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purplesurveys · 3 years

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disclaimer I’ll be taking into account the last 24 hours for the first part because it’s 3 in the morning and I haven’t really done anything yet lmao anywho

survey by chasingghosts

Have you today?

Looked in a mirror? Yeah I took a shower earlier so I couldn’t really avoid the mirror in the bathroom.

Watered a plant? I don’t do plants. Can never take care of them to save my life.

Worn denim? I did, actually. Some package came for me earlier today and I didn’t really look the most decent, so before heading out to meet the delivery guy I grabbed the first jacket I saw, which was denim.

Washed your hair? Yes, when I took said shower a couple of hours ago.

Been in pain? Yup my back and shoulders feel like hell from sitting on my ass all day while at work.

Had a nap? Kinda, I guess? I fell asleep at around 9, 9:30ish...woke up at around 1 AM, and here I am now. I don’t plan on sleeping anymore.

Brushed your teeth? Yup.

Kissed someone? Just my dogs.

Used a cheese grater? No, I don’t think I’ve consumed any cheese today either.

Eaten something sweet? Nah, it’s all been salty/savory for me today.

Spoken to a stranger? Sure.

Dropped something? I drop my vape pen at least once a day, so yes.

Felt upset in some way? UGH yeah. Our internet disappeared at around 2 in the afternoon and it still hasn’t come back, and our service provider’s social media has been unsurprisingly unresponsive and useless. I’ve been using data since then and I’m just worried about how long this would take because I don’t want to keep spending just for extra load. I also have my Korean language classes this afternoon which will for sure require a lot of data :/

Drank coffee? I have a full mug of it beside me right now.

Walked for more than thirty minutes? LOL no, I’ve only stayed indoors.

Signed up for something? Hmm I don’t think so.

Travelled in a car? See two answers above this.

Opened a can? Nopes.

Thought about doing something crazy? Just me thinking about dropping another couple thousands on merch until I mentally slapped myself and told myself I’d be fucking stupid if I spent on one more piece of stupid merch.

Listened to a new song? Yes, I tried listening to Love Shot by EXO over dinner since my sister had started humming it. It was okay but I quickly shifted back to BTS right after hahaha.

Written in a notebook? No. I only do so when I practice my Hangul but I have yet to work on that today.

Fed an animal? Yes, I have pets.

Checked your emails? I mean that’s kind of the standard in my job lol I have my Gmail tab up throughout the 8 hours.

Told someone you love them? No.

Made a phone call? No, I’m rarely the one who makes the call.

Have you in the last week?

Travelled on a bus? I’ve never ridden a bus solely for commuting by myself. I’ve only been on them when it’s the arranged vehicle, like for school field trips or our family vacations. Our public buses are quite bleck and unsanitary and the drivers maneuver the buses like it’s their last goddamn hour on the planet, so I don’t get on them myself.

Washed your face? I mean yeah, when I take showers. I don’t really have a skincare routine though, if that’s what you mean.

Used a blender? We rarely have a use for a blender at home so we don’t even have one.

Received a phone call? No. My biggest pet peeve is when delivery riders call me up once they’ve arrived at our place just to say “I’m here,” but fortunately the one assigned to me today to deliver my package knew how to use the doorbell.

Talked to someone you dislike? Yeah I have to deal with a client I absolutely fucking despise everyday.

Consumed alcohol? I’ve thought of it, but then I thought of how sleepy I get whenever I drink alcohol and decided against it because I wanted to stay up tonight.

Eaten pasta? Yeah, my dad made Filipino-style spaghetti for dinner the other evening.

Planned for an event? Not an event per se but sure, I made some plans? Punk is slated to make his debut on AEW/return to pro wrestling next weekend or sometime soon, idrk - and this is a big fucking deal omg, 15 year old Robyn has arisen from her grave - and Andi and I made plans to watch it together so we can freak the fuck out.

Asked someone for a favour? Yes. I borrowed cash from my mom since the delivery fee for my packaging earlier was apparently cash on delivery.

Watched something funny? I mean I watch BTS clips pretty much everyday and a gigantic chunk of them are hilarious.

Trimmed your nails? No, but I did bite on them multiple times.

Browsed Reddit? I did actually! After a super long time of not doing so...I just decided to randomly check out r/bangtan to see what’s going on there. It’s mostly Americans though so idk if I’ll make a habit out of browsing.

Talked to yourself? Oh this happens a few times a day.

Purchased tickets for something? Nope.

Felt like you were annoying someone? Just about everyday.

Cleaned a toilet? I have not.

