Why try pedal power
Face it, one of the top reasons to hop on a bike has to be… it’s fun! Like, really fun. Remember flying around on your bike as a kid, legs spinning as fast as they could go with a huge grin bursting from your face? Well, adulthood isn’t going to take that away from us - it’s never too late to get back on the saddle and get that oh-so joyous feeling back. Phew.Â
Here are some more burning questions we often get asked:
Q. Will cycling get me fit?
A. Let’s put bike fun aside for just a sec – is cycling good for you? The answer is a resounding yes. Obviously, any form of exercise will do you some good, but cycling is a particularly great form of low-impact cardiovascular exercise. That means it gets your heart pumping without placing your joints under too much strain. And that makes it wonderfully accessible for many people who find high-impact exercise a no-go.Â
Q. Does cycling help to lose weight?
A. Yes, yes, yes. Riding your bike on a regular basis is an excellent way to keep your weight under control, burning anything from 400 to 1,100 calories an hour, depending on how hard you’re working. Standard advice suggests riding for at least 150 minutes per week to feel the best health benefits. It’s also said to reduce your risk of nasties like heart disease, stroke and diabetes. We’re no scientists, but sounds good, right? Â
Q. Will I need a lot of gear to get started?
A. No, a basic bike, a good helmet and some cycling gloves to improve your grip are all you need to kick things off. Cycling is one of the easiest forms of exercise to fit into your day-to-day life: use your bike to commute to work or enjoy family bike rides at the weekend – yes, it really is that easy. What’s more, it’s fantastic for the environment and (relatively) inexpensive – just so long as you can avoid the lure of the top-of-the-range bike models!Â
