This bike saved my mental health 

I bought a bike when I was just unemployed last year, and it really helped me a lot to explore my neighborhood and not drown in my thoughts!

Great content.! Returning to bikes saved a lot of us. Your documentation of the bike infrastructure in Korea is facinating.

This is exactly why I love being a bicycle mechanic because I help get people out of their cars and on to bikes. Biking truly is therapeutic. Great for both mental and physical health. Plus the enjoy of being able to explore your city more than you could in a car, is just a bonus. I’m definitely subscribing to your channel! 😊

Couldn't stop smiling throughout the whole video. I feel so happy for you. Sometimes, the simple things bring us so much joy and peace: a simple bike, a casio f91w, a coffee run.

Clean Bowl Club would be an awesome t-shirt!

Bicycles are so underated! Great to see more people riding and experiencing the crazy positive effects riding a bike has. Also, super cool bike!

Picked up an MTB back in 2021 just so I won't drown in burnout, this chunk of metal and rubber heals my soul, dude. Weekend trail rides always leaves me in a good mood for next week.

I found an old beat up 26" schwinn at a flea market. I cleaned it up and put a banana seat and ape hanger handlebars on it. Some hundred spoke wheels and white wall tires. I spent my afternoons riding around my neighborhood after work. It instantly cleared my head once I started pedaling around. I couldn't help but smile while I was on it. So I completely understand what your saying ❤

Love this type of content. It let's me know I'm not alone! Happy ridding. 🙌

I am with you on that. Starting to tinker, and then ride those bikes was the best mental health decision I've ever made. And it's good for body and mind!

Great video. Crazy how this video found me. Been biking a lot lately where I live. Been feeling down about some stuff but when I bike after work it really helps clear my head. To everyone in this comment section, I hope we find peace in whatever difficulties we face.

I worked at VO in the early days, had the first prototype Polyvalent, a v1 (snapped the top tube riding it on singletrack, those were lighter tubing), my wife rides a v4 prototype, and a couple years ago I replaced my broken v1 with a used sparkly green v4 (prefer quill stems, bring them back VO). I probably put 50k miles on the frame I broke between tours, commuting, and noodling around town... it's not the perfect bike, but it's perfect for me. Love the videos, keep them coming!

I couldn’t agree more with everything you’re saying in this video! I always tell people about how my bike “keeps my demons at bay” and try to encourage everyone I meet to bike. Something about being alone on my bike in the early, quiet hours of the morning or late at night is so therapeutic for me. I’ve run into so many amazing folks, beautiful sights, caught so many sunsets and sunrises, encountered so many creatures at different times of the day. I am also really thankful I had my bike during Covid. It was such a lonely time for me and biking helped me get through those tough times and reset me mentally after every ride! Thank you for making this video it makes me so glad others feel the same way about mental health and biking. Happy riding! :)

Welcome to the rescued team. Cycling will free your mind and make new friends. Even just getting the blood flowing and thinking about life is the perfect use of 2 wheels.

Beautiful bike! How much does it weigh? I personally had no mental issues with COVID/lockdown etc at all, but can highly relate anyway. Specially when we do cross country cycling, my head is completely in the moment and I don't think about anything else, just pedaling and looking around.

My bikes are the best therapists I've ever had.

Bikes saves lives and our soul, great content man, following you in IG as well. I think you messaged me before about my green polyvalent to which I had to let go, such a great bike. Looking forward to future content!

I am a passionate cyclist. Recently I was struggling with a curable heart disease. During that time, I strictly was not allowed to ride a bike because it would have drastically endangered my recovery and my general health. My mental health suffered extremely from these restrictions and the forced break imposed on me. I bought an old MTB from the 90s and completely restored it. It was the best decision in recent years. I learned a lot about the bicycle technology of the last decades and it helped me not to lose my mind. Now that I'm feeling better again, I can't wait to finally jump into the saddle and do the first tour. During this time, I also discovered your RU-vid channel and I have to admit that your videos, your soothing and relaxing way of reporting on your experiences while cycling, have made a great contribution to my recovery. I wanted to thank you for making these videos and sharing them with the bicycle world out there. You're doing something great. Please don't stop it. Best regards from Germany. 🚲

So I have been biking for a while now. I used to when I was a kid, but I picked it up again after going through a rough patch, taking my old bike out for a spin one day, and realizing just how good I feel... Since then, I've been training, improving, got myself a good bike now, setting and beating PRs, but biking is still about that same thing for me: you're free. You get to go anywhere, see anything, and live it all without confining yourself to the seat of a vehicle. Whether we're breaking records or picking up groceries, living this way connects us.

