Having Fun While Keeping Fit: Activities For Cyclists
Cycling has always been a popular means of exercise. It may not have seemed like a workout when you took your first pedals as a child, but cycling to keep fit is a new trend of late. There is nothing better than riding off and feeling the wind in your face. But where should you go?
Pedaling the same local route can get quite boring, and this boredom can cause even the most avid of cyclists to get apathetic and give up. So, what are the alternatives? Let’s look at a few activities that you can partake in with your bike to stay fit and prevent the activity from becoming stale.
Get Together With Friends
One of the main problems with cycling is that it appears to be a purely solo activity. It seems as if you rarely need another when out and about with your bike, but this is actually a fallacy. In fact, you’ll find that many people opt to go out for a bike ride with their friends and family. You can aim to ride off to a specific location and then return, or just head out as a pack. This social aspect of the sport can give you something to look forward to when on the road. Just remember that you should ride two abreast on most roads and you’ll be fine.
If you are in a situation where you can’t find anyone to ride with, there are plenty of cycling clubs online that you can join. Have a quick google and you are sure to find a group of like-minded individuals in your area to go cycling with. Again, cycling is a newly popular sport.
Obstacle Courses
Cycling isn’t just about stamina and endurance. Many cyclists find that there is a precision involved in the sport that is often neglected. As a result, many bike owners choose to spend their time on obstacle courses. You can try zipping between cones, jumping between gaps, or popping wheelies to impress a crowd. There is no limit to the number of tricks that you can pull off with a bike, so long as you wear the correct safety equipment, that is.
What’s more, there are dedicated recreation spaces in some towns where you can bring your bike. Halfpipes and rails aren’t just for the skating crowd anymore. Just make sure that you invest in the right type of bike if this is your intention.
Bike Tours
If all of the above seems like it is made for a younger generation than yourself, then you may want to look into getting started in bike touring. A bike tour is an event where participants take their bicycles out on the road for several days or even weeks on end. The aim of this tour is usually to reach a certain destination or see a particular part of the country. Think of it as an active holiday.
Be warned; however, bike tours aren’t for the faint of hearts. Make sure that you prepare yourself properly, and look to Velosurance before getting started in bike touring. There is a lot to consider before you set off, such as fitness, hotels, and insurance, but it is definitely worth it in the end. Furthermore, this type of holiday is also eco-friendly.
It’s important to condition your body weeks or months ahead before booking a bike tour. You may want to consider giving your bike an upgrade with Bluetooth-ready power meter pedals. Power meters provide valuable insight to maximize your training time. Their smart technology allows bikers to track their progress through their phone. They’re easy to install as well, making upgrades and changes quicker and more convenient.
Charity Events
Taking up cycling is a good way to stay in shape, but have you ever felt the need to help out someone less fortunate than yourself? Why not kill two birds with one stone and participate in a charity event.
Riding in a marathon or even setting up your own goals can help you reach a certain fitness milestone and raise money at the same time. Get a few friends to sponsor you and see if you can take on some of the most challenging routes imaginable.
Mechanics
Cycling is popular because it is one of the easiest leisure activities to get to grips with. Once you have your balance worked out, there isn’t much else that you need to know. Or is there?
No doubt you have experienced the frustration of your bike chain slipping or snapping altogether. In this instance, it is easy to bring the vehicle in to the shop and have someone else fix it. But why not learn about the mechanical side of the sport. Once you’ve figured out how the machine works yourself, you can fix your own bike whenever you need to or even start building your own bike from scratch. It wouldn’t hurt to share this knowledge and help those around you too.
Conclusion
These are but a few extra activities that you can do to make cycling more exciting. Some will help you, and others are great for the community. Everyone is different, so make sure to get the right bike for you.
Author: Grace Murphy
