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Cycling, for Me

My days are dull, repetitive, and monotonous—the same task and the same “reward” out. I get tired from working, giving my all to a corporation, for which I feel no personal gain or reward. The time I look forward to most is my first-morning cycle every Saturday—the first time all week when I can zone into my headspace, the world’s ready to venture. 

I turn to my morning cycling as a coping mechanism, where my freedom runs wild, and the choice is mine. The journey is uniquely challenging each time. 

The reason why I enjoy cycling so much is confusing to many, but it’s not just a sport or a workout for me. It’s a passion; the thrill each ride brings me is unmatched. The wind in my hair, motivating me to go further, explore nature, the mountain, and the universe, more intensely. The uphill battles alongside mountaintops, with the richness of never-ending rewards for my hard work right before my eyes: the view, the sweat, the adrenaline. For a moment, the world feels as if it has come to a screeching halt, all for me to soak up the glory of earth. 

Cycling clears my mind from the everyday rush of life; everything pays off. The rides I forever look forward to are the ones with my family to new, unventured territories where every choice, turn, and path affects the experience in terms of the view, difficulty, and sense of accomplishment. 

My love for cycling began at the young age of four when I learned to ride a bicycle with my father by my side. I was hooked. I felt unstoppable and on top of the world.

That love continues today, many years later, into adulthood, where even the easiest of rides bring about the fondest of memories of riding down the street with my older siblings, acting as if we were grown-ups—or cycling to the local shop to get ice cream while sitting outside on the pavement, laughing and eating. 

The reason why I love cycling so much is not that it’s good for me physically, but also mentally. It impacts me significantly. My spirit rises, my heart races, and I feel young again. My life has a new purpose, a new challenge, or a mysteriously great adventure to pursue.  

One day, I aim to pass my love for cycling on to my children so that they can also experience the feeling of pure divinity, inner greatness, and a sense of accomplishment after each ride. Cycling teaches us to persevere, even during the toughest times in life, and consistently reminds us that the comeback is always greater than the setback.  

The only way to indulge in the beautiful views that life has to offer is to continue moving onward, and cycling up the mountain of doubt that might hinder you from real successes.  

Cycling is not just an exercise to me; cycling is a part of me. 

Categories: Cycling Stories
Derek Lakin: Derek has more than two decades of experience as a cyclist, and is the founder of TreadBikely. He currently travels full-time with his family via RV, enjoying the country's best biking destinations. A secular Buddhist, Derek frequently explores the intersection of cycling, mindfulness, and compassion in his writing. #rolloutblissout

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