Leave the Car, Take the Bike
Fitness doesn’t have to involve gym memberships and low carb diets, it can be as easy as hopping on your new rig and pedaling around town!
By Chris Fraser
In these days of traffic jams, inflated fuel prices, and cell phone touting “soccer moms” in mini-vans, it’s no wonder that one of the biggest stress sources is sitting in your driveway. Now whether you strap on the florescent green spandex and draft with an imaginary Lance Armstrong or you load up the wicker basket of your beach cruiser, the end result is going to be exercise, fresh air, and a sense of accomplishing more than road raging from point A to B. If you are like me and live in a slightly congested suburban area you may want to get off the road all together and enjoy the peaceful solitude of Mountain biking. Don’t be misled into believing that you have to live in Colorado to enjoy Mountain biking, even New York City has trails to ride, and because riding is getting so popular, there is a bike and a trail for all skill levels.
As children one of our greatest accomplishments was learning to ride a bicycle for the first time. Now as we get older that sense of freedom has been lost in a maze of red lights and yield signs. Riding a bike is more than just burning calories, it’s a meditation to erase the horrible day you’ve just had at work, it’s a way to bond with your children or family members, it’s a way to get a glimpse of nature untouched by paved roads and mini malls. Riding a bike is a great way to get back to the basics, it’s a mode of transportation as simple as putting one foot in front of the other.
The next time you’re navigating around town in that urban assault vehicle, try popping into the local bike shop and take a look around. Find that one sweet piece of precise machinery, the one with the pink basket and tassels, the one with the full suspension and huge knobby tires, the one that calls out to you and give it a pedal around the block, but be careful because that straining sensation in your face could be a smile reminiscent of childhood days. A little low on cash? Check out some used bikes, it doesn’t have to cost thousands, it just needs to be comfortable! Talk to the guys in the shop and let them know what kind of riding interests you and they can point you in the right directions. Go online and check some local forums for info like product reviews and good places to ride. You could even link up with other riders in your area and plan group rides.
Fitness doesn’t have to involve gym memberships and low carb diets, it can be as easy as hopping on your new rig and pedaling around town. Like many things, it’s getting started that is the hardest part. Get out from behind that desk, put down the remote, and drop the cell phone! Go ride, meet new people, get some fresh air, and save the gas guzzler for the rainy days!
Resources
Visit dirtworld.com to search for trails by state.
