Cycling Helped This Rider’s Mental Health During the Pandemic, Now He Wants Others to Join the Sport
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Name: Daniel K. Morteh
Age: 39
Hometown: Jersey City, New Jersey
Occupation: Certified personal trainer
Time Cycling: 13 years
Reason for Cycling: My reason for cycling has evolved throughout the years. It started as a simple, affordable source of transportation and now it’s an essential part of my mental health.
I started cycling in 2010 because it was the cheapest and quickest way to get to work. Thirteen years later and it’s still my primary source of transportation. As a bike commuter, I am able to ride through horrible traffic and weather conditions, which allows me to be punctual and reliable to my employers and clients. I average seven to 10 miles a day on those rides.
Shortly after my father died in 2015, I needed a distraction and started riding recreationally. After several social rides, I accepted an invitation to join an 80-mile ride with the Major Taylor Cycling Club, which resulted in my introduction to the athleticism of cycling. After that exhausting ride, I simply asked, “When is the next one?” I joined the club that same day and have been riding at that level ever since.
By May 2015, I had joined a social group of riders called Spoke Crank and Brew and entered several events, such as the Jersey City Ward Tour, 5 Boro Bike Tour, and Bike JC Light Up Ride. The Light Up Rides are bi-weekly during the warmer season. I have done these since 2015.
After joining Major Taylor, I knew I had to level up in gear and endurance. I saved up to buy a used carbon fiber road bike and learned about group riding, endurance training, and pace lining. My goal is always to be able to keep up with the club’s best riders during their top events.
Ten months before the COVID-19 pandemic, I was recovering from getting out of a six- year relationship and family issues. Then we were locked down, and that brought additional challenges. I worried about work and how I would survive financially. Also, because I was a single extrovert living in a studio apartment, it made me afraid of isolation. I had a lot of time on my hands, so I jumped on my bike and rode an average of 200 miles a week.
Then, on June 17, 2020, my friend Jeff and I decided to celebrate our birthdays by riding to Philadelphia. At one point during the 110-mile adventure, we were eating cheesesteaks in my friend Renata’s backyard, and I noticed something: 13 people of various backgrounds were united together to accomplish a goal during a time of civil unrest and a worldwide pandemic. I said to myself: “Bikes will save the world.” Before we made it home, we promised to do it again.
I created Bikes Will Save The World, a website, Instagram account, and community initiative, because cycling helped me a great deal, and I learned it wasn’t just me. I started posting testimonies of what cycling did for people during the pandemic, and we have grown to spread the word about the power of cycling.
We have since hosted rides with Grove Street Bicycles and work with local and cycling-themed nonprofits such as Bike JC, Bike Hoboken, Bike Weehawken, and Hudson County Complete Streets. We also sell apparel.
After the first ride, we were surprised by the attention we received. Because Jeff and I are Jersey City residents, we found a local, cycling-related charity and in 2021, we raised money for Ride Upgrades, a program that introduces inner city kids to competitive cycling.
This year on my 40th birthday, we will support the local nonprofit, Haven Adolescent Community Respite Center, which supports adolescents and their families during domestic conflict.
My current schedule includes an eight-miles-a-day commute and three hours a week on my cycling trainer, on top of 40-plus-mile rides on weekends. I ride centuries, and also run half marathons, and compete in Spartan races, which motivate me to stay disciplined with my conditioning. I strength train five days a week, too.
Cycling started as affordable transportation to work, but has evolved into much more. I’ve become a certified Spin instructor. Riding also helped me emotionally when I was going through relationship and family problems.
Most importantly, my bike got me through quarantine and helped me handle my mental health. After every ride, I felt like I could face any obstacle. Cycling also introduced me to great friends and helped me find my community. Cycling has taught me to look at my life differently and I am more at peace with where I am in life and I look forward to the journey ahead.
These three tips have made my cycling journey a success:
1. Don’t take getting dropped personally
The only way to get better at cycling is to ride with people who are faster than you.
2. Keep pedaling
Add more miles to every ride. Just keep riding, no matter what happens in your life or in the whole world. Riding puts you in a better state of mind and creates energy that will get you through the toughest days. Just keep pedaling, and you will make it!
3. Stretch
Take care of your body off the bike. Stretch and take time to recover between rides.
Daniel’s Must-Have Gear
→ Bikes Will Save The World Hoodie: It’s a reminder of how far I’ve come—from riding on the sidewalk in jeans to get to work to riding in other countries.
→ Anker Soundcore Portable Speaker: Wearing headphones is dangerous, yet I don’t know how you can ride without music.
→ Lyle Omolayo Colorful Socks: I love bright and funny socks that stand out so the riders behind me notice. Lately, my favorites have been from New Jersey illustrator Lyle Omalayo.
We want to hear how cycling changed you! Send your story and submit your photos to us via this web form. We’ll pick one each week to highlight on the site.
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