Most New Year resolutions never make it past January the 31st. In most cases, the resolution is too impractical. While bike riding can be impractical to some it can also be fun, a challenge and for sure a way to get in shape. So let’s talk about why it would be good to make bike riding a New Year resolution. I am merely going to talk about ways you can enjoy it and have fun with it.
Riding For The First Time In Years
Chances are some might have made bike riding a New Years resolution and have not been on a bike in years. And one thing that holds true is once you learn you never forget. First I would like to say it is still cold in most spots after New Years so it can be a deterrent to even get started. But let’s look at it another way. It also gives you time to mentally get ready if you are waiting for the weather to be right to ride. Agree? It also gives you time to get your body ready by doing some stretching, sit-ups, squats, leg lifts and even push-ups.
Guess what? Your resolution is already working towards the good. You can start off slow since you will have time and work your way up. Even if you start off with 10 reps of each exercise your body will be up to the challenge when you decide to ride. I tell you when I first started riding again I almost had no choice. I had no car and my job was about 7.5 miles from where I lived. The bus routes were not friendly.
I would have rather rode the bike than to have to ride a bus downtown just to catch a bus that went by my job and believe it or not, I basically went back the same direction I came. I thought to myself, I can beat the bus on this bike. Maybe not at first but in a months time I will be and I was. And it had been about 5 years since I had ridden a bike. But I tell you it just becomes routine after a spell.
Good Motivators Are Key
Now, one of the things that will motivate you is if you are the type who like challenges. You find yourself trying to make every ride faster than the last. For people who like challenges, this is one way to keep your resolution going. And one thing that holds true is once you learn how to ride a bike you never forget.
Motivation is needed because it is to easy to jump in your car or ride the bus when you are having some leisure days. This is why you have to turn bike paths, trips to the store, riding with friends or simply riding to work if possible and make them part of your lifestyle. I know people who make it a point just to ride the bike paths on the river here where I live. Believe me, after you do it for a spell you find yourself just doing it without even thinking about it.
If you have kids you can pack those bikes up and ride to the nearest bike paths or routes and now you have a family fun activity that can get & keep you motivated. This is really cool because now you are just enjoying the outdoors and checking out the sites of where ever you choose to ride. Change it up and go to different places. Bike sightseeing is wonderful. Especially if there are places of attraction you can stop and rest, eat, or whatever.
The Health Factor
One thing people talk about for a New Years resolution is losing weight or getting in shape. I find things like going to the gym is hard to maintain unless you were a true athlete at one time. It has to be in you to do it. But bike riding we all did growing up so it is more natural to us. And riding a bike does just that, gets you in shape and helps your body in other ways.
Cycling promotes great health in many ways. It reduces the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes & cardiovascular disease. This is done whether you are cycling for exercise or transportation. It also increases your blood flow which improves oxygen-rich blood to extremities. This means your heart your bodies muscles and arteries will benefit from you holding on to the resolution of bike riding.
For us who have joints that are not great, it is a low-impact way to exercise. Your body does not take a pounding on a bicycle. But one thing you can count on is that your body will begin to strengthen as time goes on.
Conclusion
So you see, making bike riding a New Year Resolution is not so bad at all. I can say if you don’t procrastinate and do it you will find that your body will start to feel so good you won’t want to stop. The best part is once you fine-tune yourself to it, if you do have to take a break, you will still be able to jump on and go without even thinking about it.
The key is just to do it and let nothing change your mind. If you need a bike or any equipment you can get these things without breaking the bank. You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg trying to ride a bike. Look around while you here and there is an online store in the header of this website.
But before I go, I thought this was a pretty interesting video for when you do condition yourself into this cyclist you did not know you had in you. This might be an extended New Years resolution I might say. Enjoy!
Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoyed it. If you have made bike riding a New Year resolution I wish you the best in succeeding. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them in the comments section below. I will respond within 24 hrs.