Biking is one of the most popular activities around the globe. Often, bicycling is perceived as socially-oriented fun; not many people are aware of biking benefits. Whether you want to boost your health, relationships, or happiness, biking is the way to go. The post is going to provide you with various established advantages of biking.
So, what are they?
1. Boost bowels
Biking, like any other physical exercise, decreases the time for food movement in the large intestines. This limits the amount of water absorbed back to the body hence leaving one with softer stools, which comes out easily. Besides, bicycling is an aerobic exercise. It accelerates heart rate and breathing; this stimulates intestinal muscles’ contraction hence preventing one from feeling bloated, this protects one from bowel cancer.
2. Promotes weight loss
When it comes to weight-related issues, calories that come out must exceed those that come in. This implies that, for one to lose weight, more calories must be burnt. Is there another way round to cut weight? Cycling can burn many calories that are between 300 and 1100 an hour, depending on the rider’s weight and the riding intensity. Of course, other factors such as quality of sleep and the food will play a significant role in the weight loss expedition.
3. Enhances sex life
Biking is one of the physical activities; therefore, it improves vascular health, which, according to health experts, boosts sex drive. According to cornel university research, male riders have sexual prowess that is three to four years younger, and also cycling delays menopause on female athletes.
Also, it should be noted that all the muscles used in biking are also used in intercourse. Therefore, the more the muscles are developed, the longer the intercourse will last.
4. Improves brain power
Do you want to sparkle your grey matter? If yes, then pedaling is the best remedy. University of Illinois researchers found that 6 percent of cycling cardio-respiratory fitness leads to a 15 percent improvement of mental health. This is because cycling builds new brain cells that are found in the hippocampus, an area in the brain that facilitates one’s memory, which often deteriorates from the age of 30.
On the other hand, cycling boosts oxygen and blood flow to the brain; this regenerates and fires up the brain receptors, hence, warding off Alzheimer’s.
5. Improves one’s awareness
Cycling is not all about getting you breathless and raising the rider’s heart rate. Cycling involves various terrains such as sharp corners, climbing mountains or hills, and also descending. The technical elements enable one to beware of the surroundings and react appropriately. Also, the practical aspects massively boost the riders’ confidence; this enhances self-esteem.
6. Strengthens the immune system
Biking coordinates various body parts, joints, and muscles. Multiple organs are positively affected by the exercise in one way or the other. This means the organs become active in their functionality. That said, bicycling also cut down calories and facilitates cell metabolism. All these factors lead to one thing, a more robust immune system.
7. Improves the body’s balance
The rule of the thump when it comes to bicycling is balancing. You must balance for you to ride. This not only helps in peddling but also your body balance. When you ride a bicycle, the legs develop enough muscles. The stability of your legs facilitates the entire body’s balance.
8. Strengthens bones
Strong bones play a significant role in a healthy lifestyle. As people age, bones naturally become weaker. Also, those young people who do not exercise can suffer from more inadequate bone conditions. Low-level exercises such as cycling strengthen bones. Riding boosts one’s bones and joints.
9. Eco-friendly
Cycling is one of the eco-friendly modes of transport, unlike vehicles associated with noise and gas pollution. Bicycles neither produce any noise nor gas. This means bikes cannot be linked to any form of pollution.
The other thing is that you can park many bicycles in a small place using little energy.
Basics of cycling skills
It is true that once you get acquainted with balancing on two wheels and propels forward using two pedals while winds sweep through the hair as the heart races, it’s a skill that you will not easily forget. The funny fact is that many people who learn bicycling tend to use the most common skill to stay upright and manage the forward motion without falling.
But it will surprise you that there are some cycling skills which will help you understand peddling better. If you are new to biking, then the following tips will improve your riding experience.
• Know the gears
There are two types of gears. The front gears that are located adjacent to the right pedals are applied in making significant shifts. For instance, when the rider approaches a hill, he should be fast in getting into a more comfortable gear. They have two to three rings to pick from; the smallest provides the easiest turnover. The shift mechanism that is located at the left side of the handlebars controls the front gears.
On the other hand, the back gears are based near to the rear wheel. They are referred to as fine-tuners. They are used when one wants to get into a different gear slightly to make peddling a bit easier or increase the pace. The shift mechanism that is located at the right-hand side of the handlebars controls the back gears.
• when you want to shift, plan ahead
This means that you should watch the terrain before you engage any gear. For example, if you get on the mountainous terrain, shift on the gear you want before getting there. If you wait for long, chances of losing momentum are high, and you will end up putting pressure on the chain, making a bit difficult for the bike to shift appropriately.
• Learn to brake
When it comes to braking, the rule of thumb is applying both brakes proportionately, especially if you suddenly stop. If you want to stop abruptly, use the front brakes. But if you want to safe brake, gradually apply pressure to the two brakes until you slow to your desired speed or stops.
• Be keen with the turns
As a rider, you should be cautious when you get into turns; you must know where you are heading. The bike will go where the rider is looking; stop being so drastic when making turns. Some riders never look further than the middle of the arches; this leads unnecessary accidents.
• Lean on the bike but not on your body
When making a turn, you should push the bike’s handlebar to the inside. This straightens your arm. Avoid leaning on your body; this can affect the balancing aspect. Always lean on the bike when riding.
• Position well when on the downhill
When on the downhill, let your weight be at the saddle. But if the drop is stiff, let your butty lean towards the back of your saddle. Focus ahead; avoid focusing at the front of the wheel. This enables you to plan for any upcoming obstacles or direction changes. Also, control the cycling speed.
Final thoughts
Biking is one of the activities that everybody should try since it has a myriad of benefits. But before you try, you should learn the biking skills and its respective merits. The post has provided the biking skills that will make it easier for any new rider. Just learn and then put the theories into practice. A safe biking adventure is guaranteed when the above is considered.