Reminisced about the past? Not really. I’ve made references to the past with friends, but we didn’t ~reminisce.

Used headphones? Yeah I always use my headphones when playing Rhythm Hive so I can hear the beats better.

Laughed with a friend? Many times. Always just virtually, though.

Cooked dinner and then didn't feel hungry? I don’t cook.

Written a list? LOL yes. My period had been coming and I noticed I was crying over the smallest, stupid things, so I started a list of the things I cried over the last week. The funniest item on the list is probably an ad that was shown to us during a campaign briefing...

Played an instrument? Nope.

Felt jealous or envious? I will sometimes feel the tiniest tinge of envy and wistfulness when I see my friends in happy and fulfilled relationships, but it passes in a second.

Ignored a text message on purpose? So many hahahahahahah

Congratulated someone? Yes!!! Graduation season was last week so I congratulated a shit ton of friends.

Have you in the last month?

Made a piece of art? Making art was never made for me, so no.

Rewatched one of your favourite tv shows or movies? Yep, I rewatched Friends a couple of weeks ago.

Called a plumber? Nope.

Been to a see a doctor? I mean, technically I guess yeah? When I had to get my vaccine shot.

Finished a book? I haven’t done that in a while.

Had a crush on someone? Just celebrities but I won’t count those.

Travelled on a train? I haven’t.

Worn heels? Haven’t done this either.

Been to a friend's house? I’ve been to Angela’s house semi-regularly, yup.

Shared a bed with someone? Nah.

Been to see a movie at the cinema? I haven’t been to the cinema in like a year and a half.

Paid attention to celebrity drama? Erm not really. I also haven’t been up to date with that, especially with American celebrities hahaha.

Felt anxious? Maybe not anxious but nervous.

Taken an elevator? Yeah in Mega since that place is so goddamn big.

Given someone the cold shoulder? Yep, my mom when she is being extra annoying/condescending.

Purchased a new book/game/movie? I guess you can say that? I bought a subscription pack on Rhythm Hive because I was using it regularly anyway.

Applied for a job? I already have a job, so no. I did get a job proposal on Linkedin a couple of weeks ago with another PR firm, but I took a look at their clients just to see if the offer was something I could sink my teeth into - and even though their brands were quite high-profile, they were in industries I didn’t particularly find interesting.

Used a printer? Nah.

Had lunch in a park? No.

Gotten a manicure or pedicure? I have not.

Made an appointment? Just for my shot but that’s it.

Had a blood test done? Noooooo not another one of those plz.

Suffered from a major bruise? Not a major bruise but a huge bloody gash on my thigh after a particlarly rowdy play session with Cooper. There’s still a very visible scar on me.

Researched a topic in-depth? I do this quite a bit in my work, yes.

Have you in the last year?

Been to the beach? No, I’ve mostly stayed at home since July 2020.

Visited someone in the hospital? I haven’t. Too risky.

Played pinball? No, it’s never interested me.

Travelled on a plane? I haven’t. :(

Worn a costume? Sure, for Halloween last year I went as Dora.

Been thrift shopping? Not that I can recall, no.

Thought about getting pregnant or got pregnant? Definitely not at this point in my life.

Made a big life decision? Uh yeah this past year was both the worst and best rollercoaster I’ve ever been on. I can’t believe it’s almost been a year since that shitty breakup...

Changed a lightbulb? Nope.

Framed something and put it on your wall? No but I have been meaning to do this for months. I just never get around to buying some actual picture frames lol.

Been stargazing? Not the professional kind of way with a telescope and all. I’ve just lied on my back at the rooftop to gaze at the night sky and the stars.

Made a new friend? So many!!! Reena is probably my bestestestest new friend <3 I mean we’ve met a while ago, as Angela’s mutual - even had a few drinks or so together - but we didn’t become closer until just a couple of months ago.

Added to a collection? I’ve had merch that arrive every week or so these days because I bought a ridiculous amount of shit between May and June when I was a new Army. I’ve substantially calmed down now, but I should expect to receive my running list of ordered merch up until September LMAO. At first I used to bitch about the really long shipping period considering all the products come from Korea, but after 3 or 4 fulfilled orders you kinda get used to it.

Been to the dentist? No.

Broken up with someone? Yessss. I didn’t know it at the time but it would turn out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Held a baby? Nah.

Created a budget? Yeah...doesn’t mean I’ve been successful. I always go over, hehe.

Confessed feelings for someone? There isn’t anyone to do that for.

Had surgery of any kind? Nopes.

Quit a job? No and I have no plans to anytime soon.

Been in a car accident? Nah but my dad has, c/o some stupid and unattentive motorcycle driver.