That is a nice bike. I also got my bike just in time for the lock-downs. Late Jan 2020. I honestly don't know what I would have done without it. It saved my life. I was out on it every day, evading the madness of the news and the news-repeaters.

I know what you mean. Sometimes I am really angry about something, and then I go for a 20-mile ride through the countryside, and when I get back, I feel so relaxed and renewed. I just got back from a 31-mile trip to get Shitake mushrooms for some hot and sour soup. I was watching this video and thought, why am I sitting here watching cycling when I could be cycling. It was a glorious ride. There was a big thunderstorm to the north coming back home and I got treated to a real lightning show.

My man! Seen you on Reddit! Beautiful polivalent (dream bike) and love to see the Korean bike infrastructure. I enjoyed hearing not just the specs of the bike and Korean food, but also how you feel when riding it. I think it’s easy to focus on the material when the most important is that sense of freedom and tranquility. Subscribed

I've been really enjoying your videos, please keep it up! I am also interested in purchasing a VO Polyvalent frameset (in Manchester) in the near future, however I don't have much experience in bike building. Is there any videos/links you could recommend for a newbie like me? Thanks.

You deserve a lot of subscribers, this story is exceptional.

Absolutely beautiful bike. Glad it helped you so much!

Cool I built a Lavender Polyvalent before Covid, I used to go out before dawn and do 60k in the countryside before anybody was about!

Another good one Marcus! Always look forward to the next upload, this was great. I used to think (pre-covid era) that mental health wasn't really something outside of the marketing I could see online. And then I understood. I've always worked from home, so work didn't change for me but the lack of freedom (I couldn't walk or cycle more than 1km away from home during the lockdowns) started really hitting me hard. Since then, I've regained my freedom and sometimes lost purpose about why I ride my bike when it seems like I've seen every street and trails around home, this is a good reminder to never take it for granted. Thanks for sharing your journey, although you may not be an expert about mental health, the hardest part is probably opening up and you did it, so props to you. Keep it up! Excited for the next one already!

I've just took my wald basket from basement and will ty to fit it today. What bars are those? Wald+swept back bars are king of stuff that keeps me sane. When I came back into cycling few years ago I was expecting (this is how YT content shows cycling) that cycling is all about racing and suffering. But I've spent gazzilion miles on Wald 137 equipped single speed Steamroller and 26 ATB. There is strong chill, meditatoin and independence factor in commuting, exploring and grocery getting with this king of setup.

These videos are great dude, encompass everything that's great about riding bikes. Sometimes I'm so focus on riding for fitness that I forget what made me fall in love with riding in the first place. It's that sunny day when you wake up, ride an old bike that you love to get a coffee and explore the city for the day.

This video made me want to go outside and ride my bike again. Saludos from Buenos aires

What an informative, relaxing video. Subscribed.

I'll be 69 in May and just bought a new Cannondale recently. First new bike I've ever had. I ride almost daily. Every day is a new adventure and an easy way to achieve happiness.

Hi Probably Riding- Your videos are quite inspiring and getting me back on a bike. THANK YOU. Also, if I may ask, I noticed this VO bike is 54cm. How tall are you? That is the size I'm looking at and I have a similar build to you. Appreciate your content. Cheers and happy flat white to ya'!

Yes, my bike is a very healthy distraction for me. Life changes too rapidly sometimes and riding slows everything down to the present- which is where life is anyway.

Thanks for sharing your adventure building up this Polyvalent. I'm glad your mental health has improved and things are looking up. All that footage of you biking around Seoul is awesome, looks to be a fairly bike-friendly place with so many cool place to see. I'm looking to sell a few bikes and buy/build an all-rounder which brought me to your video. You said it'sa 54 cm frame? How tall are you if you don't mind me asking. New SUB here, love the content.

Thanks, I just discovered your channel a few days ago while looking for people who've done the 4-rivers bike journey. I'm in Incheon, and will be riding to Pusan a week from tomorrow (yes while it's very hot) hoping I can do it in ten days. I'd forgotten how much fun it can be just being on a bike. Hopefully the cicadas won't be too loud. Again thanks for your videos.

I’ve been looking at your instagram feeds and just found out that you have a youtube channel ride safe! 항상 건강하세용~~~

As a retired mental health professional, I can heartily recommend regular consultations with Dr Bike. His prescription is free, and induces a prolonged sensation of inner calm and good vibes. Side effects are few, but include the urge to get out and ride regularly, especially in beautiful locations. Keep on riding and filming and spreading the love.

