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Cycling Basics
Cycling is the main source of transportation for many countries. Extensive bike path systems are found in many major cities such as Copenhagen and Paris. Cycling builds all around leg strength because it uses muscles in the front, back, and sides of your legs. This leg strength can carry you through when you are tired, help you with endurance, or even build your sprinting capacity. Also, strength building from cycling helps to promote a small amount of bone density. Stationary bikes are very useful for rehabilitation, especially for lower limb injuries, because of the little impact that it has on the joints.
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Stationary Bike Benefits
Stationary bikes’ versatility is great for individuals who live in very busy, crowded cities such as New York and are not comfortable dodging traffic. They are also a great alternative when torrential rain or snow strikes and you still want to get a great workout. Stationary bikes and trainers give a great compact, high output workout in relatively little time. On a stationary bike, you aren’t stopping at stoplights, braking for pedestrians, etc., but instead are in constant motion. They let you set the pace of the workout instead of the natural terrain setting the workout; you get to choose whether you want a sprint, endurance or strength-based workout.
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Cycling Training for Triathletes
Triathletes have to set aside the most time to train for cycling compared to running and swimming training. Cycling simply takes longer and is the longest portion of the race, so a lot of time is both made and lost in there while searching for that elusive PR. It is important to have a variety of training styles, including strength, endurance and sprinting days. Training with a group is a great way to push yourself and reap the benefits of increased cadence and speed from drafting in a peloton. A computer is a great way to motivate yourself and track your output by monitoring distance, speed, and cadence.
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Safety for Cyclists
The following are the most important rules of the road for cyclists. Wear a helmet. This is not an option, but a requirement. A football player would never step on the field without one; nor should cyclists. A new trend among cyclists is to wear ipod earbuds while cycling, and this is a definite safety no-no as well. You cannot hear approaching motorists, fellow cyclists, or other important environmental signals as acutely when these are in, putting both you and those around you in danger. Common bike courtesy and regulation is to ride as far to the right shoulder of the road/sidewalk as possible to allow others to pass you on your left. Thus, if you hear, “On your left!” someone is trying to pass you. Riding with a group of experienced cyclists is a great way to learn safety, as the athletes at the front will yell commands such as “Clear” (meaning no cars are coming and you may approach the intersection), “Car Right/Left” (approaching traffic in that direction), "Car up/Car back" (approaching traffic in that direction). The lead cyclists will also alert you to potholes and road disturbances by pointing at the ground. Safety is learned by practice in the cycling world. Be cautious at first, respect the rules of the road, and never assume that someone else will stop for you or look out for your safety first. You are in charge of your safety.