Just want to take a carefree spin around the neighborhood? You probably want a cruiser bike. Seeking to ride off road? Then a mountain bike is for you. If you want to ride on paved roads then you want a road bike.
Taking to the Roads
If you’re just starting out as a road cyclist, you can get an entry level bike, called a hybrid. This road bike has skinny tires, but it’s set up more like a “sitting-up-straight comfortable” type of bike for more of a casual ride, if you just want to get a little workout in.
For those who want to get more serious about riding, they can get a traditional road bike, which is the kind of bike with drop bars. Your hands are on handlebars that sweep down, which helps the bike be efficient. It’s not as comfortable as a beginner hybrid bike, but it’s more efficient and you go faster.
Ensure a Good Fit
When buying a bike, it’s recommended you are properly fitted for it. You want to make sure the frame is the right size and set up with the proper components, so you’re in a position that’s ergonomically correct, efficient, and capable of getting your best workouts without injury.
The Importance of Warming Up
If you’re going to do a more serious training ride, you want to start off when you’re in a smaller gear, so you’re doing what’s called spinning. This is where you’re not giving it a hard effort, but just warming up your legs and body by getting in a gear that’s easy enough to get many RPMs without a lot of resistance. Dr. Brown recommends using
an easy gear when starting for the first 15-20 minutes.
A warm up where your legs are going very fast, but they’re not pushing too hard, warms up the muscles, joints, legs, and rest of your body. So when you want to give it more effort, it’s not such a strain.
Common Cycling Injuries
While cycling is an excellent form of fitness, it can have its pitfalls, literally. Always be aware of road traffic and road hazards. A crash on a road, usually at a higher speed, can be detrimental. Injuries from crashing can range from “road rash” where you scrape your skin on the pavement, serious injury where you break bones, or severe neuromuscular injuries. Always, always wear a helmet.
If You Get Injured, Get Checked
If you sustain an injury, it’s important to get checked by your chiropractor to make sure your injuries aren’t serious or get them corrected with conservative sports chiropractic care.
If you’re involved in a serious collision or fall, we can take X-rays to make sure we see exactly what the injuries are. Dr. Brown can let you know what can be done for them, and if we need to refer you to another type of specialist if the injury is more severe.
And before starting any new exercise regimen, whether cycling or something else, it’s always good to get checked out by a Greenville chiropractor. Dr. Brown can ensure all your joints and muscular components are functioning properly, so you can do your best without worrying about injury or setbacks.
Contact Brown Chiropractic Center today to book an appointment.
CONTACT US »
