If you’re considering investing in a bike and using it to get from place to place, then you’re in good company – cycling has been consistently popular for more than a century, and it’s never been easier to climb aboard this famous British pastime and get pedalling. Let’s examine some of the most popular reasons to do so.
Cycling increases your life expectancy
While there does exist the slight risk that you’ll fall off your bicycle and injure yourself, this eventuality pales in comparison to the other risks that non-cyclists might incur. Obesity-related diseases like heart disease, diabetes, cancer and depression can all be kept at bay with the help of just a small amount of daily exercise – which would explain why cyclists, on average, enjoy a lifespan that’s two years longer than that of the general population.
Cycling is a convenient means of transport
Part of what makes cycling such an appealing form of exercise is that it can be easily woven into a daily routine. A fifteen-minute session to get to work in the morning, and another to get home at night, can add up to hours of extra exertion over the course of a year – thus ensuring that you needn’t spend quite so much time in gym.
Cycling allows you to eat more
If you’re a lover of great food, then the best news is that you’ll be able to eat more of it while you’re cycling without fear of adding to your body fat. After you’ve gone for a ride, your body will release a hunger hormone called ghrelin. This is your body’s way of signalling to your brain that your fat levels need to be replenished. To prevent this from happening, you’ll need to eat less than you feel that you should – though overdo it and you’ll end up destroying muscle, and so there’s a balance to be struck.
Cycling makes you look better
As a direct consequence of contributing to your caloric deficit, cycling will cause you to lose weight (that is, unless you overeat while you’re riding). It’s therefore an attractive pastime for those looking to look their best.
On average, you’ll burn around fifty calories for every mile you cycle. If you’ve invested into a wrist-mounted heart-rate monitor, then you’ll be able to keep track of this more precisely. It’s worth bearing in mind that your metabolism will also be affected by the amount of muscle tissue your body needs to supply with energy – and so the skeletal muscle you build during your exertions will contribute to fat loss over time.
Cycling is fun
Another great reason to take up cycling is that it’s really, really good fun. If you’re looking for a burst of adrenaline, then the experience of roller-coaster through the countryside, with only your wits and physique preventing you from flying over the handlebars, is sure to please. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something a little less terrifying, you’ll be able to get a great deal of pleasure from whizzing around the corners of your local estate.
One of the problems with keeping fit is that exercise, too often, is not mentally stimulating. If you’re not interested in whatever activity you’ve committed yourself too, then the chance are that you won’t be able to keep it up in the long-run. The enjoyment offered by cycling will help to ensure that the chances of this occurring are kept remote!
Cycling allows you to see the countryside
The United Kingdom is packed filled with green and pleasant land – but few of us get the chance to see much of it. Outdoor cycling presents us with exactly this opportunity, allowing your to get fit, look great, and see all the beautiful countryside there is to see. What could be better than that?
What do I need to get cycling?
Now that you’re convinced of the merits of cycling, you’ll need to make a few purchases before getting started. You’ll need to invest in a bike that’s suitable for the surface on which you’ll be riding (as well as the budget to which you’ll be shopping). You’ll also want to invest in a helmet, as this basic safety precaution might save your life in the event of a crash. If you’re going to take your bike out into the country, cycle carriers might also make an attractive investment. Towbars which offer room enough to carry four separate bikes will make it easy for you – and the entire family – to go for a bike ride wherever in the country you might wish to: and in doing so, you’ll reap all of the benefits we’ve just examined!
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