The Zen of Cycling

As I've grown older, I've also grown more spiritual. I've come to believe that there is more to my Being than the thoughts that I think and the actions that I take. Like many others, I believe there is a spirit within me that is shared by all living things -- an invisible energy field that gives life to what we perceive as the physical body. I can feel a connection to this, as well as the beauty, power, majesty, and wonder of the natural world in an unlikely place -- on the saddle of my bicycle.

Cycling -- specifically, outdoor cycling on a moving bicycle -- is the only form of exercise that I've ever enjoyed. All others feel like manual labor. I readily accept the fact that walking on a treadmill or stair master will improve my cardiovascular health, but that doesn't make me enjoy it any more. As I see it, if the best part of an exercise regimen is its completion, then it's clearly not "my thing."

Cycling is "my thing." At some point during each ride, the feeling that I am sitting on a bicycle and moving my legs to propel it forward gradually fades away. At that time, cycling is no longer about exercise . . . it's no longer about getting somewhere . . . it's no longer about the destination. Instead, as the saying goes, it's the journey that matters.

For me, cycling provides a doorway to a Zen-like state of mind. Everyday thoughts and worries are evicted from my mind. As the steady stream of constant thoughts becomes quiet, I feel the oneness that I have with the world that I ride through. As this Zen-like state of mind replaces my normal way of thinking, I feel and appreciate my surroundings. I sense the flow of air across my body. I hear the sounds of nature near and far. I feel the rhythm of my own pedaling and the life energy contained in my own breathing. My focus changes . . . like changing channels on a radio . . . to another frequency, where babbling voices are replaced by a relaxed (yet alert) awareness. My goals become simplified -- like perhaps reaching the top of the next hill. There is no past. There is no future. There is just NOW.

Doctors and journalists often remind us that aerobic exercise is critical to our health, and that one of the main reasons that obesity is such a problem in America is that few people exercise on a regular basis. Although the physical benefits of exercise are certainly valid, there is another, equally significant, benefit of finding a form of exercise that you enjoy -- a mental health/stress reduction benefit. It seems that any activity that allows us to quiet the steady stream of thoughts (many of which are counterproductive to our mental health) is beneficial to good health. By embracing the Zen of any sport, you can benefit in mind as well as body. For me, this happens whenever I ride my bicycle. For you . . . well, you must find your own path, grasshopper.

A little cooler . . . and less windy.

Today, with temperatures in the low 60s and light to moderate southeasterly breezes, I took my third ride in March and fourth ride of the season, riding 18.1 miles through parts of Carol Stream, Bartlett, and along the the Bartlett Trail and southern section of Hawk Hollow Trail. My 2009 total mileage now stands at 70.2. A few more rides like this, and I'll be ready for rides in the 20-30 mile range.

St. Patrick's Day -- warm and windy

There seems to be a meteorological rule that in order for warm weather to make an appearance in March, it must be windy. I've now validated this rule for each of my three rides in 2009. As before, I took another half day off today to resume my 2009 cycling season. Although the temperatures were in the low 70s, moderate southwesterly breezes gave me a better workout than the mileage alone would indicate. My ride today through parts of Schaumburg, Streamwood, Hanover Park, and Bartlett was just over 20 miles. My 2009 total mileage now stands at 52.1. Let's hope that I can soon enjoy a ride in relatively calm air.

Trek 100 Ride for Hope

Earlier this week, I registered for the 20th annual Trek 100 Ride for Hope, a bicycle ride in southern Wisconsin on June 6th that benefits children afflicted with pediatric cancer and related blood disorders and supports research of these diseases. For more information about the Trek 100, please visit their website at http://www.trek100.org. To support my riding in the event, please visit my Trek 100 donor page at http://maccfund.kintera.org/trek100-2009/benjamin. I plan to complete the 36-mile course. By doing so, I will raise money for both Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer (MACC) and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Another warm day . . . another ride.

As I had done on February 10th, I took another half day off today to resume my 2009 cycling season. Although the temperatures were (again) in the low 60s, the fierce 30 mph southwesterly winds made it feel like I was cycling at Olympic speeds at times and riding on a sandy beach at others. Riding into the wind was good training for my cardiovascular system and my legs, though. As before, I stayed exclusively on pavement. My ride today through parts of Schaumburg and Roselle was 17.3 miles and my 2009 total mileage now stands at 31.9. That figure may not seem too impressive, but after all, it's only March 5th!