Purchased something worth over a grand? So in US dollar conversion, around P50,000? Hell no.

Been on vacation at least 500km/300mi from home? No. :( The farthest we’ve been to was Tagaytay and I think that’ll remain the same for a while.

Applied for an academic course? Yes, my Korean class.

Had your photo taken by a professional? No, it’s been over a year since my last professional shoot for my senior photos.

#survey #surveys

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anycontentposter · 4 years

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How to plan a super-tight budget trip to Kasol? [under Rs 5000]

The post How to plan a super-tight budget trip to Kasol? appeared first on Devil On Wheels™ written and copyrighted by Devil On Wheels™.

Planning a Budget trip to Kasol – Parvati Valley?

Many people have started to travel to the Parvati Valley in recent years. Every now and then people ask us a common question on visiting Kasol, “How to make a budget trip to Kasol in Parvati Valley?“. Well, we thought, why not write an article to explain this topic of Kasol budget trip in detail.

Kasol, nestled in Parvati Valley, is the dream place to go to for all travelers, young and old alike. However, it is always a concern on how to manage the cost of a Kasol trip. It becomes especially difficult if you’re a college student or even a young working professional without much savings.

Here I want to tell you that it is TOTALLY doable. Yes, you can make a budget trip to Kasol ane enjoy it equally at the same time.

So, how can you plan a cheap trip to Kasol?

Planning a Kasol Budget Trip

There are several factors involved in the cost of Kasol trip or as a matter of fact any trip to the Himalayas. These factors mainly include:

The Itinerary – Number of days you are planning to travel to Parvati Valley and the starting point/place of your trip.Traveling Costs – What is your mode of transport to travel to KasolAccommodation Costs – Which type of hotels you plan to stayFood Costs – What type of food you eat and especially where you eat that foodMiscellaneous Costs – Shopping & Entertainment Expenses (optional)

So, with this break-up in mind – let’s understand how to budget for a Kasol road trip while also ensuring the maximum bang for your bucks.

I will outline an example which will be a mix and match approach of using public transport in Parvati Valley as well as the shared tourist/public taxis. I will also try to share the other available options in different sections of your Kasol budget trip.

Itinerary for a budget trip to Kasol

As the number of days plays a vital role in the cost of any trip, let us consider a sample itinerary of Kasol trip that I will use as an example. I have already shared the article on the most common travel plan of Parvati Valley. However, for this article, I will consider a 5-day itinerary for Kasol budget trip.

You should know that the starting point/place of your Kasol trip also impacts your budget.

But, why?

It is because you may need to choose between different modes of transport to reach the base location for the Kasol trip. These locations could be Delhi to Chandigarh or even you may fly to Bhuntar in Himachal. Of course, if you choose to fly to Bhuntar, then it is no longer a budget trip to Kasol or Parvati Valley.

Now, with this itinerary in mind, let us see how you can save costs on your budget trip to Parvati Valley.

That’s my car on a trip to Kasol Traveling Costs for Kasol Trip

As per our example travel for Kasol road trip, let’s assume your starting point as Delhi for the sake of baseline.

Travel to Kasol By Train

The nearest railway station to Kasol is Joginder Nagar railway station. You can preferably choose the sleeper class (Rs 280) or 3-AC at the max (Rs 755). After reaching Joginder Nagar, you can hire a shared cab to reach Kasol. The drop will cost you around Rs 200.

Hence, per person cost for reaching Kasol from Delhi by train comes out around Rs 500 – Rs 1000 including minor miscellaneous expenses.

Traveling to Kasol By Road – Public Transport

Of course, as this article is about a budget trip to Kasol, I will be considering public transport for traveling. I am not considering a self-drive trip to Parvati Valley or riding on your own bike or rented motorcycle.

But, please keep in mind that if you are 4-5 people in a group and have your car, then travel costs may end up at par when making a Kasol trip by using public transport. You will need to pay for fuel, which you can divide among 4-5 people in the group. When I say equivalent, I am also considering the comfort and flexibility of traveling in your own car.

The cost of traveling by car on a 5-day Kasol trip may come out to be Rs 1200-1500 for fuel depending on your car’s mileage.

You may plan a budget trip to Kasol by self-drive car Parvati Valley by Public Transport

If you are traveling to Kasol by road, you can take a bus from Kashmere Gate ISBT, Delhi to Bhuntar, or Kullu-Manali. Both HRTC and HPTDC buses run between Delhi – Kullu – Manali. You can get down at Bhuntar. You can also find a bus to Manikaran from Delhi too.

