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Why do we feel better after a ride only after we shower?

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Why do we feel better after a ride only after we shower?

Old 06-14-21, 08:05 AM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
Or when you come around a bend in the forest at 25 mph, a grizzly and get mauled to death like that poor guy did a few years ago near Glacier National Park.
a civilized diet high on fiber?
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Old 06-14-21, 08:12 AM
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You and whomever makes up "We" for you are doing something wrong if you have to take a shower to feel good.

I get back from a 40 mile ride and am ready to do another. No shower required. Though I am pretty sweaty and probably smelly to others.
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Old 06-14-21, 08:14 AM
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Originally Posted by DreamRider85
In biking we don’t get runners high. I’m not sure why. Even when going up a big hill, still no runners high. But many of us say we feel better after the ride, once we shower. That is also the case for me. I don’t start to feel the increase in energy until I shower. Is it just mental?
hmmm not sure about that, maybe it's recovery time? but you got me wondering why I notice a tan after a day at the beach, more so after a shower ...
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Old 06-14-21, 08:47 AM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by Troul
a civilized diet high on fiber?
Tragic incident. His brother-in-law was riding a bit behind him and came upon the attack. Of course, there was nothing he could do. The investigation concluded that, depending on actual speed of descent, the deceased had between something like 1 and 3 seconds to react to the bear in the trail. The deceased had injuries that were consistent with an endo crash. The conclusion was that he was bombing the descent, came around the curve, hit the bear, went over the bars and was then attacked.

It happened on Forest Service land that is know to have a good amount of bear activity. I camped at a private campground in the area back in 2003 before a backcountry trip in Glacier. Got out of my tent to take a leak just before dawn and startled what I am sure was a bear behind some grass that behind my site. Thing took off with thundering steps.
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Old 06-14-21, 08:53 AM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
Tragic incident. His brother-in-law was riding a bit behind him and came upon the attack. Of course, there was nothing he could do. The investigation concluded that, depending on actual speed of descent, the deceased had between something like 1 and 3 seconds to react to the bear in the trail. The deceased had injuries that were consistent with an endo crash. The conclusion was that he was bombing the descent, came around the curve, hit the bear, went over the bars and was then attacked.

It happened on Forest Service land that is know to have a good amount of bear activity. I camped at a private campground in the area back in 2003 before a backcountry trip in Glacier. Got out of my tent to take a leak just before dawn and startled what I am sure was a bear behind some grass that behind my site. Thing took off with thundering steps.
Number 1 became a number 2 real quick.
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Old 06-14-21, 09:14 AM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by GhostRider62
Number 1 became a number 2 real quick.
In the grand scheme of my bear encounters, that is way down there. In 2017 I woke up in NW PA during a cross-state tour. Interestingly, the campground abutted the federal prison where actor Wesley Snipes served time for tax evasion. Awoke before dark and walked to the trash dumpsters to toss some papers and saw that they had been raided. There was a large pile of bear scat on the ground. Hit the restroom and saw another pile of scat maybe 25' from my tent. Kept my head on a swivel while I made coffee, at breakfast and packed up. walked my bike around a driveway to the front of the office near the dumpsters. Again, it was just before dawn. Leaned my bike up against a bench and was preparing to turn on my lights and don my helmet. When I heard a the clinking of bottles. Looked over the dumpsters and a humongous black bear walked out from between them. The thing looked to be at least 600l bs. It was mid-September, so it was fattening up for the winter. He was about 25' away. We stared at each other for about 5 seconds and then I started to retreat while keeping and eye on him. He must have realized I was not a threat and ambled off into the brush. Not the way I wanted to start the morning. The following day I saw another one. Much smaller and from a safe distance. He got spooked when he heard me, jumped in a creek and swam across to the other side. Managed to get a shot of him before he disappeared into the brush. I was riding south on the Pine Creek Trail in NE PA. Nice trail from Wellsboro to Jersey Shore, PA.

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Old 06-14-21, 09:26 AM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by DreamRider85
In biking we don’t get runners high. I’m not sure why. Even when going up a big hill, still no runners high. But many of us say we feel better after the ride, once we shower. That is also the case for me. I don’t start to feel the increase in energy until I shower. Is it just mental?

I feel better after I shower because people stop making comments about my sweat smell.

