Ten 10 Ways to Make Your Bike Ride Relaxing and Injury Free

It is no secret that cycling is one of the best things you can do for your short and long-term health and fitness. It strengthens your cardiovascular system, it is easy on your joints and helps with weight control. But no matter what sport or activity you choose in your life, there are certain things that need to be done to prepare yourself physically so that the activity is as enjoyable and injury free as possible. I hope the Following tips help you achieve this goal.





1. Cyclists tend to get fatigues from squinting into the sun and wind - wearing sunglasses can resolve this issue.





2. Feet tend to swell after riding several miles. This is from the restricted circulation from sneakers - which can cause pain and tightness. Loosening shoelaces or straps near the front of the foot will either alleviate this problem or lessen the discomfort.





3. To prevent a sore neck, don't keep your head in a fixed position. While riding, tilt your head to one side for a while and then the other - it will make for a more comfortable and natural ride.





4. It is very important and beneficial that stretching becomes part of a cyclists daily routine. Cycling is so beneficial to our body, but it does not improve range of motion or flexibility. Stretching on a regular basis can reduce muscle and joint injuries. Additional stretching prior to a long ride can make for a much more comfortable and relaxing trip.





5. To prevent numbness in the handles created by a tight grip on the handlebars for a prolonged period of time, frequently change your grip on the handlebars. Also wearing padded gloves or handlebar covers can help soften the grip as well.





6. To avoid back discomfort, replace the stem on your bike with one that has more rise until the handlebar is an inch below the top of the saddle.





7. If triceps muscles are fatigued and sore, the stem on the bike is too long. If it is too short, your shoulder muscles will be sore.





8. After a strenuous bike ride, for the last ten (10) minutes slow down the ride and avoid hills. This gives the muscles a chance to react accordingly and soreness can be significantly reduced.





9. Don't overdress in cold weather. You may be cold the first mile or two, but your body will warm up from the pedaling. A light hat will also help contain the body heat that is lost thru the head and neck.





10. Dehydration contributes to fatigue. Drinking a swig of water or sports drink every ten (10) minutes during a strenuous ride will help keep your riding in comfort.





As you progress in your cycling and dedicate more time and energy to your rides, additional preparation and precautions will have to be taken. I will be addressing those in another future article for advanced cyclists. But the tips above apply to all cyclists - from a beginner to a racer - and they are important for your own comfort and safety.





Happy Cycling!

Mary Marino-McDonnell, the author, worked 30 years as an administrative director for a 10M firm. Combining this experience with her joint interests with her husband in health/fitness, they started their own boutique-like online bicycle store - http://www.bicycleaway.com. Check out our selection of beach cruiser bikes.

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Know more about Cornering

People love cycling. Whether you are highly competitive or cycle for leisure purposes, there is a method to the act. Learning the proper way to do things is a benefit in many ways. It supports safety, durability, and performance. The following article addresses the act of cornering.??? There are several factors contributing to the cycling maneuver. Some with years of cycling experience never took the time to properly read and learn about cornering.





The science of cornering


Your center of gravity is of great importance. Surfers, gymnasts, trapeze artists, ballet dancers, and cyclists all depend on the manipulation of their center of gravity. Your center of gravity in relation to your saddle is what turns your bike.





Bike control equals the control of your sense of gravity in relation to the centerline of the bike.





There are a few forces??? at play when cornering:





Gravity, which is pulling you and your bike down to the ground


An opposing force, pulling in the opposite direction in which you are turning


Diagonal, the combination of these two forces meeting





Gravity remains equal, so the other forces will determine the flow of the turn:





If your opposing force increases in intensity, the diagonal will become wider or more arched


As your opposing force shortens or decreases in intensity, the diagonal comes more comparable with gravity or a straight line





The trick in efficiently turning lies in your ability to keep the center line of your bike in unison with gravity and the opposing force while keeping the center line of your bike between that of your own center of gravity and the direction at which the turn is pulling you.





For proper technique:





Sit relaxed on your saddle


Dig the tires into the ground a bit for traction purposes


Let your bike arch through the corner


Keep your upper body and head low and towards the inside so your head is just above the inside brake lever


Keep a constant arching line through the corner


You and your bike will follow your eyes- Look ahead into the corner to stay on course


Attempt to go from the outside, to the inside, to the outside in order to open up??? the curve (If you are engaged in a series of turns, you would have to modify your positioning to consider the multiple maneuvers)


Before you approach the corner


Before approaching the corner, read the surroundings ahead. Consider road conditions before you lean into the corner:





Is the road wet


Are there other riders in the turn


Are there other riders around me


What is the road surface- rock, sand, etc.

Rob Poulton originator of wekeepyoucycling.com supplying a complete range of Bicycle pedals,Bicycle tires,Bicycle saddles,Bicycle seats,Selle Italia Saddles,Selle San Marco Saddles,Selle SMP Saddles,Silca Pumps,Look Pedals,Time pedals. If you are looking for Time pedals, visit: We Keep You Cycling

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