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Bike Riding
All About Bicycles And Bicycling

Bike Riding Styles

Most people are not aware of the number of bike riding styles practiced around the world. Some were practically born with pedals attached to their feet; others found a love for bike riding much later in life.

Cycling is an activity anyone can enjoy regardless of age. It offers a number of health benefits, and it is good for the environment. This is an activity you can do every day and never get bored because every ride offers a new, exciting, and rewarding experience. This is especially true if you broaden your horizons and attempt different bike riding styles you haven't tried yet.

Now is the Best Time to Start Cycling

If you have not started biking yet, what are you waiting for? This is one of the safest sports you can participate in. It is an activity that you can do year-round, and you don't need a car, gas money, or an expensive gym membership.

Just as there are many bike riding styles there is also a huge selection of bikes. The bike you decide to ride will influence the style of biking you are able to do. So, make sure you are purchasing the right bike and bicycle equipment for the style you are interested in.

Here Are Some Bike Riding Styles I've Covered

Mountain Biking – If the thought of navigating rugged trails in the wilderness gets you excited, then mountain biking is for you. This also is a nice change of pace if you primarily ride in the city.

Cross-Country (XC) – If your idea of adventure is seeing how much ground you can cover; cross country biking will be of interest to you.

Downhill mountain biking – Few things will get your heart pumping faster than it does when you are zooming down the side of a mountain. The landscape becomes a blur, and all you can do is focus on upcoming obstacles. Not to mention, you will encounter steep drops that can range from 2 to 60 feet.

Freeride Biking – Catching air and performing tricks is the focus with freeride biking. This is for experienced riders who are dedicated to practicing to perfect their skills.

Extreme Biking – Of all the bike riding styles, this one will get your heart pounding the fastest. Extreme biking will satisfy your need for an adrenaline rush.

Road Biking – Buy yourself a sleek road bike, and see how much ground you can cover, both in the city and the country.

City Biking – For city biking you will want to buy a cruiser or fixed-wheel bike, also called a fixie. Mingle with the concrete and steel and feel a little pity for those you pass who are stuck in traffic.

Snow Biking – Quicken your response time, improve your handling, and stay in shape this winter by cycling in the snow.

Winter Biking – Don't hibernate when Old Man Winter comes to town. If people can ski, skate, snowboard, or play ice hockey you can ride your bike.

Did You Know…

Did you know cycling is considered a three-in-one exercise?

It improves mental focus, strengthens and tones muscles, and improves the cardiovascular system. This is one of the easiest and most effective ways to achieve optimal health.

Women's Biking – Women everywhere are leaving their car at home and opting for a healthy, empowering, enjoyable, and rewarding means of transportation.

Biking Tours – Skip the lazy vacation where you do nothing but eat and lay on a beach. Explore new land and indulge in culture on a biking tour.

Bicycle Commuting – Using your bicycle to commute is good news for your health, the environment, and your bank account.

Competitive Cycling – Is your competitive side itching for a little friendly competition? Participate in a race. This is a great way to make sure you don't slack with your training.

Long Distance Cycling – Pack some essentials in a pannier and hit the open road. Some people cycle for years at a time, but you will need to be mentally and physically prepared.

Nude Biking – Ready to do something a little out of your comfort zone? Nude cycling may be exactly what you need to learn a little self-love.

Biking Benefits – Every time you get on your bicycle you reap mental and physical benefits. Plus, your community and the environment benefit, too.

BMX Games – Add a little diversity to your practice and meet new people with biking games.

Bicycle Night Riding – Of all the bike riding styles this one maybe the most addictive. You, your bike, nature, and the moonlight; what more could you ask for?

Books About Bike Riding

More information about bike riding can be found on several informative books. Take a look:

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The Benefits of Biking
Biking Health Benefits, and More

There is a good chance that benefits of cycling exceed any list of advantages you have running through your mind. In fact, there are so many, we have had to group them into separate categories. The list of benefits of cycling is long, so let's make an order here, and group them in categories:

Health Benefits Of Cycling

One of the main benefits of cycling most are aware of is that the activity offers a fun and easy way to burn calories.

Remember when you were young and really did not have to think twice about what you ate? Well, as you know, the food we eat has a more noticeable impact as we get older. We know that we need to exercise for optimal health. Cycling makes it easy.

In fact, many experts have proven the benefits of cycling on weight control and long-term health. This article has more information on this topic you may be interested in.

