The bicycle is one of the most important and useful inventions ever made. It can be used for travel, recreation, and exercise. Children love bicycles just as much as adults. However, properly using your bicycle and your body when riding is essential to ensure a safe trip. As we approach the summer months, this becomes more and more important. Families and groups take more bicycle trips than during any other season. There are several rules to keep in mind while bicycle riding this summer.
Body Form
Bicycle riding can take a toll on the body if performed incorrectly. So many times you see bicycle riders slumped over their handlebars. Unfortunately, this will cause severe back pain over a certain amount of time. Instead of bending at the waist, make sure you bend your body at the hips. Also, to absorb any shock of riding, bend your elbows to prevent injuries to the shoulders and arms.
Feeding the Body
Feeding your body with proper food and drink is essential to a safe bicycle riding trip. It is beneficial for your body if you drink at least a pint of water before beginning. Also, a half hour before your ride begins, eat a snack full of carbohydrates. This will energize your body and keep you pumped for the ride ahead.
Proper Shoes
If your bicycling goal is to go a long distance with the least amount of energy expended, try investing in a pair of cycling shoes. This type of shoe has a hard sole that makes pedaling more efficient. If you have soft soled shoes, it will take more energy to pedal than with hard soles.
Proper Braking
Many times, bicycle accidents that occur are not from the actual riding, but from braking. If you don't know how to correctly brake, you could risk injury. When you need to brake while going down a hill, use light pressure to prevent your back wheel from lifting off the ground and the brakes from overheating. Leaning back can also prevent this from happening. Always use both brakes at the same time, with a little more pressure on the front brake.
There is nothing more exhilarating than a good bicycle ride. However, you don't want that exhilarating journey turn into a nightmare because you were unprepared. Be sure to thoroughly prepare your body before a ride and use correct body form during a ride. Using these rules, you will increase your chances of a safe bicycle ride.