Seven Mistakes Cyclists Make

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So you too have been inspired by the Tour De France? Suddenly you find yourself pulling that cycle out of the garage and experiencing some fresh air! Whether you’re an expert or just a beginner, take note of these seven keys to better cycling and enjoy yourself even more!

1. Don’t leave home without a safety check of your bike and don’t put your kids on a bike unless you’ve given the bike a once-over. Check the gear changes, brakes, seat heights and bell and make sure it will be a comfortable ride for all. Sometimes cogs, chains and gears collect sand and grit and do not move as well as they should, especially if they’ve been sprayed with certain products in the past. Take a puncture kit with you or you may live to regret your outing!

2. Don’t ride alone unless you absolutely have to, and if you have to, inform someone of your exact route. You will be kept accountable by riding with others and human nature is such that you’ll be less inclined to opt out on days you just don’t feel like it. A buddy will help push you to a higher standard of riding if you are riding competitively. Enjoyment of the scenery and the visits you make will be heightened if you share the day with others. It’s also better for safety reasons, as a companion is an added safeguard; who knows, he/she may save your life one day!

3. Don’t head off without a plan. Organisation is the key here. Is the route cyclist friendly and how long will it take? Unless you are experienced do not even think about embarking on treacherous stretches which are not cyclist-friendly. Stay calm, even if aggravated by motorists who don’t see you or care if you’re there. This is life, you can’t change it by getting frustrated and angry during your ride. Next time you’re out and about in the car, check out roads and routes which would be suitable for your next bike ride. Store them away in your memory, or keep a book with a record of where you’ve been and where you’d like to explore next.

4. Don’t go empty-handed. Your body absolutely needs water while you ride, sip on it regularly and stay hydrated. If you are a serious rider, you will benefit from an amino based drink which delivers advanced energy and endurance with carbs and electrolyte replacement. You can guarantee that the riders in the Tour De France are not carrying just good old H2O in that colored water bottle! Your physical wellbeing will also be aided by fruit such as bananas and other energy boosters.

5. It sounds an obvious one, but correct attire for cycling is paramount. Comfort and safety go hand in hand here. The correct choice of clothing can assist you greatly in your ability to stay cool in hotter conditions and conversely, can help heat retention in the cooler environments making for a much more pleasant outing. The color of clothing is also a major consideration. Make sure it’s bright and easily seen by motorists and other road users. And make sure you have a suitable helmet! If you have kids riding it is imperative that the helmet fits correctly and the chin strap is set at an adequate tightness. Most kids loosen these and can therefore miss out on their amazing impact cushioning abilities in an accident. It is a proven fact that helmets save lives.

6. There are fewer lovelier sights than a whole family out cycling, from the tiniest tot strapped in to a bike seat behind mum or dad to Grandad and Grandma. Far from the tooting traffic, there are an increasing number of cycle tracks which have been exclusively created for cycling enthusiasts. Find them, take the whole family and enjoy them. You will be modelling a fit, healthy lifestyle to the kids and hopefully they will carry on their cycling into adulthood. What better way to combat rising childhood obesity?

7. Don’t be careless about how you finish. You’ll be hot and sweaty and ready for a shower, but there’s something more important to do first. Give your muscles a chance to recover and repair by cooling down gradually and then by having a protein supplement (usually in the convenient form of a shake or drink). Protein is the building block of cartilage, muscles, bone and blood and it is protein which is the crucial factor in prevention of injury and enhanced performance. It’s no wonder that so many of our professional atheltes head straight for a whey protein drink after exercise. For muscle recovery, repair and growth, it’s a priority.

There’s nothing like the feeling of sun on your face and wind in your hair. You’ll love the fresh air and sense of freedom you get when cycling. Don’t let anyone stop you getting out there and improving your fitness. Ensure you have studied (and acted on) as many articles like this as you can get your hands on. Then do something your body (and family) will thank you for and go cycling as an informed, responsible cyclist!

href=”http://www.protein4health.com/product”>Amino Acid supplements drinks for the serious cyclist as well as whey protein for muscular repair.

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Topics: Cycling | Comments Off

Tags: amino acid drinks, Biking, c, Cycling, family fun, fitness, health supplements, leisure, outdoors, recreation, sports, sports recovery, whey protein shakes, Women

Article Citation
MLA Style Citation:
Johnson, Colin "Seven Mistakes Cyclists Make." Seven Mistakes Cyclists Make. 6 Aug. 2007. uberarticles.com. 8 Feb 2012 <http://uberarticles.com/recreation-and-sports/cycling/seven-mistakes-cyclists-make/>.

APA Style Citation:
Johnson, C (2007, August 6). Seven Mistakes Cyclists Make. Retrieved February 8, 2012, from http://uberarticles.com/recreation-and-sports/cycling/seven-mistakes-cyclists-make/

Chicago Style Citation:
Johnson, Colin "Seven Mistakes Cyclists Make" uberarticles.com. http://uberarticles.com/recreation-and-sports/cycling/seven-mistakes-cyclists-make/

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