I smiled all the time throughout the entire video. I'm not doing well and this video gave me positive vibes. You make me wanna buy a bike again, I'll definitely do in the future. I'm looking forward to catching up on all your video.

Bicycles, ebikes, electric cargo bicycles, robo taxis and escooters are great options for last mile, short distance travel. Reduced transportation costs and fossil fuels free transportation. Cities need to do more to encourage people to ride bicycles by providing SAFE, PROTECTED BIKE LANES and trails. Every adult and child should own a bicycle and ride it regularly. Bicycles are healthy exercise and fossil fuels free transportation. Electric bicycles are bringing many older adults back to cycling. Ride to work, ride to school, ride for health or ride for fun. Children should be able to ride a bicycle to school without having to dodge cars and trucks. Separated and protected bike lanes are required. It will also make the roads safer for automobile drivers. Transportation planners and elected officials need to encourage people to walk, bike and take public transportation. Healthy exercise and fossil fuels free transportation. In the future cities will be redesigned for people not cars. Crazy big parking lots will be transformed with solar canopies generating free energy from the sun.

Really enjoyed the video and just subscribed. Nicely filmed with an informative commentary and catchy soundtrack. Watched a few of the other videos: same great vibe and easy going presentation of urban cycling, food and coffee in the city there. Was it challenging to build the bike?

Really lovely video! Thanks for popping up in my recommended :) I've been going through some tough mental health challenges lately. However this video reminded me how much cycling also makes me clear my head and gives me so much time and space to think and go on some adventures. :) Last year I spend a year in Taiwan, where I met one of my best friends. She's Korean and I also visited her there for two weeks. This video made me miss her and the times we had there a little more, but in a good way.

That was a wonderful video!

Really enjoy your channel and share your feelings for bikes and cycling. Thanks and please keep them coming.

Living in Tokyo I’m struck by two things: the bike infrastructure seems way better in Seoul, those protected bike lanes in particular I basically never see in Tokyo. Also, in Japan you need to cover your bike in a bag to bring it on the train.

I got into using a e-bike about 6 months ago, and it's really helped my mental health too. I really like getting out of my house and being able to feel a connection with the outside world again. There's just something nice about it just being you and a bike and going places. Thank you for your videos.

Really enjoying your videos. Keep pedalling👍 Craig (Bolton UK)

Didn’t even know ya had such an active RU-vid channel mate. Ace videos! -max (dirt toads) Keep ‘em coming

your cinematogrophy is very good! i like your shots :) though i'd always try to keep the camera on level with the horizon - not in terms of composition but in terms of rotation. hope you understand what i mean. bad at expressing myself in english. these videos are so relaxing. your voice with these shots and the story you tell is truly wonderful. i'm gonna subscribe and check out more videos by you :)

I have such a great fear of dogs and leaving my bike that i don't ride much. It's not an expensive bike . How can i get over that ? Thank you

Fabulous video, subscribed with pleasure.

Love this bike and cool to see the streets of korea :) Sadly the pandemic has taken riding away from me. Hopefully will be well enough someday as its also ky medicine.

I want to build a bike like this for a 6 mile commute. How fast do you get on this? Should I try for something faster for a commute like this?

6:31 for a moment there i was perplexed why anyone would put obstructions on convex safety mirrors, but then i saw it's just artwork

Clever build, mate, I’d be curious about the owner if I came it across on the street. Nice content, subbed.

Love the vibe of your video!

Enjoyable seeing how your bike fits into your life. Cheers!

Lovely , well filmed and also great for my mental health.

I have a mountain bike and just bought a beach cruiser with these handle bars and the beach cruiser is harder to stay straight. I don't get it

Do you have to lock your bike in Korea? I figured it was like Japan in that you can leave your stuff in the open and no one’s going to take it.

Thank you for those 10 minutes of bike love 🙏

i read somewhere back then that bikes get stolen alot in korea haha

I want to let you know that I am really enjoying your videos.

biking is so meditating for me. when i'm having a bad day i just go outside and ride a few km's.

Can i ask do you find the granola bars wide enough? I am thinking of getting some

What water bottle cage strap is that ? Super cute. Thanks. ❤

I'm really enjoying your videos. 🙂

Very uplifting video! Keep ‘em coming!

god damn that tune in the metro takes me back to my exchange student year in Seoul, cool bike too!

