Warning: May cause a slight rush

Imagine if a group of doctors, researchers, and scientists developed a drug that could cure depression, significantly cut your risk for stroke, heart disease, and cancer, and reduce your chances of an early death by almost half.

Would you take it?

Worried about the side effects, you say? Fair enough. What if the only side effects were a slight rush of adrenaline and the warm feeling of nostalgia for being a kid again?

How about now?

Thought that might get your attention. If you’re like me, you’d not only take that drug, but you’d also pay a lot for the privilege.

Here’s the thing—that drug exists right now. It’s called riding a bike—to work, for pleasure, up a hill. It doesn’t matter. The research has been clear for decades. Biking is an easy way to get all the benefits of exercise and a cabinet full of medications. Even better than walking or running. That’s because people tend to push their cardiovascular fitness just a little more on a bike.

Welcome to this issue of Elevate the magazine, where the goal is to show all the ways the area is a world-class biking community, an amenity that attracts both locals and outsiders. There’s the story of two local physicians (also brothers) who have been promoting mountain biking in the Black Hills to their thousands of social media followers worldwide. Then there’s the tale of Ben Peck, who retrofitted a funky cool bike for delivering kegs from Hay Camp Brewing. Finally, there’s the inspiring cover story of Rapid City resident Mark Thompson, who has used biking to ease the suffering of a life-threatening illness. The story will warm your heart and your soul and leave you longing for a bike much cooler than your own.

Bike on and on and on…

…and stay safe and God-speed.

Tom Johnson, President & CEO