It’s the early hours of the morning. The moon is still out, and the air is silent. There’s a gentle squeak from one of your shoes, and as you shift through your gears, the crisp clunks echo into the slumbering streets. You’ve been planning this adventure—the route, the logistics—and now you’re finally on your way. For me, it’s these quiet, early moments of a ride that I sometimes feel the true magic of cycling: the unknown, the anticipation of embarking on a journey to discover new paths, both on the road and within myself.

For most people, cycling isn’t just a way to improve physical health or stand on top of podiums. The sport we’ve all embraced helps us create a healthier connection with ourselves and our environment, and that’s probably why so many of us are addicted to our time on wheels. As a society, we’re all on varying scales of busyness, trying to find that elusive balance between work, relationships, wellness, financial stability, leisure, mindfulness, community, and time management. There’s so much to juggle. It’s a lot.

Finding space for ourselves—and within ourselves—is one of the most important tools we can use to manage this never-ending quest for balance. Cycling has been a major part of my life since I was 14 years old, and I never could have imagined the impact this sport would have. I think back to myself standing at the start line of a local club MTB race, wearing baggy shorts, a t-shirt, and joggers. We can probably all pause and reflect on our journeys in this sport: how it started, what it’s given us, what it may have taken from us, and how we continue to be part of this community of motivated, adventurous, and tenacious people.

As I’ve grown older and my responsibilities have increased, the bike has become not only a tool to challenge myself but also an essential part of my life, helping me find internal space when everything gets too overwhelming. Because, honestly, it does. I think that’s part of what makes this sport so unique: it offers a powerful platform for connection and meaning. It allows us to connect with people of different genders, races, ages, and abilities. And it also gives us a way to connect more deeply with ourselves.

At the same time, the sport can be another element we struggle to balance, especially in today’s digitally curated world. For those who engage with social media, we catch glimpses on various platforms that can lead to comparison—sometimes harmful, but also a source of inspiration. It’s all in how we narrate it to ourselves. I went through a really challenging period where my internal dialogue was harsh, constantly focusing on what I wasn’t. I pressured myself daily for not being better, faster, fitter than the people I compared myself to online. I was incredibly hard on myself when I needed rest, when I wasn’t motivated to show up for work, when I couldn’t keep up with my own balance. Comparing myself to others who seemed to have it all together left me with less and less internal space.

In my experience of reclaiming that space, it came down to basics: checking in with how I was feeling and identifying what I needed to stop feeling overwhelmed by the relentless hustle. Routine, self-compassion, and clear strategies for what we want to be, achieve, and experience are simple starting points. I found space by exploring new roads, planning new routes, and bringing people together to share the journey. I feel that space when I sense pride in myself for showing up, even when intimidated by the unknown: a start line, a new group ride, or a distance I never thought I’d be capable of. Cycling empowers me to believe I can do hard things, and while it can be scary at times, it’s also wildly illuminating and rewarding.

In today’s fast-paced society, it’s so important to discover ways to slow down. The world slows down when we become present with our surroundings—when we focus on the sun’s rays resting on our skin or the air filling our lungs. It slows when we absorb what’s around us: the signs along the road, the birds flying above, the trees, their colours. The world slows down when we give ourselves time to be within ourselves. Cycling is more than just a physical activity; it allows us to create internal space, connect more deeply with ourselves, and gain clarity amidst the chaos and busyness our lives can bring. For me, the world slows down when I ride my bike.