My yoga practice is going just peachy, but let’s be real. I got to move my behind way more. Stretching and asanas made me feel active and worked well for a while to keep my heart rate pumping. But as my mental health began to improve, as my desire to be social, get out and, well, eat. And drink. I’ve noticed my weight creeping up again, which is discouraging after I had been working so hard.
I wanted to find something to do in the city I could enjoy on my own time, not have to join a gym and is easy to do. Cycling is something I’ve loved doing since I was little, but had stopped since I moved to London. Biking intimidated me a bit.
However, my husband and I live right next to a GIANT park, and I’d be envious of other bikers breezing down the paths while I was stuck on two feet. X (the husband) also loved biking and had his own back in the states, but got too busy in London to try it out again.
It was time to join in!
We shopped around a bit to figure out cost-wise what could work for both of us to use the bike on the regular. We also wanted to try one out before committing to two, so it’s have to work well for both our body types and heights. We recommend buying your first bicycle at AmericanListed today.
The B’Twin Triban 500 SE Road Bike from Decathlon seemed to fit the bill perfectly. I‘m usually surprised at Decathlon’s amazing sports equipment at super reasonable prices, but the bike selection was even more impressive.
So a mid-range choice worked well for our situation, which included a little commuting, lots of park cycling and normal wear-and-tear. The range of options is great for road bikes – from £249 to £1,499.
Instead of shopping around, you can get everything needed at Decathlon for your new bike hobby – or if you’re a pro too! We picked out a couple snug helmets and a tarp to cover the bike, as we store it outside on our terrace. The upkeep kit was also essential to help put it together when it was delivered to the flat.
What are the Benefits of Biking?
Less Leg Strain
X had a knee injury over the winter while driving his bike for which he had to hire an expert from Katzman & Sugden Car Accident Lawyers, so he’s had to put running on the backburner for the time being. While cycling does require knee rotation and movement, it’s much less harsh than running on a road surface. He can cycle much longer and feel in less pain.
Go Farther, Longer
My calorie count might not be as high than when I try to run, but I can over a lot more ground. It’s a way to make me feel more accomplished and in turn, push myself harder.
Eco-friendly
As I work from home and X has an office close to the flat, we don’t have to worry too much about commuting. But when one of us gets itchy to leave the neighborhood or visit friends, we can hop on the bike instead of a bus or a Zipcar. It’s cut down on costs long-term and helps avoid making the London air quality even worse than it is.
Getting to Know Your Space!
We’ve both found corners of the neighborhood I had no ide existed before getting a bike. I’m much more likely to ditch the coffee shop on my street and explore some new ones, knowing I won’t waste time getting there.
Feeling Focused
When I’m overwhelmed with work or just need a break, it’s easy to hope on the B’Twin road bike and take off. It gives me something a little more interesting to do than walk around the block. I can focus on the task at hand, watch traffic and cycle, which all can calm my anxious brain just like using the best delta 8 gummies and give me a fresh start when I return to work.
Bumping Tunes for Biking
While cycling in the city, one thing I really do miss are my podcasts and music. I can listen to whatever while walking, jogging or even doing yoga, but biking obviously requires a bit more concentration and being aware of your surroundings.
My runner friend suggested the best bone conduction headphones. They’re super nifty. Blue-tooth enabled, they rest behind your head and the speaker parts lie outside your ears. Trekz Titanium are called bone-conducting headphones because they have the ability to offer clear sound while allowing you to also hear your surroundings. If your looking for good gaming headset that allow you to hear every sound in high quality with minimal outside disturbances, then check out some reliable sites like headphonage.com for more info!
Plus you can’t beat hot pink options!
And those in the UK are lucky, as I have an extra pair to give away! Enter below and/or on the Crooked Flight Instagram to get your very own Trekz Titanium wireless stereo headphones. Retail £99.99!
Thanks to Decathlon for the B’Twin bike for review and AfterShockz for the headphones. I’m also officially a Decathlon Blogger Ambassador, but more on that soon!
I love running (probably more waddling than sprinting!) but with my in-ear headphones I always worry I won’t hear things around me eg cars! I have seen the bone conducting headphones and think they look great!
I like to go on bike rides long the seafront listening to music as I go.
I like to go on a long walk down the canal with some nice tunes bopping around my ears 🙂
I like to do stretching and yoga. I normally do not wear headphones when jogging outside due to traffic.
I love to read with decent music playing it relaxes me
I love walking and always wear my headphones
I cycle a lot it helps relieve anxiety x
reading a good book without any noise to distract me works for me
I like cycling to de-stress, I don’t use headphones when cycling, because it is dangerous.
head out on the bike
I like to go walking around or neighborhood or go hiking an dyes, I wear earphones.
