Going for a bike ride is an excellent way to exercise. The strain on knees and shins caused by running can be relieved by going for a ride. Traditional bikes like ten-speeds are often the first thought of most new riders, but there has been a strong surge towards recumbent bicycles. The design is different because they allow you to sit back and enjoy the scenery. Before your first ride, there are a few differences that you need to learn.
First, mounting and dismounting are different. You need to swing your leg forward instead of backward over the frame. If you swing the leg backward, you may hit the reclining seat and probably fall over.
Adjust your seat and handlebars before you begin your first ride. This is more important on this than other bikes because you will want to be able to sit back while you ride. You need to be able to have a light touch on the handlebars and easily reach the pedals without having to lean forward for either.
Be sure to hold the brake when getting on or off. This may seem like common sense, but it is more important on this style of bike. Until you are used to getting on the bike, this will simplify the first and last step of the ride.
With other bikes, people tend to work harder rather than using the gears. Use the gears to make it an easier ride. Make sure to set the cycle to a low gear to make starting an easy task.
Set your pedal angle before starting. While sitting on the seat, spin the pedal to 12 o'clock, straight up and down, so you can have the best push effort when you start riding. Some might suggest a 2 o'clock position, but having the pedal straight up gives you better starting power.
While riding the bike, sit back and relax. This is designed with this purpose in mind. On other bikes, you lean forward and are looking at the ground just in front of you. Here, you actually need to look up and forward so you can use the bike to its full potential.
Push off with your pedal, not your foot. Many traditional rides begin by pushing off with the foot that is planted on the ground. With this type of ride, you are not in a strong position to push off with the ground foot. Instead, start pedaling and immediately move the ground foot to the other pedal to get going.
Stopping is more difficult at first. With other types of cycles, you put on the brakes and put one foot on the ground and lean the bike. With this one, you want to apply the brakes and plant both feet on the ground, almost standing up. Be sure to straighten the wheels or the bike may fall over.
Enjoying the scenery and avoiding strain are two big benefits of these bikes. Once you get a couple of good starts on the cycle, you will naturally get a feel for how it works. It is different in some ways, but you will find that you ride longer and farther without tiring as much.
First, mounting and dismounting are different. You need to swing your leg forward instead of backward over the frame. If you swing the leg backward, you may hit the reclining seat and probably fall over.
Adjust your seat and handlebars before you begin your first ride. This is more important on this than other bikes because you will want to be able to sit back while you ride. You need to be able to have a light touch on the handlebars and easily reach the pedals without having to lean forward for either.
Be sure to hold the brake when getting on or off. This may seem like common sense, but it is more important on this style of bike. Until you are used to getting on the bike, this will simplify the first and last step of the ride.
With other bikes, people tend to work harder rather than using the gears. Use the gears to make it an easier ride. Make sure to set the cycle to a low gear to make starting an easy task.
Set your pedal angle before starting. While sitting on the seat, spin the pedal to 12 o'clock, straight up and down, so you can have the best push effort when you start riding. Some might suggest a 2 o'clock position, but having the pedal straight up gives you better starting power.
While riding the bike, sit back and relax. This is designed with this purpose in mind. On other bikes, you lean forward and are looking at the ground just in front of you. Here, you actually need to look up and forward so you can use the bike to its full potential.
Push off with your pedal, not your foot. Many traditional rides begin by pushing off with the foot that is planted on the ground. With this type of ride, you are not in a strong position to push off with the ground foot. Instead, start pedaling and immediately move the ground foot to the other pedal to get going.
Stopping is more difficult at first. With other types of cycles, you put on the brakes and put one foot on the ground and lean the bike. With this one, you want to apply the brakes and plant both feet on the ground, almost standing up. Be sure to straighten the wheels or the bike may fall over.
Enjoying the scenery and avoiding strain are two big benefits of these bikes. Once you get a couple of good starts on the cycle, you will naturally get a feel for how it works. It is different in some ways, but you will find that you ride longer and farther without tiring as much.
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You can get a detailed overview of the things to consider when buying recumbent bicycles and view our selection of bicycles at http://www.utahtrikes.com/PROD-11617617.html right now.
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