Cycling

A cheat code on two wheels

Hey, it’s Benji 👋 

It has two wheels and is great for commuting.

Can you guess what it is?

🥗

Starter

A Rolling Trend

Some people ride for fun.

Some just to get from A to B.

And some… well, they call it training, but it looks like they’re fighting their inner demons. 👿 

With over 1 billion bicycles in this world, cycling has proven itself as a two-wheeled cheat code.

Think about it:

  • No traffic jams 🚦 

  • No overpriced gas 🛢️ 

  • Free cardio disguised as transport 💦 

And the best part?

Once you learn it, it’s basically forever downloaded into your body.

But bikes aren’t just a childhood memory. They’re one of the simplest, healthiest, and most sustainable ways to move around. 🌎️ 

So is cycling the ultimate life hack? 🤔 

And if it is… how exactly does it affect our body?

Let’s ride into it. 👇

🥙

Main Course

The Truth About Cycling

What is cycling?

Cycling is the art of moving yourself from point A to point B using two wheels, a set of pedals, and a bit of balance. ⚖️ 

When was it invented?

The first “bicycle” was invented in 1817 by Karl von Drais.

It was called a Laufmaschine, or “running machine” and had no pedals - you pushed it along with your feet. 🚲️ 

Why do people cycle?

People cycle for various reasons:

  • Fun - exploring new places, enjoying the outdoors 😎 

  • Fitness - great cardiovascular workout, improves endurance, strengthens muscles 💪 

  • Transport - avoiding traffic, saving money, reducing carbon footprint 🌆 

But cycling has become much more than just commuting and training.

It’s a lifestyle, a social movement, and a way to challenge yourself. 🚵‍♂️ 

What about the industry?

The global bicycle market is booming:

  • Projected in 2025: US$59.8 billion in revenue

  • Projected by 2030: US$66.2 billion in revenue

Growth is driven by health consciousness, environmental awareness, and the rising popularity of recreational cycling.

💡 Fun fact: The fastest speed ever recorded on a bicycle is 296.010 km/h (183.932 mph), set by Denise Mueller-Korenek in 2018 at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

What are the benefits?

Cycling regularly has been shown to

  • improve cardiovascular health 💗

  • lower blood pressure 🩸

  • help lose weight ⚖️

  • promote lung health 🌬️

  • improve mental health 🧠

  • aid in improving motor learning and balance ⚖️ 

  • help the environment 🌍️ 

  • increase endurance and strength 🚴

👩‍🍳 Chef Tip: Make cycling a routine!

It trains your cardiovascular system, gets you from A to B faster, and lowers your carbon footprint - all at the same time.

Time saved ✅ 

🍰

Dessert

11 Epic Cycling Routes You Must Ride Before You Die

Cycling from point A to B or just for training can get… well, a bit boring.

But add a breathtaking route, your favorite cycling buddy, and mind-blowing views, and suddenly every ride becomes an adventure. 🌄 

Therefore, I went on a mission to find the most stunning cycling routes around the globe:

Death Road (Bolivia) 💀 

The Death Road (64 km) takes you from icy La Paz to tropical Coroico - narrow cliffs, waterfalls, and wild views make it one of the world’s most thrilling cycling routes.

Wild Atlantic Way (Ireland) 🍀 

The Wild Atlantic Way spans 2,500 km of rugged coast, where cyclists meet cliffs, beaches, castles, and cozy villages - an epic ride through pure Irish charm.

Pamir Highway (Tajikistan) 🚵‍♂️ 

The Pamir Highway (1200 km) - the “Roof of the World” - in Tajikistan, takes cyclists across towering peaks, lunar-like plateaus, and ancient Silk Road villages, all wrapped in stunning views and timeless Pamiri hospitality.

Karakoram Highway (Pakistan/China) 🛣️ 

One of the world’s highest paved roads (1300 km) - takes cyclists past glaciers, roaring valleys, and giants like K2, blending raw mountain scenery with vibrant local cultures.

Shimanami Kaido (Japan) 🗻 

Japan’s Shimanami Kaido is a 70 km island-hopping ride across the Seto Inland Sea, taking cyclists over six bridges, past fishing villages, citrus groves, and temples - with beautiful ocean views.

Transfăgărășan Highway (Romania) 🐻 

The Transfăgărășan Highway winds 150 km through the Carpathians with hairpin bends, glacial lakes, and epic mountain views - earning its title as one of the world’s most scenic (and toughest) cycling roads.

Forgotten World Highway (New Zealand) 🛤️ 

The Forgotten World Highway spans 183 km of colonial bridle paths, tunnels, and mountain passes - an adventurous ride through lush gorges and backcountry before reaching the coast at New Plymouth.

Lakes Route (Switzerland) 🌄 

The Lakes Route winds 500 km through postcard-perfect scenery - crystal lakes, charming towns, vineyards, and alpine views - offering a stunning, unforgettable cycling adventure from Zurich to Lausanne.

The Skeleton Coast (Namibia) 🏜️ 

The Skeleton Coast (500 km) offers a surreal cycling adventure along deserts, shipwrecks, and roaring ocean winds - an isolated, otherworldly ride for the truly adventurous.

Friendship Highway (Nepal/Tibet) 🏔️ 

The Friendship Highway (800 km) takes cyclists along high-altitude passes with Everest views, turquoise lakes, and remote villages - a journey through breathtaking Himalayan scenery and rich Tibetan culture.

Cap de Formentor (Spain) 🏝️ 

Mallorca’s Cap de Formentor is a 40 km coastal climb from Puerto Pollensa to the island’s highest lighthouse, where cyclists pedal alongside pros against stunning Mediterranean views.

Bonus: The Silk Road Mountain Race Route (Kyrgyzstan) 🌨️ 

The Silk Road Mountain Race (1954 km) in Kyrgyzstan is a brutal high-altitude ride over 4,000-meter passes, glacial rivers, and rugged, barely marked trails - where freezing temperatures, isolation, and sheer remoteness turn every pedal into a battle for survival.

🥜

Snacks

Dad Joke of the Week

How did the apple get to work?

It rode a pie-cycle!

A Deep Question

When was the last time you truly pushed yourself to the limit - and how did your body and mind respond?

A Friendly Reminder

“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.”

Søren Kierkegaard

🎁

Takeaway  

You aren’t satisfied yet? 

Here are my Ingredients and Recommendations for you:

🎙️ Podcasts
  • Lance Armstrong: The rise, fall, and growth of a cycling legend (The Drive)

  • The MINDSET Behind The Fastest Cyclist Of All Time (Rich Roll)

📚️ Book
  • God Is Dead: The Rise and Fall of Frank Vandenbroucke, Cycling's Great Wasted Talent (Andy McGrath)

📺️ Videos

📑 Articles
  • 12 Benefits of Cycling, Plus Safety Tips (Healthline.com)

  • 10 benefits of cycling (MedicalNewsToday)

  • Eight Benefits of Biking 30 Minutes a Day (Adidas)

  • Health Benefits of Cycling and Do’s and Don’ts (Cleveland Clinic)

  • The 15 Most Stunning and Remote Bicycle Routes in the World (Momentum Mag)

  • The World's Top 19 Picturesque Cycling Routes (AD)

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Thank you for being here 💝 

Looking forward to serving you next week.

Much love,

Benji

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