Backseat - From Where I Sit

August 2001

By: Michelle

Motorcycling - The Healthy Alternative

Let's face it, when asked to describe the perfect image of health and fitness, probably the last word you would come up with is "biker". I say it's time to update our image and move into the new millennium. Let's put those negative associations of burnt out brain cells and overly abundant beer bellies behind us and begin to think more in terms of what motorcycling actually does for us.

In fact, I propose a government study on motorcycling - not on the merits of helmets, the dangers of motorcycles on the interstate, or comparing mortality rates, but a study on the health benefits of riding. I would almost bet they would find that riding just 20 minutes a day 3 times a week would increase your IQ and agility. In fact, they may find that the effects of the fresh breeze stimulating circulation to the brain makes bikers the smartest folks on earth. Consider these other benefits:

• Exercise: Who needs Richard Simmons? Try holding up a several hundred pounds at a stop sign - that's real weight training.

• Mental Clarity: Contemplating using Gingko pills to improve your memory and sharpen your mind? Forget it. Instead, try navigating a motorcycle in Northern Virginia traffic. If that doesn't sharpen your mind, nothing will.

• Relaxation: Who needs meditation? I will take the hum of the bike over repeating "Om" any day and I don't have to get on the floor and sit in some impossible position while my legs go numb to enjoy the full benefits.

• Economically Sound: Think motorcycling is expensive? I don't know about you but if I add up all the money spent on my exercise bike, weight bench, treadmill, video tapes, health club memberships, special diet foods and miracle diet pills, I could have bought a top of the line bike several times over.

Given all these arguments, it's pretty obvious that motorcycling is the answer to all our health needs. The fact that American's are fatter today than ever before is proof positive that the tried and true methods just aren't working. The perfect solution to living longer and healthier lives is to just "crank it up and ride". I guarantee that nothing will kick-start your heart like hearing a rumble first thing in the morning. Move over Dr. Atkins and all you health gurus, there's a new game in town.

Thanks for visiting VirginiaWind.

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