5 Reasons to Ride the BikeOctober 30, 2014

“When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking.”

- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The Great Cycle Challenge aims to raise funds for research on children's cancer. Students are too young to understand the tragedy behind it, as they rather focus somewhere else. Everything about cycling can be fun. Youngsters should know, as this is the only activity they can enjoy with their family or mates. As for why this campaign is held on October, you only need to look around. (Sunshine, my dear sunshine.) Here are other reasons:

Cycling increases brain power. A research from the University of Illinois reveals those who loves to pedal have a fifteen percent increase in mental tests compared to those not engaged in any physical activity. No need to doubt about it, as we often notice a change in mood on those who ride the bicycle. They look alert and energetic. It's no secret that children need both to be good students.

Bicyle can make you happy. The central nervous system and pituitary gland release endomorphins, neuropeptides that cause euphoria. No need to brush up on anatomy and biochemistry in able to comprehend this phenomenon. Think of how good you feel after riding the bicycle for ten or more minutes. Scientists will point out that human activities trigger the release of endomorphins. There are other reasons, one of which is cycling is less strenuous than walking. (We can do it at our own pace.)

Guilty pleasure on unwanted food. We've been told that certain food isn't good for our health and too much of it cause illness. On the other hand, experience taught us that the best things in life are fattening. Not if you're riding the bike. Doing it regularly gives you a good excuse to munch on chips and other snacks that physicians frown on. It's the same with children, but this must be done with moderation. (There must be adult supervision.)

Time to appreciate the colours around you. Cycling means spending time outdoors, and there is no better time than spring. It also gives us the chance to be grateful to nature, and how fragile it is. You can figure out right away when you're on the road. There's a long line of vehicles, and then you smell it. Fume isn't good for the children, and they can sense it right away. Do it where there's green all over you.

A bike is the best vehicle to see the world. Travellers will attest that sightseeing can be tiresome. A bike can save you hours on walking. You don't need to spend more time on rest, as you can ride at your own pace. There's no better way to go places.

You might have better ideas. We'll be stoked.

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