Cycling:
A Sport for Everyone
General Information about Cycling:
Cycling is a sport that anyone of any age can participate in. The only special piece of equipment necessary is a bicycle. Bicycles come in many different sizes and styles to fit the individuals riding style and needs. The most common styles of bicycles are the road bike and the mountain bicycle. A mountain bicycle is designed as an all-terrain bicycle that has wide tires for traction and control, as well as a specially designed frame that can handle the rough terrain comfortably. A road bicycle is designed to glide along the road with the greatest of ease, allowing the rider to fly along the roadways and streets of the city.
Cycling as a Way of Life:
It does not take long for a rider to become hooked on the joys of the open road. The rider and the bicycle become one and life seems to slow down to a more enjoyable pace for the rider. There are so many places that your bicycle can take you, the possibilities are truly never ending! You can take an early ride out in the country and run across a deer, or you can go on a summer ride along the lakeside. Life is better experienced from the seat of a bicycle.
Important Safety Equipment:
It is imperative that all riders should wear a helmet. The modern helmet is inexpensive and could save your life. Other equipment to consider purchasing include: a pair of gloves for comfort, a front headlight and rear taillight for riding a night safely as well as a good reflective vest. It is important to check your brakes and your tires to make sure the brakes are working properly and the tires are holding air.
Cycling as a Way to Overall Fitness:
Riding a bicycle is a great way to get some exercise. A 200 pound person can burn around 400 calories riding their bike at a leisurely pace. If that same person begins to bike at 12 miles an hour, they would burn twice that amount at close to 800 calories. Competitive cyclists burn an excess of over 1400 calories an hour. If a 200 pound person were to leisurely bike an hour a day, then they would lose a pound of fat every week. That would equate to almost 25 pounds a season (about 6 months).
Why I Love Cycling:
Cycling is truly dear to my heart. I began riding a bike at a very early age, but I did not fall in love until the last couple years. I started riding back and forth to work and that was all it took. I have purchased two bikes and upgraded them to make them more road-worthy, but then I bought a community bicycle. I have ridden that bicycle all over the area. I commute from the city of Goshen to Indiana University almost daily. Last summer/ fall I rode over 2500 miles. My wife and I rode twice along the lake shore in Michigan. I rode a 100 km bike ride in the fall. I find it is a great way to get out and spend time enjoying God's creation. Because of the many miles I have commuted, I have really cut down on my carbon footprint. Riding with friends is a great way to stay connected to loved ones and to make new friends. My goal is to someday ride all across the country on my bike.
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