For many of us, cycling is one of our favorite exercises and part of our routine fitness regime. But there are a few people out there who stick to only cycling and prefer it over all other workouts, not because of habit but out of addiction. Yes, as unnatural or weird as it may sound, there are people who get addicted to cycling.
Cycling at faster speeds gives you an adrenaline rush. This rush can sometimes deliver such levels of satisfaction that you may have never experienced before. To be honest, that is all it takes to get addicted to anything, an experience that you have never had. But everyone doesn’t get hooked to it either. Many people ride bikes regularly because it is fun feeling the wind blowing in your face. Then again, there is a very fine line between enjoying the activity and being addicted to it.
Fun Signs That You Are Addicted
If you are feeling confused about your situation, don’t. We are listing a few fun signs below that will help you decide if you are addicted to it or not.
- You own a bike that is more expensive than your car.
- Your social media contains more pictures of your bike than anyone else.
- You check the Strava app more than your social media accounts.
- You always manage to involve cycling in the plans you make.
- You own more cycling gear than clothes.
- You have more knowledge about bike components than anything else.
- You already have your Specialized bike parts laying around should the need arise.
Let’s Now Be Serious!
If this does not help you clear things much, a more serious way to judge yourself includes asking yourself the following questions:
- Do you go on rides just to cope with troubles in your life?
- Do people in your family argue with you over the amount of time you spend cycling?
- Does it cheer you up when you go out on a ride?
- Have you consistently increased the time you spend on your bike?
- Do you feel agitated if you miss any of your riding sessions?
- Every time you try to lessen the time of your sessions you end up doing a lot more?
- Are you always looking for good bike stores for good deals on Specialized bike parts?
If you answered to the majority of these questions in affirmation then you may very well be headed towards addiction of the sport. But don’t worry because all is not lost.
Fortunately, you do not need to go to rehab to quit cycling. You do not even need to quit it. However, you do need to get away from your bike for a while and give your undivided attention to the people who have been suffering due to your negligence. Plan an outing with the friends you have been ignoring or binge watch that TV show your partner’s been nagging about. Lock your bike in the garage for a month or two and spend time with people instead of that bike.
If you are finding it hard to get away from your bike, seek professional help. Ask around for referrals or recommendations. A professional will be able to understand your situation better and help you get over your addiction and turn your life around.
