Find Your Ride to Fitness

Looking for an exercise plan that is easy to maintain, will keep you in shape and can be fun for the whole family? If so, you should check out the benefits of bike riding. Getting in a good bike ride as a family can do wonders for your fitness level and emotional state. Get started with these tips below.

1. First things first, see your doctor. You need to know your current fitness level and develop some goals to reach. Your doctor can be a tremendous resource for those of these goals. Your doctor will let you know how much your body can currently handle and where your fitness level should be. They will help you map out a plan to great physical and mental health.

2. Make sure your bike is ready to workout as well. Have it inspected by a trained technician or mechanic. Having a bike accident or riding a difficult bike will turn you off quickly. A trained tech can make sure you have proper tire pressure, the chain is greased and the bike is ready for a good workout.

3. Stretching properly is essential to the success of any exercise regimen. Without proper stretching you will pull a muscle and be out of commission for a few weeks or longer. Stretching helps you to prepare for and recover from tough workouts. Even if you don’y cycle you should start stretching everyday.

4. You must warm up your body before any workout. Your muscles, heart, and lungs need to get an idea of what is about to come next. Without proper warm up the body isn’t ready to workout and will feel a lot of pain after the workout. A light ride or jog for five minutes should be enough to do the job.

5. Just as important as warming up before your ride is cooling down afterwards. A sudden stop to excercising can put undo stress on your body. A proper cool down after a good bike ride would be taking it slowly for about ten minutes. A proper cool down will help you make sure your body adjusts to the exercise correctly.

Everyone’s fitness goals are different and you should talk with your doctor before developing a sensible biking fitness plan. When done correctly, cycling can be a fantastic, no impact way to stay in shape and have fun. Follow these tips to enhance your biking experience, have a great time and get into good shape.

March 17 2009 | cycling | No Comments »

Tips for Buying a Bicycle

For some of us, buying a bicycle can be as intimidating as going into a gourmet Italian coffee shop. The choices are endless and the language is nothing short of foreign. In an attempt to ease the decision making process and ensure that you end up with the right bicycle, I’ve compiled a list of tips to help you on your journey.

1.Know what you will use your bike for. Are you going to be out cruising with the kids? Riding for fitness? Commuting or maybe flying downhill? Depending on how you intend to use your bike, you will need a different bike for needs. Know your needs first, before you start looking.

2.Mind the dip. I’ve seen so many casual cyclists make the mistake of buying an expensive mountain bike just to cruise around the look park paths. The most expensive bike out there is the one you buy that is completely wrong for you. Make sure you consider your environment. Are you travelling in an urban area or on an unpaved hiking trail? Either way, there is a bike out there specifically designed for your needs.

3.Got skills? The sheer desire to get out there and ride can be a powerful urge. However, it is best not to let the desire take over and put you in a position of buying too much bike. If you can ride a bike, but are not used to all the gears, shifting options and gizmos that come with a performance bike, you may be discouraged and lose your enthusiasm. Being a casual cyclist is not a bad thing. You don’t have to be Lance Armstrong to enjoy a good ride. Take a genuine assessment of your skill level before making your decision.

4.Review, Research, Repeat. I’m not suggesting that you write a book report on the history of the bicycle and its socioeconomic influence on the human race. It is a good idea to have knowledge about the bikes that suit your needs. You may be surprised by the amount of options available. In addition, some bike retailers may be more reliable than others. Reading the reviews of other people and researching your bike are great independent tools to help you on your way.

5.Ask a lot of questions. Is this bicycle within your budget? How much maintenance is required for this bike? Can I find this bike used and save a lot of money? Are there any adjustments or modifications on the horizon for this bicycle? Should I wait until I see the newest innovations? What kind of accessories will I need for this bike?

6.Be True to Yourself. Be honest with yourself about your fitness level and abilities. You should know your height and weight and just how hard you will be able to push your bike. Don’t get more bike than you need because it often leads to disinterest. Too much bike becomes too complicated for beginners.

7.Bum a Ride. Check out the rides of your friends and family. Especially if you are going to use your bike for the same purposes as they are. Nothing is better than a referral from a friend or a good test drive. Even if you don’t want the same bike, actually going for a ride will give you an idea of what you want from a bike.

8.Go B&M. Head over to your local Brick and Mortar Bike Shop. With all the latest gadgets and different components available its nice to be able to compare them side by side. It’s always good to develop relationships with guys in a bike shop. Their expertise will certainly come in handy. Even if you order your bike online you will eventually nned to tune it up or change out parts. Knowing guys in your local shop will always be a help.

9.Birds of a Feather flock together. If going to a bike shop is too inconvenient or bike sales people are too overzealous for you, borrow a bike from friend. More than likely, your friends share similar interests and fitness level. Even if you a friends with a bike enthusiast, he or she will still be able to offer some advice on brands and characteristics to suit your needs.

10.Buy what you like. The best way to ensure a good bike purchasing experience is to like what you buy. While research is important, don’t go into paralysis through analysis. If you’ve found something that works for you, don’t over think it.

Remember to have some fun while you are looking for the right bike. If you enjoy researching the bike you are going to love riding it for years to come. Picking the right bike can be easy and fun if you remember what you are looking for. Don’t get caught up in technical jargon or component details, have some fun and trust yourself. If you can remember to do those two things you’ll enjoy your bike for years to come.

March 15 2009 | Mountain Bikes | No Comments »