The HRTC ordinary bus costs Rs 750 and it leaves Kashmere Gate ISBT, Delhi at 8:26 PM. However, the Himgaurav 2×2 AC bus costs Rs 1200 and leaves Delhi at 7.00 PM.

There are other private bus tour operators as well that may charge a bit lower prices.

Hence, the per person cost for reaching Kasol from Delhi using public transport is Rs 750 by ordginary HRTC bus.

If you are taking Delhi to Manali bus (Volvo or ordinary) then you need to get down at Bhuntar to reach Kasol. From Bhuntar, you can take a shared taxi to Kasol. This shared taxi will cost anywhere from Rs 100- Rs 250, depending upon the car, your haggling skills, etc. There are pre-paid taxis also available at the Bhuntar Airport going to Kasol.

Alternatively, you can even catch another bus from Bhuntar, which is heading to Manikaran and get off along the way at Kasol. The cost of this bus from Bhuntar to Kasol is Rs 60-90.

Pro Travel Tip – Opt for an overnight bus to Kasol from Delhi to avoid the need for AC buses. Instead of private tour operators, I will recommend traveling to Kasol by HRTC buses.

Local commute within Parvati Valley

The best way to explore Kasol and the rest of Parvati Valley is on foot. You can take the day hikes or treks around the entire Parvati Valley region.

Enjoy the tranquillity of sitting on the banks of Parvati river. Travel through your imagination while sitting in one place. You do not need any vehicle for exploring Kasol and feel lost in nature.

Unless you plan to take some treks which require a travel guide, you should be able to freely hike most villages around Kasol.

The per person cost for local sightseeing in Kasol is – FREE!

You should always carry your own water bottle and refill it as many times as you need water. It will not only keep you hydrated always, but you will also help in saving the Himalayas from plastic garbage. Remember, every tiny step counts and your step in this direction can help save the Himalayas too !! 🙂 🙂

Choose to hike around in Parvati Valley on your budget trip Traveling from Kasol to nearby areas

Yes, it is possible to cover multiple places in Kasol trip, even on a budget. As per our example Kasol budget trip itinerary, the must-visit places in Parvati Valley include Tosh and Kheerganga (at a minimum).

For visiting Tosh and Kheerganga, you’ll need to reach Barshaini, which is an hour away from Kasol. You can travel to these places by a shared tourist cab. Then, either you hike to Kheerganga or in summers some shared cabs take you near Tosh village.

Hence, per person cost for reaching Barshaini from Kasol to visit Kheerganga and Tosh will be around Rs 200 – 300. This cost also includes traveling between Kheerganga trek starting point and Tosh village as per the itinerary.

Then the other places of interest can be Chalal, Rashol, and Pulga villages. These sightseeing places of Parvati Valley are all situated on trails. Hence, free to travel.

The per person cost for trekking without a guide is FREE! You can also hike with a local villager and then tip him at the end.

Parvati Valley Travel Cost Summary

If I sum up all these options together, you will be spending the following costs on traveling to Kasol according to your mode of transport.

The minimum cost for traveling to Kasol by train in sleeper class is Rs 1200 – Rs 1300 ((500)+(200-300)+(500)).The minimum cost for traveling to Kasol by private car in a group of 4-5 people is Rs 1200 – Rs 1500 as fuel charges.The minimum cost for traveling to Kasol by HRTC ordinary bus is Rs 1700 – Rs 1800 ((750)+(200-300)+(750)).

Hence, you can see that if you want to make a budget trip to Kasol, then traveling by train in a sleeper class is the cheapest option at Rs 1200 – Rs 1300.

Thus, total amount you would spend on your travel on a budget trip to Parvati Valley will be Rs 1200-1800 depending on your choice for the mode of transport.

Lodging Expenses in Kasol and nearby regions

If you want to save money on your Kasol trip, then stay in hostel dormitories and making new travel friends. The entire Parvati Valley region is full of budget stay options, including the villages of Tosh, Kalga, Pulga, Malana, Chalal, Rasol, and Kasol. These budget stay options include hostels, camping sites, food shacks, and dormitories.

One can get a dorm for as cheap as Rs 200 – Rs 300 per bed per night. This rate will be higher in Tosh and Kheerganga, though not by much. You should be able to fetch a room at around Rs 400 – Rs 500 per person per night at Tosh and Kheerganga.

Hence, for a 5-day Kasol budget trip covering Kheerganga and Tosh, the lodging expenses per person comes out to be Rs 1200 – Rs 1600.

