For the newbies who have never biked much or to those who have been out of the saddle a long time, there’s a pretty significant first question to answer – why should you bother? What are the benefits? In this series we’re going to outline 3 reasons outlining why cycling is a worthy pursuit. I highly recommend reading some of our additional articles on cycling benefits, especially those on the efficiency of cycling, how effective cycling is for calorie burning, and the speed you can achieve.
Reason 1 – Cycling is one of the most effective workouts you can do
Sources tell us that cycling can, on average, burn somewhere between 300 and 600 calories per hour on a moderate intensity ride. There are few other workout sources where you can achieve this level of burn without putting significantly more strain on your body. It’s likely that you’d burn more calories running for an equivalent time period, but the exhaustion and strain would be much greater. This is NOT of course disparaging running as an exercise, its one of the most fantastic cardio exercises there is. Cycling’s health benefits don’t require that you only cycle outside, indoor cycling is extremely effective also. A host of celebrity instructors exist in peloton and otherwise famous for their tone and excellent workouts (see our article on Rebecca Kennedy as an example).
Its worth noting that one can still put in substantial miles cycling and not have it solve all health and fitness concerns. Especially if you are looking to focus on your wider health, what you eat is a major factor. It is VERY difficult to out-cycle a poor diet.
Reason 2 – Cycling IS NOT just a workout – its a fantastic method of transportation
Bicycles are known to have become prevalent sometime in the early 1800’s. Their invention was not solely due to designing new leisure activities, but to providing an efficient mode of transportation. Their usage even in non-geared, less efficient configurations allowed speeds of 10 MPH or greater. This is significantly faster than walking and significantly cheaper than utilizing a horse.
Over 200 years later, bikes have become more lightweight, efficient, and accessible to the masses. There is also a lot more discussion on sustainable transportation and green initiatives today. There is nothing more green than a transportation method with no emissions and decent speed. This has led to many cities across the globe attempting to improve roadway structures to accommodate even more cyclists! Infrastructure is getting better by the day in terms of ensuring paths are safe and accessible for cyclists.
Reason 3 – Cycling can be done at any pace you choose, or any place you choose
This is a big one and I wanted to call it out specifically. Its easy to compare oneself to others in sports, which results in quick disillusionment. Admittedly, cycling can be one of the hardest if you’re concerned with the perception of others. You WILL often see other more experienced cyclists or pedestrians that you feel might be judging you. Remember this; you do not have to do anything at any pace other than you own. I’d implore you to take this truism to heart early in your journey, as it will be just as applicable should you continue cycling for years and gain experience.
Cyclists are human, and there’s a large population of them. Not all are great and welcoming, but most are. You will sometimes see certain cyclists on the road doing things that are dangerous or irresponsible. As such its important to remember that, unlike in other sports, experience doesn’t necessarily equate with wisdom. As a result, the most important thing you should remember is to experience cycling at your own pace. If you want a leisurely ride to smell the autumn air, go ahead. If you want to climb hills at blistering speed, also go ahead (but be safe!). One of the great beauties of cycling is that you can choose what sort of journey you want to go on, and there’s no “one size fits all” convention. The increase in bike rental opportunities in many major cities also means that you can take your passion with you across the globe. Remember that with adequate prep and common sense, cycling is very safe, even in major cities! Ride with confidence and see you on the road!