This is obviously a special shower for you and deserves a special name--may I suggest "The Shower of Gold"?
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Old 06-14-21, 09:34 AM
  #33  
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I think several posters (including the OP) may not know what what "runner's high" specifically means. It happens WHILE you are running and it is something that happens during extended, highly repetitive, rhythmic, consistent aerobic exertions. It is a little hard to explain if you have not experienced it, but I think it is much less likely to be a part of cycling than running. Not saying it can't happen, but there is a reason it is referred to as a "runner's high" and not a "biking high".
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Old 06-14-21, 09:57 AM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
The investigation concluded that, depending on actual speed of descent, the deceased had between something like 1 and 3 seconds to react to the bear in the trail. The deceased had injuries that were consistent with an endo crash. The conclusion was that he was bombing the descent, came around the curve, hit the bear, went over the bars and was then attacked..
My ride buddy was descending on a road in Glacier Park, when he came around a curve and ran into an adult grizzly. They guy he was riding with yelled at the bear, and the bear ran into the woods, apparently none the worse for wear.

My buddy had several broken ribs and a punctured lung, spent a week in the hospital. It could have been much worse.
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Old 06-14-21, 10:13 AM
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Originally Posted by Kapusta
I think several posters (including the OP) may not know what what "runner's high" specifically means. It happens WHILE you are running and it is something that happens during extended, highly repetitive, rhythmic, consistent aerobic exertions.
Any aerobic exercise can induce the "runner's high", also known as "exercise-induced euphoria". But you have to do it with adequate intensity for a long enough time.

New research shows that endorphins don't produce the high, as was the prevailing thinking. It's cannabinoids: the euphoria of marijuana without the side-effects that make you an idiot.

Except when I'm suffering mightily, I feel euphoric on every ride.
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Old 06-14-21, 10:18 AM
  #36  
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If you have never experienced a true ‘runner’s high’ you would be foolish to comment on it.
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Old 06-14-21, 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Milton Keynes
Until he crashed into a lake.
Hey, at least his last hit was a big one.
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Old 06-14-21, 10:19 AM
  #38  
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the only high i ever felt...oh never mind.
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Old 06-14-21, 10:47 AM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by UCantTouchThis
I dunno about you, but I get a runners/riders high almost every time I ride. It can be a long 10 mile stretch where I have no stops. Great feeling! Feel sorry for you if you don't get it.
These moments are rare, but truly enjoyed. I could roll much farther if the stops were greatly reduced.
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Old 06-14-21, 10:49 AM
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Originally Posted by terrymorse
Any aerobic exercise can induce the "runner's high", also known as "exercise-induced euphoria". But you have to do it with adequate intensity for a long enough time.

New research shows that endorphins don't produce the high, as was the prevailing thinking. It's cannabinoids: the euphoria of marijuana without the side-effects that make you an idiot.

Except when I'm suffering mightily, I feel euphoric on every ride.
I am not about to question someone in particular about whether what they are experiencing is a "runners high", but just because you feel euphoric, does not mean it is the same thing. I have been cycling for decades and have never experienced the same thing as what I did on occasion when I was running in my earlier days. Do I find other sorts of euphoria, bliss, and zen in cycling? Sure. But I've never experienced the same thing as when I was running. Not better or worse, just different. I imagine if I were riding some very consistent road sections and I could find a groove and just stay there for extended periods and to some extent mentally check out, it could happen. But I just don't find that same kind of rhythm and mental state when I am on a bike.

EDIT: of course I should acknowledge that I don't know exactly what other peoples' "runner's high" is like. But for me it was like the act of running became effortless. Like it would be no easier to stop running than to keep running. In some ways I felt like I was just along for the ride. And my mind was really quiet. I just don't think I could maintain that state while operating a bike, as second nature as it is to me. Hard to explain, but there is just something so raw and primordial about running that is very different than cycling to me. It is also a lot harder on my body these days, which is why I don't run enough to experience that high anymore.

Last edited by Kapusta; 06-14-21 at 11:40 AM.
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Old 06-14-21, 11:52 AM
  #41  
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"Runner's high" is pure PR genius.
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Old 06-14-21, 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Kapusta
I am not about to question...
That was an informative post. Thanks.
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Old 06-14-21, 12:32 PM
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Originally Posted by SurferRosa
I thought that was Joe Walsh.

John Denver spoke to God, and I'm pretty sure he was dead sober.
Hardly. He was a big-time stoner.

