Cycling to get Fit

Cycling for Fitness

When Lance Armstrong won the Tour De France for the third time he increased the enthusiasm for cycling in not only America but the whole world. Cycling is an excellent way to get fit and keep fit and will improve your health, clear your mind and make your day more enjoyable. Riders such as lance armstrong are excellent role models for the rest of us and promote the feel good factor in the sport of cycling so raising the coverage the events get on the television.

You are never to old or young to start cycling, its upto you. You can start at any experience or even if taking up cycling for the first time you will soon come to love it and the great feel good factor being fit from cycling will give to you.

There are all types of cycling such as road racing, hill climbs, mountain events, cross country, track cycling, time trials and numberous other sports or you can just go touring or touring and camping or just a ride in the country, the choice on what to do is entirely yours.

Once you have the equipment for cycling the cost of cycling is almost nothing, the main spend will be on the initial bike and equipment and the only other expense is if you are going to upgrade or replace any kit or if you are going to compete in races any entrance fee. There are also lots of cycling clubs you can join where you will meet likeminded people who enjoy cycling. So go on get on your bike and get fit.

Equipment Needed for keeping fit on your bike

The equipment you will require will be dependent on how much you want too spend and how much equipment you want.

The basic layout would be a Bike(the type of bike will be upto you as there are quite a few different types such as racing, mountain etc), A helmet is also recommended as protection is the best way of keeping injury free, water bottle as you need to keep hydrated, lights if you intend to cycle at night or when it is getting dark and thats about it.

IF you want more equipment then clothes(you can get special biking clothes and shoes), saddle bag(not normally used when racing) space tubes just incase of flat tyres, tire irons to help you replace the inner tube, tire-patch kit for repairing the inner tube, portable bike pump to reinflate your tyres, air cartridges will also reinflate your tyres, multitool incase anything needs tightening or replacing, bike computer(not essential but can keep track of how far you have gone, heart rate monitor, eyewear such as goggles or sunglasses protects the eyes and thats about it, the items in this paragraph are not essential and how much is entirely upto you and your wallet.
You are now ready to go cycling the next stage is upto you as it will be dependant on what level you want to cycle and what type of cycling you want to do the choice is yours.

Types of Cycling

The type of Bike you choose will be dependant on the type of cycling you wish to do.

If you want to compete in road races, time trials and events like that then you will need a racing or road bike. To just go cycling in the country side and not compete in any event you will require a touring bike which is much like a road bike but heavier and with a more relaxed position for covering longer time periods and increase the enjoyment.

If you intend to go off road you will need a mountain bike with wider tyres and a rugged frame they are ideal for dirt tracks and paths. You can also get a hybrid and cyclocross bike.

If you are really serious and want to compete in one of the hardest races they triathalon is probably the hardest race of all as it encompasses not only cycling but swimming and running as well, only for the really fit.

bikes on Amazon

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Huffy Cranbrook Women's Cruiser Bike

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List Price: $129.99

Mongoose Domain Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike

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List Price: $179.99

Schwinn Hollywood Women's 26-Inch Cruiser Bike

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List Price: $179.99

Cadillac Adventure Series AVP2.1 Women's Dual Suspension Disc Brake Comfort Bike

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More bikes on Amazon

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Mongoose Domain Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike

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List Price: $179.99

Jeep Overland S Men's 26-Inch Comfort Bike

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List Price: $214.99

Schwinn Speedster Men's Flat Bar Road Bike

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List Price: $249.97

2005 Mongoose Pro Tyax Comp Men's Mountain Bike

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cycling accessories on Amazon

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Garmin Edge 305HR+ GPS Navigator and Bicycle Computer with Heart Rate Monitor and Cadence Sensor

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List Price: $319.99

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Polar Insulated Water Bottle

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Topeak Alien II 26-Function Bicycle Tool

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Bell Radar Bicycle Helmet

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Topeak Road Morph G Bike Pump with Gauge

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more cycling accessories on Amazon

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Blackburn Quadrant and Mars 3.0 Combo Bicycle Light Set

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Amazon Price: $31.95 (as of 07/05/2008)
List Price: $32.99

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Topeak Red Lite 3-LED Ultra-Bright Rear Bicycle Light

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Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 07/05/2008)
List Price: $9.99

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Giro Transfer Sport Bike Helmet

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List Price: $29.99

OnGuard Bulldog MINI TC 5013TC Bicycle U-Lock

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Amazon Price: $26.06 (as of 07/05/2008)
List Price: $34.99

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good cycling sites

Bike Lane: good cycling site with lots of other cycling sites and information,
Cycling clubs and organisations: A site with links to lots of cycling clubs and organisations
Cycling News: A cycling news site with lots of cycling related stories