How a Bike Makes Life Better (My 2025 Biking Gratitude List)

When I look back on 2025, the bike shows up in so many moments that brought me real joy. This isn’t a best-of list or an argument for biking — it’s a personal gratitude list. The bike itself, the gear that just made everything easier, the trips that helped me slow down and really experience places, and the everyday rides that made me grateful for home. From riding across Austria into Germany, to exploring cities like New Orleans and Austin by bike, to pizza rides and winter forest preserve days in Chicago, this video is about how biking made my life better this past year. If any of the gear or rides catch your attention, I’ll leave the title of that video on screen so you can find it later. This video is a personal biking gratitude list for 2025, sharing how biking improved my mental health, helped me slow down while traveling, and made everyday life more enjoyable. In this video, I talk about: How biking made my life better Why biking matters to me personally My favorite bike and gear that made riding easier Bike travel in Austria and Germany Exploring cities like Chicago, New Orleans, Austin, and Hot Springs by bike Local rides including the Lakefront Trail, pizza rides, and winter biking How biking became a creative and joyful part of my life through the Eat Drink Bike channel This video is for anyone interested in biking, cycling, bike travel, bikepacking, slow travel, mental health, or finding more joy in everyday life. Thanks for being here, and thanks for watching. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:35 Why Biking Matters to Me 02:00 The Bike 03:28 The Gear 05:38 Out-of-Town Trips 08:48 In-Town Rides 11:09 Final Thoughts