- Open air travel
The beauty of bicycling is its ability to allow anyone to travel, pollution
free, for at least a 5 mile radius. Anyone in any shape can bike 10 miles.
Anyone in very modest shape can ride 20 miles. Greater distances begin
to require a training program.
- Exhilaration of the ride
The joy of fresh air, the solitude of the outdoors on a quiet bike path.
The pleasure in conquering hills and the payoff of the gravity assisted
descent where you can reach speeds of 40 mph. Faster the longer and steeper
the hill. Bike riding on hilly trails becomes a free amusement park adventure.
- Body chemistry
The joy of the adrenaline rush is one of the greatest changes you can
experience. Riding fast through a bike path can give you the feeling
of a wild panther running through the forest. There is no greater joy
then the endorphin high induced by honest exercise. Also, food never
tasted so good as it does after a long ride, even in a diner.
- Strength Training
Bicycling is an aerobic exercise and also, on long rides, a strength
exercise for your legs, neck, shoulders and arms so build up slowly for
long distances.
- Neon
Look for neon bike clothing. You want to be visible from 300 yards in
neon, not 30 feet in black.
- Eye Shades
Bicyclists wear those strange wraparound glasses for a reason. The first
time a bug smacks you in the temple at 25 mph will give you good reason
to buy a pair.
- Gloves
Gloves act as a multiplier of your grip strength and a give you isolation
jarring road bumps.
- Cool Water
You may not be burning as many calories as you think. But you WILL BE
more dehydrated then you imagine. So drink plenty of water during and
after the ride.
- The BONK
Bring energy bars to help ward off the dreaded "BONK", where you have
burned all the carbohydrate energy in your body. This usually occurs
on your first 40 mile ride of spring. Your first "Bonk" is always the
most memorable and will give you good reason to avoid any future experiences.
- Bone Strength
Bicycling isn't a load bearing exercise if you're in the saddle. You
won't increase your bone strength while seated. So, when you have a long
boring level stretch, develop the ability to stand up and "walk" in top
gear.
- Suspension
The debate to buy a bike with a front suspension or full suspension
depends upon how many miles you will ride, for how many years and how
much you care about your body. I've ridden a Cyclocross with a front
suspension over rough trails and although it's fast for race day, there
isn't enough suspension for rough trails for an everyday ride. A mountain
bike with no suspension is a bad idea. A full
suspension bike has the advantage that your body will last much longer
in the sport with the trade off of more weight. Two shocks weigh more
than one. However, the more you can afford to spend the less the full
suspension bikes weigh. This is one area where we can hope tech will bring
down the price and weight of a full suspension bike.
- Touring
Tour the United States by Bike: Adventure
Cycling.
- Bike Trails
Learn of converted rail trails in your area: Rails-to-Trails
- Cross Country Trailer
The Bob Yak: Bob Gear