Today I went on about a fifteen mile bike ride with a new friend. We did a trail that starts about half a mile from my house and rode for about an hour and a half. As we were biking along the trail, I realized how enjoyable biking is and what I like about it. One reason I like biking is because getting into biking won’t break the bank. I also like how you can use biking for exercise, leisure, errands or getting to work. There are lots of things you can do when you have a bike, even if it is just finding the time once a month to ride it.
In my mind, sports fall into three price categories: inexpensive or free, moderate and pricey. Casual biking typical falls in the moderate range for a nice bike and helmet. If you are just getting into biking, I suggest testing out several bikes when bike shopping. Find out what brand and style you like, and then you can always see if you can find it less expensive somewhere else. Three years ago when I bought my bike, I did some research online first and then went to stores to test out what they had. I ended up with a new Trek mountain bike at around $400.
When choosing a bike, there are a few types and styles to pick from: road, mountain, hybrid, cruiser. This decision will probably be based on what riding you intend to do. If you are going to spend a lot of time mostly on the road going for longer distances then a road bike is probably your best bet. If you are going to give hilly trails a try, then a sturdy bike such as a mountain bike might be what you need. If you plan to a variety of terrains, a hybrid might be your best fit. If you live near the beach and want a casual ride, I suggest a cruiser because they are perfect for doing that. I personally like a mountain bike because it is easy to ride on different terrains. On my bike ride today, our terrain was mostly paved trail with some gravel. My friend however was on a road bike and did well on the terrain too.
When you have a bike you need a good place to store it. Friends who have apartments keep their bikes on the balcony or patio. If you have a garage, my husband found a helpful device that lets you hang your bike from the rafters which keeps it out of the way until needed. Remember to always lock your bike, even if you are home and especially if you are school or running an errand.
When I go biking I always bring water, my phone and a little bit of money. A great way to store these items in a pouch that attaches to your bike or you can wear a light windbreaker with a zipper pocket.
Remember to be safe and have fun! Also plan ahead your route and familiarize yourself with the surroundings so you can know what to expect.
Related Articles:
Photo by peteralexanderrobb on stockvault