Video: Spencer Rathkamp on How Riding Improves Mental Health

Feb 1, 2022 at 12:13
by Spencer Rathkamp  


Well-being isn’t just a destination, but a journey.

Movement unlocks a better world and to move is to truly live. Even on the darkest days, there can always be an escape and for Spencer Rathkamp, that is by bike. The bike allows one to hit the reset button and escape from the challenge and clutter of everyday life. Brought to a place of mental freedom, where the mind can wander to the depths of which are desired, the distinction of person and bike disappears and only one thing matters. Actively absorbing everything that nature has to offer is a refresher for the soul that provides a near indescribable feeling, one that can only be understood by experiencing it.


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Donate to Outride today, where we work to instill this in the spirit of youth. Ambassadors like Spencer can deliver the joy of bikes to children around the US by increasing access to bikes and teaching proper cycling education. Head to Outridebike.org to donate.

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Huge thanks to Specialized Bicycles, Guru Energy and Urban Armor Gear for the support on the video as well as Kipu Ranch Adventures for giving us an amazing place to capture.

Directed and Produced by Alto Visuals & Spencer Rathkamp
Director of Photography: Mason Prendergast
Music by Nash Howe and Evan Koessler
Photos by Ridge Benben

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Author Info:
SpencerRathkamp avatar

Member since Apr 26, 2016
4 articles
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43 Comments
  • 35 0
 Any kind of consistent exercise routine and a healthy diet will contribute tremendously to a positive mental state.
Put down whatever you’re reading this with and go get some.
  • 8 0
 Agreed, less McDonald’s, more leafy stuff, and hitting up the trails.
  • 2 0
 @joose: the leafy stuff in my head also starts with C and M -don’t add malice to it.. Collard green and Mustard green..Peace!!!
  • 5 0
 @talaskinos: man my mind went to places that shouldn't be when you mentioned C and M......
  • 13 0
 This is pretty much the main reason I still ride my bike. I always seem to come back in such a better mood, and have just an overall better outlook on things. Have been riding my whole life and think it just takes me to my happy place. It is really the one thing I don’t think I could go without.
  • 8 0
 I generally find the more technical or strenuous riding the better. The fact it is hard, forces you to think about what you're doing to avoid crashing. Thus your mind doesn't wander into the numerous topics worrying it. The longer your mind is occupied by the trail, the better the break it has to enable fresh thought, perspective and a positive mindset when you get back.
  • 7 0
 @Ktron: This. I've been in a funk lately for many reasons, and just couldn't get rid of it. Even riding sucked, body just didn't want to (also ice, snow, cold, dark, so typical). Yesterday my ride started OK, weather decent.
For some reason I decided to head off into the bush to pursue some unknown trails/animal tracks. Got lost. Spent 1.5 hours carrying my bike. Up & down ravines, through swamps. Stepped in multiple wildlife droppings. Cursed, fell, laughed, climbed, pulled sticks and brush out of the gears. Dude, getting close to 50, carrying a bike in the bush nowhere with a big grin.

