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Cycling For Fitness…and Pleasure!
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Whether you’re doing long-distance, or simply going for a ride with your family, it’s a great way to keep fit and trim, done as a consistent fitness routine.
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Additionally, this is an excellent activity to decompress and destress after a day at work in an office, just by being out in the open. Stress is one of the main causes of degenerative diseases including cancer and heart disease because it dampens and destroys bit by bit, over time, the immune system.
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Put in proper diet and nutrition, you’re up and running to stay fit and trim to enjoy and also face any challenges you may encounter on your bicycle rides!
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Today, sponsored cycles are also becoming a very popular way to raise much needed funds for charity too.
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Whether you’re taking part in an organised event or planning a route of your own, it’s important to make sure that you have the right essential gear so you can complete the ride safely and successfully.
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Choosing A Bike
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Visit a specialist shop and get the staff to help you choose a lightweight bike that can stand up to the distance. Remember, you’ll be on the bike for a some measure of time, so choose one with handles that are comfortable to lean ons. Upgrade the saddle for maximum comfort.
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Invest in good lights. Not only will lights let you see where you’re going if you’re cycling in low light, but they’ll also make sure other traffic can see you.
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Think about whether you can use battery lights, which will need batteries replacing as you go, or whether you’d be better off using a dynamo light, which recharges as you ride.
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Add on sturdy mudguards to stop you getting too mud splattered if you’re cycling in poor weather conditions. You’ll arrive at your destination much cleaner with proper guards.
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Choosing Clothing
Cycling clothing will help you to stay cool and dry as you cycle. Choose a cycling outfit that is comfortable to wear for long periods.
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Look for reflective strips to help you be visible to traffic. Stick with close-fitting lycra. The close fit helps you stay more streamlined, reducing the risk of clothing becoming caught in the bike, and giving you a little more speed. The stretch in the fabric will let you move easily to peddle, while also wicking away sweat.
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Padded shorts will keep your saddle comfortable for longer, which you’ll be very grateful for after a long day on the bike. Make sure you’ve bought a safe helmet too, that has been properly fitted. It needs to be secure on your head to protect you in case of an accident.
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Pack a cycling jacket to protect from the elements or cooler temperatures. For your shoes, choose toe clips. They’ll help you cycle more efficiently, but will need some practice to get used to if you usually ride in normal trainers. Make sure you choose a shoe with decent grip on the sole to keep your feet on the pedals.
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If you’re completing a charity ride as a team, you can choose a Custom Designed Cycling Team Kit to properly mark you out as a team.
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Repair Kit
Mishaps happen, so be prepared with a repair kit to tackle punctures and other basic repairs. You’ll need a pump for refilling your tyres too.
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Being properly prepared means that any puncture or flat tyre doesn’t mean you have to be off the road for long. You can do your own repairs and be back to cycling with minimal delays.
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Our readers also enjoyed and benefited from the following articles on CYCLING. Click to read!
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CYCLING
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- 4 Spring Cycling Essentials
. - Discover The Benefits of Cycling vs Driving ~ 5 Convincing Health Reasons
. - 10 Important Considerations on Your Electric Bike Checklist
. - Road Safety for Cyclists ~ 4 Things to Consider When Sharing The Road
- Cycling for Fitness – 3 Must-Do-Have Essentials
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