Beating the January Blues
Grab your bike, clear your head, and remember what freedom feels like.
The lights are gone, the credit card’s crying, and Zurich feels like it’s been grey for a month straight.Yep — January has arrived. And with it, that strange energy between hibernation and hope: frozen bike chains, foggy mornings and the quiet guilt of not riding enough.
But here’s the thing — the cure for the blues might still be parked in your hallway. At CycleLab Zürich, we’ve seen it all winter long: a short spin through the city can completely change your mood. Whether it’s an early ride along the Limmat or a late dash home through Kreis 4, cycling lifts your head — and your heart.
Why cycling helps when nothing else does
When your mind’s restless and the city feels heavy, a ride brings everything back into focus.
Pedal strokes replace endless scrolling.
Breathing beats overthinking.
And cold air, somehow, clears more than just your lungs.
Here’s why jumping back on the saddle this winter might be the best therapy Zurich offers:
Sharper focus
Riding demands attention. Between tram tracks, slick cobblestones and Zürich drivers, there’s no room for autopilot. That single focus resets your brain like a deep breath.Better sleep
After a ride, your core temperature drops and your body knows — it’s time to rest. Add a warm shower and you’ve basically hacked your own melatonin system.Fresh air & dopamine
Even if it’s cold, that air you inhale by the lake or under the Uetliberg viaduct does something real. It feeds your brain oxygen and your soul perspective.Stress relief through rhythm
There’s something about repetition that’s grounding. Pedal, breathe, repeat. Endorphins rise, worries fade.Confidence, not competition
No need to chase watts or PRs — just ride. That little moment of pride when you don’t stop halfway up the hill? That’s mental strength disguised as fitness.
And then there’s Tobi.
If you need proof that two wheels can change more than your day, meet Tobias Renggli.
Tobi is 22, Swiss, and constantly in motion — on foot, by bike, in the mountains or just in his thoughts.
He likes it long, raw and real.
At 16, he became Swiss Mountain Running Champion.
At 18, he travelled across all 44 European countries, visiting every capital and climbing every highest peak — alone, by bike and on foot.
He’s studied at ETH, stood on more summits than most of us have train tickets, and somehow found himself giving talks to over 15,000 people about why movement matters.
Last year, he climbed the highest mountain in each of Switzerland’s 26 cantons in just three weeks.
And yes — he’s joining us at CycleLab this January:
30 January: Gipfeli of Switzerland — 26 peaks, 3 weeks, zero motor.
Buy tickets here.
It’s not about performance. It’s about freedom. And joy.
And that feeling you get when the world feels big again.
Why we ride, even in January
Maybe that’s the real secret — cycling doesn’t fix everything, but it makes life feel possible. It gives you rhythm when the world feels static.
And if you’re not in the mood to clean your bike first (we get it): our CycleLab Complete Service will do the dirty work — clean, oil, check and return it to you ready to roll.
Because winter doesn’t stop Zurich’s cyclists. It just makes them tougher — and maybe, a little happier.
📍 CycleLab, Flüelastrasse 16, 8048 Zurich
🚐 Pickup & delivery across all Kreise 1–12
💻 Book now: cyclelab.cc
