How do you feel when cycling?

[yello]

I'd hesitate to put a name to it, for fear of ruining it, but it is a kind of gentle ecstacy. An awareness of the beauty, the ordinariness and the obviousness - all at once in a single feeling. It is all there to be seen and experienced, easy access, if you just let it happen, dare I say, let it flow into you. Cycling can take me to that place.

 

[Sea of vapours]

I'd hesitate to put a name to it, for fear of ruining it, but it is a kind of gentle ecstacy.

The following is an extract from a definition of 'flow state' here: https://www.headspace.com/articles/flow-state The second paragraph is especially pertinent to much of what's been said above.

“There’s this focus that, once it becomes intense, leads to a sense of ecstasy, a sense of clarity: you know exactly what you want to do from one moment to the other; you get immediate feedback,” Csikszentmihalyi said in a 2004 TED Talk. Csikszentmihalyi and Nakamura reached this conclusion by interviewing a variety of self-actualized, high-performing people: including mountain climbers, chess players, surgeons, and ballet dancers.

When you’re giving your fullest attention to an activity or task that you are incredibly passionate about, singularly focused on, and totally immersed in, you may find yourself creating the conditions necessary to experience a flow state of mind. The mind’s usual chatter begins to fade away, placing us in a non-distracted zone. The feelings that would consume you under normal circumstances (inhibition, hunger, fatigue, or aches and pains) melt away, and all that matters is your dedication to your craft.

The flow mental state is generally less common during periods of relaxation and makes itself present during challenging and engaging activities. According to Csikszentmihalyi, “The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times… the best moments usually occur if a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.” To that end, engagement and concentration are key in achieving flow state."

 

[matticus]

I used to do a long commute, 23 miles each way, much to the amazement of many of my colleagues.
On more than a few commutes, I must have gone into some kind of "auto pilot". I would get to a certain point on the route and wouldn't have any recollection of the earlier part of the route.

I actually think this is completely normal for most commuters! Studies have been done with car commuters who usually confirm it.

Once I read about this, and tried remembering the green lights i'd driven thru that day; I had zero recollection!

 

[yello]

Well, um, "high performing" I dunno about that

But, yes, I guess that's sort of there or therearounds. Certainly true that the mind's usual chatter fades away. In truth, I think I'm a little more passive than full on 'flow state', less focused and more open and transparent. I both flow through and am flowed through... but that sounds kinda weird

But, honestly, I don't want to be too analytical about it. It's something that exists in its own time and place and, to some degree, defies description (as I'm sat here in an armchair listening to a snoring dog)

 

[Dogtrousers]

Ecstacy ... flow ... is all a bit extreme to describe anything I feel or have felt.

I still enjoy cycling in my own small way though. I don't have any sense of oneness or anything like that, but I do like trundling round on my bike for long periods thinking about nothing in particular.

I've stopped doing really long rides (for me that's anything over 8 hours or so) lately. But when I did them found that the ability to stay concentrated on the present was vital to avoid being discouraged by how far there is to go. Sorry if that's a bit prosaic and practical.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times… the best moments usually occur if a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile

That is a fascinating insight. It explains the commonality between long distance cycling / Audax and mountaineering and the similar states of consciousness and feelings achieved. I partake in both.

You don’t even necessarily need to achieve the goal. It’s the attempt that brings you to that altered state / feeling.

 

[Oldhippy]

Bloody fantastic is the short answer.

 

[numbnuts]

A distant memory the sparkel has gone, but I was glad for the ride - Thank you.

 

[postman]

It's over two years now,a little tootle around the street does not count.I was ready to begin again,but now we have got the father in law with us.Time alone is like rocking horse shoot.

 

[ColinJ]

I feel like a middle aged sex god when put on the bike.

Me too, but I haven't found a shop that sells them, and even if I did I probably wouldn't be able to afford one!

 

[Sea of vapours]

That is a fascinating insight. It explains the commonality between long distance cycling / Audax and mountaineering and the similar states of consciousness and feelings achieved. I partake in both.

You don’t even necessarily need to achieve the goal. It’s the attempt that brings you to that altered state / feeling.

I agree. I've also done a lot of alpine mountaineering and ice climbing and long-ish distance cycling often creates a similar state in me to the more challenging areas of mountains. I think cycling is even more capable of producing 'flow state' as it's inherently repetitive and hence can be meditative.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

For me, it's leaving everyday life troubles behind for a while; some alone time; time in the countryside with nature; while sometimes pushing myself to the limits on that given day often up a 250+ feet climb and loving the buzz that comes with finding your limits that day.

 

[yello]

I get that people may not share the same experiences nor use the same language to describe those experiences. Tbh, it does seem weird even to me (a bit nonsense even) to be using the language I use to describe how I feel on a bike. And to be sure it's not always like that. Sometimes, it's a downright slog BUT when I do enter 'that place' it is quite something 'else'. Lets just say it's not something I would experience in the aisle at Safeways , mainly because I haven't shopped in Safeways for years, but you get my drift.

 

[oldandslow]

On more than a few commutes, I must have gone into some kind of "auto pilot". I would get to a certain point on the route and wouldn't have any recollection of the earlier part of the route.

Twice, some decades apart, I have been out riding on very familiar roads, and suddenly realised that I had no idea where I was, or where I was going. On each occasion it lasted a couple of rather-unnerving seconds before normal brain service was resumed.

 

[yello]

Twice, some decades apart, I have been out riding on very familiar roads, and suddenly realised that I had no idea where I was, or where I was going. On each occasion it lasted a couple of rather-unnerving seconds before normal brain service was resumed.

I believe it's not an uncommon thing to happen. Certainly I've experienced it, both on the bike and driving (or motorbike) - probably even walking. I don't worry about it because, as you say, it lasts a matter of seconds before the old brain re-orientates itself and you know where you are.