Wednesday 11 June 2008

Why You Need To Get On Your Bike!

Once the days start to get warmer it's natural to want to get out and about a bit more, and there is no better way to enjoy the weather than by getting your bike out and using pedal power to get along.

There are loads of benefits to doing this - not least the fact that you can get a lot fitter very quickly and lose some excess weight. Most people have parks or bike paths near them which provide a safe and pleasant route to pedal along, although you should always be aware of other people around you so as not to disturb walkers.

It's also a good all-round form of exercise. It's great for building up your leg muscles without pounding away on the pavement like you would if you went jogging - which can damage your knees over the long term. You'll also get a nice posterior and stronger arm muscles too!

One of the other numerous benefits of cycling regularly is that you will get plenty of fresh air. You will also see more of where you live and be able to take full advantage of going on holidays in this country if you take your bike with you. Lots of people attach their bikes to a bike rack on the car so they can follow the bike trails in areas such as Devon, Cornwall, the Lake District and many others besides.

As far as exercise goes, cycling is also one of the cheapest forms you could do. Once you have bought the bike - and you can get a decent model for around £100 - there's very little else to pay in upkeep. You don't have to worry about opening hours at the gym or whether the local swimming pool will be crowded or not; all you have to do is wheel your bike outside and off you go.

You do need to take the appropriate precautions though to make sure you don't suffer any cycling accidents. A good quality cycle helmet is essential, as are a pair of padded cycling gloves. It's also worthwhile wearing a long sleeved top - even in the summer - because if you are unfortunate enough to come off your bike for any reason it will prevent you from losing a lot of skin. The same applies to wearing a pair of long lightweight trousers.

While some cyclists don't worry about it, you should also be aware of the Highway Code and how it applies to you. This is especially true if you are going to be riding in the road for any length of time.

With all these benefits to think about it's no wonder so many people are getting on their bike!

Disclaimer: Andrew Regan writes on behalf of a digital marketing agency. He hopes you enjoyed his article, but urges you to seek further understanding of its topics before making any decisions based on its content.

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