Spinning Away the Blues: Why Cycling Feels Like the Answer to Everything

Last Updated: November 24, 2025

Quick Take: When life feels heavy, I don’t take a pill or pour another cup of coffee. I get on my bike. After 150,000+ lifetime miles, I still believe cycling is the closest thing to therapy you can do while sweating. At 70 years old, it continues to reset my brain, improve my mood, and reconnect me to the world around me.

Spinning Away the Blues

There are riders who love cycling… and then there are people like me. People who have it wired into their DNA. I don’t ride because I “should.” I ride because I’m not quite myself when I don’t.

After decades of long-distance rides, hard miles, and more emotional ups and downs than I can count, I’ve learned one truth: when something feels off, the bike almost always fixes it.

When Your Body Feels Sluggish

Some mornings I wake up feeling like a rusted-out pickup. But once those pedals start turning, everything wakes up — lungs open, legs warm, brain fires back up. A few miles in, and I feel ten years younger.

When Your Mood Takes a Dip

I’m honest about it: even now, at 70, I’m not immune to the blues. Stress piles up. Life gets heavy. A disabled child at home, responsibilities, aging — it all adds weight.

But the moment I’m rolling down a quiet road, something shifts. The noise fades. The pressure drops. That’s not poetry — that’s biology. Cycling dumps endorphins into your system, slashes cortisol, and steadies your mind better than anything in a bottle.

A Ride Clears the Mental Fog

If I’m stuck on a problem — life, writing, training — the bike shakes something loose. I’ve solved more issues mid-ride than I ever have sitting at a desk.

The rhythm of the pedals, the wind, the road… it’s a built-in meditation. A moving reset button.

It’s Not Just a Feeling — Science Backs It Up

Cycling reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Moderate rides increase blood flow to the brain — boosting clarity and problem-solving.
Regular riding improves cardiovascular health and sleep quality.
And for seniors, it improves balance, confidence, and longevity.

The Ride That Always Brings Me Back Home (Emotionally)

Cycling doesn’t magically erase life’s problems. But it puts me in the right headspace to handle them. When I get off the bike, I’m calmer, clearer, and more connected. My wife can usually tell if I’ve missed a day — I’m just a better man when I ride.

💼 The Small Pieces of Gear That Keep My Mind Right:

Rearview Mirror: Staying aware lowers stress.
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Comfortable Bib Shorts: Comfort = longer, clearer rides.
Men’s Bib Shorts | Women’s Bib Shorts

Smart Scale: Keeping track helps keep the mood steady.
See Smart Scales

Hydration & Electrolytes: Staying sharp starts with staying hydrated.
Shop Electrolytes

UV Arm Sleeves: Comfort and skin protection in one.
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Cycling Sunglasses: Clarity + eye comfort = peaceful miles.
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