"Are you a runner? Your legs look amazing!" This is a compliment I receive consistently about my legs, to which I have to respond, that no, I only run under certain circumstances. Whether it be at a concert, to get near the front, or when food is involved, for example.

I bike. Recently, cycling has become one of my favorite hobbies. I have found the benefits quite helpful in decreasing stress, forming lasting friendships, and giving me a break from daily life, all while burning a few (hundred) calories.

Doing homework for long periods of time doesn't bode well for me, personally. Kudos to you if studying for hours on end is your specialty. For me, I have to take multiple "brain breaks" to ensure that I still have some sanity at the end of the day. I find that biking for even 10-20 minutes helps to decrease my stress from studying, giving me the perfect break. When I'm biking, I'm in control of how fast I go, where I'm going, and how hard I want to push myself. The harder I push myself, the more stress I let out, I feel. There's just something about physically pushing it all out. I enjoy biking because I have the freedom to be in control of what I'm doing. For others, they have running. They can run the stress away, meanwhile I pedal it away.

It took me a long, (more than normal), time as a child to learn how to ride a bike without the assistance of training wheels. People who know me today might find this news shocking, as I'm never seen without my bike, or with my feet on the pedals, helmet strapped. Joining the cycling club at school has already given me multiple friendships that I know will last for years. Witnessing the amount of friends my family members have made simply through the power of a casual bike ride, race, or get together is simply amazing, and something I hope to replicate with my two wheels. Something about physically exerting yourself for hours on end seems to bring people together. This is probably one of the reasons that RAGBRAI is widely popular and cyclists always return in hopes of a good time. Roughing it for a week with company that you enjoy while touring the state of Iowa on two wheels has the weird power to bring people together. Whether they ride for a cause, or simply for the fun of it, RAGBRAI is highly recommended and praised by many in the cyclist community.

A helmet on my head and my feet on the pedals is a sure sign that I want to get away from daily life. I am forever grateful for all of the little trails by my house for getting me away from the commotion and chaos that we call "life" Personally, I find it replenishing and refreshing to spend some time in nature and get away from it all. Growing up in Iowa, there's dozens of opportunities to get away from the city-feel. Being consistently busy with school, sports, and extracurriculars, this made me extra thankful for those days where even an hour bike ride in nature would help me escape. Similar to those who use journals, running, meditation, yoga, or other ways to assist them in clearing their mind and getting away, cycling does it for me.

Biking is also much better for the environment than cars, buses, or other modes of transportation. While biking isn't ideal for most individuals to incorporate it into their daily routines, while preparing for college, biking was without a doubt an option for me. Because my classes are only a short bike ride away, it gives me my "break" from classes, homework, and the stresses that come with college life. Being environmentally-friendly is also something I care about, so opting to ride my bike rather than ride the bus is something I do often.

To quote the always amazing Kelly Clarkson, and probably someone before her, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger", and I am forever grateful that I learned how to ride my bike. While the process did involve many tears, many scrapes, I'm glad that my dad pushed me as much as he did, and I'm glad to say that my bike is one of my favorite things I own.