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SHAPE UP |
With gas prices and girths swelling, why not solve two problems with one tool: a bike.
Riding at 10 to 12 mph, you can burn 423 calories in an hour. Up that to 14 to 16 mph and you'll burn about 700 calories. Biking is fun, builds muscle and is a great way to get exercise while running errands.
BUYING A BIKE
"People have lots of ideas about what they're going to do with their bikes, and as a result, they can get stuck with the wrong bike," says Bill Strickland, executive editor of Bicycling magazine. Think of the one thing that you're sure you will do with your bike and buy it based on that. Commuting? Racing? Bike paths? Touring? (Find the right bike: www.dietdetective.com/fitness/what-kind-of-bike-should-you-get.html)
"What is your budget? The most expensive, elaborate bikes are unnecessary for the vast majority of cyclists," says Richard First, president of POMG Bike Tours of Vermont. Also, consider the climate and terrain where you live, because people often bike where it's convenient. Also, make sure you get a color you like, adds Strickland.
You can spend $200 to $10,000. Place more value on a good frame and wheels, and don't worry about the components.
FIND THE RIGHT FIT
Bicycling magazine's Strickland advises visiting a well-established bike shop with expert sales people. "If they don't discuss fitting you to the right bike within the first 15 or 20 minutes ... you're probably in the wrong shop."
Get on the bike. Make sure it's comfortable. Softer, wider seats are better for cruising. For long distances, narrow seats are better because they prevent your legs from rubbing on the seat.
Get in position. The positioning of the rider is important, says John Howard, U.S. Bicycling Hall of Famer and 14-time national champion. Make sure the frame is the right size: Straddle the bike in front of the seat and plant your feet on the ground. There should be a couple of inches between the bar and your crotch, says Strickland.
The seat should be adjusted so your legs are about 90 percent straight when your feet are at the bottom of the pedal stroke while sitting. Your knees should never lock, and you should never feel like you're reaching with your legs as you pedal.
Handlebars. When you're in the seat and your hands are on the handlebars, your elbows should be slightly bent. If your arms are stretched too far, the bike is probably too big. You want to be able to reach the handlebars without overextending or hunching. Your shoulders should be relaxed, elbows bent and back straight.
Test ride. Make sure it feels right, and test the gears and brakes.
RECYCLED CYCLES
A used bike could be a great way to get started. Follow the same principles (assessing size, color and style) as if you were buying a new bike.
BE SAFE
The helmet. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says wearing a helmet can reduce bikers' risk of head injury by 85 percent. Try on several to get the best fit.
According to the commission, "the shell should conform as closely as possible to the shape of your head and should cover your hairline. Wear the helmet level on your head, not tilted back to expose your forehead, and make sure you don't have it on backwards. Helmets usually come with stick-on pads to fine-tune the fit."
Move the helmet around on your head with both hands. It shouldn't move more than an inch or so. The straps should be snug, but not so tight that they pinch or keep you from opening your mouth.
Look for a Consumer Product Safety Commission sticker inside the helmet showing safety compliance.
Other safety tips. "Pretend you're a car," says Erik Moen, a Seattle-based physical therapist. Obey the rules of the road. Use hand signals for stopping and turning. Be predictable in traffic — avoid erratic riding patterns. Former Olympian John Howard also suggests riding defensively but aggressively. In other words, don't be timid. Be visible — wear bright clothes, have a whistle or other signaling device, and use reflectors and lights at night.
Do a gentle five-minute ride to warm up.
Charles Stuart Platkin is a nutrition and public-health advocate, and author of "Breaking the FAT Pattern" (Plume, 2006). Sign up for the free Diet Detective newsletter at www.dietdetective.com.
