Cycling and Happiness

A recent survey confims what we as cyclists already knew: that cycling and happiness are correlated - in a good way.
The happiest cities according to John Helliwell of the University of British Columbia, all have a high number of cyclists. Denmark routinely tops the list of the happiest countries in the world with Copenhagen having one in three of its inhabitants cycling to work or school. I'm fortunate as I don't have to commute to work at all and there are still many reasons I could list for a link between happiness and cycling.

Cycling somehow clears the mind and frees it up. Imogen Heap, an eccentric British singer who wears odd clothes and feathers, ribbons and butterflies in her hair, has said that she pedals her bike to and from her recording studio in London as a creative exercise. Lyrics come to her as well as snatches of musical phrases.

There is a woman I sometimes see in my neighbourhood, who rides her bike through the traffic, seated upright in her saddle, wearing a dress and nice shoes, her purse in the basket on the front. Smiling and helmet-less, she is fearless and graceful as a swimmer doing a gentle, steady crawl through a choppy sea. l like what it suggests: that you’re confident, oblivious to the chaos, trusting in others’ goodwill and courtesy, at one with your bike. From the comfort of a car, it looks like an existential statement.

My quick list of further cycling pluses would also include:
+  good exercise whatever the speed you choose
+  very sociable - a great way to meet the locals
+  very sociable - a great way to spend a day out with your friends
+  inspirational - nature has so much to offer

What's on your list?

Cycling on Cold days

It's not something I love but it's easier if there's a reward somewhere other than just excercise and fresh (very cold) air, as here at present -. barely above freezing all day.
We're lucky here as we have Rumsey's Chocolaterie an ace establishment with cafes in Wendover and Thame where their hot chocolate goes down really well on icy days. Ride into Thame along the 8 mile Phoenix Trail from Risborough or if narrow bridge holes don't spook you, follow the Wendover Canal to find their other shop. Of course you'll be tempted to leave with a bag of their exquisite handmade delights and maybe sign up for one of their chocolate workshops.
You can also visit them on our new tour - The Chiltern Challenge.

Websites for Cyclists

There are a growing number of really useful sites for cyclists but THE one for us is Bikehike - its just totally brilliant. Essentially its brilliant because it uses both google and OS maps and so for those of us using bridleways, forest tracks and bike paths as well as roads we have the best of all worlds. Google has its limits when things go off road.
What's even more brilliant is that I found it cruising around another website that I love - slowcoast
These are two very special sites!