My biggest joy today was biking with my dad. And I had a pretty good day, so saying that this was the best part is saying a lot. It was stormy and cold all morning, but by evening, the sun was shining through the clouds, using its last dying rays to warm us all up. Finally, time to be outside and play!

For some reason, I am always nervous and tentative prior to these rides, but as soon as I mount the bike and fly down the first hill, I am free. I am not a thrill seeker and I usually prefer my adrenaline levels to remain at an even keel, but the bike banishes all fear. My heart beats fast even before I reach the first climb. Biking is the one thing I do that thrills me, challenges me, and calms me all at the same time. Its outside of my comfort zone-- a place I never choose to be-- and yet I love it. It is flight without wings!

Biking is exercise, sight-seeing, and relationship building. When I'm on the roads, no matter the weather or time of day, there are others out there with me. We raise our fingers off the handle bars and nod, recognizing this friend, this Alli, this fellow spandex-wearing, leg-shaving brother. We are a community and we don't even know each other! Its a visible secret society because unless you are a biker yourself, unless you've ridden all the back country roads, fixed a flat tire using only the tools in your back jersey pocket, tipped over at a stop because you forgot to clip out... unless you have done all this, you would not understand. All you would see are ridiculous spandex outfits and lost road space. You might be annoyed or even angry at the droves we travel in. You might honk your horn or speed up as you pass us.

Well, feel how you will feel, but I bet if you knew the rush, the pain, the enjoyment of biking, you would be quick to turn in your 4 wheels for 2. Its that good!

Why Its That Good

1. Exercise

Did you know that 1 hour of biking, even at a moderate pace, can burn 700 calories? Bump that pace up to an intense level, and you may be looking at up to 1000 calories! That equates to serious weight loss. Here's how other exercises stack up:

Walking (4mph): 375 cals/hr

Jogging: 525 cals/hr

Basketball (full court game): 675

But weight loss is not the only good thing biking does for your body. For those who are older or have joint pain, biking is a great way to get in aerobic exercise. It is an extremely low impact sport, so you will not experience any jarring pain like you might with other exercises (like running... I ache from that and I'm still young and injury-free!).

Biking is clearly good for your legs and glutes, but it is also a tremendous ab workout.Your abs help your legs keep that pedalling motion while balancing you and the bike at the same time! In a sense, several workouts are combined into one great ride.

2. Sense of Community

No matter the weather, time of day, or time of week, there are ALWAYS other bikers on the roads. Especially if you live in great biking areas such as Madison WI, Portland OR, Boulder CO, Davis CA, etc...(just to name a few). Bikers are everywhere and there is a very tangible camaraderie between us all. You very quickly get to know the bikers in your community.

Signing up for races is a great way to meet more bikers. Often you will see many of the same faces at different local races. This is a great chance to talk about training, local routes, and other bike-related matters. And after the race, you head for the beer tent, kick back, and chatter about your times, analyzing every twist and turn of the race-route. It is a great feeling to be surrounded by people with a similar passion.

  3. Sense of Accomplishment

As with any long distant event, crossing the finish line brings with it an incredible sense of accomplishment. Even when you are not racing, being on the bike gives you this feeling. Say you are already 1.5 hours into your evening ride and you look up to see a mountain in front of you (sometimes it is just a very large hill, but by this point in the ride, it looks like a mountain). Well, you've already come this far and you're riding in a loop, so turning around would not feel any better. So, you climb the hill. It sucks. Your lungs are bursting and your legs are jelly and your eyes are blury. But then you realize you made it! And the best part is that wonderful law of physics, "what goes up must come down"... you can now relax and enjoy coasting back down the hill.

  4. Time

Are you bored? Get on your bike.... its the best way to kill 2 hours. Honestly, because biking is low impact, your body can go for a lot longer. And because the best biking roads are the most scenic ones, there is so much to look at that its easy to forget you are exercising.

  5. Sight-Seeing Possibilities

As I just mentioned, bikers typically stick to back country roads with incredible views. If you are travelling, bring your bike and allow yourself a slower-paced, up-close-and-personal tour of your vacation spot. Be sure to bring your camera... its hard to resist taking pictures!

  6.   Saves Gas

Why drive 4 wheels when you can save money and the environment riding 2? For those people who live within 10-20 miles of where they work, perhaps consider riding back and forth.Its a great start and end to the work day, saves you lots of gas money, and it really doesn't take that much longer. Driving 10 miles takes around 10 minutes. Biking 10 miles, even at a moderate pace, takes about 45 minutes. Think, just like that you would get in and 1.5 hours of exercise a day! Just by travelling to work!

  7.   Bonding Time

Biking with a buddy can be a great social hour. I bike a lot with my dad and its on these rides that we have our best conversations. Our endorphins are pumping, the sun is warming our moods, and we are racing down hills. Its fun, its playful, and its hard work, all of which makes a person feel good! I also bike with friends a lot and we have more fun on these rides than sitting around watching movies. Its a great way to bond with who ever you ride with!