Top 5 Reasons to Ride Your Bike This Summer

Happy Solstice! Today is officially the first day of summer*, and we couldn't be happier. Well, actually, it would be nice if it wasn't so cloudy this morning or supposed to be rainy much of next week, but beggars can't be choosers.

Anyway, as if you even needed them you awesome cyclists you, here are our top 5 reasons to ride your bike this summer, with gifs!

It's fun!
Even other mammals can't get enough.




It's good for your health.
Seriously, look how hard this guy is working—and that's not even a real bike!




You'll make great new friendships and strengthen old ones.
Friends (and family) who ride together, stay together.




There's a lot of support in the cycling community.


via cycleboredom

You'll see things you don't always get to.
You know, like cows running down the road with a pack of racers.



* for those of us in the U.S.

Bicycle Sounds are the Best Sounds

Bikes are awesome. So is music. So how about a song composed entirely of the sounds of a bicycle? Music to our ears.

Bicycle Sounds from Stephen Meierding on Vimeo.

Why Do You Love Your Bike?

Compiled by Sarah Esterman

via Flickr user eelke dekker

It should come as no surprise, but we here at BicyclingHub.com love our bikes. They get us from A to B, whether that means commute rides between home and work, weekend rides for pleasure or training rides for races. They keep us in shape. They save us money we might otherwise have to spend on gas. They give us a wealth of great times. And, frankly, they hold sentimental value. My ride right now, for instance, was a college graduation gift from my parents, and I love it all the more because of that.

Yesterday, we went to our Facebook community and asked why you love your bikes. Here's what you said:

"I bought it with some inheritance from my grandma. She was the most incredible woman. Really like a second mom to me. Its my in remembrance of grandma bike and I ride it with pride. Also, my bike helped me lose 100lbs, and get to my first century ride!" –Ivy S.

"Riding releases stress... Every problem I have goes away. And when I am done, I can relax. Nothing else I do does that for me. I will ride until I can't anymore..." –Chris P.

"My bike will never leave me for another lover." –Enitan O.

"She quietly spends her free time in my garage, dreaming of the places we will go next!" –Jill L.

"I worked hard to buy it. I work hard to stay fit enough to compete. Even at close to 66 I have to fight for the time to suit up and ride. But then, on the road, I have a few hours of joy." –Tom M.

"My lovely white 'Marco Pierre' is an extension of myself and provides me with the balance I need in my life. We will journey together for as long as we can." –Audrey M.

"My good old Bridgestone mountain/road hybrid 'Little Blue' gets me wherever I need to go. She's the first thing I ever bought with a credit card (27 years ago!) and definitely the best bang-for-the-buck purchase I've ever made." –Cynthia H.

"For the wind in my hair and the smile on my face. It also stimulates the brain." –Shane B.


Why do you love your bike? Let us know in the comments.