Photo ©Justin Ross 2017.
Local mountain bikers stop to rest in the scenic morning glow that engulfs Trench Town’s hardwood forest, a popular hiking and mountain biking trail here in Millbrook.
Today’s world is more sedentary than ever. Time spent behind desks, on long commutes, or on the couch looking at screens can leave many of us craving more tangible physical experiences. Distractions, misinformation, and negativity from the online world can drain us. We all need some way to recharge. For some, this regenerative time happens in the garden, the shop, or the studio. For me, it’s on the trails.
Riding a bicycle in the forest is so much more than what it appears to be. Depending on the section of trail, the experience can be quiet and contemplative or completely thrilling – effortless in one moment and impossibly difficult in the next. I can feel weightless even when my wheels don’t leave the ground and I am often fully engaged with my surroundings. The interplay between all of these things is what makes the overall experience so balanced and full.
The trees are unforgiving but they don’t elbow, yell, or trip. The dirt is rough and gritty but it doesn’t take its frustrations out on me. The scenery can be breathtaking but the air is always clean. It’s exercise that I’m hardly aware that I’m getting and the good feelings I get from riding stay with me for much of the day.
There is science to support this as well. Sweating it out on a mountain bike causes the body to release endorphins – a hormone widely attributed to feelings of wellbeing and happiness. Similarly, this type of exercise has been shown to reduce the levels of stress hormones in the body (eg. cortisol), thereby reducing overall stress.
An article published by the University of Vermont, entitled “The Effects of Mindful Movement and Exercise on Depression” highlights that focused forms of exercise increase secretion of serotonin, another one of the body’s chemicals associated with mood. The study also reports positive changes in sleep patterns, as a result.
In addition to these physical and emotional benefits, time spent just being in the forest can give us a boost. A study that appeared in the journal of Landscape and Urban Planning (June 2015) found that spending 50 minutes in nature improved cognition and memory while also decreasing anxiety and rumination.
Above all, mountain bikes produce no greenhouse gas emissions, criteria air contaminants, or pollution. The trails aren’t climate controlled and don’t require hourly resurfacing, weekly mowing, or frequent chemical spraying. It’s a sport that promotes better physical and mental health. And it’s a riot. I’m proud to live in a place that values this form of recreation.
This month’s trail tip: Minimize the use of your brakes in corners by braking ahead of the corner. Braking and cornering apply different directional forces to your tires. Traction loss is twice as likely if you do both at once.
A Singletrack Mind by David D’Agostino
