Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Friday, 18 November 2011
Cycling, the Ultimate Exercise By Brendan L Williams
If you're like most Australians, you know you should get a little more (maybe a lot more) exercise than what your current routine includes. The trouble is, many people have a hard time deciding what activity will give them the exercise they need without costing a fortune or leading to boredom. Forget that gym membership you will never use and don't worry about buying just the right piece of fancy equipment. Get up, go out to the garage, and get out your old bicycle.
One of the best exercises you can find to get yourself out the door and moving is bike riding. Most of us learned how to ride when we were children, but when we discovered the joys and convenience of a driver's license, many a great bike landed in the garage without a second thought. Today is the day to think again.
Cycling can be done anywhere- whether you live in a city or out in the middle of nowhere, you can hop on a bike and be getting some quality exercise in minutes. Bike riding can help with your balance, give you a cardiovascular workout and add in some much-needed relaxation without much in the way of special equipment. While a helmet is a wise investment, you can wear any comfortable clothing and your tennis shoes and be on your way.
Biking is a terrific family exercise. Even the baby can join in by simply adding a carrier to the back of one of the adult's bike. Many families regularly cycle together, enjoying the bonding time as well as the exercise.
For the truly adventurous, mountain biking can add a whole new element of fun and activity to this once routine sport. With the wider tires on a mountain bike, much more challenging terrain can be explored without the risk of injury. Mountain biking doesn't need to involve mountains at all- it is perfectly acceptable to take your mountain bike on the same trails you used to hike on. Many communities are building mountain biking trails that offer plenty of challenging countryside at a variety of skill levels.
Whether you are mountain biking or road biking, you can easily step up your daily physical activity and enjoy the great outdoors on two wheels. Go on out to the garage- you know you left a bike out there- what are you waiting for? Get on your bike and ride.
For more cycling articles and information, visit http://www.epicnation.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brendan_L_Williams
Secret Weight Loss Technique - Bike to Work By R Conte
Secret Weight Loss Technique - Bike to Work
Want to lose weight but can't find an hour in your schedule to work out every day? Looking to drop some fat but having trouble getting to the gym consistently? Just can't afford that personal trainer anymore? No problem, ride your bike to work and you will burn fat, lose weight, and get in shape.
While bicycle commuting is definitely on the rise in America, the reasons for this vary almost as widely as the diversity of bike commuters. Some do it to save money. Some do it to save the planet. The best reason to do it is to get in shape and save your life. By cycling to work regularly, you'll give yourself two workouts a day without having to "fit it into your schedule."
Cycling is Fun
Cycling is great fun and a good workout. Instead of trying to "find time" to ride for exercise, why not do it every day as a part of your regular commute? Many people have trouble fitting a 40-60 minute workout into their busy schedules five days a week. This gives them a convenient excuse not to do so. By riding your bike to work, your commute and your workout become one and the same. It's a great solution to a thorny problem.
Get Double Workouts
However, the best reason to ride your bike for your daily commute is you are able to get in two workouts per day instead of one. Since your body continues to burn calories for up to an hour after each workout, by going aerobic twice a day on your commute, you vastly improve your body's ability to burn excess fat over enduring one longer workout. Recent research shows that by doing two 20-30 minute workouts per day you can burn up to twice as much fat than one 40-60 minute workout. But hey, who has time to schedule two workouts a day? By incorporating these two workouts into your daily commute, you also resolve the scheduling issue. It's a win-win for anyone trying to get in shape and lose weight.
Reduce Stress
Cycling is also a great stress reducer, which means you're likely to arrive home each evening in a good mood. Plus, you'll feel energized when you get to work each morning, rather than feeling exhausted from that one-hour marathon you've been putting yourself through at the gym.
Enjoy Your Town
Riding your bike to and from work regularly will also put you in closer touch with your environment, your neighborhood and your city. Cycling to work can also improve self-esteem, because you're doing something positive for yourself and your community, by taking one more car off the road.
While many people fear bike commuting, other studies have shown that the benefits of cycling are twenty times greater than the risks. If done intelligently, with well planned routes and proper equipment, cycling to work is a joyful workout rather than a risky chore.
RConte
R Conte is the owner and principal author at SEO Writer Pro, a brand new website offering high quality, Affordable SEO Article Writing and fresh, well-written Blog Content from a dedicated, professional SEO writer. Click here to discover how you can save money buying relevant, timely, high quality content with our Special Introductory Article Writing Offer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=R_Conte
Beginners Guide to Commuting by Bike By Rajiv Desai
If you've never ridden a bike to work on a regular basis commuting by bike can bring up many challenges. There are many trials and tribulations in the early morning and evening cycle commute.
Benefits
Chiefly there are health benefits plus the savings in terms of monetary cost from having to drive in or using public transport. Below is guide on what you should consider if you decide to give it a go.
What Bike?
Touring bikes are probably the best choice for a first time commuting by bike as it is an all-rounder. Despite being clunky in terms of weight, a touring bike always comes with a mudguard (critical with the British weather as it is) and a rack to carry panniers on both front and back of the bike. Touring bikes have a long wheelbase and relaxed geometry making for a comfortable cycle commute in an upright position. If you are looking for something slightly more sportier than a Hybrid also works well.
Plan a Cycle Route
Sounds obvious, but if you are just starting out, pick a cycle route that gives you the feel of optimum safety on your cycle commute. When commuting by bike anything that means you spend less time being close to motorised traffic is important, so follow cycle lane/paths, use bus lanes or quiet residential streets whenever possible. Also make a note of local bike shops on your cycle commute. You'll never know when you might need to use one.
Be Safe
Read up on cycling safety and cycle craft. You will never be the next Mark Cavendish so go easy and be aware of everything around you both in the front and back of you on the cycle commute. There are more and more people commuting by bike than in previous years but many are inexperienced and don't necessarily know basic cycle craft Always communicate with motorists, pedestrians, and other cyclists via hand signals, bells, or speech. A pedestrian walking out on to the road is unfortunately a common occurrence.
Wear Comfortable Clothes
Not everyone has shower facilities at work so make sure what you are wearing is comfortable for your cycle commute. Cargo trousers work really well with three-quarter versions and trousers particularly recommended for summer cycling. For women, Capri pants or pedal pushers are recommended. Up on top, a simple t-shirt will do in the summer but in winter months a base layer with a sweater on top keeps you warm.
Cycling Essentials to Carry
No doubt you will carry work related stuff in your rucksack or bike pannier but it is a good idea to carry a patch and puncture kit, a spare inner tube, tyre leavers and an allen key tool kit for simple cycle maintenance problems. Also carry a pair of surgical gloves to deal with punctures and other mechanical problems to avoid getting your hands dirty. In the winter commuting by bike can become slightly more hazardous with the weather and diminishing daylight, so add lights and some form of high viz jacket to what you carry or use.
Go on A Basic Maintenance Course
Learning how to fix a puncture as well as dealing with common simple mechanical problems will make you feel less panicky if you come across a problem when commuting by bike.
Going Going Bike sells both Touring and Hybrid bikes if you wish to buy such a bike for your cycle commute.
http://www.goinggoingbike.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rajiv_Desai
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