Archive for March, 2011

Benefits of Recreational Bicycling

Benefits of Recreational Bicycling

Recreational bicycling or bicycle commuting is not just a great form of exercise, but also an environment friendly activity with no carbon footprint to speak of. With the raging debate on global warming and pollution, being eco-friendly has become a priority. An energy efficient form of commuting such as bicycling offers multifold benefits. Individuals in their 40, 50 and 60′s can lead healthier lives by taking up bicycling as a daily or at least weekly activity.

: As kids, we have been through a phase when zooming through the neighborhood on our trusty bicycles meant the world to us. As we grew up, a fascination with sports cars replaced bicycles. Bicycling is a fun and enjoyable activity, reminding you that we were all kids once. Bicycling releases endorphins, lifting your mood and acting as a great stress buster.

: Bicycling exercises your lower body, including your thighs, leg and hips. Replace the stationary bikes you exercise on at your gym with regular bicycles for an enhanced and healthier workout. Cycling makes the connective tissue of the hip, knee and ankle stronger, cutting down risk of injury. Research also indicates that bicycling reduces cellulite from legs.

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: Bicycling is an effective cardiovascular exercise where oxygen is continuously delivered to all body muscles. This makes your heart as well as lungs stronger and also helps lower blood pressure.

: Regular bicycling burns calories and tones your leg muscles. For a leaner and meaner look, bicycling is a great form of exercise. Activities like bicycling and horse riding also clear up your skin (by cleaning the skin pores) and add color to your cheeks. Children who bicycle regularly manage their weight better during their growing years. Bicycling also builds upper body strength, providing your arms a great workout.

: You can make recreational bicycling a family activity for physical fitness as well as a way of enjoying quality time together. You can go bicycling on local bike paths and over the course of time, plan an exciting outdoor weekend trip. You can also consider involving your neighbors, community members and organize fun biking trips.

People across the world have made bicycling a life-long activity, with some even preferring to commute to their workplace on bicycles. You can bicycle to your local mall or supermarket – not only is it an eco-friendly commute but healthy and fun as well. You can consider joining a bike club and go on organized bicycle trips with your family. A charity bicycling event is also a great way to give back to society as well as promote the health benefits that bicycling offers.

Author specializes in writing articles about health, diet, longevity and health speialists like Brenda Rusnak. For more information about health and health specialists like Brenda Rusnak, Check her out on Twitter.

Source: ArticlesBase.com

Basics To Buying Bicycle Car Racks

Basics To Buying Bicycle Car Racks

You should have a bicycle car rack because terrific bicycling areas are always not within easy cycling distance. Carrying your bicycle on your vehicle is an excellent means to spread out your bicycling escapades. This makes it very easy to discover traffic-free streets, impressive trails or take your bicycle with you on vacations.

If you do drive regularly to bike, then you will be pleased to know about how recent bicycle car rack innovations have made transporting your bikes much easier for you.

Not all cars are can fit all kinds of bicycle car racks, which is why it is very important to buy the right bicycle car rack to fit your car as well as your needs.

Things to consider when buying a bicycle car rack:

- Your vehicle model. Generally, you can not find a bicycle car rack that will match or install two cars; therefore, if you possess two or more cars, choose the one car that you will most likely use.

- Your car load. Will you possibly be carrying 3 or 4 bicycles in the near future? How many family members are there, who are or will be joining you on your biking adventures? If you need to carry more bikes than you presently do, make certain to choose a bicycle car rack model with carry-load that is more flexible.

- Positioning of the bicycle car rack. Depending upon the model and make of your car, there are many bicycle car racks that can suit your needs several of these add more access or functionality to your vehicle.

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- Durability. Spend your dollars based on primarily how long will you be using it or you require it to stay with you; good quality bicycle car racks can last up to several years, however if you need it only for a very rare trips, just buy the lower priced variety.

Familiarize yourself with your bicycle car rack choices:

1. Roof mounted bicycle racks. If positioned securely, roof mounted bike racks will carry a minimum 4 bicycles and can even accommodate more reliant on your car type.

This type of rack also can provide a utility for fastening a “roof-box” that can hold your sports equipment, luggage, and bicycles under cover, preventing bicycle damage with the clamped, upright position.

This type of bike rack is slightly expensive because of the benefits it brings and you may need to utilize a tiny ladder in order to get your bicycles on and off from it.

2. Front bumper racks. These bike car racks are normally not recommended and only are suitable for cars with a “high-front end”.

If positioned excessively high, these types of racks can get in the way with the driver’s vision. Take note that you need to confirm that these are accepted in your state, because in some locales, they are considered illegal.

3. Rear bicycle car racks. These are the most commonly used of all forms of bicycle car racks. Normally, you can carry 3 bicycles and it is attached with the use of metal hooks and straps.

As bicycles are usually carried very closely together, using “foam pipe-insulator” that this type of rack features as protective cover is recommended.

4. Tow ball bicycle mount. This type can carry up to 5 bicycles and is generally set up with a “square mounting post” placed into a “square pipe” attached to your car’s underside rear that tilt down if empty to permit for rear doors and tailgates.

5. “Rear ball-hitch” bike racks. This type of set-up usually can only accommodate a 2 bikes maximum due to limitations in weight and generally clamps against or bolt through the “hitch-ball” mounting outlet on the vehicles hitch tongue or bumper.

6. “Sports car interior”. If your car has enough room for it, this type is much safer and cheaper option as thieves have fewer chances of getting or stealing your bike or its parts.

You can buy brackets to make sure your bicycles does not move or swing around while inside your car.

Now that are well informed with the basics of buying a bicycle car rack, all you need to do next is to find a dependable dealership and ask recommendations or find the best bicycle car rack deals online.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://cycling.leisure-webzone.com where you can learn more about cycling including maintenance and riding tips.

Source: ArticlesBase.com