Easy on Joints
One of the greatest benefits to bicycling is the lower amount of stress placed on the leg and ankle joints. I have done my share of running and jogging whether a 5K or a simply a mile and the effects on a thirty nine year old knee can be a little painful. Those that suffer from osteoporosis or other joint problems would be best served hopping onto a bike instead.
Relive childhood
It is really enjoyable to hop on the bike during the early morning and hit the bike trail or go through various neighborhoods. It hard not to reminisce about childhood memories of having to bike to just about any destination you needed to get to. As a kid, I would bike to the community pool, the movie theatre, the downtown shopping district, and many other social gatherings. All that pedaling (and a speedy metabolism) kept me super skinny. I even kept the biking exercise into my college years as I would pedal my way to lecture halls and out for some eats.
Mental health
Bicycling can do wonders for your mental health. Take caution with your chosen bike route and use the proper safety gear when hitting the trails or country roads. Bring a camera, and a water bottle or two and work in a good three to four hour ride. You will not regret your amazing thirty to forty mile trek through the country and take in the sounds and smells of all that is around you. I am fortunate to live in an area that has a network of bike paths that extend out into the far west reaches of Illinois. These bike paths keep me safe from traffic and allow some great scenery to enjoy while enduring a great work out.
Great Cardiovascular workout
Nothing gets the heart pumping like a long ride on the bike. One of the many complaints about people that poop out when doing endurance exercises is that they tire out quickly because they think too much about the actual practice of exercising. When jogging or running, it is easy to fall into the trap of telling yourself just a little bit longer. Many times we do not make it a little bit longer and decide to hop off the treadmill or reduce ourselves to a walking pace. Bicycling seems to trick our brains into wanting to keep pedaling to see what is around the bend or corner. Of course if we are pedaling in a recumbent bicycle then we are in the same trap as those on the treadmill or Stairmaster.
Inexpensive Exercise
One of the best benefits to bicycling for exercise is the fact that it is easy on the wallet. Sure there is the initial steep price of paying for a good road bicycle at the very beginning, but you will save lots of money swapping out forgone health club monthly membership fees. Those that live in cold climate may consider either investing in an indoor recumbent bike or warm weather bicycle clothing.
