Fellow cyclist here. I can confirm what you said. In my experience as well, cycling has proven to be an activity that would bring me more happiness and well-bei

Fellow cyclist here. I can confirm what you said. In my experience as well, cycling has proven to be an activity that would bring me more happiness and well-being than any other. I sometimes suffer from mild depression, and when I go on a cycling trip (150-200km), through forests, on mountain paths, my mood changes significantly for the better. The effect can last more than a week. Obviously, your sleeping habits and appetite improve significantly as well. I used to portray cycling as a extraordinary (even magical) activity, the bike as a magical device to my mates, but I realise now that indeed, there's nothing unusual about it. It's more of a placebo effect. I would say that spending time in nature, away from the destructive urban environment, has the biggest calming effects.