Aerobic exercise is proven to be one of the greatest predictors of our physical health. Our body simply works better when we are physically fit. This is a widely accepted and understood principle.

Physically fit and healthy people are generally happier than their unfit, unhealthy counterparts. Depression, anxiety, and stress are generally lower in physically healthy people. Cycling boosts mental health.

Cycling is different. While solo rides are great, our best times on the bike often involve group rides with friends. Plus cycling is great for networking in ways that few other sports are.

Cycling is something that just about anyone can do. It is immensely accessible.

Savouring is what we do when we mentally enlarge or magnify a pleasant experience. Savouring is a powerful wellbeing booster. Cycling is a sport that gives us enormous opportunity to “breathe it in”.

Whether it is the quiet appreciation of a panoramic view, the exhilaration of a fast descent, or the post-ride coffee and chit-chat as we relive the best bits of the bunch ride with mates, there is plenty to savour during (and after) most rides.

Gratitude and savouring often go hand in hand. It’s hard to savour without feeling grateful. Gratitude also makes us happy. Sometimes the things we feel on a bike can be sublime.

Cycling offers those precious quiet moments that fill us with awe and gratitude. While it might be on top of a world-famous peak, it can happen just as easily on a quiet suburban street as the sun rises, the day begins, and we feel that sense of awe, appreciation, or gratitude. It’s as though everything is right with the world – even when it’s not. And for that moment while we are on two wheels, we feel happy.

We can persue different kinds of goals when we ride. It seems that while we exercise and seek improvement and mastery, we feel better about life. Our wellbeing increases. The pursuit of our goals makes us happy.

One of the exciting attributes of many sports is the sensation-seeking opportunities they afford. Research shows that physical activity is viewed as a way to achieve our need to be excited, lively and adventurous. Risk and opportunities for a ‘thrill’ can be part of every ride–and the buzz of a fast descent, the rush of a bunch sprint, or the challenge of an off-road track or rocky mountains can give us a grin that lasts for day.

Some scholars argue that accomplishment is one of the key contributors to our sense of wellbeing. Because of its accessibility, cycling is a never-ending source of accomplishment opportunities. Whether it’s a long-distance ride, an Everestexperience, or reaching a personal goal, our cycling accomplishments are rewarding.

People who are optimistic believe good things are coming, and that the future looks bright. Optimists are also much happier than those who are fearful about the future. Because cyclists are goal-oriented, grateful, and engaged in their sport, we are always looking forward to our next ride (often to the detriment of other priorities!), and our optimism feels good.

We feel good when we use our strengths. Strengths are things that we do well, feel authentic to us, and energise us. If we love cycling, we can usually identify our cycling strengths, and not much feels better than tearing our mates’ legs off while we take advantage of our strengths!

One of the most important things cycling can facilitate is meaningful contribution to something larger than you or I.
At an institutional level, we see the meaning and purpose riders feel when they ride for plastic pollution, diabetes awareness.
Having a larger purpose in our lives provides meaning, and ultimately, greater happiness.

If we have a healthy orientation to cycling we feel a broad range of positive emotions when we ride. Joy, contentment, absorbed, satisfied, accomplished, alert, calm and peaceful, confident, powerful, excited – happy. It just feels great to be on the bike!
***
Ultimately, for all of these reasons and more, we feel good when we ride. This is the positive psychology of cycling. It is addictive, it feels great, and when we get the balance right it builds our social, physiological, psychological and even our cognitive resources. Join Adventura for some awesome cycling destination in the North East India.