Suddenly everything was amazing again.
  • 2 0
 Even if I don't feel like riding (stuck in a rut, feeling depressed) if I force myself to go ride, within minutes I am so glad that I pushed myself to go ride. Life is just better when you ride often.
  • 8 0
 I totally agree, but am I the only one that every so often just has a bad ride where they can't find a flow and are miserable and contemplating selling all if their mtb stuff? Then it's usually followed up with a killer ride.
  • 5 0
 It is true, more riding and less suck in this world (news/media for one) is a great to inner peace and happiness. It is a 3-5x/wk all year habit for me to try to off load the daily suck at work
  • 11 4
 Just need $5k and you too can be happy!
  • 1 0
 only if you are okay with either shit brakes or a shit fork on a nice frame... I was looking in that range recently and damn was it depressing to realize that I had to spend more if I didn't want to immediately change the fork or the brakes.
  • 7 2
 Supposed to take someone seriously with the pounding an energy drink shot in here? whats being jacked on chemicals doing for mental health?
  • 20 16
 Amazing how Kyle Warner's ongoing story really a nightmare scenario has gotten no coverage from outside
  • 12 10
 So true..And people will find his story eventually. Pink Pike will cover every pro riders injuries except vaccine injuries. #werideforkyle
  • 8 7
 Such a tough situation for him. Hope he gets better soon. I wish society had a more balanced approach to the pro's and con's of the vaccine.
  • 7 4
 @weaverlandbikepark360: is there any confirmation it was caused by the vaccine? Hope he gets better soon
  • 4 0
 @Krby805: his thought is that it was administered incorrectly, into a vein rather than muscle tissue. Not specifically an issue with the vaccine itself, in his case.
  • 2 1
 @pb-kg: I mean, the vaccine played an issue. Tens of thousands of Americans inject opiates into their veins each day without any issues
  • 1 0
 @Mntneer: This vaccine wasn’t developed to be administered directly into your veins. I’m not aware of one that was.
  • 2 0
 @Mntneer: based on the inhabitants of the local homeless camp... I would argue that there are indeed issues related to injecting opiates, just my hypothesis though.
  • 2 0
 It's an obvious truth that riding is great for our mental state, but it can be easy to lose sight of this when other demands on our time get in the way. Thanks for the reminder.
  • 1 0
 Great work by Spencer and crew. It's good to see content that ignites positive dialogue/comments (mostly). I hope everyone has a great week and can find a way to help someone who struggles with mental issues. Choose to be the light...
  • 3 0
 Love every aspect of this video and the message. Time outside can help heal humanity. Well done.
  • 1 0
 Is the quote used on the main page "There can be no happiness if the things we do are different from the things we love." a direct quote from Spencer, or did they just not give the originator credit?
  • 3 3
 This is something i say all the time. It’s something i live by.
  • 2 2
 @SpencerRathkamp: you should give credit to Freya Stark who originated the quote you modified. “There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do.” is the original quote. Quick google search shows this. be original or give credit. Don't plagiarize.
  • 5 2
 @SoftSoilSampler: never was i claiming it as my own. It’s something i heard a long time ago and use always.
  • 2 0
 I'm a licensed Counselor here in Colorado. My bike is the one thing that helps me do my job to the best of my ability everyday. Loved this video.
  • 2 0
 As a Trail builder in a few of these zones, this video kinda affects my mental health. How did you get permission??
  • 1 0
 It doesn't have to even be on the trail. Taking action to go out and ride, really, anywhere, and just see cool stuff is usually enough.
  • 2 0
 Bikes = fun
Riding Bikes = more fun
(Bikes + Riding)^2.456/week = happy
  • 2 0
 Love Spencer’s riding style, he’s sick!
  • 2 0
 Amazing work dude!
  • 2 3
 My mental health, conscious and karma would all be affected if I poached trails as hard as this guy and production team did…. How about you do the work? Feels good.
  • 4 0
 Those trails look purpose built for mtb so if by "poaching" you mean riding trails that you jealously cling to and practice localism on then perhaps you're right.

I don't know Spencer at all but I do intimately know the trails that he's put in a ton of work on and no one vibes you for riding them.
  • 1 1
 @Dustfarter: ride all the trails, just don’t blow up the spot…. Simple rules at the heart of good mountain bike culture. If you’ve ever had your zone shut down you’d likely understand the discretion. If you didn’t build it don’t shoot it. There’s a big difference between riding trails and bringing a production team to put them in the global spot light of pink bike. Localism is people looking out for the good of their community… it’s a healthy practice.

Spencer is a rad dude, for the record.
  • 1 0
 Thank you @SpencerRathkamp , you placed a mirror in front of me.
  • 1 0
 Makes me want to sip on some guru and go improve my mental health
  • 1 0
 yeah, that
  • 1 0
 YES!
  • 1 0
 Crazy idea eh?
  • 1 0
 Truth







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