The fountain of youth might be a myth, but a skill most of us learned during our childhoods might be a close second. In fact, cycling is associated with a lower risk of dementia, better brain health, and a host of other wellness benefits.
Movement is medicine
Science has plenty of evidence that movement is medicine, and this new 2025 study further cements that truth. The study assessed the impact of active and passive travel modes on the health of a cohort of 500,000 people. The study represents self-reported data collected over the course of four years from participants with an average age of 56.5 years. The analysis revealed that embracing active travel — specifically cycling —may result in a larger hippocampus, which is the brain area responsible for memory and learning. And regular cycling lowers the risk of all-cause dementia by 19%, and the risk of Alzheimer’s by 22% when compared with using non-active modes of travel.
A multidimensional approach to wellness
Modern fitness experts and The Baldwin’s APEX holistic wellness program recognize seven dimensions of wellness — and cycling ticks the boxes for six of the seven. When you go for a bike ride, you:
- Engage in a physical activity that offers a wealth of benefits
- Help your hippocampus through cognitive activity
- Can enhance your spiritual wellbeing by spending time in nature
- Improve your mental and emotional health through self-care
- Can develop a sense of community through social interaction when riding with friends
- Help the environment by replacing a car ride with human-powered transportation
If you want to check all seven dimensions, share your enthusiasm by volunteering to teach someone else to ride a bike or volunteering to help maintain the trails you love. So, in addition to improving your brain health and helping to ward off dementia, you might find yourself making new friends, losing weight, or lowering your blood pressure. And with the right bike, you can cycle through all four seasons.
New Hampshire’s expansive trails
Looking for a trail? New Hampshire has more than 76 trails covering 550+ miles ready for you to enjoy — and The Baldwin’s prime location makes it easy to take advantage of four scenic options.
The Derry Rail Trail is the nearest. The paved path meanders through woods, crosses Beaver Brook via a stone arch bridge, and enters Derry. It ends in Hood Park, which is home to a large pond where you might see rainbow trout or a heron.
Further south is the shady Windham Rail Trail which is part of the Granite State Rail Trail that traverses the state. Reviews call Windham a quiet trail with side trails leading to Mitchell Pond. Frequented by people walking their dogs, the 3-mile trail is mostly level and easy to navigate.
Londonderry Rail Trail is a 4.5-mile trail that once was a railroad corridor. While it’s not a loop, the path takes you through a variety of landscapes ranging from wooded neighborhoods to scenic wetlands. Keep an eye out for turtles as you cross a peat bog.
Just 2.3 miles from The Baldwin, the Adams Pond Trail is a 3-mile loop crossing four footbridges. The scenic pathway runs through pine and hardwood forests, around apple orchards, and up to a high point offering great views to the west.
Let’s ride!
Ready to hit the trails? Residents of The Baldwin love to ride their bikes, and life here gives them more time and freedom to do what they love. Why not take a spin around our campus and then venture out for a ride on one of the trails that traverse the gorgeous surrounding countryside?
To schedule a personal tour of The Baldwin and learn more about our APEX holistic wellness program, call 603.699.0100 or use our Contact Form.