thinking and to achieve positive goals, and many people have found it to be through meditation or prayer. These thought-tools, when utilized on a regular basis, have proven to be instrumental in changing lives, and bringing about better health outcomes.
There’s certainly something comforting, about having trust in a divine Presence that strengthens and helps you. It’s also reassuring to feel that you’re being lovingly cared for and guided, in whatever it is you’re undertaking. Such confidence-boosting thinking, is certainly an uncomplicated, “ready when you need it” kind of way to stop fear in its tracks.
Fear can be challenged. It’s possible to overcome doubt in one’s ability to be mentally and physically active at every age and stage of life. It’s not unreasonable to believe that each of us can “get-up and get-going”. Each person can find the capability to be fearless. They can display mental stamina. They can build-up their confidence level, be energetic, enthusiastic, and courageous in taking on new challenges.
Since my somewhat inauspicious return to cycling, I’ve gone on to ride a great many enjoyable kilometres. And I feel quite good about that! Getting on one’s bike – getting out and about, enjoying being unafraid and active, is certainly rewarding – especially when there are also mental health benefits to be gained. It’s never too late for anyone to overcome their doubts and inhibitions, and try something new – whether they take up cycling or not.
I’m a professional Christian Science Practitioner and Teacher. Through my prayer-based practice, I help people find happiness, health and healing.
I love your thoughts on cycling. In my case I am fortunate to be able to ride on some fantastic bike paths and by the sea. On my rides I often take mp3 recordings of Christian Science podcasts with me on my iPhone. I find it a time I look forward to. I often come home inspired by something I’ve listened to on the ride. It is a time to be away from distraction and think unencumbered.
I get a lot of my audio from christianscience.com and time4thinkers.com
Just do a search under “audio”
Love the articles Beverly, keep them coming.
Thanks Simon for leaving a comment. Glad to know that you are enjoying my posts…and riding on your bike. As you say “It is a time to be away from distraction” and a time to ponder. I’ve also found it rewarding being able to get out of the house, and smile at, or greet people as you cycle by, and talk to others who are also out on their bikes enjoying a casual ride along.
Thanks Beverley. Glad to hear you’re on your bike again. Good for you!
Facing our fears is strengthening and uplifting. Prayer – aligning our thought with God – brings peace and I find it invigorates me.
Hello Kerri. Thank you for leaving a comment. Yes it’s been fun cycling again. More importantly though I’ve enjoyed the many lessons I’ve learned. Facing fear does bring positive results and that coupled with spiritually-based thinking, leads to a happier, healthier life. As you say, that kind of outcome is invigorating.
Dear Beverly
Oh I so heartily agree with you. Taking up the challenge and joy of bike riding again after quite a break has been an exhilarating adventure. My husband experienced a stroke about 13 years ago – and it seemed that his bike riding adventures might be stymied forever. However, once he was back on his feet, at our son’s urging we tried out one of those sit down recumbent bikes for him. He was hooked! After his first tryout on one – an order was placed immediately – and it’s given us both wonderful adventures. A way to reach out to others, enjoy serious exercise, and shed so many fears of ‘that will be beyond him forever!” After a few years of cycling together – we even went a ride from Melbourne to Adelaide a few years ago – with a Rotary team. It took five and a half days to get there with everyone traveling at their own pace. We only did sixty km’s a day (with a driver tailing my fella) ready to put him in the car if he was going to be late for morning tea, but the new opportunities for adventure and meeting lots of new people, made the whole exercise a splendid adventure. I can’t speak highly enough about stretching your self beyond your comfort zone and shedding fears!
Heather
What an inspiring experience. Thank you for sharing your comment. It just goes to show that nothing is impossible for any of us. As you’ve highlighted, it’s possible for anyone to “stretch yourself beyond your comfort zone and shed fears!” Well done.
