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Skiing and Biking

From Mike Doyle,
Your Guide to Skiing.
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Biking Tips for Skiers

Tips for Bike Riding:

Ride at a harder speed. This is where you can make the bike make the hill. If you are on a small grade, stay in the higher gears to make pedaling harder and you will feel your heart rate rise quickly and your quads start to burn. Don't overdo it, and shift down when you feel the need. Try to stay pumping for longer periods each time.

Try spinning. Spinning is when you use the upstroke leg to pull the pedal up while also pushing the opposite leg into the down stroke. This maneuver is more common for indoor stationary bikes but if you use biking shoes or pedal baskets it can be converted to an outdoor technique. At first this method of pedaling may seem awkward but with practice it becomes easier and you will definitely see and feel the results.

Use a bike computer. You can get a good bike computer for 10-20 dollars that will calculate your distance ridden, your top speed, your average speed and time riding. This gives you the opportunity to set riding goals like 20 miles in two hours or maintaining 15 mph average. These mount on the handlebar area and are easily cleared and reset for each ride.

Maintain a good speed. Try to ride at a speed that keeps your heart rate slightly elevated most of the time, with either speed bursts or hill climbs to pump you up. The scenery may be wonderful but your out to give your heart and leg muscles a workout.

Join a bike club. Another way to make yourself pay attention to the workout is to look online or in local fitness magazines for bike clubs in your area. With a club you can join scheduled rides that are usually advertised by average speed, distance and terrain difficulty and meeting time/place. Join one you will feel comfortable keeping up with and you can get that feeling by paying attention to your computer readouts and how you feel maintaining certain speeds over distances.

Tips for Clothing:

Dress for drying. Wear clothes like shorts and shirts that will dry and wick your perspiration. Most bike shops have a special collection of biking specific clothing that make a good investment and last for years.

Tips for Safety:

Wear a helmet. Make everyone you love wear a helmet. No excuses here - helmets are affordable and the most basic is designed to standards that will keep your head safe in a fall.

Obey traffic rules. Use signals when turning, don't weave in traffic, and stop at lights. Do what you would do if you were driving a car, but always pay attention to the road, cars, other cyclists, and where you are.

Carry dog biscuits. Some dogs hate bikers, or simply have the urge to chase or "herd" a moving object. Throwing a biscuit to a menacing dog may give to time to pedal off and save your leg for skiing. If you do get bit, find the owner or try to remember the dog. Demand proof of rabies vaccination for your protection. Call the authorities if you need to.

Enjoy the outdoors, stay cool and remember you probably won't be pedaling this hard when the snow flies.

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