Outdoor Cycle Training
IronOnline Cardio Training
A week ago I went to my local bike shop and purchased a new Rhode Gear bike rack for the back of my wife's car. I've gotta say, it's one of the best investments I've every made for my family's health and recreation. We've been out three times already, on excursions to and beyond the local state park, and it's been awesome. Yesterday we spent most of our ride right along the coast, with the Long Island Sound often just 100 feet to the side. Truly beautiful, and a great way to spend a sunny afternoon with your wife and kid.
Until we got a rack, we really didn't use our bikes much — because the terrain around our house is so hilly, and the roads so narrow. With the rack, we can go to any terrain we choose — and yesterday's was just spectacular! Hey, I'm counting this as my aerobic activity — much better (and less boring) than 20-30 minutes on a Nordictrack. Enjoy the weekend! Paul W
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You gotta try mountain biking! Even if you DON'T go to the mountains, a mountain bike is tough enough for both road rides AND dirt work. Also the larger tires on a mountain bike are great for more resistance (more road contact, more weight, more surface area) and it gets you outdoors for some vitamin D. I've m/b'd for years and even through long periods of not training, my thighs and calves have always been strong and looked great. . Give it a try! 'Crane'
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Unfortunately, that Suzuki Hayabusa isn't much exercise... --dnb
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Well, you got me thinking. How about one of those hybrid bikes. A cross between a road and mountain bike, right? Ivan
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The hybrids are usually more "bells and whistles" than anything. Plus, just because they are HYBRID, they are usually much more expensive. If I remember correctly, you're under 175. Look into the Specialized "Hard Rock" series. For under three "C" notes, you can get a very capable, long lasting "hardtail" (no shocks in rear) and never worry about beating it up.
I started out on one and at the time was 225 and I was anything but civil to that two wheeled stallion! We used to ride down the Mt. Baldy snow runs (in summer though— no snow) jumping, mud, creeks, logs, rocks, rocks, and the ever present wipeout! That bike NEVER came apart (loosened components) and withstood all my 225 coming down hard from two or three feet in the air. Unless you plan to get REAL EXTREME, this type of m/b would be with you until they invent the "Jettson" m/b (no wheels).
Plus, the hybrids are really road bikes with slightly bigger frames, slightly bigger tires, way more $cha ching $ and just really AREN'T mountain bikes. Before I bought my last $600+ m/b, I did my homework to make sure I was getting my money's worth. The biggest advantage with a full on m/b is, IF you want to rip up a trail, go off a curb (whether on accident or on purpose), or just plain wipe out, mountain bikes are built for just this sorta thing. And it is soooo much fun on the trail, that I had to limit my time riding cause I was defeating the muscle gaining purpose of my training by riding ALL the time! 'Crane'
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Hybrids rule! I have two, a Koga Miyata touring cross bike (very sweet bike) and an older Specialized Crossroads, which is the get around town bike. Unless you plan on doing singletrack riding, I really find that a Hybrid/Cross bike is a great thing. I don't jump a lot of curbs with it, but when I do it seems OK with it. And it's MUCH faster than a Mtn Bike! Craig