Spring has Sprung!
I love the first signs of spring. The mornings get a bit warmer, the days a bit longer, and even though the magpies start to come out in full swooping force, it is a great time to get out on the bike.
Those who sign up for our bike rides in Thailand might look down the barrel of training with fear and trepidation, but we know that getting in the saddle delivers results both on and off the bike.
On the bike you get to create meaningful shared experiences with family, friends and work colleagues whilst wearing lyrcra!
Off the bike you get to enjoy a newer healthier you, improved relationships and a new-found love of lycra!
Yep you heard it folks. You can learn to love lycra and here are our top 5 reasons why.
1. Create meaningful shared experiences with loved ones
Cycling can be enjoyed with the whole family, your work colleagues or a bunch of mates. You don’t have to go all Tour de France or fight with traffic on the main roads, in fact there are many cycle paths that will keep you off the busy roads and allow you to ride at a reasonable pace with your posse.
Cycling etiquette is to ride two abreast and if you’re doing so at a manageable pace you can quickly get lost in a conversation as the km tick over. You can learn more about the people you are riding with and improve the relationships that you have with them just by sharing a couple of hours on the road. Factor in a weekly, fortnightly or monthly ride with your crew and you will create life long bonds.
2. Get healthy and lose weight for free!
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Australia. According to Better Health Channel regular cycling stimulates and improves your heart, lungs, and circulation reducing your risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Getting into a regular rhythm could be as simple as a 30-minute bike ride 3-4 times a week. Sidelining the time doesn’t have to be difficult. You could change the way you commute or head to the park on the weekend with your kids and the bikes. Build cycling into your day and this will improve your health and wellbeing.
The best part about getting out on your bike is that it doesn’t come with a wallet-crippling gym membership. Once you’ve purchased yourself a good bike, it’s free! Plus you’ll have legs (and calves) to die for!
3. Cycling is good for the planet
Cycling is a pollution-free mode of transport. What’s not to love about that. Swap the car for your bike a couple of times a week and commute to work. Cycling 10km to work each way would save 1500kg of greenhouse gas emissions per year. Most capital cities have safe cycle pathways, so you won’t have to deal with traffic as you navigate your way to the office. When you get to the office you can park your bike and have a shower in the facilities that are becoming a necessary component of office fit outs.
4. Feed your soul
Cycling is a great stress reliever and can really feed your soul. Even if you’re not in the best of moods when you saddle up or struggle to get out of bed for that early start, cranking through the km’s will lift your spirits and set you up for the day.
We see many cyclists turn their health, fitness and determination into fundraising efforts that feed their soul. Our bike rides through Thailand are inclusive experiences that see people from all walks of life achieving something pretty extraordinary. With 100% of the funds raised going directly to our kids and projects in Thailand, and the impact that the journey will have on you personally you really can turn your new found love of cycling into food for your soul. I challenge you to think about the last time you did something that fed your soul?
5. Unleash your creativity
You don’t need a posse to get on your bike. In fact, I will often get the bike out for an hour if I need to clear the cobwebs from my head and allow myself some free-thinking space. The speedy downhills, the fresh air in my lungs, the steady pace of pedalling relax my mind and give me space to wash out distractions and think creatively. Word of advice, you might want to take your phone or a small journal with you and capture your thoughts when you stop for a coffee on the
