what is cycling to you

Cycling means different things to everyone. For me, it is a combination of a lot of different things that can change depending on the day or the ride.

• Stress Release
• Exercise
• Adrenaline Rush
• Hobby
• Passion
• A way to clear the head
• A social gathering
• A way to meet new people

The list can go on and on, but during every ride, cycling stirs emotions. I know after a long day at the office a great ride is a stress release and a way to get my head clear. On Pisgah epics, cycling is an adrenaline rush, exercise and a passion. For shuttle dh runs, it is almost all adrenaline rush (which is addicting). Somedays, cycling is just an excuse to get outside on a perfect day.

I find it hard to express the feelings that I get while I’m on the bike. Sometimes it is a race horse with blinders feeling when complete focus is on the trail and nothing else matters. The picture above reminds me of the quite peace you get after a long climb knowing that all hell is about to break loose on the descent. At the end of the day, there aren’t many things in this world that have given me that feeling that I get on a bike during a great run.

So what is cycling to me? A way of life.

• It reminds me that there is a big untapped world out there.
• It reminds me not to sweat the small stuff.
• It reminds me that success can be found within.
• It reminds me that only you define your limits.
• It reminds me that it is always easier to be a critic than a creator.
• And most of all, it reminds me to be myself, and not what I think people want me to be.

Cycling is freedom.

So the question is put out there…what is cycling to you?