Well done! Curious, how an English bloke picked Korea? N how did you learn the language? I’m part Korean, avid cyclist and am working on Korean language via K-dramas n online. New subscriber, loving your perspective

Velo Orange ??? It's purple!!!

Love your vids! I wish i could do the same in Korea one day.

Just finished my first custom build myself, such a satisfying feeling when everything works!

These videos are so lovely 😍 👌

Love this vid especially. Beautiful bike you built. My story is similar. I live in southern Japan. Started cycling seriously during the pandemic. I'm hoping to take a trip to Korea for cycling. Maybe by ferry...

Bikes saved my life over and over

What a nice and cozy video, thanks!

A very intertesting country. When I was there I've got a feeling that it's very safe in terms of theft, like I can leave somethoing on the street, a book, a wallet, a phone, and come back and pick it up in a few days. Been a member of clean kimchi bowl club ever since.

Thanks for making the video and your openness and congratulations with your first bike built! The bike is stunning! Who wouldn't be happier with such a bike between the legs and a whole world to explore? I really enjoyed your super chill video and beautiful footage. I had a very difficult teenagerhood and cycling also saved my mental health and life. I love to move and the fact that cycling brings me to places that I wouldn't see, otherwise. Happy cycling and regards from Norway!

My Bombtrack Beyond (gravel bike) is my trusty companion❤ I use it daily, from short errands to grocery shopping to commuting to long ~100 km rides. It can handle everything, is super comfy, very reliable and absolutely beautiful. It just makes me happy! ❤😊

The montage beginning at 8:32 made my eyes well up. This was so beautifully filmed, edited, and timed! It really takes me back to when I was 13 or 14, having freshly built up my first road bike at the local bike co-op for all of $18. We couldn't afford anything else. I rode that thing everywhere and found so much of myself and my happiness through that bike. Cheers homie, keep em coming!

I've just found your videos. I find them, inspiring, calming and fun. I've cycle commuted in the uk for years. Ive recently purchased a Brompton. This has made me fall in love with cycling again. I now take longer routes home as its so much fun. Keep up the great content 👍🏼

Commenting just to help support your channel in the RU-vid algorithm. You’re quickly becoming one of my favorite RU-vidrs.

All your videos are bewitching and gorgeous, such a pleasure watching and listening... Kind a good Hollywood movie 😀❤

I lived and rode bikes in S. Korea for 3 years, and I build up and repair all my own bikes too. I love steel 29er single speeds, disc brakes, and cycling adventure explorations. Cool!

Just wondering why you removed the fenders? Im guessing they where top notch Velo Orange. Iove always love the look of a bike with proper fenders. Thanka for sharing your day and how a bicycle helped you out. Cheers from Canada

Somehow stumbled into your channel. For someone who grew up in Korea and found love for bicycle in the US, this really makes me want to visit Korea with my bicycle. Also nice #coffeeoutside!

Thank you for sharing your bicycle adventures. I am so glad to see another bicyclist like yourself enjoy the littlest things that we take for granted sometimes a joy while it's still around. I myself love coffee and finding new places to eat. Without bicycling life would be tough for me. I do my best to get out as much as I can to reset the mind. Safe travels friend ☕️👍🏼

Love the video! Have you tried the bagel shop right below Manufact coffee? I love that place and Yeonhui-dong.

Watched the video for 20+ times by now. I was planning to rebuild my own bike into a similar one to make it a thing for family adventures. Now I've got inspiration for this. Thanks!

That's nice. I want a bike like that. I had one before - an old Bridgestone MTB with a rear rack upon which I mounted a milk crate.

Such soothing post. Seoul is beautiful, but being away from home can be difficult at times. I'm glad you have a beautiful bike to remind you of home.

Nice, mate. Thanks for sharing. Beautiful build.

I commute daily a total distance of 60km. I like it when people admire my bicycle as long as they don’t steal it 🙂

That was awesome, really wants me to come to cycle around south korea. Is it difficult if you don't speak korean?

beautiful video and bike! I follow you on insta and haven't heard you talk, so didn't realise you were British

육개장 is one of my favorite dishes!!!! and 들깨칼국수!! Great video!

Loved the video! Could I ask what is the nalgene bottle mount you’re using on the bike ?

Great video! 9:00 am coffee shop opening? Does everyone sleep-in in Seoul?

Beautiful bicycle! This video was quite enjoyable. Your voice is very calming. I wish more people would realise how transformative to oneself it can be to ride a bicycle.