Why joining The Lake Foundation Cycling Club Is a Good Idea Part 1

In this week’s blog our cycling club coordinator, Sheila, inspired by a challenging and invigorating cycling session, discusses the benefits of cycling.

This month The Lake Foundation Cycling Club ventured on a 4-hour ride to Greenwich (great!). We cycled in the rain – erm, I’ll see you next month! (I don’t blame you). Had it not been for enthusiastic members and a guest from the USA I’d have headed to Costa Cafe. In hindsight the ride was invigorating. In spite of the rain, I can’t deny the satisfaction pressing through the desire to go home. So we thought we’d share the love and break down some benefits that you too can enjoy on our Saturday morning rides.

Early to Rise

“Early to bed, early to rise makes a person healthy wealthy and wise” so the proverb goes. Sleep experts say going to bed earlier and waking up early is good for your body.

Why? The Circadian Rhythm. That’s the flashy word to describe the internal 24-hour clock that all living organisms have e.g. when to sleep, rise, eat etc. Our Circadian Rhythm is linked to light, darkness and our environment. The theory says that if we follow this cycle, e.g. through better sleep patterns, we will be in tune with nature. Sleep regenerates the protein molecules that make up our immune system.

Cycling and Psychology

Psychologists say that taking an active role in your exercise benefits mental health. This action can create a sense of control and has the added bonus of boosting self-esteem, which is how we see ourselves, our place in the world and value to others. Self-esteem impacts how much we trust, our relationships and actually spills out into most areas of life.

Cycling and the Brain

White matter (not to be confused with grey matter) sits below the surface of the brain. It’s likened to a subway that connects different regions of the brain. This brain connectivity is key to everyday life. In developing adults it’s linked to motivation, demeanour and executive function (i.e. our ability for mental control and self-regulation). A study in the Netherlands reported that practising motor skills improves flow between regions. So a repetitive physical activity like cycling is perfect.

Cycling and your mood

Another buzz word today is endorphins ( endorph… what?). Discovered 40 years ago endorphins are a natural painkiller. We generate them through exercise. Activity releases chemicals that interact with receptors in your brain. Their function is to reduce discomfort and make you feel good. Another benefit of cycling is that exercise can be a helpful distraction from worries.

Next time, we’ll inspire ourselves by breaking down the physical benefits of cycling.