Before I share any details about my recent cycling lifestyle , let me firstly share that it all started in April 2020 and in these 5 months I have ridden 1000 kms+ on my bicycle . Astonishing ? Isn’t it ? Actually it astonished me too.
I never started with a goal of riding 1000 km, but it happened in its own steady pace . It all started during the lockdown . When gyms got closed and we preferred social distancing , cycling came my way . Earlier also , i used to ride on bicyle but occasionally and that too not more than 5-6 km. But this time I started with daily ride of approximately 10 km . I myself didn’t come to know how cycling became my passion and daily ride became a daily dose for me .
Do you want a healthier lifestyle ? Do you want to be energetic ? Do you want to lose weight ? Do you want to increase your stamina ? Don’t you want some fun factor in your life ?
If YES then read this article till end as it contains some easy ways to adopt cycling as a lifestyle . I am going to share everything from my personal experience .
How to adopt cycling as a lifestyle ?
Start using your bicycle for short rides
Start using your bicycle for short rides – may be go to market to bring milk packets or go to bank for some deposit/withdrawl . The more you ride your bike in your surrounding locality , more is the saving you make on your fuel and better would be your health of course . You feel energetic and happier every time you finish a task commuting on your bike . It would be best if you find some reason for short bike ride daily . Few years ago , I used to go to my friend’s place every morning and from there we used to go by a pooled cab to our workplace . Earlier I used my scooter to reach her place but then I shifted to bicycle . Though the distance was just 2 km but still it made a good short ride daily . Create your own reason to ride a short distance.
2. Find cycling friends
As and when I started riding daily for around 10 kilometers, I found a facebook cycling group within my city . I immediately contacted them and they added me in their whatsapp group . There started the daily motivation to ride as everyone there was sharing his/her cycling record . Till that time I didn’t know about any GPS tracking app . I also downloaded Strava app and started to keep a record of my cycling activity . Out of the whatsapp group I made my first cycling friend and since then we have ridden many times together . It’s total fun to ride together .
You should also find cycling friends in your city and start your journey of a better lifestyle . If you are consistent , cycling would easily become your lifestyle just in 12 weeks of time .
3. Sign up for a riding challenge
As and when you sign up for a challenge with others , the courage and determination to complete the challenge automatically fill up your nerves .
My cycling challenges
Let me share the two challenges I took . First was 20 days of daily cycling in which I rode daily for an average of 15 km . Two were such days when it was raining heavily in the evening and it seemed impossible to ride . Anyways I waited for rain to stop and took a very short ride near my house . I was happy that I could finish the 20 days daily cycling challenge . It blessed me with good amount of consistent cycling .
The second challenge was on the Independence day . As India got freedom in 1947 ,so the challenge was to ride 47 km on August 15 -India’s Independence day . I was doubtful of my abilities to complete these many kilometers but I dared to challenge my limits . Along with some other cyclists I pedalled and I tell you , I pedalled hard that day . After 2 hours 40 minutes of cycling when I came back home and stopped ,I checked my strava app and it showed me 46.9 km . Oh Gosh ! very quickly I again pedalled for few metres to make it 47 km.
Taking some cycling challenge motivates you for action . So challenge yourself for some rides – workout rides with friends , family rides or may be with colleagues for commuting to workplace .
I am eagerly waiting for the day when I would complete a century ride challenge .
“Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bicycle”
4. Be enthusiastic to explore your city
Cycling in or around city is a great way to explore the hidden streets and corners which you just didn’t notice while you commuted by your car . Pump up air in the tires , find a good friend and decide some beautiful destination to ride to . Ride early morning , feel the freshness in air and watch the beauty of nature as well your city .Ride for your good health , a better stamina and happiness in your life .
“Cyclists see considerably more of this beautiful world than any other class of citizens.”
5. Just Start Pedalling .
The funda is to just start . Ride as much or as little , as long or as short as you feel . But ride ! Have the pleasure and the healthier lifestyle by riding a bike . Start with short rides , set small goals , accomplish those gaols , strive for higher goals . The initial goals which you started with soon become so easy because you grow stronger with time . So dust off your bicycle or hire one and just start cycling to make it your lifestyle .
If you want to adopt walking as a lifestyle ,read this
Looking for some weightloss tips to be a healthier YOU ? read this !
Comments
Post a Comment