Our in-house poet Rabbie Muckmedden waxes lyrical about how riding bikes makes life better
It’s a common problem….
You haven’t ridden for a while due to life commitments and the desire to ride starts to fade. Before you know what’s happening, you’re making excuses about why you can’t go for a ride; “Too busy at work, too tired, too wet/cold/dark. I’ve not ridden for ages and my fitness is gone ” blah, blah, muckin’ blah.
After a few more weeks you’ve substituted adrenaline-filled bike rides with sitting on your butt eating and drinking like you’re at a Roman banquet, whilst scrolling for another bike video. It’s at this point where you have to get your lazy butt off the couch, slap yourself across the face with your Five Tens and go for a blast.
Because riding bikes is THE. BEST. THING. EVER.
But worry not, we’re all guilty of it and it’s an easy cycle to break (pun intended). All you need is to get out for that first bike ride, then another, and another to break the spell.
I wrote this poem during a time when I couldn’t get out on my bike for a number of reasons beyond my control. I was in the “I can’t ride because…” phase and my mood and enthusiasm had taken a dive. I’ve realised over the past few years that mountain biking is so important for my mental health these days and I forced myself out for a ride. Of course, as soon as I visited my favourite ‘Ribbon o’ Dirt’ I felt magically better straight away.
That’s just the way it is and I know millions of other people feel the same.
If this sounds familiar, make sure you visit your favourite ‘Ribbon o’ Dirt’ as soon as you can. You’ll be glad you did.
Rabbie Muckmedden