Eat at local dhabhas to save cost on Kasol budget trip Food Costs on Kasol Trip

Eat cheap doesn’t mean the food won’t be delicious. However, it depends on your tastes and appetite how much you spend on this. There is no limit on what you can spend on food. It all comes down to the fact that what, where, and how much you eat.

However, for an average person eating three sets of meals with some snacks in between, I will consider Rs 400 – Rs 500 per day per person for food cost. This cost range will give you a balance of what and where you will end up eating.

Of course, if you can eat all the meals at roadside dhabhas and carrying snack-bars with you, the food cost range Kasol trip can easily be Rs 250 – Rs 300 per day.

Hence, for our 5-day itinerary of the Parvati Valley budget trip, you can consider about Rs 2000-2500 as food expenses.

Miscellaneous expenses when in Kasol If you want to visit a rave – it is advisable to search for a less mainstream party where you might be able to save up on entry fee expenses.Also, it is advisable to avoid indulgences such as alcohol if you want to adhere to a strict budget. But, that is your call.I would also suggest not to shop to keep your costs low. But, you should soak in the culture and explore the many spots of Parvati Valley.

You may consider about Rs 100 per day for any miscellaneous expenses. These expenses are excluding any special event or things you plan to attend when in Kasol.

Hence, consider an optional Rs 500 budget for miscellaneous expenses of a budget trip to Kasol.

You can still eat delicious food on Kasol Budget Trip Summary – Total cost of Kasol trip

After considering all the factors that contribute to the cost of Parvati Valley trip, we can easily summarize them together.

Travel / Transport Cost = Rs 1200 – Rs 1300Accommodation Cost = Rs 1200 – Rs 1600Food Cost = Rs 2000 – 2500Miscellaneous Expenses = Rs 500

Hence, you can easily plan a budget trip to Kasol and Parvati Valley for Rs 4500 – Rs 5500.

Things to keep in mind on your Kasol trip When you’re budget vacationing, certain comforts go out for a toss. Learn to cherish the memories instead of material things. Travel in off-peak seasons – Just before the seasons starts and when there is a lull in tourist activity, you’ll get cheaper rates. But, the trade-off is that certain must-visit places (read: restaurants/ cafes, parties) might not be happening during the time you choose to visit.Stay in Hostels – a win-win situation as you get to stay cheaper and also make new travel buddies! Also, hostel buddies will tell you of the cool off-beat places they’ve visited in Himachal or other regions. So, a bonus! Always choose the off-beat things to do – Often major attractions in any place tend to be expensive, have entry fees and also is not the most soul-satisfying experience.Book in advance – prices tend to go up the closer you book to your traveling datesBe flexible – this is the most important quality to have as a budget traveler.Bring Food with you – you can even purchase food at local grocery stores and make sandwiches for yourself to carry on your treks etc. Learn to Haggle – this is the MOST IMPORTANT SKILLS as a budget traveler in the Himalayas! Whether it is taxis or anything else – it is important to bargain your way out!You do not have many days in hand, you can always check our itinerary for Kasol weekend trip.

Plan to stay in hostels in Parvati Valley to save costs Conclusion

Enjoy your time, even if money might be a constraint. In the hills, especially in small hamlets- it is easy to immerse yourself in the beauty and aura of the hills, and doing other activities is not that much of a priority.

Have a travel question?? You can follow me on Instagram and ask your travel questions in a direct message on Instagram too. I also conduct a weekly Q&A session every Saturday evening on Instagram, so see you there.

So while the initial hesitation of visiting a new place and not having enough cash in line might be a concern – you’ll soon discover that having experience of nature is what matters the most. Happy Traveling.

Are there any hacks you use to save money on your trips? Share Below!

The post How to plan a super-tight budget trip to Kasol? appeared first on Devil On Wheels™ written and copyrighted by Devil On Wheels™.

Read more about this at devilonwheels.com

https://blogsandtravels.com/how-to-plan-a-super-tight-budget-trip-to-kasol-under-rs-5000/

#adventure #backpacker #budgettips #budgettravel #budgettrip #india #infographic #kasol #kasolcafe #keepuptodate #kheerganga #kheergangatrek #manikaran #offbeatplaces #parvativalley #tosh #traveltips #weekend #blog

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hizokucycles · 7 years

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30 Great Benefits of Cycling

Riding bikes boosts your brainpower, relationships, health and happiness.

written by Matthew Barbour from www.BikeRadar.com

1. You’ll get there faster

Commute by bike in the UK’s major cities and you’ll get there in half the time of cars, research by Citroen shows. In fact, if you drive for an hour in Cardiff’s rush hour, you’ll spend over 30 minutes going absolutely nowhere and average just 7mph, compared to averaging around 12-15mph while cycling. And even in bike-friendly or less congested cities outside of the UK, you'll still generally get around the city centres faster on a bike.

