|
Bicycling For Fun And Fitness
Table of
Contents
What Kind of Bikes Are
Available?
What Kind of Cycling Do You Wish to Do?
What is Fitness Cycling?
Preparing to Cycle
Equip Yourself Properly
Setting Up Your Cycling Fitness Program
The Right and Wrong Way to Cycle
Warming Up and Cooling Down
Cross Training
Charting your Progress
All About Accessories
Nutrition for Bicycle Fitness
Bicycle Racing
Special Bicycles for Racing
How to Train for Bicycle Racing
What Kind of Bikes Are Available?
Different Kinds of Bikes
Bicycling has been a major pastime and it still hasn’t reached its peak. More
and more people are still jumping on the bandwagon of going “biking” for
different reasons.
Bicycles are technically defined as a vehicle. It has two wheels, a frame,
saddle, pedals and is human-powered. The “bike” as we all call it today, has
been integral in the modern history of many cultures all over the world. It is
also a symbol of fun, fitness and environment-consciousness today.
There are different types of bicycles that are available out there in the
markets today to cater to different people who are engaged in different biking
activities. Discussed below are the different kinds of bikes and what they are
used for:
Mountain Bikes
Mountain bikes are primarily designed for the outdoors. There are a number of
different sub-types of mountain bikes such as cross country bikes, downhill
bikes and free-ride bikes. They are designed to be sturdy. These bikes have very
durable frames, handlebars that are designed to counter the sudden jolts while
riding and they usually have more than 20 gears. The most noticeable aspect of a
mountain bike is its suspension system. Mountain bikes should make the off-road
trip as comfortable as possible; therefore, they use high-quality suspension
systems, which uses gas shock, air and spring.
Utility Bikes
Utility bikes are perhaps the most common type of bike out there today. They are
usually plain and simple, but they are very important in function. They are used
primarily for running errands, shopping or commuting. More and more people are
using them to go about their daily routine because they are fairly convenient to
use and requires very minimal maintenance. Utility bikes are made with sturdy,
heavy frames and upright handlebars. They usually employ internal hub gearing.
These bikes usually have some other accessories that would help the owner do his
errands such as a basket in front of the handlebars; however, utility bikes are
not meant to be used in more specialized biking activities such as touring and
mountain biking.
Tour Bikes
These bikes, like the mountain bikes, are made to be sturdy. They are used as a
main transportation vehicle to tour long distances. Tour bikes should have the
capability of holding extra weight for baggage and should have good gearing
systems so as to efficiently transfer the energy of the driver for very long
trips.
Racing Bikes
What’s a good thing to do with a bike if you’re not into using it in everyday
life? Race with it! For those people who would want to experience the sheer
sound of the wind rushing against the bareness of their faces, they should try
getting a race bike. Of course, race bikes are not for everyone, but what the
heck? They are still things of beauty.
Racing bikes are primarily made for speed. Race bikes, unlike the other bikes
are made with ultra lightweight frames and are primarily stripped off every
accessory to maximize speed. They are usually equipped with a medium range
gearing system, which can range from 18 to 30 gears. There are different
sub-types of racing bikes such as time trial bikes and track bikes. All race
bikes are equipped with a frame that maximizes the aerodynamic capabilities of
the machine, therefore maximizing speed as well. Racing bikes are primarily used
for racing and nothing more. Most of these bikes don’t even have brake systems
in them.
Others
There are other types of bikes that are available out there in the market such
as the “audax” bikes which are used in brevet rides. There are also recumbent
bikes which employ a diamond frame. No, it’s not made of diamond, but the shape
and geometry of the frame resembles that of a diamond.
The different uses of bikes have been dealt with above, while discussing the
different kinds of bikes. Bikes are a universally accepted mode of
transportation. They are used in different professions as well such as in the
postal service. Cops have also adopted the use of bikes in patrolling certain
places, especially the crowded ones. The resurgence of the use of bikes in
police work has given the bike a more “macho” image.
They are also used for recreation. People use them to tour long distances to get
closer with nature. Other people take their bikes further and use them to
traverse mountains and hills. Other people also use the bikes to stroll in the
park.