• Cycling Strengthens Your Heart – One of the greatest health-related benefits of cycling is that it improves your cardiovascular system. Biking forces your heart and lungs to work harder, thereby strengthening them. Studies have proven the positive effects of commuting by bicycle.
• Biking Helps Control Weight – Many dieters swear by using bicycling for weight loss. You burn calories, which can help you lose or maintain weight. See, this guide for more information on biking calories.
• Biking Tones Muscles – Replacing fat with muscle has a number of advantages. First, you look leaner. Second, muscle burns more calories than fat, even at rest. Strong muscles are less prone to injury.
• Biking is Kind to Your Joints – Most people experience discomfort in their joints as they age, especially the knees. Unlike running, which puts a lot of wear-and-tear on your joints, cycling is low-impact. You get all the fat burning and health improving benefits without causing joint pain.
• Biking Improves Balance – Falling tends to happen more frequently as we age because our balance naturally worsens. You can fight this by participating in activities that improve balance, such as cycling and yoga. Cycling strengthens core muscles, which also helps prevent back injuries.

Here are additional information about cycling and health.

Mental Benefits of Cycling

No one has to tell you that life is chaotic and stressful. You probably barely get time to relax, as your schedule is filled with work and family obligations. Well, all this stress and anxiety affects your mental health, which ultimately takes a toll on your physical health.

Meditation is recommended for improved physical and spiritual health. However, meditation is nicely complemented by daily exercise. Even if you don't meditate, exercise still improves your mental health.

For me, cycling is meditation. I am able to clear my mind, reflect, and find peace. Biking allows me to let go of all the stress I gathered throughout the day and be soothed by fresh air and the sounds of nature. Even in an urban jungle like New York City, you can find peace-of-mind on a bike.

Plus, cycling releases endorphins. These natural painkillers relieve stress and make you feel happy. Here are a few benefits of cycling on mental health.

• Quality Alone Time – Everyone needs alone time sometimes, especially if you have kids or a job dealing with public.
• Reduce Stress – As mentioned, cycling produces endorphins, which essentially eat all that stress away. Stress affects sleep quality and eating habits, and can contribute to medical problems.
• Enjoy Nature – With your busy schedule, how often do you get to just breathe in fresh air, enjoy sounds of nature, and soak up some vitamin D?
• Improved Mood – Since endorphins make you happy, your mood improves. Commuting by bicycle to work could improve your attitude on the job, as well as your work quality.
• Improved Self-esteem – Exercise makes you feel better about yourself. Plus, since cycling tones your body, you really have a reason to be more self-confident.

Social Benefits of Cycling

Whether you are participating in a bicycle race or on a bike tour, you have the opportunity to interact with other like-minded individuals. Maybe you don't have time to make friends because you work too much or perhaps you miss your family because you just moved away. Whatever the case is you have the opportunity to become part of a wonderful biking community.

If you have a family member or friend to ride with the two of you will share a bond and you will get closer. Maybe you can even get to know your neighbors while biking through the neighborhood.

Financial Benefits of Cycling

Some of the most appreciated benefits of cycling are in this category.

Did you know…?

Did you know that you prevent 1 pound of damaging carbon dioxide emissions from polluting the environment with every mile you ride your bike rather than drive?

Global warming is caused by greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide happens to be a leading contributor to these gasses. By cycling as often as you can instead of driving you do your part to help protect the environment.

• Reduced Transportation Expenses – When you ride your bike instead of drive you save money not paying a car payment, insurance, repair, maintenance, gas, and parking.
• Reduced Health Care Costs – Since cycling improves your overall health it reduces long-term healthcare expenses.
• Skip the Gym Membership – Who needs an expensive gym membership when you have fresh air and free trails?

Transportation Benefits of Cycling

Cycling truly is the greatest form of transportation for a few reasons, including:

• Avoid sitting in frustrating and time-consuming traffic jams.
• Always have a more accurate estimated time of arrival.
• Short distances can often be achieved faster on a bike.
• Endless travel opportunities, especially on bicycling tours.

Benefits For The Community

Many do not realize that everything they do has an effect on others. Your community can reap benefits of cycling, too. When you bike, you:

• Free up parking spaces
• Don't contribute to traffic
• Reduce vehicular traffic, which decreases risk of accidents

Environmental Benefits

The environment definitely appreciates many benefits of cycling. A bicycle provides the most eco-friendly means of transportation.

• No Air Pollution – Bicycles do not emit any toxins into the atmosphere.
• No Water Pollution – Transmission fluid, brake fluid, antifreeze, oil, etc., can all ultimately end up as run off in fresh water sources. These are not concerns with bicycles.
• No Noise Pollution – Just imagine how quiet your city would be with no engines running, tires squealing, and horns honking.
• Reduced Road Maintenance – Are you tired of dodging orange barrels in work zones? Well, the roads need constant repair due to the wear-and-tear from cars. Bikes don't have this damaging effect.
• Less Oil Drilling – Oil drilling is a huge environmental concern, especially when spills are destroying delicate marine eco-systems. Riding a bike requires no oil.
• Fewer Raw Materials Used – A bike requires about 5 percent of the raw materials used to manufacture a car. Not only does this decrease the amount of metal and rubber ultimately ending up in landfills; less fossil fuel is needed to produce energy for manufacturing.

Books about Biking

For more information, there are some informative books about biking. You can find them on several online book stores.