2. You'll sleep more deeply

An early morning ride might tire you out in the short term, but it’ll help you catch some quality shut-eye when you get back to your pillow. Stanford University School of Medicine researchers asked sedentary insomnia sufferers to cycle for 20-30 minutes every other day. The result? The time required for the insomniacs to fall asleep was reduced by half, and sleep time increased by almost an hour.

“Exercising outside exposes you to daylight,” explains Professor Jim Horne from Loughborough University’s Sleep Research Centre. “This helps get your circadian rhythm back in sync, and also rids your body of cortisol, the stress hormone that can prevent deep, regenerative sleep.”

3. You'll look younger

Scientists at Stanford University have found that cycling regularly can protect your skin against the harmful effects of UV radiation and reduce the signs of ageing. Harley Street dermatologist Dr Christopher Rowland Payne explains: “Increased circulation through exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to skin cells more effectively, while ﬂushing harmful toxins out.

Exercise also creates an ideal environment within the body to optimise collagen production, helping reduce the appearance of wrinkles and speed up the healing process.” Don’t forget to slap on the factor 30 before you head out, though.

4. Boost your bowels

According to experts from Bristol University, the beneﬁts of cycling extend deep into your core. “Physical activity helps decrease the time it takes food to move through the large intestine, limiting the amount of water absorbed back into your body and leaving you with softer stools, which are easier to pass,” explains Harley Street gastroenterologist Dr Ana Raimundo.

In addition, aerobic exercise accelerates your breathing and heart rate, which helps to stimulate the contraction of intestinal muscles. “As well as preventing you from feeling bloated, this helps protect you against bowel cancer,” Dr Raimundo says.

5. Increase your brain power

Need your grey matter to sparkle? Then get pedalling. Researchers from the University of Illinois found that a ﬁve percent improvement in cardio-respiratory ﬁtness from cycling led to an improvement of up to 15 percent in mental tests. That’s because cycling helps build new brain cells in the hippocampus – the region responsible for memory, which deteriorates from the age of 30.

“It boosts blood ﬂow and oxygen to the brain, which ﬁres and regenerates receptors, explaining how exercise helps ward off Alzheimer’s,” says the study’s author, Professor Arthur Kramer.

6. Beat illness

Is cycling good for you? Yes! Forget apples, riding’s the way to keep the doctor at bay. “Moderate exercise makes immune cells more active, so they’re ready to ﬁght off infection,” says Cath Collins, chief dietician at St George’s Hospital in London.

In fact, according to research from the University of North Carolina, people who cycle for 30 minutes, ﬁve days a week take about half as many sick days as couch potatoes.

7. Live longer

King’s College London compared over 2,400 identical twins and found those who did the equivalent of just three 45-minute rides a week were nine years ‘biologically younger’ even after discounting other inﬂuences, such as body mass index (BMI) and smoking.

“Those who exercise regularly are at signiﬁcantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type two diabetes, all types of cancer, high blood pressure and obesity,” says Dr Lynn Cherkas, who conducted the research. “The body becomes much more efﬁcient at defending itself and regenerating new cells.”

8. Save the planet

Twenty bicycles can be parked in the same space as one car. It takes around ﬁve percent of the materials and energy used to make a car to build a bike, and a bike produces zero pollution.

Bikes are efﬁcient, too – you travel around three times as fast as walking for the same amount of energy and, taking into account the ‘fuel’ you put in your ‘engine’, you do the equivalent of 2,924 miles to the gallon. You have your weight ratio to thank: you’re about six times heavier than your bike, but a car is 20 times heavier than you.

9. Cycling improves your sex life

Being more physically active improves your vascular health, which has the knock-on effect of boosting your sex drive, according to health experts in the US. One study from Cornell University also concluded that male athletes have the sexual prowess of men two to ﬁve years younger, with physically ﬁt females delaying the menopause by a similar amount of time.

Meanwhile, research carried out at Harvard University found that men aged over 50 who cycle for at least three hours a week have a 30 percent lower risk of impotence than those who do little exercise.

10. It’s good breeding

A ‘bun in the oven’ could beneﬁt from your riding as much as you. According to research from Michigan University in the US, mums-to-be who regularly exercise during pregnancy have an easier, less complicated labour, recover faster and enjoy better overall mood throughout the nine months. Your pride and joy also has a 50 percent lower chance of becoming obese and enjoys better in-utero neurodevelopment.

