Tips For Riding Recumbent Bicycles
Riding a bike is a great way to get exercise and in most cases can save strain on your shins and knees from running. Most people think of a traditional bike when they decide to start up this exercise, but a trend towards recumbent bicycles is surging. They are different in design from the traditional bike but allow you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery when going on a ride. Because of their different design, it is important to remember a few things before your first trip.
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.
Hold the brakes when you mount and dismount. Though this may be common sense, many people forget this and the front wheel turns or rolls causing them to fall. Simply holding the brake will prevent this issue.
This cycle is not designed to stress you while you ride. With this in mind, be sure to start in a low gear and use the gears appropriately to be able to enjoy your ride. You can get great exercise without having to be a speed demon.
There is some debate on how to set your pedal before starting. Some suggest 2 o'clock but a 12 o'clock position is best for beginners. This allows you to put one foot on the pedal to get a good strong start.
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.
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 a coordinated effort. At first, it might seem difficult, but stopping the bike is much the same that kids do when they first learn to ride a cycle. Apply the brake, then put both feet down on the ground and as you stand up, straighten the wheels.
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.
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.
Hold the brakes when you mount and dismount. Though this may be common sense, many people forget this and the front wheel turns or rolls causing them to fall. Simply holding the brake will prevent this issue.
This cycle is not designed to stress you while you ride. With this in mind, be sure to start in a low gear and use the gears appropriately to be able to enjoy your ride. You can get great exercise without having to be a speed demon.
There is some debate on how to set your pedal before starting. Some suggest 2 o'clock but a 12 o'clock position is best for beginners. This allows you to put one foot on the pedal to get a good strong start.
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.
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 a coordinated effort. At first, it might seem difficult, but stopping the bike is much the same that kids do when they first learn to ride a cycle. Apply the brake, then put both feet down on the ground and as you stand up, straighten the wheels.
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.
