by Carla Estevez
Wake up America! your virtual social life is taking over! Although in the thousands, our virtual friends are not satisfying enough for our physical interaction cravings. In 2003 just 12 years ago, Americans reported that, on average ,they had 9 “close friends” not including family members. However, a new study suggests that this number has decreased dramatically to about 2 friends.
If you are like the rest of us, we have become so consumed with keeping track of how many likes, views and friend requests we get a day, that we forget that this little obsession is keeping us from forming physical connections. I mean really 9 close friends? and how many of those friends live in our same town, let alone same state, and how many of them are not too busy with their own lives?
It’s time to grow that physical number again and get back to being comfortable at making connections in the physical world. Just like dating, you have to put yourself in a position where you can meet people. Although most of us wouldn’t consider riding a bike as a social tool, here’s why you should give it a chance.
In 2011, “about half of Americans (51.6%) reported that they exercised three or more days per week” (Gallup Poll), and this is the key to knocking out two birds with one stone. Think about it, riding a bike is something you can do anywhere, at any time. There is no membership fees, no gym hours, no running into the excuse from your friends saying, “I don’t really know how to do crossfit or yoga.” Most everyone knows at least one other person with a bike in their garage collecting dust.
So here we go…
Get back on the saddle and get out there with your friends. Reconnect with them and knock out your workout at the same time! I mean, there’s about a 51% chance that they are working out with or without you, so might as well reach out.
Step two: use your social media obsession to find these friends if you must, or make new ones by joining your local bike group! And don’t worry if you’re not an expert by using apps such as GymPact, Strava, Garmin Connect, or even myfitnesspal you can challenge your friends and keep your rides exciting and fresh. With these apps, you can also keep track of your progress and who knows, maybe you haven’t fallen that far off the saddle.
Let your bike reconnect you with your close friends and get riding.