“There’s no doubt that moderate exercise such as cycling during pregnancy helps condition the mother and protect the foetus,” says Patrick O’Brien, a spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

11. Heal your heart

Studies from Purdue University in the US have shown that regular cycling can cut your risk of heart disease by 50 percent. And according to the British Heart Foundation, around 10,000 fatal heart attacks could be avoided each year if people kept themselves ﬁtter. Cycling just 20 miles a week reduces your risk of heart disease to less than half that of those who take no exercise, it says.

12. Your boss will love you

No, we don’t mean your Lycra-clad buttocks will entice your superiors into a passionate ofﬁce romance, but they’ll appreciate what cycling does for your usefulness to the company. A study of 200 people carried out by the University of Bristol found that employees who exercised before work or at lunchtime improved their time and workload management, and it boosted their motivation and their ability to deal with stress.

The study also reported that workers who exercised felt their interpersonal performance was better, they took fewer breaks and found it easier to ﬁnish work on time. Sadly, the study didn’t ﬁnd a direct link between cycling and getting a promotion.

13. Cycle away from the big C

There’s plenty of evidence that any exercise is useful in warding off cancer, but some studies have shown that cycling is speciﬁcally good for keeping your cells in working order.

One long-term study carried out by Finnish researchers found that men who exercised at a moderate level for at least 30 minutes a day were half as likely to develop cancer as those who didn’t. And one of the moderate forms of exercise they cited? Cycling to work. Other studies have found that women who cycle frequently reduce their risk of breast cancer by 34 percent.

14. Lose weight by riding your bike

Loads of people who want to shift some heft think that heading out for a jog is the best way to start slimming down. But while running does burn a ton of fat, it’s not kind to you if you’re a little larger than you’d like to be. Think about it – two to three times your body weight goes crashing through your body when your foot strikes the ground. If you weigh 16 stone, that’s a lot of force! Instead, start out on a bike – most of your weight is taken by the saddle, so your skeleton doesn’t take a battering. Running can wait…

15. You’ll make more money

If you’re cycling to lose weight then you could be in line for a cash windfall… Well, sort of. Researcher Jay Zagorsky, from Ohio State University, analysed data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth – which saw 7,300 people regularly interviewed between 1985 and 2000 – to see how their obesity and wealth changed over that period.

Zagorsky concluded that a one unit increase in body mass index (BMI) score corresponded to an £800 or eight percent reduction in wealth. So, shed a few BMI points on the bike and start earning.

16. Avoid pollution

You’d think a city cyclist would suck up much more pollution than the drivers and passengers in the vehicles chucking out the noxious gases. Not so, according to a study carried out by Imperial College London. Researchers found that passengers in buses, taxis and cars inhaled substantially more pollution than cyclists and pedestrians.

On average, taxi passengers were exposed to more than 100,000 ultraﬁne particles – which can settle in the lungs and damage cells – per cubic centimetre. Bus passengers sucked up just under 100,000 and people in cars inhaled about 40,000. Cyclists, meanwhile, were exposed to just 8,000 ultraﬁne particles per cubic centimetre. It’s thought that cyclists breathe in fewer fumes because we ride at the edge of the road and, unlike drivers, aren’t directly in the line of exhaust smoke.

17. Bike riding means guilt-free snacks

Upping your salt intake is seldom your doctor’s advice, but in the few days leading up to a big ride or sportive, that’s exactly what you should do. This gives you the perfect excuse to munch on crisps and other salty foods you might normally avoid. The sodium in them helps protect your body against hyponatraemia, a condition caused by drinking too much water without enough sodium that can lead to disorientation, illness and worse.

18. Enjoy healthy family time

Cycling is an activity the whole family can do together. The smallest tyke can clamber into a bike seat or tow-along buggy, and because it’s kind on your joints, there’s nothing to stop grandparents joining in too.

Moreover, your riding habit could be sowing the seeds for the next Bradley Wiggins. Studies have found that, unsurprisingly, kids are inﬂuenced by their parents’ exercise choices. Put simply, if your kids see you riding regularly, they think it’s normal and will want to follow your example. Don’t be surprised, though, if they become embarrassed by your tendency to mismatch ﬂuorescent Lycra when they become teenagers.

19. Get better at any sport

Whether you want to keep in prime shape or just improve your weekly tennis game, a stint in the saddle is the way to begin. A recent medical study from Norway carried the title Aerobic Endurance Training Improves Soccer Performance, which makes it pretty clear that the knock-on beneﬁts to other sports and activities are immense.

