I've been riding my bike along the Han River for my daily commute for about 10 months now. Except for days when it's raining or unbearably hot, the bike is my go-to for commuting, proving to be more emotionally rewarding than taking the subway.

There's something refreshingly liberating about feeling the river breeze as you ride past the vast expanse of the Han. It's as if each pedal stroke washes away the stress. Balancing work and parenting, I often find the fatigue from caregiving and the stress from office hours whisked away by the riverside air.

While cycling, I frequently see seniors, likely in their 60s or older, sitting on benches, gazing at the river. Some seem to be reflecting on life post-retirement, while others, perhaps out of old habits, step out at rush hour. I also spot people jogging, taking on challenges perhaps neglected during their professional days. Sixties are the new fifties, they say!

The sunsets over the river are breathtaking. There are times I simply have to stop to take pictures, transfixed by the sky's beauty. Not just red, the sunsets boast purples and pinks too. As the sun fades, dusk gradually envelopes the sky, and by the time I'm home, night has settled in.

More people gather along the Han after work hours compared to the morning. There are tourists, friends, couples on picnics, and people out for a workout. Riding the subway home, I never noticed these scenes. Cycling past, I feel buoyed by the joyful atmosphere created by people enjoying the river. When I get home, I'm greeted by my wife and child with a refreshed spirit—this is the true gift of the Han.

I don't know how long I'll continue biking this commute, but until then, I'm savoring the leisurely landscapes of the Han, striving to share that peace with those around me.