 | I posted an article about the health benefits of biking onto my facebook page recently. Apparently scientists assessed the functions of more than 120 regular cyclists aged between 55 and 79 and failed to find any of the obvious signs of ageing that they would normally observe among people of the same age. |
I had forgotten about the article when I accepted an invitation to join a friend to cycle the Mangaparua track - which for those of you who don't know, is a 38km stunningly beautiful ride which ends at the famous Bridge to Nowhere. This bridge, as an aside, was built at a time when expectations were high about settlement in this area close to the Wanganui River. Needless to say town planning wasn't what is is now - and the bridge has ended up in . . . well, the middle of nowhere.
Anyway, I asked my daughter to come along and before we knew it our group had climbed to five. We took our time, had a number of rest stops, and basically had an absolutely magnificent day. The riding was reasonably tough - not so much the uphill bits which were pretty gentle, but more the downhill sections which were fairly rutted from previous rain and activity.
I came off once . . . Ok I came off three times, one of which resulted in a bit of blood. But my feeling at the time was one of pure enjoyment. The physicality of the riding, the comradeship, being with my daughter - all combined to make this a wonderful day. I have a slight muscle ache now - but if anything its bringing back those moments of joy in the middle of the bush in this beautiful country.
I think I am a person that suits harder physical exercise. I felt uplifted, confident and calm as I drove back to Wellington. We visited a few towns on the way back down and I bought a very cool Balinese style chair - something I wouldn't normally have done on the spur of the moment.
I think those scientists are on the mark . . .
Anyway, I asked my daughter to come along and before we knew it our group had climbed to five. We took our time, had a number of rest stops, and basically had an absolutely magnificent day. The riding was reasonably tough - not so much the uphill bits which were pretty gentle, but more the downhill sections which were fairly rutted from previous rain and activity.
I came off once . . . Ok I came off three times, one of which resulted in a bit of blood. But my feeling at the time was one of pure enjoyment. The physicality of the riding, the comradeship, being with my daughter - all combined to make this a wonderful day. I have a slight muscle ache now - but if anything its bringing back those moments of joy in the middle of the bush in this beautiful country.
I think I am a person that suits harder physical exercise. I felt uplifted, confident and calm as I drove back to Wellington. We visited a few towns on the way back down and I bought a very cool Balinese style chair - something I wouldn't normally have done on the spur of the moment.
I think those scientists are on the mark . . .
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