Joe Walsh was "Rocky Mountain Way." Narcotics must likely also involved.
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Old 06-14-21, 12:33 PM
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At 57 y/o I don't move like I used to. Runner's High? In the zone? Peak Experiences? Euphoria? Call them what you want. I do know that once on a fairly short 25 mile ride around the June Lake Loop in the Eastern Sierra, I had my most recent peak experience. I became lost in the experience of nature and grand vistas.

I find huge efforts on the bike exhaust me and dull my senses, not enhance them. Suffering on the bike does not bring me euphoria, but the setting I am in seems to be the ticket.
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Old 06-14-21, 01:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Kapusta
I think several posters (including the OP) may not know what what "runner's high" specifically means. It happens WHILE you are running and it is something that happens during extended, highly repetitive, rhythmic, consistent aerobic exertions. It is a little hard to explain if you have not experienced it, but I think it is much less likely to be a part of cycling than running. Not saying it can't happen, but there is a reason it is referred to as a "runner's high" and not a "biking high".

I'm not sure they know what it is. No, I have gotten it before. And it happens much quicker when running. In fact I never got it from cycling, even when doing tough hills. I'm not sure why that is.
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Old 06-14-21, 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by CAT7RDR
At 57 y/o I don't move like I used to. Runner's High? In the zone? Peak Experiences? Euphoria? Call them what you want. I do know that once on a fairly short 25 mile ride around the June Lake Loop in the Eastern Sierra, I had my most recent peak experience. I became lost in the experience of nature and grand vistas.

I find huge efforts on the bike exhaust me and dull my senses, not enhance them. Suffering on the bike does not bring me euphoria, but the setting I am in seems to be the ticket.

I don't think enjoying nature has to do with the high. It's more of a body thing.
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Old 06-14-21, 01:09 PM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
Tragic incident. His brother-in-law was riding a bit behind him and came upon the attack. Of course, there was nothing he could do. The investigation concluded that, depending on actual speed of descent, the deceased had between something like 1 and 3 seconds to react to the bear in the trail. The deceased had injuries that were consistent with an endo crash. The conclusion was that he was bombing the descent, came around the curve, hit the bear, went over the bars and was then attacked.

It happened on Forest Service land that is know to have a good amount of bear activity. I camped at a private campground in the area back in 2003 before a backcountry trip in Glacier. Got out of my tent to take a leak just before dawn and startled what I am sure was a bear behind some grass that behind my site. Thing took off with thundering steps.
WOW! What a crazy story - scary & true. Its worthy of its own thread too - some much there. He was going really fast around a blind turn and well...you know, slammed into a bear!
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Old 06-14-21, 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by UCantTouchThis
I dunno about you, but I get a runners/riders high almost every time I ride. It can be a long 10 mile stretch where I have no stops. Or riding alongside the edge of a mountain road rolling up the grade knowing it's 20 miles long. Great feeling! Feel sorry for you if you don't get it.

I think you're mistaking a runner's high from just enjoying the ride.
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Old 06-14-21, 01:13 PM
  #49  
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In 15 years of running, only experienced the high twice but would only 4 to 6 miles at a time. Most of the time it felt like stoic necessary drudgery ‘to get in a workout”. For many of those years there was no such thing as headphones/earbuds either so I just listened to my breathing and feet.

Never felt euphoric on a bike but definitely have gotten into rhythms where my legs felt like pistons which were firing away with seemingly endless energy. My non-euphoric highs come from bombing down a hill on my road or mtn bike and downhill skiing (especially skiing). Mix speed, technique with a bit of risk, keeps my adrenal glands functioning. So no euphoria, just excitement. YMMV
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Old 06-14-21, 01:17 PM
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Originally Posted by rsbob
In 15 years of running, only experienced the high twice but would only 4 to 6 miles at a time. Most of the time it felt like stoic necessary drudgery ‘to get in a workout”. For many of those years there was no such thing as headphones/earbuds either so I just listened to my breathing and feet.

Never felt euphoric on a bike but definitely have gotten into rhythms where my legs felt like pistons which were firing away with seemingly endless energy. My non-euphoric highs come from bombing down a hill on my road or mtn bike and downhill skiing (especially skiing). Mix speed, technique with a bit of risk, keeps my adrenal glands functioning. So no euphoria, just excitement. YMMV

So you have gotten it. But I'm surprised only twice. Yea, I got it after about 5 miles. But when I ran, it gave me a better feeling than cycling. Cycling is more fun though, but running made me feel more like I got a full mind and body workout.
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