(Family Features) When the weather is warm, bikers everywhere hear the trails calling their name. Well-known endurance sports coach Chris Carmichael and award winning professional cyclist George Hincapie share nine tips to help you gear up for your ride. Whether you’re hitting the pavement, dirt trails or rugged terrain, these two cycling superstars promise to help you cycle further, longer and safer this summer.
Build Strength: In between rides, build strength in your legs, arms and back. Bulking up these muscle groups will prevent injury and increase endurance every time you get back on your ride.
Go The Distance: Perseverance is half the battle when it comes to cycling, so with every ride, tell yourself you’ll go a little farther. Every extra mile will add up to give you much-needed endurance, which will come in handy whether you’re exploring a new trail or taking on your first triathlon.
Get Loose: Relax your arms and keep your elbows unlocked. Keeping your body loose while riding helps you better absorb the shock from bumps in the road.
Gear Up: When it comes to tracking your goals, today’s technology offers a variety of ways to measure your progress, making it easier than ever to reach your peak and go beyond it. Our personal favorite is Motorola’s MOTOACTV, the all-in-one GPS touch screen cycling computer and smart MP3 player, helping you to stay focused and motivated on any ride.
Stay Seated: Trying to scale an incline? It’ll be harder if you’re standing up. When biking uphill, resist the urge to stand and pedal, and instead shift your gears down and conserve energy by staying in your seat.
Hydrate: The more you cycle the more your body craves fluids in order to replace what you lose in sweat. During the summer, it’s particularly important to stay hydrated throughout the duration of your ride.
Release the Power of Your Playlist: Your playlist is more than just songs to workout to; they’re songs that push you to work – up a hill, during that last mile, on a sweltering day. Before hitting the trail, create your ultimate get-moving playlist to ensure you stay pedaling hard your whole ride.
Switch It Up: Change up your body position while riding to avoid cramps and stressing specific muscles.
Remember, while it’s great to test your boundaries and achieve your goals, be sure to put your health and safety first. Armed with the right mentality and tips, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. Visit www.MOTOACTV.com for more cycling advice from the experts and to learn more about MOTOACTV.
While these biking tips are applicable all summer long, they are particularly pertinent this month as we celebrate May as National Bike Month. Biking is a great way to stay active, decrease road congestion and pollution all at once.
