Beginner Cycling

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Bicycle Touring Vacations

Here at Beginner Cycling, we are always on the look out for topics that might be interesting to people who are learning about cycling. Today we have a guest article about bicycle touring that we thought would be of interest to our readers:


What is Bicycle Touring?
by Tom Oxby

Bicycle touring is a cycling vacation where you get to see the country close up with a little exercise along the way. People will find you more approachable on a bike so expect to meet more of the local citizens along the way. You can include as many or few sightseeing attractions as you wish as seeing the countryside is the main attraction.

Bicycle touring can either be a self-guided trip or organized trip arranged by a tour operator. Trips arranged by tour operators typically include your accommodation for 7 to 14 days, a guide, some meals, sometimes the bicycle itself and maybe a support vehicle. If on a guided bicycle tour check what is included in the package, the level of the accommodation (they range from 3 to 5 stars), the variety, length and difficulty of the terrain for the rides each day.

The main benefit of guided tours is that the routes are planned for you in the most popular destinations; there is support if you run into problems and you get to socialize with many like minded people. There are specialty tours such as those that trace part of the Tour de France route.

Self guided bicycle touring can either be solo or with a group of friends and can range in length from 3 days to 3 months. Cyclists stay in local hotels, bed and breakfasts or go self supported by carrying their own camping gear. Another option is for cyclists to rent a vacation home or villa for a week and go on daily trips.

Family bicycle touring are becoming more popular and many tour operators are now providing special departures to include the kids with lower average distances.

How far you cycle each day will depend on your fitness, the terrain and how much sightseeing you do along the way and can range from 50 to 150 km per day.

It is good to have special bicycle touring equipment but that is not necessary. At a very basic level you will require a bicycle with a rack to hold your panniers (bicycle bags), a lock, lights and a bike helmet. Quick dry cycling clothes would be preferred but are not essential. On my first European bicycle tour years ago I just wore a T-shorts and regular shorts. You will also require a map or guidebook.

Bicycle touring can be done in most countries but is particularly popular in the United States, Canada, Cuba and most Western European countries. You will also find many cyclists touring New Zealand and Vietnam on the other side of the world.

There are many long distance signed bicycle routes such as the East Coast Greenway from Maine to Florida in the U.S. and the Danube Bike Route in Europe covering several countries. They are usually a combination of bicycle paths and low traffic roads providing a safe route. Consider bicycle touring when making your next vacation plans.

Learn more about cycling vacations at the author's website My Bicycle Touring which offer route information, bicycle equipment and planning tips. You might also want to check out
Guided Bike Tours to help you get started.

We hope you find this guest post about bicycle vacations as helpful as we did. Be sure to take a look at the other articles on our blog for more information about cycling for beginners.

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Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Finding The Best Comfort Bike

Click Photo for More Reviews & To See Prices
Here at Beginner Cycling, we are always on the look out for articles that may be of interest to people who are new to cycling. We recently came across the following article about finding the best comfort bike, and thought that it would be of interest to our readers:

Chosing the Right Comfort Bike
by Dee Stephens
Click Photo for More Reviews & To See Prices
The bicycles of today are easy to ride, light, taking ergonomics and comfort to new heights. The stress to the body caused by many early model bikes, have disappeared. The most body conscious style of bikes, to keep you cycling in comfort, are simply called Comfort bikes. There are also comfortable models which are called Hybrid and Recumbent bikes. Choosing which of these plush and comfortable models fits you best can be a slight challenge.
As your body is different and unique the same should hold true for your bicycle. For good fit and comfort, you should be able to stand comfortably with your feet flat on the ground . Some of the attributes from the bikes listed above are similar to mountain bikes. Mountain bike handlebars are usually upright and wide providing stability. They are great bikes to ride off the beaten path as well as on city roads. Their wide tires and thick frames and suspension help cushion road bumps.
A Comfort bike is commonly referred to as a "Cruiser". The comfort bike uses a standard 26 inch tire that is commonly found on a mountain bike. It is a recreational bike built for smooth terrain, higher handlebars than a race or road bike, and a lower seat, all of which provides easy handling and stability. The frame of this bike is designed mainly for comfort with its laid back riding position which is considerably back friendly. Its suspension takes the sting out of bumps. Gel foam padded saddles with springs provide plush seating.
Click Photo for More Reviews & To See Prices
The Hybrid bike is a variation of the mountain bike and comfort bike. It has larger wheels and narrow tires. Hybrid bikes generally use the mountain bike 700c standard tires. These tires are good for quick acceleration, climbing. It is designed for comfort and efficient pedaling. Its suspension is strong with light materials which absorb vibrations. High air pressure in the tires makes longer rides better than a mountain bike and higher speeds a breeze. While it can be taken for short rides on unpaved terrain, its best for casual riding in parks and paved trails. Due to the handlebars upright frame you are able to pedal with comfort in an upright position.
Another unique body-conscious bike is a Recumbent bike. It is considered to be one of the most comfortable bikes to ride. Think of sitting in a reclining chair and pedaling in that position. It has a long and low profile back and may take time to get used to. The wide, high-backed seat evenly supports and distributes the weight of your torso, relieving pressure on the arms, shoulders and back. Some pricey recumbent comfort bikes have an electrical power feature that provides pedaling assistance.
Click Photo for More Reviews & To See Prices
Comfort bikes and their variations, are designed for getting away from it all and to enjoy fun-filled and stress free riding. Prices vary widely based on components and manufacturer, but expect to pay between $250 and $600 for a quality comfort bike.
Choosing the right bike is important for cycling enjoyment and comfort. Visit the author's blog for the best comfort bike reviews with real consumer feedback and where to find cruiser bikes with deep discounts.
Here's more information on the comfort bikes pictured above:
We hope you find this article on finding the best comfort bicycle as helpful as we did. Be sure to take a look at the other articles on our blog for more information about cycling for beginners.
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Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Guide to Mountain Biking


