Cycling State of Mind

By Bryna Blanchard

I love riding bikes, primarily mountain bikes on trails in the woods. In any season, on any trail, alone or with friends, nothing compares to the sense of peace, presence of mind, being in-the-moment bliss of turning the pedals. Cycling has been a priority and a constant presence in my life for close to 30 years. The desire to ride at the level and capacity that I choose has influenced major life decisions, including when and how I work, where I live, and the people I call my friends. Bikes have become my lifestyle and have provided me with an invaluable community of people who understand and share my passion. All of this has never been more apparent or essential for mental health and well-being than since March of 2020.  

As everyone already knows, the world shut down. People stayed home, normal activities disappeared, uncertainty replaced routine. Everyone can describe a slightly different experience during those early days and months of the pandemic. As an occupation therapist working in home health care, my daily routine did not change. Every day I continued to get into my car and drive to visit patients in their homes. However, the amount of PPE (personal protective equipment) and infection control precautions changed drastically. Patient and caregiver needs changed over the course of many months (and years) for various reasons directly and indirectly related to the pandemic. 

My once fun, creative, and rewarding job became chaotic and anxiety provoking with a new and uncomfortable level of responsibility to protect everyone. Health care workers witnessed patients suffering on a new and overwhelming scale. The external chaos and fear that I was experiencing began to erode my internal balance and peace of mind. The stress became chronic and anxiety became psychosomatic, except when I rode my bike. 

On bike rides I felt almost normal, calm, resilient. Riding bikes allowed me to escape my worried thoughts and experience the beautiful outdoor environment I am lucky to call home. I can recall with clarity specific rides that restored my mental state. After one particularly difficult work day in late March 2020, I headed out alone on the road bike from my house. The tears began to fall for emotional release as I pedaled down rural, empty roads past fields and farms. I came upon the local goat farm and was instantly treated to the visual display of new spring baby goats racing around together, jumping on and off tables and tires, in and out of the barn. As I stopped to watch baby goat shenanigans, laughter replaced my tears. I continued my ride feeling lighter with an increased awareness of the crisp air in my lungs and breeze on my face. 

During April 2020, a late season snowstorm afforded us the opportunity to sneak in another wintry fat-bike ride on trails at Grafton Lakes State Park. The four to five inches of heavy snow on frozen ground promised to be wet and cold, but a small group of us shared enthusiasm for the chance to put down tracks. I wanted to feel the cold, even the wet, and the slow floating slip and slide of fat tires on snow. I wanted to feel in my body the comfort, and discomfort, of this ride to calm my head. I craved the social interaction of a group ride with the built-in safety features of being outdoors, with the social distancing inherent in straddling bikes. 

Many people are struggling to maintain a healthy mental state or manage a mental illness. Discussions involving mental health appear almost daily on the news, in social media, and among health care providers. Traditional treatments for mental illness include medications and various types of psychotherapy. Research continues to explore non-clinical strategies for improving mental health. In this article, I share my personal experience with cycling and mental health. 

Exercisers recognize and appreciate the mood boosting benefits associated with performing their sport. Health experts have recommended physical activity to improve both physical and mental health for decades. “Many studies have examined the efficacy of exercise to reduce symptoms of depression, and the overwhelming majority of these studies have described a positive benefit associated with exercise involvement. Research also suggests that the benefits of exercise involvement may be long lasting.” (Lynnette Craft & Frank Perna, “The Benefits of Exercise for the Clinically Depressed,” Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2004). Cycling certainly checks the exercise box for mental health care.

Research suggests that spending time in nature can alleviate symptoms of depression. “Contact with nature is associated with increases in happiness, subjective well-being, positive affect, positive social interactions and a sense of meaning and purpose in life, as well as decreases in mental distress.” (Kristen Weir, “Nurtured by Nature,” American Psychological Association, April 1, 2020). 

Cycling, and particularly mountain biking, immerses the rider in beautiful outdoor settings. Cyclists enjoy a full sensory experience of nature; the smell of spring lilacs, sunlight illuminating summer forest ferns, the glow of autumn leaves, the energizing touch of winter air. On a recent hot summer day, I enjoyed a solo mountain bike ride in the misty rain. I appreciated the feel of cool water on hot skin, stillness of the woods, and extra focus required to pick lines over slippery roots. Riding bikes outside naturally promotes the practice of mindfulness, another well researched tool for managing mental health.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines mindfulness as “the practice of being aware of your body, mind, and feelings in the present moment.” Practicing mindfulness involves suspending judgement and attending to the moment. Research on mindfulness suggests the practice can reduce rumination, decrease stress and anxiety, and improve memory, focus, and cognitive flexibility.” (Daphne Davis & Jeffrey Hayes, “What are the Benefits of Mindfulness,” American Psychological Association. July/August 2012). When I ride my bike, the stress of the day evaporates. I am focused on the trail or the road ahead, and I notice the details of nature. My thoughts drift in and out without causing distress, and I am acutely aware and appreciative of my healthy body. These positive effects on my mental state last long after the ride ends, and motivate me to plan the next ride, alone or with friends.

Cycling is very much a communal sport. In upstate New York, road and mountain bikers can join organized group rides for all ability levels nearly every day of the week. Friends meet at trailheads and parking lots to share the pleasure of turning cranks, encouraging each other to learn new skills, and increasing fitness. I have made my closest friendships through cycling and the cycling community. This community feels like family to me. The National Alliance on Mental Illness describes community as “not just an entity or a group of people, it’s a feeling. It’s feeling connected to others, feeling accepted for who you are and feeling supported.” (Stephany Gilbert, “The Importance of Community and Mental Health,” National Alliance on Mental Illness, Nov. 18, 2019). 

Feelings of loneliness and isolation are known triggers for depression. Conversely, feeling a sense of community, which includes belonging, support and a sense of purpose, decrease depression symptoms. During the worst of the pandemic, I felt the most safe, happy, and supported when riding bikes with friends, members of my cycling family.  

I could easily continue to describe the benefits and importance of cycling in my life. During these pandemic years, my appreciation for cycling has grown. I rediscovered the pure joy of riding a bike with less emphasis on racing, performance, and results. I continue to train and race because it makes me happy for now, but really it all comes down to the feeling of riding. Riding bikes always feels happy and that can only be good for mental health. 

Bryna Blanchard (bnestor@nycap.rr.com) is a home care occupational therapist and mountain biker from East Greenbush. Bryna has been riding and racing for decades. She currently races mountain bikes and cyclocross on the Barker Mountain Bikes team out of Bethel, Maine.