Cycling as therapy.

ROK ON

Just thought I would share a ROK ON insight.

I rec'd some bad news on Friday, which put me in foul humour for the w/e. Was supposed to do the Conor Pass challenge, but despite packing the bike in the car and sitting in the car in my driveway, I couldnt summon up the will to drive to Tralee for the start.

Today I went for a cycle just to get out and clear my head. I almost murdered my bike. Did a 90km route in my fastest ever time for that route, and took a 5km climb (albeit only 4% avg) in the big ring - I have never done this previously. Averaged 23km up the climb and hit 31km on streches. Those that know me realise that this is not my usual modus of climbing.

My body is now racked with pain, but my mind and spirit feel good again.

I realised today, that (1) exercise is great therapy and (2) any hill can be climbed by resorting to brute strength and will power.

(Note I said hill, not mountain).

Lumen

ROK ON wrote: »

I rec'd some bad news on Friday

Has Rapha gone into administration? Tell me it's not so, I can't even bear to open their website.

Esroh

ROK ON wrote: »

Just thought I would share a ROK ON insight.

I rec'd some bad news on Friday, which put me in foul humour for the w/e. Was supposed to do the Conor Pass challenge, but despite packing the bike in the car and sitting in the car in my driveway, I couldnt summon up the will to drive to Tralee for the start.

Today I went for a cycle just to get out and clear my head. I almost murdered my bike. Did a 90km route in my fastest ever time for that route, and took a 5km climb (albeit only 4% avg) in the big ring - I have never done this previously. Averaged 23km up the climb and hit 31km on streches. Those that know me realise that this is not my usual modus of climbing.

My body is now racked with pain, but my mind and spirit feel good again.

I realised today, that (1) exercise is great therapy and (2) any hill can be climbed by resorting to brute strength and will power.

(Note I said hill, not mountain).

+100 on the above. Makes you feel very good when the body shows the mind that it can do alot more than the mind gives it credit for:D

thebouldwhacker

Cycling is great for that alright, long hard spins let you lose all the anger in a positive way, however I have a punch bag too....

onea these bad boys...

now thats instant stress relief, I eat lunch at home and every now and again if I've had a rough morning i have a mini therapy secession, it really makes a difference:D

alfalad

ROK ON wrote: »

Just thought I would share a ROK ON insight.

I rec'd some bad news on Friday, which put me in foul humour for the w/e.

Hope the news wasn't too bad. And good to see cycling is helping with the stress relief!

brayblue24

I was involved in and incident earlier this year that in my own mind I knew I hadn't dealt with particularly well so I went on a spin around one of my favourite routes. It was only when I got home (feeling much better) I realised I had knocked 5 minutes off my best ever time for that route-and I've never been able to come near that time since either. Got to apologise for the initial incident later when in better frame of mind thanks to this workout.

So yeah, +1 to that

DualFrontDiscs

ROK ON wrote: »

Just thought I would share a ROK ON insight.

I rec'd some bad news on Friday, <snip>

Sorry to hear that. As per other posts, I hope it's not too serious (I haven't bought ANY Rapha yet). I 100% agree with you regarding cycling as therapy. Gary Fisher, father of mountain biking has previously espoused prescription cycling from doctors (I can't find the link).

Separately, 'When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race'. – British author H. G. Wells.

DFD.

Hungrycol

Going out for a spin on the bike at the weekends (rare occurances these days) puts me in a good mood for the rest of the day. Enjoyable hobby and endorphins to boot!

Caroline_ie

I agree that cycling saved my life at a time i was unwell and didn't know what / where I was at. To this day when I am happy, I get on that bike, when I am sad, I get on that bike.