Pedalling his way to wellness: how Richard Horne found strength on two wheels

Have you ever found yourself staring at your laptop at 3am, body stiff, brain fried, wondering, "When did life turn into endless WhatsApp messages and deadlines?”

Before cycling became his thing, Richard Horne, a 30-year-old digital creative and illustrator from Macassar, Cape Town, spent most of his days glued to his desk, hunched over designs, trying to figure life out.

“Life before cycling was pretty chill,” he admits, “but I wasn’t as healthy physically or mentally as I am now.” 

Then one day in 2022, he had a moment of millennial revelation: “I was at my desk, doing some illustration work, and I realised I need to move my body more.”

Childhood skateboarding had given him that freedom rush, just you and your wheels, so when he spotted a secondhand bike on Facebook Marketplace (our ride or die online store), something clicked.

It wasn’t a fancy new model; just a secondhand ride, but that impulsive purchase would spark a transformation that changed him inside and out.

“I bought it with my own money, started riding a little, and once I actually enjoyed it, that’s when I committed,” he says. And commit he did.

The turning point was a wake-up call from the doctor. Faced with worrying news about his health, Horne knew he had to make a change, starting with the man in the mirror (thank you, MJ).

Being overweight and mentally out of sync was more than uncomfortable for Horne: it was a sign to change. “I didn’t have the answers, but I knew I had to move my body.”

That choice set off a transformation that shakes out in both physical and mental realms. From that moment, Horne’s life started to shift.

“Physically, I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been. Mentally, I’m at the strongest point I’ve ever been," he says with confidence.

Of course, the journey wasn’t all smooth roads and flat pedals. Motivation dipped, progress sometimes felt invisible, and there were days when the urge to quit whispered loudest. Because that little demon will sneak up during your proudest moments. 

“It’s all a mental game,” he admits. “My parents taught me not to get stuck in the mud. I pushed through because I believed change is possible. If you do something long enough, you’ll get good at it and see the results.”

Long rides, he explains, are more than exercise; they’re therapy. They regulate mood, clear the mind, and test the body.

“Cycling taught me patience, resilience, and discipline. It’s about delayed gratification, enjoying the journey, and showing up day after day.”

His rides are mini-adventures, exploring routes between Macassar and Stellenbosch, or Gordons Bay, sometimes with a coffee stop to fuel the soul.

“Maybe I’ll go down a path I haven’t taken before just to see where I end up,” he says. “Getting lost is part of the journey, so that you find your way back.”

And honestly, bars.

"I used to have really bad anxiety, and I’ve had battles with depression, and that’s a story for another day, but I can truly say that cycling has played a huge part in my healing and becoming stronger mentally," Horne explains.

"The small wins add up, enjoy them. Sometimes we don’t see immediate results, but that doesn’t mean that things aren’t changing for the better."

Music keeps the ride alive. "Always gotta have some jams," Horne says. From hip-hop to house, UK garage, African classics, and yes  - a little Sade for that soul-soothing vibe - music is part soundtrack, part motivation, part meditation. 

"We love some house numbers and some up-tempo garage from the UK too. Even some African classics like Fela Kuti or some salsa joints. There’s way too many to think of, I LOVE MY MUSIC, especially pre-ride, or on my ride."

What started as documenting personal growth quickly became something bigger. “It definitely started as a way to document my personal growth… now it’s evolved. I want to use my platforms to inspire and motivate others.”

“Cycling changed my life and continues to do so every day. Don’t overthink it, just try it  and if you like it, go all in.”

Next on his radar? Travelling the world with his bike, group rides in his local community, and sharing stories that celebrate movement, creativity, and wellness. 

Horne proves it: your journey to wellness doesn’t need a gym, a plan, or fancy gear.

Sometimes, it just takes a bicycle, a bit of courage, and the willingness to enjoy the ride, baby!