Cycling is a great exercise. It is low load which means you get movement through your lower limbs without the weight.
Individuals benefit from choosing a more active way to travel such as cycling. The exercise is good for our physical health, helps to boost our mood and can even save us money. The coronavirus pandemic has seen a huge surge in the popularity of cycling (up by some 300%). It is a great way to socialise and catch up with friends outside in the fresh air. It also improves health and is a great way to commute.
Most of you will have ridden bikes as kids although some will not have been on a bike since! The old adage suggests, ‘you never forget….’ and you really don’t.
If you are nervous about venturing on to the road there are alternatives. Spin classes by Cyclone spinning are available here at Walnut Grove. These classes offer the benefits of cycling without the perceived dangers of being on the road. To discover more about the variety of off road cycling available, look at www.sustrans.org.uk. This gives information on the national cycle network.
Equipment and associated costs
The next thing that might put you off is the equipment and associated costs. You will need a bike! Stock is currently a challenge for many shops due to a rise in demand for bikes during the pandemic. This means you may have to wait for a bike which fits you. You could try eBay or similar or perhaps you have a friend with an unloved and unridden bike. Many companies offer cycle to work schemes, part funded by the government, which help employees purchase bikes.
If you are new to cycling get some advice from your local bike store and consider the type of riding you will be doing. If you are going to spend a lot of money make sure you get a bike fit before you buy to ensure the bike fits you and will be comfortable. The size and geometry of the bike is important for comfort and performance and, as you may well have the bike for some years, it is worth getting it right at this stage.
Age and fitness are not a barrier to cycling; there is a huge range of electric bikes on the market. E-bikes are becoming more affordable and can enable you to keep up with friends who may be fitter and faster whilst still getting a good workout.
Your saddle needs to be comfortable so if you are buying a new bike and are not happy with the saddle get the shop to change it. If you have bought a second hand bike or have acquired a bike from a friend, a change of saddle may be necessary, especially if you are female and have ended up with a male specific saddle. Remember to also buy some gender specific padded cycle shorts – we have different shape bottoms!
Helmets are not actually compulsory for riding a bike but with busy roads and sometimes tricky road surfaces, I would advise you always wear a helmet. If you are riding on the road with drop handle bars take the peak off the helmet otherwise you will have to tilt you head backwards to see and this could lead to neck pain – you don’t want to have to come in and see us!
Be positive with your road position; most of you will be car drivers and aware of the difficulty in passing cyclists but riding in the gutter where the road surface can be very poor is not the answer. The driver must give you 1.5m when passing, so being visible and riding in a straight line confidently actually makes it easier than passing someone nervously wobbling in the gutter!
Cycling with someone is fun and confidence boosting and there are a variety of local clubs to look at, including:
Portishead and Clevedon tri club
Clevedon and District Road Club
For most clubs you will need third party insurance. I got mine through British cycling and it was not really expensive.
