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.
Getting on and off these bikes is one of the first critical differences. If you don't swing your leg forward to get on or off the cycle, you stand a pretty good chance of falling over. The seat is a reclining seat so when you swing over the back, as with other bikes, you will probably hit the seat with your foot.
Before you start the ride it is important to adjust it for your fit. Set your handlebars and seat so that you can reach the handlebars and pedals without having to lean forward. This will allow you to sit back and enjoy the ride without struggling.
Make sure you put the brakes on when you start and stop. This type of bike is prone to fall over if you don't have a good sense of control. The first few times you use the cycle will be the most important while you learn the best way to get on and off.
Use the gears for easier riding. Some like to use a more difficult gear to get a harder work out on ten speeds, but on this bike, it is better to start in a low gear and work your way up as you need.
Starting takes some practice. Set your pedals to the 12 o'clock position for best starting. You do not push off with your foot but instead will use the pedal to get started.
Use the reclining position to ride. The seats are made for you to be in a position where you can almost feel like you're not really exercising. You can just sit back and relax. In fact, you need to look up and forward, not at the ground, while going on your ride.
Use the pedal to get started. As stated before, you should start by pushing on the pedal. Quickly move your ground foot to the other pedal to keep going. Since you are starting in a reclining position you will not have enough leverage to push from the ground to get started like you would with a ten speed.
Stopping is also different. When you apply the brake you need to plant both feet on the ground and make sure the wheels are in a straight alignment. The tendency is to turn the handlebars to allow you to put one foot down. This bike does better if you plant both feet with the handles straight to avoid falling over since you are riding in a reclining position.
This is one of the most enjoyable ways to go on a cycle ride. You can relax in the reclining position and once you get used to the differences you will find that you are not nearly as tired after a ride. You will usually end up going farther, on longer rides. You will also be able to enjoy the scenery since you are looking up instead of hunched over, looking at the ground.
Getting on and off these bikes is one of the first critical differences. If you don't swing your leg forward to get on or off the cycle, you stand a pretty good chance of falling over. The seat is a reclining seat so when you swing over the back, as with other bikes, you will probably hit the seat with your foot.
Before you start the ride it is important to adjust it for your fit. Set your handlebars and seat so that you can reach the handlebars and pedals without having to lean forward. This will allow you to sit back and enjoy the ride without struggling.
Make sure you put the brakes on when you start and stop. This type of bike is prone to fall over if you don't have a good sense of control. The first few times you use the cycle will be the most important while you learn the best way to get on and off.
Use the gears for easier riding. Some like to use a more difficult gear to get a harder work out on ten speeds, but on this bike, it is better to start in a low gear and work your way up as you need.
Starting takes some practice. Set your pedals to the 12 o'clock position for best starting. You do not push off with your foot but instead will use the pedal to get started.
Use the reclining position to ride. The seats are made for you to be in a position where you can almost feel like you're not really exercising. You can just sit back and relax. In fact, you need to look up and forward, not at the ground, while going on your ride.
Use the pedal to get started. As stated before, you should start by pushing on the pedal. Quickly move your ground foot to the other pedal to keep going. Since you are starting in a reclining position you will not have enough leverage to push from the ground to get started like you would with a ten speed.
Stopping is also different. When you apply the brake you need to plant both feet on the ground and make sure the wheels are in a straight alignment. The tendency is to turn the handlebars to allow you to put one foot down. This bike does better if you plant both feet with the handles straight to avoid falling over since you are riding in a reclining position.
This is one of the most enjoyable ways to go on a cycle ride. You can relax in the reclining position and once you get used to the differences you will find that you are not nearly as tired after a ride. You will usually end up going farther, on longer rides. You will also be able to enjoy the scenery since you are looking up instead of hunched over, looking at the ground.
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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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