Yahoo Lifestyle A Bicycle Built for You
By Selene Yeager
Back in the old days, riding a 'girl's bike' meant kidding around on a pretty, painted bike with a sloping top tube (for long skirts) and a basket with a big plastic daisy on the front.
Today, girls are tearing it up on a whole new breed of women-specific bikes—with smaller frames to match our smaller statures; shorter brake levers for our smaller hands; flared saddles to accommodate our hips; and proportions that aim to fit our torsos, arms and legs so we can ride faster, longer and in comfort.
Women can choose from road bikes, mountain bikes, touring bikes or hybrids of different styles. And bikes still come in pretty colours. So if you haven't been on a two-wheeler since Santa brought you one for Christmas, now is the time to take one out for a spin.
Cycling is empowering for women of all ages. Pedalling down a country road or through a city park rouses your spirit and awakens your senses. And it's hard to hate your thighs as you gleefully pull into the driveway after conquering a challenging ride.
It's also a community sport. People who ride love to share their favourite routes and regularly plan group outings, so you'll make new friends as you get into shape.
As if that isn't enough, cycling is gentle on your body. There's a saying in sports-medicine circles: even if you can't run, walk, or hobble, you can ride a bike. Cycling isn't a weight-bearing exercise, so it's easy on your joints—even the achy ones—and it can be a wonderful, pain-free way to exercise and lose weight.
Not sure you're ready to take the cycling plunge? Try a spin class at your local gym. This indoor cycling workout aims to mimic outdoor riding. You'll burn approximately 2,000 kJ (500 cal) during a 50-minute session, and it can build your fitness for when you’re ready for the real thing.
Getting Started
If you want to start riding, you'll need a bike. Chances are, you have one stashed away in the garage. If so, dust it off and look it over. Unless it's a pile of rust, you can probably still ride it. Take it to a bike shop for a check-up; you may need to replace some worn parts, such as tyres, inner tubes, cables and the chain. For approximately $50, the in-house mechanic can lube it up and give it a little TLC. You'll be good to go.
Buying a new bike shouldn't break the bank, either. For a few hundred dollars, you can be sitting pretty on a quality bike. And even though you can buy an inexpensive bike from a department store, it’s a good idea to go to a bike shop instead. Bike-shop staff members know and love bikes and can help you choose a bike that suits your body shape. They'll provide a warranty and often fix minor problems later for free.
Bike Types
To avoid feeling overwhelmed by choice when you walk into a bike shop, think about what type of riding you intend to do. You can choose from three basic types of bikes:
Road Bike
With skinny tyres and a drop handlebar that curves under, road bikes look a lot like the old 10-speeds from your childhood, but these bikes have more gears and less weight and are built for speed. If you aspire to long rides through the countryside and want to ride to your full potential, this type of bike is for you. The downside is that such bikes are not designed to be cushy. Spending long rides bent over an aerodynamic handlebar takes some adjustment.
Mountain Bike
The fat-tyred cousins of the road bike, mountain bikes have flat handlebars and beefier bodies. They're designed to cruise over roots and rocks on mountain trails, but they're also fun to ride on smooth dirt roads or in paved parks. Because they're so stable, they're easier to balance than road bikes. If you plan to ride on dirt or through parks, a mountain bike is a good choice. The downside is that your bike won’t be as fast as a road bike, whether you’re going uphill or downhill.
Cruiser or Hybrid
Whether you call them cruisers, hybrids, or comfort bikes, these steeds all have one thing in common: they're practical. These are touring-around-town, beach-and-boardwalk-loving bikes that emphasise comfort over speed. A cruiser is for you if you want a bike to trek to the shops and to take with you on holiday. Keep in mind that these bikes are not well-suited to either serious road riding or off-road riding.
More Biking Gear
Once you have your bike, you'll want a few accessories for your rides. Here are some important items to toss in your shopping cart:
Helmet
Australian law requires that you wear a bike helmet on Aussie roads. Look for a lid that comes with the sticker certifying that it has passed stringent safety tests and meets the Australian and New Zealand standard (AS/NZ2063).
Bike Pants
Padded bike pants aim to keep your backside and other sensitive areas comfortable during those long afternoons in the saddle. These pants include comfy chamois padding and are available in skin-tight lycra style and shorts style (these look baggier but also have lycra inside). Women's designs are available from most bike shops; they are super-comfy when you're on the bike but not so comfy off the bike!
Repair Kit
A mini pump, some extra tyre tubes and a patch kit are a wise woman's accessories. Chances are, you won't use them very often, but you'll be glad you have them if you do need them. Ask the folks at the bike shop how to use them if you're unsure.
Bottle and Bag
You should have a water bottle to stay hydrated and a little saddlebag (which attaches to the back of your seat) to stash snacks, your repair kit and emergency money for long rides.
Tips and Techniques
If cycling becomes your sport, aim to ride about four days a week. Beginners should start with 30-minute jaunts on flat terrain for the first three to four weeks. More experienced riders can add hills to their rides and also include some long rides on the weekends. Make everyday rides more spirited by racing to street signs. Keep it fun.
Be Visible
"Cyclists need to be both assertive and visible when riding on the road," says Donna Little from Gear Up Girl bike workshops. "It's important to hold your own and to use hand signals when making turns or stopping. It's also a good idea to make eye contact with drivers to ensure you have seen each other." Wearing appropriately visible gear, such as a bright vest or shirt, is also important. Further, by law, you must have a bell on your bike, along with a white reflector on its front and a red reflector on the back.
Go Out with a Group
Riding with other people can be intimidating, but once you try it, you'll never go back. Most bike shops organise rides or have information about social rides, which are often to coffee shops on weekend mornings. No matter what your ability, you'll meet other riders just like you. When you ride and chat with others, the kilometres whoosh by faster, and, ultimately, you motivate each other to become fitter, faster riders.
Get Training
Build your confidence at a workshop at which you can learn riding skills and bike maintenance. Gear Up Girl runs fun women's-only cycling workshops for beginners; go to gearupgirl.com.au for more information.
Once you master two wheels, it really is 'as easy as riding a bike', but remember: everybody needs training wheels in the beginning!
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