Great Exercise (Cycling)

Member Name: Recon

Product:	Cycling
Date:	10/02/08 (74 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great exercise, Fun, Scenic, Cheaper than public transport

Disadvantages: Risk of falling off/cars hitting you, Expensive for good bikes to start out with

Cycling is one of the best forms of exercise to keep fit. With swimming being the best, cycling comes near the top. When cycling, not only are you working your legs to a great extent, but also your whole body including your stomach muscles and arms. Therefore, if you cycle regularly on a frequent basis, then not only will you find it easier, but you will achieve a nice tone to your body.

There are many bikes out there to purchase, but it depends on what type of cycling you want to go into. There are two main types: off road or mountain biking and speed cycling for long distance. If you are adventurous and live in the country side nearby big forests, then you may want to buy a suitable mountain bike. In mountain biking, not only do you ride off road, but they are also great for small jumps off hills in the forests. When I was younger, my friends and I used to build our own ramps out of the soil and bits and bobs in the forest, which we would cycle up. We actually made a trail to cycle along, which is still there and great fun!

Mountain bikes are normally a bit heavier than road bikes for long distance. They will have much wider tires with small spikes for good grip, but these will fall off shortly after you begin using them. They can be rode on rough surfaces such as stones, mud and even small rocks. They are great fun, and work your body well, increasing your strength to climb hills and ride over such surfaces. It is also much more scenic normally and interesting too rather than riding along a road or beside a river.

The only problem with mountain biking is that you need some kind of mountain or forest nearby that you can get to with your bike. The bike itself can cost from around £100 to £500 or more depending on what bike you go for. Mountain bikes will almost always have at least front suspension, and others will have back suspension too, which is actually situated below the seat. This gives you comfort and soft landings after any small jumps. The front suspension allows the bike to ride over rough surfaces and over objects like small branches without trouble, as the wheel is more flexible. The suspension can normally be tightened and loosened by twisting the suspension coils, to achieve optimum hardness or softness.

Speed cycling is very different from mountain biking. For a start, you need to buy the right bike. They are much lighter normally and have very narrow tires compared to mountain bikes. Their handle bars normally curve upwards so that you can hold them on the sides, and their frames are small and circular unlike mountain bike frames, which may be thicker and wider.

A good bike for this kind of riding will set you back at least £100 and the very best can even cost up to £2000! If you are really going to devote yourself to this kind of riding, then buying a good bike isn't a bad investment as it is great exercise. The idea of this style of riding is to do long distance, perhaps 30-40km and on a regular basis. This way, you will become better and better and much fitter, enabling you to cycle even further. The best places to ride like this are along long promenades or by the riverside or around parks. You need somewhere, preferably reasonably straight to cycle, but it needs to be of great distance. It doesn't matter if you go round in circles around a park or lake, but it is much more interesting if you can find a route that is perfect.

Many people cycle like this along road sides. It is very important that you wear a cycling helmet whether you are doing this, our mountain biking as both put you at risk to either falling off your bike or getting hit by a car. Most bikes come with reflective lights on the front and back, and it is advised that you cycle in daylight too so that you can be seen. If you are cycling at night for the sake of getting somewhere more than for the exercise side, then it is best to have electronic lights on the front (white light) and on the back (red lights). The back ones can normally have a few functions to flash and with different patterns to signal.

Overall, cycling is a great way to keep fit and I would recommend trying it out. Anyone can cycle, from the age of 8 to the age of 80! It takes a few practice lessons to get used to cycling if you have never rode a bike before, but it is great exercise and really works your whole body. It can also be used to bypass those expensive transport fares, and is much more economical and very good exercise. Head down to Halfords or any good bike shop to find the bike you are looking for, who should also stock things such as helmets, lights and other cycling equipment or clothes.

Thanks for reading,

- Recon -

Summary: Cycling is very enjoyable and can be done by all ages being one of the best types of exercise!