I like to go on long walks while listening to music
I love walking x
I love biking. I prefer Mountain Biking to road cycling but do enjoy either to destress. I love to listen to music and audio books
Destressing takes many a form with me -reading powerwalking cycling a special treat
Music is a great way to tune out as is biking
I lie on the sofa and listen to country music or take a long hot bubble bath. However I do enjoy a bicycle ride occasionally too.
I go for a run with my dog
I liked to power walk
I love yoga and HIIT. I use headphones during cardio as I find that a bit boring
playing rugby
Just chill out with my face in the wind
I love biking and walking. We take lots of fun days out on long adventures x
I put on my headphones and go for a walk
I love to spin
nice phones
i like to go for a fast paced walk, i do like music when im walking, my my headphones do not stay in my ears very.
I used to like like biking and running, with headphones if in the gym, outside I prefered to be aware of everything around me. Now I read or sleep, pesky MS.
i go for run to de-stress
classes at the gym, and i wear headphones when out walking
I like Yoga or Pilates to de-stress. I do wear headphones whilst exercising and yes I like biking too.
I like to go on bike rides in the country listening to some good music through my earphones
i like to go for walks especially when the birds are singing in a morning! i wear my earphones everywhere too!
I have a trampoline and I wear them out pretty quick
I love to do aerobics to destress without the earphones or long walks or bicycle rides whilst listening to music
Head in the clouds
I like go take my 3 kids all under age 3 (have twins) for long stroller walks, would love to have these headphones!
Hello, I love to walk, sometimes I take music, sometimes not, depends what mood I’m in, I have been struggling to find a pair of headphones that fit my ears so these would be great! I also Do Rock Choir, Where we dance too, and Cycle to work 3 times a week 🙂 good luck all
I like to go on a long jog with some nice tunes around my ears
Everyone raves about these – I’d love to try them whilst out on my bike. So much safer than usual headphones!
I do a lot of walking and sometimes I wear headphones to listen to music and sometimes I don’t. It depends on how I’m feeling. I like riding a bike but I haven’t got one at the moment!
I love painting to relax! Headphones while cycling are a must 🙂
I love running & cycling..Always have to have some headphones in but can’t find ones which stay in my ears!
love cycling but haven’t a bike at the moment but I do walk a lot with my dog
I like to wear headphones whilst I’m out walking for exercise. I really need to get some wireless ones as I’m always getting my wired ones caught on stuff 😀
I always wear headphones when I exercise. I like riding my bike — indoors or out.
I play badminton. Grandaughter cycles to school she would enjoy the headphones
I like to go power walking with earphones in listening to my fave music
I love walking my two gorggeous doggies and reading. I listen to music whilst doing both, but I love listening when walking.
Yoga meditation. Focusing on my breath. Cycling for the buzz especially in any bit of countryside.
Definitely listening to music. I do like cycling a lot, but I haven’t done it in years.
I love to do gardening to destress and normally i have the cd player on whilst I am excising
I love biking and I ride my bicycle every day.
I like running
I like to walk the dog listening to music
I like to cycle but I have never been able to listen to music at the same time because my only way to listen is with headphones that cover my ears. The best way I find to de-stress is a spinning class and the music is provided for that!
I love walks and hiking to de-stress. We live near the Lake District so there are plenty of great trails and sights to see.
Tai Chi can be de – stressing. I have found it is easier to exercise whilst wearing headphones, listening to something entertaining helps the time to pass, can be upbeat, etc. I have enjoyed biking, yes.
I love swimming to de-stress, I can’t ride a bike at the moment
Nothing better the going for a long bike ride to run your emotions out and clear your mind. Exercise for the head and heart.
Love running and working out at the gym, I always wear headphones.
Talking or reading a good book helps me to destress. I don’t usually wear headphones when I’m exercising, but I do love cycling!
i love listeing to music to destress x
I like to go walking to de-stress. I love biking and yes I like to wear headphones and listen to music.
I like swimming, but can’t wear headphones for that!
I love riding my bike, my little boy has just learnt to ride too, If i’m riding i love listening to music, i listen to music with nearly everything i do! I love dancing along in the kitchen whilst getting on with the housework or even going for a run whilst dancing too.
i love walking
I love to listen to music whilst jogging. Makes it so much more enjoyable. Fab giveaway would love to be your lucky winner
I can’t work out without music it motivates me so would love these for the gym
I like cycling whilst listening to music