Bicycling as exercise…or not?

I have been cycling almost daily for so long – over five years now! – that I do not think much about the physical aspect. When I first started bike commuting, I could feel it in my legs for several months. By now the act is so routine, I sometimes forget that bicycling is exercise.

Oma and I setting off to work last week

I was reminded of this fact when I returned to bike commuting after almost a month’s break, due to my travels and other factors. After two days back in Chicago riding Oma in the wind, my legs muscles were sore. Really, riding a bike as heavy as Oma is more like weight training than cardio. :-)

Years ago, I read a Dutch woman comment that because she’s been cycling her whole life, her leg muscles are too used to the motions and she has to do separate exercises to keep her legs toned. I refuse to believe that – I hate squats!

I wonder how others experience the physical aspects of bicycling and how that has changed (or not) over time. Anyone care to share?

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