Cycling has been proven to not only improve your physical well-being – but also your mental health. Whether biking indoors or outdoors, we consistently see positive effects on your brain and body.  There are multitudes of benefits that can affect all parts of your life.

Exposure to the outdoors has often been prescribed to combat mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. Cycling outdoors is no different!  Your brain positively reacts to the influx of blood flow and nutrients and enables greater performance.  Meaning, consistent cycling in your day-to-day life keeps your brain healthy and young in your later years.

Studies conducted on cycling have shown these are just some of the mental health benefits people experience:

-Decreases in depression and anxiety

-Greater well-being and relaxation

-Enhanced creative thinking

-Improved memory

-Improved moods

-Better sleep

Additionally, you can reap the social perks of this hobby by meeting like-minded people who also greatly enjoy cycling.  There are endless ways to connect to these groups: many are on social media like Facebook and Instagram, or even on cycling apps like Zwift and Strava.      

It is often recommended to cycle for about 30-60 minutes at a steady pace three to five times a week to enjoy those benefits.  This can be done on your way to work, around your neighbourhood, or anywhere else you like to bike. During the winter months, this can be especially challenging, but even getting on a stationary bike helps with your well-being and mental health.

So, next time you’re thinking of commuting to work or wanting to get outside, grab your bike (and helmet) and see the benefits for yourself!

Go to Google and search e-bike reviews and one of the first sites that comes up is the well done ElectricBikeReview.com, or EBR.

This information source provides unbiased reviews of all sorts of electric bikes available on the market. It is run by Vancouverite Court Rye.

Court is an energetic and knowledgeable e-bike reviewer who has a genuine interest in the environment, health and his community. His background was that he was in product management and did a lot of cycling to and from work. However, he had some previous skiing and surfing injuries, and found the summer heat made it difficult to get to work and still look fresh. That is how he discovered e-bikes.

He bought his first e-bike online, not knowing anything about the technology, weight distribution or power sources. He loved that bike, but it was still heavy and awkward for his needs. He transferred his interest from the corporate world to the e-bike world.

Court now operates his website out of Vancouver, BC. He told me he “loves the local biking community” and enjoys the diversity of British Columbia. He independently reviews all sorts of e-bikes through a detailed summary, photo album and video. He offers viewers tips on best affordable e-bikes, best electric fat bikes, best electric mountain bikes and several other categories.

If you want to learn more about e-bikes, and especially if you are looking to get into one given the advanced technology now available, EBR is for you. Check out the excellent reviews and information.

Written by Lonny Balbi. 

With the uncertainty of COVID-19, life is looking different at the moment. Cycling is a great form of exercise and a viable form of transportation. As long as you are following the social and physical distancing protocals in place, it is safe for you to get outside and ride your bicycle.

The temperature is getting up to 18 degrees on Monday and Tuesday (FINALLY). It is an excellent time to take your bicycle in to get a spring tune up. Many people don’t cycle in the winter (but they should, like our founder, Lonny) so your bike sits all winter. Because of this, some parts might not work as well as they should be. Many bike shops are open by appointment only and are doing contactless drop off and pick up.

Some of the bike shops that are open are:

The Bike Shop

BikeBike Inc.

Ridley’s Cycle

Calgary Cycle

Bike & Brew

Bow Cycle

B & P Cycle and Sports

Power in Motion

Each shop has different policies in place. Please contact them directly for more information!

We are living in a strange time but one positive of the quarantine is that there are less cars on the road. This makes it easier and safer for cyclists to get around the city. Calgary has over 600km of paths and bike paths around the city!

With the beautiful weather coming this weekend, now is a great time to dust off your bicycle and get outside.

Happy (distant) cycling!

For information on Calgary’s pathways: https://maps.calgary.ca/PathwaysandBikeways/

Photo by Gints Gailis on Unsplash

Cyclepalooza and Bike Calgary put on another successful Winter Bike to Work Day on Friday, February 14, 2020. The event featured a fun gathering of winter cyclists down at Eau Claire market with food, warm beverages and various sponsors and donors. They also had info on safe winter riding.

Calgary came in 15^th in the world by having 246 people pledge to ride. Uppsala, Sweden came in first with 879. International Bike to work Day had 14,402 total pledges.

Here are some of our best winter cycling tips:

1. Wear the right type of clothing for different types of weather.

Use cycle specific clothing that have the correct material to keep you moisture free. Sweating too much will leave you feeling cold and clammy. Get good quality gloves and overshoes or boots. This, combined with thermal socks, will keep your extremities warm.

2. Use lights year around to highlight your presence to other drivers.

With having less sunlight in the winter, cyclists are more often riding in the dark. Having rechargeable LED lights will improve your visibility and ultimately keep you safer on the road.

3. Mudguards to keep the muck on the ground and not on you.

With wetter conditions, you’ll find a significant increase in spray and snow coming off the back of your bicycle. Installing mud guards will keep it from soaking your backside and thus making your ride infinitely more comfortable.

4. Maintain so you don’t have to complain.

Winter is harsh, especially in Alberta, and can be particularly hard on your bicycle. Keeping your bike in tip top shape is important year around but more so in the winter time to prevent mishaps that may leave you stranded on the side of the road in less than optimal conditions.

5. Be prepared!

Making sure you are dressed appropriately and that your bicycle is in excellent working condition is key to successful winter riding. Make sure that you plan your route, check the weather and take every precaution necessary for safe winter riding!

Happy cycling!

Photo by Kaur Martin on Unsplash