If you need another excuse for getting out on your bike regularly here it is. Not riding really will make you feel depressed.

Researchers at Berlin’s Free University have found using a treadmill for 30 minutes a day (physiologically equal to an hour bike riding) relieves severe depression quicker than most available drug treatments. Published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the report by Dr. Fernando Dimeo said; “Aerobic exercise can produce substantial improvements in mood in patients with major depressive disorders in a short time,”
Over a ten day test period overall clinical depression scores fell by 25%. Unlike most psychiatric drugs, the exercise also affected mood rapidly and was even effective for those who had no success with anti-depressants.
The study confirms that “The observed outcomes indicate a clinical benefit not obtainable with currently available pharmacological treatments.” continuing, “The magnitude of symptom reduction, the temporal association between the start of the training program and clinical improvement, and the consistency of mood changes among the patients strongly suggest aerobic exercise as a cause of the improvement observed in the study,”
Although the test group was small it confirms the potentially extremely beneficial effects of endorphins (the bodies own slightly euphoric painkillers) which are released during exercise. Larger group experiments are now being planned.
So if – like most of us – you’re feeling extremely depressed about the current riding situation get out and at least do some sort of exercise. You really will feel better for it.