When it comes to fun and exercise, cycling is unmatched. Not only do you break a sweat, but you also get to explore. You can stop for coffee or tea at your favorite café. You don't worry about distance because you travel fast. It's truly enjoyable, isn't it?
Bonding and Friendship Through Cycling
Many friends bond through cycling. Many also meet and become friends because they share the same passion—pedaling. That was my experience when I started cycling. I made many friends.
I always felt light, and even if I lacked sleep, I was still excited to ride and climb Brgy. Busay every morning. I would visit my child's grave before continuing my ride to Busay.
That was my morning ritual on weekdays, while on weekends we would climb mountains. But the mountains were different then and now. Climbing mountains was harder because most roads weren't paved. There were also sections that were dangerous to descend; aside from steep angles, gravel and large rocks made it risky to slide. Now most roads are paved; there's less challenge.
The Challenge of Mountain Biking
But that's the beauty of mountain biking—the challenge to endurance, skill, and courage. It's not easy to ride a bike while descending if you're a beginner. It's also tough to climb a mountain non-stop for a total of six kilometers.
Nice but Dangerous
You won't find another form of exercise that lets you tour and enjoy at the same time. But cycling on our narrow roads is not easy; most are two-lane only. You compete for space with other motorized vehicles.
The danger is motorcyclists, as many of them lack defensive driving and are careless. We feel nervous sharing the road with them because you might get sideswiped or directly hit by someone driving recklessly.
Cycling is great as a form of exercise and recreation. But it also carries risks due to road conditions and reckless drivers, mostly motorcyclists. Statistically, accidents involving motorcycles account for eight out of ten incidents.
Despite this danger, many still cycle in groups every weekend. The advantage of a group is that you are more visible, and other drivers are more cautious when there are many cyclists. There is strength in numbers. You also have protection.
