There is no better place to be than in Michigan in the summer out in the country on your bicycle. Bicycles are such a wonderful way to see the country, smell the smells, and get back in touch with nature. If you have not ridden a bike for a long time you may be pleasantly surprised at how they have changed and how many choices you have when choosing a bicycle. There are two relatively new categories of bikes available: comfort bikes and another variety called hybrid comfort. Both of these models have nice cushy seats and higher handle bars so you can sit up straight, with shock absorbers on both front forks and in the seat post to soften the bumps. The hybrid has slightly thinner wheels and tires so it doesn’t take so much energy to get moving. The advantage of the fatter tires is that they absorb the bumps and make the ride more comfortable. Some of the most common styles of bikes are the road bikes used for touring and racing and mountain bikes which are best on dirt trails that are just a few miles from just about anywhere that you live.
When it comes time to choose a bicycle that you will enjoy, the best way to get the correct size and model is to visit your local bicycle professional at your local bike shop. At the shop they will help determine the stand over height and the saddle to bars reach for your particular riding style. It’s a great place to see all the styles and test ride the models that you think you may like. Your goals on riding distance and places you want to ride will also help determine which category of bike that you should get. New bicycles today range in price from approximately $300 to $2000. Be sure to take your time when choosing a model so you will enjoy it for years to come.
There are a few other things to think about when purchasing your cycle that will enhance your experience, safety and comfort. The first and most important is a helmet. Today the helmets are so light and stylish there is no reason not to wear one. The helmet should be white or a bright color so motorists can easily see you and be fit to you properly so it doesn’t bounce around or tip back, exposing your forehead. The next most important item is cycling shorts. Your cycling shorts should have a nice thick padding in the seating area so you can spend more time in the saddle without chaffing and soreness. Just keep in mind that no matter how nice the shorts and bike seat are you will always experience initial soreness for the first few weeks when you start riding.
The physical benefits of bicycling are numerous. As with any physical activity, the more the body moves, the better your overall health and well-being. Bicycling promotes good heart health, and also can be beneficial for your overall digestive and circulatory systems. Depending on how challenging your routes are you can also promote muscle strength and growth, particularly for the legs. Additionally, bicycling can also be beneficial for your blood pressure as well as for your cholesterol. The degree of fitness and health you derive from bicycling depends on the goals that you set for yourself. But even if you choose to ride a bicycle purely for the sheer joy of riding or to enjoy the scenery along the way, your sense of well-being will improve.
One of the largest bicycle clubs in the U.S. is right here in central Michigan called The Tri County Bicycle Association. They sponsor large organized rides like the ride from Lansing to Mackinaw (DALMAC), Women on Wheels, the 100,000 Meter Tee Shirt Ride, and The Summer Tour. Another service this club offers is daily local rides for all levels of riders. In their monthly newsletter and online at www.biketcba.org, they post daily rides and the location, time, and speed rating that they give for each ride. Rides range from family-friendly to long, fast rides with some friendly sprints and long pulls in the front of the pack. In Michigan we have such a multitude of places to ride. The Rails to Trails system has a lot to offer riders in Lower Michigan from the Kal-Haven trail from Kalamazoo to South Haven, the TART Trail in Traverse City to Charlevoix, and many others in Grand Rapids, Jackson, Owosso, Midland and many other places. In Lansing the Riverfront Trail offers an 8 to 10 mile path along the river from downtown through Potter Park and on to MSU Campus in East Lansing. If you’d like more information on the trails in Michigan and the safest routes to ride in your city, there are great books in bookstores and bicycle shops. And don’t forget - your local bicycle club is a great resource not only for information that can make your bicycle riding more enjoyable and safe but also to ride with!