Cycling has also become a fad in the fitness arena. As more and more people
become more conscious about their health, they look for and engage in low-impact
calorie-burning activities such as cycling.
Different bikes are made for different purposes, but always remember- a bike is
a bike, and they should be used to enjoy and relax!
What Kind of Cycling Do You Wish to Do?
Different Types of Cycling Activities
Bicycles are resurging, not only in the transportation field, but as well as in
the recreational and fitness scenes. There are a lot of different kinds and
brands of bikes out there and they are made for different purposes.
Different Cycling Activities
When deciding which type of bike you would want to acquire or buy, the most
important thing to consider is the type of cycling activity that you would want
to do with a bike. There are several types of cycling activities and these
should be focal points to consider when thinking about getting a bike.
In our last chapter we discussed the different types of bicycles. In this
chapter we will expand on those types and explore different biking activities
for each type.
Utility bikes
If one is a person who would want to have a cheaper, cleaner means of
transportation to aid him in doing his daily errands and activities, then he
should get a utility bike. Utility bikes are the simplest looking bikes out
there. They are primarily made with sturdy frames with different accessories,
which are used in doing errands.
These bikes can be used in going to the store to buy a bag of chips, or when
visiting a neighbor down the next block, or simply strolling along the
subdivision. The good thing about using a bike in doing these things is that
they are very cheap and requires very little maintenance compared to other types
of bikes. Of course, using any type of human-powered bike in doing simple daily
errands will also benefit the environment because they are emission-free.
A good point to consider is that most of the other types of bikes can be used to
do the daily errands (except the racing bikes, perhaps) and can basically be
used as a utility bike. So, for those people who would want to do other cycling
activities other than strolling around town, they should probably consider
getting another kind of bike. However, if one is going to buy an expensive bike,
they should also think twice in using them to do daily errands. It’s a personal
choice, really.
Mountain bikes
Mountain bikes are beautiful machines which can stand the stress that the
outdoors offers. These bikes can be used to traverse mountains and enjoy the
wonders of nature. They are primarily equipped with heavy frames which are very
sturdy. They also have treaded tires for slick surfaces and great suspension
systems. The suspension systems of mountain bikes are usually equipped with air,
spring or gas shock. They also have mechanical or hydraulic disc brakes. Among
the different kinds of bikes, the mountain bike has the most number of gears,
usually ranging from 20-30.
Mountain bikes, given their natural sturdiness, can basically be used for other
types of cycling activities such as touring and recreation. It can also be used
as a utility bike since it performs quite okay in normal conditions. But of
course, a mountain bike belongs to the outdoors and one can appreciate its true
potential by getting it dirty on the off-road.
Mountain biking is also considered as a recreational activity. Biking per se is
a relaxing activity which clears the mind and rejuvenates the soul. But mountain
biking takes the experience into a whole new level. The beauty of being one with
nature elevates the soul and refreshes the mind. Mountain biking definitely is
one of the best cycling activities.
However, mountain biking is not for everyone, it requires a certain level of
fitness to be able to do mountain biking. A love for nature and for the extreme
is also important in mountain biking.
Racing Bikes
Race bikes are primarily made for (what else?) speed. They are used in
professional competitions and races. They are made with ultra light frames and
are usually shaped to minimize the drag (as aerodynamics would tell us) when
racing. They are stripped down of their accessories up to the point that only a
skeletal figure is left.
Bike racing is a professional sport and is not for everyone. Unless you would
want to make bike racing as a career, you don’t have much business in getting a
race bike.
Touring Bikes
One can engage in touring the countryside using tour bikes. These bikes are made
for long journeys and are made to be sturdy.
They can be used also as utility bikes. Touring itself is not a very strenuous
activity, but one has to be prepared when touring with a bicycle. All the
medicines, emergency tool kits and other essentials should be ready. Touring is
no joke, especially when done with a bike.
There are a lot of cycling activities out there that awaits enthusiasts.
Whatever cycling activity one embarks into, all of them are enjoyable. Biking is
good for the body, for the mind, for the soul and for the environment.
To be continued
Health News:
MSN
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Google
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Yahoo!
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
|