Wow, you’ve just given me a whole new perspective on how to think about cycling! Your tips for dealing with fears about riding (and other activities) are very helpful – especially using a prayerful approach. As a “senior citizen”, I like to ride my bike whenever I have some free time. Although I’m not a regular ‘recreational’ cyclist, I find that cycling gives me a wonderful opportunity to quietly unwind and calm my thinking about any current issues of concern to me. I guess that’s why I always enjoy getting in the saddle and pedaling happily along the bike-paths in my home area. I always feel so mentally inspired and physically invigorated after a bicycle-ride!
Thank you Doug for your comment. I am delighted to know that you are getting on your bike. I agree that cycling is a pleasure at every age and stage of life. It’s great to exercise dominion over mind and body, and eliminate fear of all kinds. Keep on pedaling!
Thanks Beverly. I am a pedal pusher, often doing over 100ks on a ride, and find the more I push myself the more the physical aspects strip away and spiritual thoughts come to the surface during that time.
Good to have your comment Rob. Thank you for posting it. Glad you are a fellow ‘pedal pusher’. It is interesting how inspiring ideas flow as you free thought from limitation and fear.
Thank you Beverly for your post on cycling, it is a joy to read. Some years ago I was moving to a suburb which had a bike path around a bay, which seemed to go on endlessly. I could not possibly make this move without renewing my interaction with the bike. I purchased one a few weeks before the move and wondered if I could still ride; I learned that you never forget how to! It was a great joy to me and I loved the sense of balance and freedom that being on this path bought, I felt that I was moving forward with life and it proved to be a great time for problem solving; the sea air, the wind in your hair. Writing this comment reminds me of a verse from a poem by the American poet John Greenleaf Whittier “Drop they still dews of quietness, Till all our strivings cease: Take from us now the strain and stress; And let our ordered lives confess; The beauty of Thy peace.”
Thank you Keziah for your comment. I can just picture you enjoying that lovely ride around a bay. Sounds delightful. Thank you for sharing that poem. It reminds me how peace of mind is achieved when stress and fear is eliminated from thought. We have an inbuilt mental balance that gives us the freedom to solve problems, be active, and enjoy life.
Thank you Beverly, for your encouragement and ideas to help us confront our fears. I appreciate your reminder that we don’t have to feel we’re facing these kinds of everyday fears – about leaving the house, facing the public, or trying something new – on our own. We can pray and feel God’s presence and support, and this can be wonderfully expansive to our lives. I’ve found it has opened the way for me to do many things I would not otherwise have considered, and this in turn has broadened my perspective and given me a larger appreciation of life and its meaning.
Thank you Abigail for your comment. I’m glad to know that you too have overcome fear and gone on to do more than you anticipated. It’s good to know that this success has allowed you to broaden your perspective and that as a result you now have “a larger appreciation of life and its meaning.” That’s inspiring.
Thanks for sharing! I took up road cycling in college and it changed my life. Any type of exercise will improve your mental health. I think cycling in particular raises your confidence and helps you face your fears (especially if one of your fears is traffic!).
Thank you Steven for your comment. Glad to know that you are a real ‘cycling enthusiast’. Road cycling must be a challenge – especially with the number of cars on the road. I admire your courage and the way you’re overcoming fear of traffic. As you say, cycling does lift your confidence…and that’s good for one’s mental wellbeing.
Loved your article – and good for you! I am a 55 year old lady who lives in a VERY hilly part of Yorkshire in England. We have spectacular views and I have been hankering after a bike to explore and see more – and of course there is the health benefit! So, I have sort of copped out and bought a bike with a battery. It isn’t a total cop out as the battery will only work with pedal power! I can however empathise about anxieties, fears etc because it has been at least 30 years since last on a bike. I am now into the 4th week of cycling and I LOVE it!
Well done Teresa. That is so good that you are on your bike in Yorkshire! You’re doing well – not only by improving your sense of wellbeing, but by improving your stamina with pedalling up all those hills. That’s inspiring effort. Keep on enjoying the ride. Thanks for leaving your comment.