Why Cycle?

• To Commute to work
• To Save Money on Petrol
• To Avoid Traffic Jams
• To Carry shopping
• To Race
• To Get Fit
• To Lose Weight
• Cycling is fun
• To be Healthier and live longer
• So you can tell Your Friends you cycled 100km in a day
• To have an excuse to shave your legs

There are many very good reasons to cycle (and a few others as well). You can find more here: 10 Reasons To Take Up Cycling.

Usually, when we are cycling – we are cycling for a purpose, to be fitter in the future, to be faster, to get to work. Yet,  it is worth cycling purely for the sake of it. There is a joy in the almost rhythmic movement of the pedals. The feeling of freedom as you pedal along the road, powered only by your own efforts.

When we are just thinking and planning of something in the future, we lose a little of the natural joy you can get from cycling.

Often when training, I tell myself you need to enjoy the training as much as the racing. If you can only enjoy winning (or coming 81st) in races, what’s the point in spending 15 hours a week cycling? Even on difficult rides, I try to remind myself to enjoy the art of cycling. I try to be in the present moment, to forget the injustices of sharing the road with irritable motorists, badly designed roads e.t.c… But, just try to be in the present moment and be fully conscious of the pedalling action.

By: Rebecca Anne flickr

My meditation teacher, Sri Chinmoy, used to say about training that the important thing was not the time spent, but, the consciousness – the attitude that we have when training. The key to successful training is to be fully alert, fully conscious of the practice. In other words, there is less benefit from churning out 100 miles, if our mind is in the gutter. A good cyclist needs to train the body, but, also get the co-operation of the mind.

There are times, when cycling along a deserted road, or beautiful cycle path gives a great feeling. There is nothing but you, your bike and nature. It may sound a little trite, but, sometimes in life the best things really are the simplest. (see: Photos by Lake)

ZEN PROVERB:

A Zen teacher saw five of his students returning from the market, riding their bicycles. When they arrived at the monastery and had dismounted, the teacher asked the students, “Why are you riding your bicycles?”

The first student replied, “The bicycle is carrying this sack of potatoes. I am glad that I do not have to carry them on my back!? The teacher praised the first student. “You are a smart boy! When you grow old, you will not walk hunched over like I do.”

The second student replied, “I love to watch the trees and fields pass by as I roll down the path!” The teacher commended the second student, “Your eyes are open, and you see the world.”

The third student replied, “When I ride my bicycle, I am content to chant nam myoho renge kyo.” The teacher gave his praise to the third student, “Your mind will roll with the ease of a newly trued wheel.”

The fourth student replied, “Riding my bicycle, I live in harmony with all sentient beings.? The teacher was pleased and said to the fourth student, ?You are riding on the golden path of non-harming.”

The fifth student replied, “I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle.” The teacher sat at the feet of the fifth student and said, “I am your student.”