Cycling is increasing in popularity all the time. Surveys reveal almost 7% of us are choosing a bicycle as our main mode of transport – to the office, or place of study – while almost 9% cycle for pleasure. You only have to travel through major cities or towns to gauge this – did you see as many cycle lanes even five years ago? There are many reasons for this upsurge in love for two-wheelers. Immune from surges in petrol prices, or other outlays like tax and vehicle insurance, bikes are so economical. They’re also great for the environment. Most of all, cycling is a fantastic way of looking after your physical and mental health, and cyclists can take this well-being into their relationships.
How do bicycles lead to healthy partnerships?
Let’s take that point about the environment, undoubtedly the key topic of the early 21st century. Scientists are no longer discussing global warming. The damage fossil fuels do to the environment is being labelled global boiling! Governments, workplaces and other institutions are all introducing policies to encourage people to cycle. Cycling and clean transport are buzzwords! If you’re a single cyclist keen to embrace this positivity, have you ever asked the question, where could I find hookups around me? Where might I get to know other cyclists for friendship – and more? You’ll come across a diverse range of prospective partners by checking out online matching platforms. Joining is straightforward, and after providing your details you can begin interacting with other cyclists who’ve also signed up. Secure messaging channels make it easy to strike up conversations. You already have your joy of cycling as a shared passion – so you’ll find it easy to connect.
Bikes for promoting wellbeing
Another icebreaker for an informal chat with a prospective cycling partner is discussing why you love your hobby. For many, it’s the love of travelling, getting regular exercise while enjoying the scenery. Whether you relish tougher mountain biking courses, or simply a gentle cruise through urban cycle paths and parks, this is such a rewarding way to get from A to B. What you always need to remember is how important it is to stay safe. You and your new cycling buddies can converse about different ways to look after your physical well-being. Be aware of the stresses and strains any cyclist can pick up, especially if you’re returning to your two-wheeler for the first time in a while and are a little out of shape. You might have tips to give each other about coping with lower back pain or what to do should you experience muscle cramps. The latter can be debilitating and needs to be addressed urgently. This will often first be noticeable around the calf, while your toes are pointing in the direction you are cycling. When it’s safe to do so, you should pull in somewhere, and then do some basic exercises to work off the stress. Drop your heel, then stretch your leg for a while. After the pain has dissipated, wait a bit longer before getting back onto the bike.
Maintaining a healthy relationship
Getting together with someone who is also keen on bikes can work wonders for your social life. Because this is such an enriching pastime, you’ll find yourself in a position where there will always be exciting things to do together. When a weekend is coming up, why not bounce ideas around and make plans for your next adventure? You may well have a particular cycle path you enjoy tackling and are keen to introduce your other half to this terrain. Explain what it is about this route which keeps enticing you back. On the other hand, it’s always a lot of fun organising fresh outings. Perhaps you have non-cycling friends whose ‘go-to’ date suggestions are restaurants or a night at the movies? You and your biking colleague can make shortlists of cycle routes to explore. Refer to online journey planners that will offer all sorts of useful advice. Check up on blogs about favored off-road access, and read the guidance about road safety and legislation relating to cycling. Knowing all this background will put you in the best frame of mind.
In conclusion, there’s a saying, ‘fore-warned is fore-armed,’ and this has never rung truer than for cyclists. Before embarking on any trip, make sure you are aware of potential hazards. Harnessing satnav technology is always useful, as you’ll receive advance notice of everything from flooded areas to roadworks which might close certain paths. A final tip? Download apps that will measure your journey in terms of the calories you burn, or how beneficial the route will be for your cardiovascular health. This can be quite an incentive, especially during rainy days when the journeys seem less enjoyable!
