The Great Escape: I Want To Ride My Bicycle

Spokes, wheels, chains … if you are like me, bicycle riding has not been a daily occurrence since about the age of 10. Why not change that and get some fresh air? Banish the thought of sitting atop a stationary bicycle in a gym, pedaling to nowhere. That’s just depressing. How about you try the real thing?

Dust off the lonely Schwinn in your garage and take it out for a ride. The Schwinn, and your thighs, will be all the better for it.

Bicycling advocates will tell you it improves quality of life. Cycling gets you outside, relieves stress and depression, and can lift your mood. It can be done in any season and doesn’t require lessons. 

Cycling works the whole body, not just the legs. It’s a gradual way to increase muscle tone, strengthen the heart and improve balance and coordination. One hour of cycling burns 300 calories and, for many, is a lot more interesting than aerobicizing those calories away.

Some people cannot stand the idea of exercising just to exercise. Incorporate cycling in to your daily routine by substituting it for one errand you normally do by car. You are going to be surprised how fast you can arrive places on a bike, too.

A few tips for newbies, wobbling down the road like me: make sure your seat is high enough. A seat that's too low will put strain on the knees. Always wear a helmet, and stay hydrated. Consider one of the lightweight jerseys, although you may be committing a fashion felony, because you will stay drier and they also have tiny pockets for your ID and other important things.

And have fun!