Yeah, also just, when I’m active moving my body takes less effort. I’ve got more muscle, a stronger heart and lungs, and I’m typically more trim. I’m also getting more sun.

And yeah competetive exercise is great if you love it, but I find only functional gains improve how I feel. Speed is good if I need to build cardio (I normally ride at a leisurely pace), but I like sticking to aerobic and keeping it at a pace I enjoy, mostly ramping up my capacity in distance and terrain. It’s far more valuable for me to be able to bike my mental health better or keep up with a riding group than to achieve a personal best.