Here at Beginner Cycling we are always scouring the internet for articles that may be interesting to folks who are just beginning to get into cycling. Recently, we found the following article about beginner mountain biking, and we thought that it would be interesting to our readers:

A General Guide to Mountain Biking - How to Conquer the Trail With a Bicycle

By Tommy Moon

One of the fondest childhood memories is learning how to ride a bicycle. I am sure it is easy for many of us to instantly recollect our riding teachers and the location of our first two wheeled adventures. Riding a bike is a long standing tradition that has been passed down over numerous families and generations.

Really a first taste of freedom and responsibility, the bike is often a right of passage for maturing youth. While most kids are satisfied with just balancing on two wheels safely there will always be those daring minds that want to break traditional molds. In this article we will review the various types of mountain biking and the suitable gear utilized in the experience.

When selecting a suitable bike style for yourself it will be worthwhile to check out such sub-categories as cross country (XC), all mountain (AM), downhill (DH), four-cross/dual slalom (4X), freestyle/big air (BA), dirt jumping (DJ), trials (TL) and mountain bike touring (MBT).

The many faces of this sport all have their own unique equipment, rules and communities. By reading up on each niche we can find the one that best suits our own personal needs and desires.

Sitting on a mountain bike and racing and down a mountain can be the thrill of lifetime for those who decide to take the plunge. If you are a beginner starting with cross country (XC) is the recommended first step. It is the most popular among novice riders and is a mountain biking genre where rider safety and difficulty level is easy to control. Cross country usually consists of guided uphill, downhill and flat terrain paths where skill levels are often conveniently separated by marked trails and maps. For those wanting to partake in this sport, there is a checklist of gear that you should constantly be reviewing and maintaining.

Picking the bike will probably be hardest choice. It is advised to see a trusted specialist when buying a mountain bike. You will not only learn about the latest mountain biking technology but you can also make sure you are getting the best bike fit for your body shape and riding preferences. Once you get past a bike purchase the rest of the mountain bike accessories are much simpler to source. When preparing for a mountain ride the other specialty gear you will need may include gloves, glasses, shoes, clothes, hydration systems, GPS/tracking navigation, tire pumps, repair tools, spare parts and communication devices.

Due to the risky nature of mountain biking additional safety precautions and protections are mandatory. Factors that will impact protective gear necessities are obstacle awareness, environment, climate, guide recommendations, education level, technical skill, physical fitness and risk tolerance. When mountain biking, safety should never be compromised and items like helmets, body armor and first aid kits are a must. Once you stock up on and get acquainted with the equipment mentioned above you should be more than ready to tackle a mountain trail or two.

In the digital age it seems as if we are finding less and less reasons to participate in outdoor activities. Fortunately for us mountain biking gives us one really good excuse to break away from our computers and indulge in some climatic climbing. Mountain biking not only tests us both mentally and physically but it is a great opportunity to spend time with friends and family in a constructive and productive environment.

Sadly the world's natural habitats are depleting at unacceptable rates and if we do decide to enjoy the gifts of the land we should take care of them as well. Mountain biking is so many sensations rolled into one and is one of those life experiences that nobody should pass up.

It may even have you traveling back to those days as child and your first pair of training wheels or trial and error bicycle training crashes. Mountain biking is an adrenaline rush. It is a slice of life that encourages health and happiness. Mountains are awe inspiring and when you add a bike and the human mind great things can happen. In life we are all looking to get to the top of the mountain and a bike is just one more tool we were given to get there. Hope to see you at the summit.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tommy_Moon; http://EzineArticles.com/?A-General-Guide-to-Mountain-Biking---How-to-Conquer-the-Trail-With-a-Bicycle&id=6232315

More information on the interesting mountain bikes pictured above:

We hope you find this article as helpful as we did. Be sure to take a look at the other articles on our blog for more information about cycling for beginners.

Other articles on cycling:

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