20. Make creative breakthroughs

Writers, musicians, artists, top executives and all kinds of other professionals use exercise to solve mental blocks and make decisions – including Jeremy Paxman, Sir Alan Sugar and Spandau Ballet. A study found that just 25 minutes of aerobic exercise boosts at least one measure of creative thinking. Credit goes to the ﬂow of oxygen to your grey matter when it matters most, sparking your neurons and giving you breathing space away from the muddle and pressures of ‘real life’.

21. You’re helping others

Many cyclists turn their health, ﬁtness and determination into fundraising efforts for the less fortunate. The London to Brighton bike ride has raised over £40 million for the British Heart Foundation since the two became involved in 1980, with countless other rides contributing to the coffers of worthy causes.

22. You can get fit without trying too hard

Regular, everyday cycling has huge beneﬁts that can justify you binning your wallet-crippling gym membership. According to the National Forum for Coronary Heart Disease Foundation in the US, regular cyclists enjoy a ﬁtness level equal to that of a person who’s 10 years younger.

23. Boost your bellows

No prizes for guessing that the lungs work considerably harder than usual when you ride. An adult cycling generally uses 10 times the oxygen they’d need to sit in front of the TV for the same period.

Even better, regular cycling will help strengthen your cardiovascular system over time, enabling your heart and lungs to work more efﬁciently and getting more oxygen where it’s needed, quicker. This means you can do more exercise for less effort. How good does that sound?

24. Burn more fat

Sports physiologists have found that the body’s metabolic rate – the efﬁciency with which it burns calories and fat – is not only raised during a ride, but for several hours afterwards. “Even after cycling for 30 minutes, you could be burning a higher amount of total calories for a few hours after you stop,” says sports physiologist Mark Simpson of Loughborough University.

And as you get ﬁtter, the beneﬁts are more profound. One recent study showed that cyclists who incorporated fast intervals into their ride burned three-and-a-half times more body fat than those who cycled constantly but at a slower pace.

25. You’re developing a positive addiction

Replace a harmful dependency – such as cigarettes, alcohol or eating too much chocolate – with a positive one, says William Glasser, author of Positive Addiction. The result? You’re a happier, healthier person getting the kind of ﬁx that boosts the good things in life.

26. Get (a legal) high

Once a thing of myth, the infamous ‘runner’s high’ has been proven beyond doubt by German scientists. Yet despite the name, this high is applicable to all endurance athletes. University of Bonn neurologists visualised endorphins in the brains of 10 volunteers before and after a two-hour cardio session using a technique called positive emission tomography (PET). Comparing the pre- and post-run scans, they found evidence of more opiate binding of the happy hormone in the frontal and limbic regions of the brain – areas known to be involved in emotional processing and dealing with stress.

“There’s a direct link between feelings of wellbeing and exercise, and for the ﬁrst time this study proves the physiological mechanism behind that,” explains study co-ordinator Professor Henning Boecker.

27. Make friends and stay healthy

The social side of riding could be doing you as much good as the actual exercise and health benefits. University of California researchers found socialising releases the hormone oxytocin, which buffers the ‘ﬁght or ﬂight’ response.

Another nine-year study from Harvard Medical School found those with the most friends cut the risk of an early death by more than 60 percent, reducing blood pressure and strengthening their immune system. The results were so signiﬁcant that the researchers concluded not having close friends or conﬁdants is as detrimental to your health as smoking or carrying extra weight. Add in the ﬁtness element of cycling too and you’re onto a winner.

28. It'll make you happy

Even if you’re miserable when you saddle up, cranking through the miles will lift your spirits. “Any mild-to-moderate exercise releases natural feel-good endorphins that help counter stress and make you happy,” explains Andrew McCulloch, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation.

That’s probably why four times more GPs prescribe exercise therapy as their most common treatment for depression compared to three years ago. “Just three 30-minute sessions a week can be enough to give people the lift they need,” says McCulloch.

29. Feeling tired? Go for a ride

Sounds counter-intuitive but if you feel too tired for a ride, the best thing you can do is go for ride. Physical activity for even a few minutes is a surprisingly effective wake-up call. A review of 12 studies on the link between exercise and fatigue carried out between 1945 and 2005 found that exercise directly lowers fatigue levels.

30. Spend quality time with your partner

It doesn’t matter if your paces aren’t perfectly matched – just slow down and enjoy each other’s company. Many couples make one or two riding ‘dates’ every week. And it makes sense: exercise helps release feel-good hormones, so after a ride you’ll have a warm feeling towards each other even if he leaves the toilet seat up and her hair is blocking the plughole again.

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