Five Reasons to Get on Your Bike
The faithful bicycle has been with us in one form or another since early incarnations in the 1800’s. From Baron von Drais walking machine that was designed to help him travel around the royal grounds faster, bicycle design, construction and use has become an art in its own right. Despite the developments, what never fails to fade is the thrill and enjoyment of pedalling your way to your destination, but if this isn’t enough for you and you need added incentive to get on your bike, here are just five reasons to get pedalling…
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Cycling (Photo credit: tejvanphotos)
Ride like an Olympian
Following Team GB’s success in this year’s summer games, the British public has a whole new set of idols and sporting greats to look up to. With the success gained by the GB cycling team, the sport has been catapulted into the mainstream with stars such as Bradley Wiggins, Chris Hoy and Laura Trott imprinting their names on the British public.
Whether it’s track cycling, mountain biking or BMX, the success of the cycling team shows how something as simple as riding a bike can bring huge success and provides motivation to get young and old alike involved in a sport.
Different disciplines for different people
Whether you like the thrill of speeding around an indoor track, jumping over dirt ramps, hurtling down the side of a mountain, pulling a wheelie whilst balancing on a one foot beam or simply nipping to the shops on a sunny day, there’s a cycling discipline to suit most people.
If you’re after a team sport or looking for competition, within each discipline there are organised events that allow you to meet up with like-minded cyclists looking for fun and the accolade of beating a personal best or coming 1st.
Cheaper than driving
Despite the price tags of some high-end bikes, cycling can be a relatively low cost pursuit. If you commute to work and are within cycling distance, you could save yourself money over the cost of driving or even taking the train or bus to work. Although the initial outlay may cost to finance the bike purchase and the necessary safety equipment, there aren’t the additional costs of car tax, insurance premiums and annual MOT’s to comprehend.
Keeping your bike in good working order with regular maintenance and a professional service every now and then will help to keep you on the road and even though components will inevitably require replacing when they wear out or break, the cost is likely to be far less than any repairs or components needed when your car just won’t start.
Think of your health
As well as saving you money, cycling is good for your health. As an aerobic sport it works your heart, develops muscles and burns calories to keep you fit and healthy.
If you’ve not been on the bike for a while, it might start off a bit of a struggle but changing to an easier gear and slowing the pace will give you time to adapt whilst still keeping you moving. As you develop and continue to cycle, you’ll be able to increase the speed, distance and intensity at which you cycle and before you know it you’ll find yourself wanting to take on the tour de France.
Reduce emissions
If you’re conscious of the environment and being green, cycling is the perfect mode of transport for reducing your emission levels and doing your bit to be greener.
Though there are obviously emissions involved in the production and manufacture of bikes and cycling equipment, the levels of emissions involved in cycling are far less than travelling by car or bus.
Chris Stillwell blogs for critical illness cover quote site Confused.com. Chris is a keen cyclist who commutes the busy streets on his bike come rain or shine.
