NSV Sound Mind & Sound Body

MISSISSIPPI'S FIRST EZINE

Pedal Your Way to a Better You
by Bill Pitts

No doubt you’ve seen them out on our Mississippi back roads. And you’ve probably passed them on streets like Highland Colony Parkway north of Jackson—these Lycra-clad athletes with the expensive bicycles and legs of steel, riding along in a coordinated group as if they were one. It can be a pretty intimidating sight for the person who has considered taking up cycling for his health. “I could never keep up with guys like that,” you may think.

But don’t let their polished movements dissuade you from improving your own health. They’re probably members of a racing team (the fact that their outfits match is a dead give-away) and, if so, they train very hard on a regular basis. These guys are extremely serious about cycling.

Recreational cycling is an accessible activity that you can put as much time and effort into as you’d like. And according to Tom Martin of The Bike Rack, the benefits are legion, “. . . weight loss and control, improved muscle tone and strength, enhanced cardiac performance, and aerobic capacity.” Jim Snider of Ride South Bike Shop agrees, saying that cycling “is an excellent way of relieving stress.” In short, you’ll feel better and enjoy yourself. Remember how much fun it was as a kid?

“I haven’t a clue as to where to begin!”
The person who hasn’t pushed a pedal in years may ask, “Where does one start?” The answer to that is easy. Don’t jump into a multi-mile jaunt with seasoned riders. For some people, a ride around the block is enough to leave them gasping for breath, but a reasonably healthy body acclimates to cycling fairly quickly. Cycling is easier on the legs (especially the knees) than running is, plus you can coast down hills if you wish. If you haven’t ridden in a while, start off slowly on short rides until you build up your stamina.

“I would hate to ride by myself. What if I get lost somewhere?”
There are a number of groups who regularly ride together around the Jackson Metro area. To find them, pay a visit to one of the local bike shops; in the Jackson area, visit The Bike Crossing in Pocahontas, Ride South Bike Shop at the Reservoir, The Bike Rack on Lakeland Drive, Indian Cycle Fitness and Outdoors on Pear Orchard Road,or Pro Bike in Pearl. Snider of Ride South has maps showing popular routes around the Reservoir and you can find local route maps on the website MapMyRide. “Generally, cyclists can locate others in their speed range with a few test rides,” says Snider. Don’t be intimidated by the stronger cyclists in the group, however, who may like to forge ahead in order to push their own personal envelopes. They tend to circle back and regroup after a while.

“I would feel so foolish to be seen on my old three-speed.”
Don’t let pedal-envy stop you from improving your health. When you get right down to basics, a bike is a bike is a bike; your physical conditioning is the goal. But do make sure that your bicycle is ready for the road. Any of the bike shops in the Jackson Metro area can offer maintenance and repair for a bike that has been sitting idle. Maintaining and repairing the body that has been sitting idle, though, is entirely up to you.

“Riding a bike is a young person’s activity. I’m too old!”
Age isn’t necessarily an obstacle. A friend’s father represented Mississippi in the National Senior Olympics in Tucson, Arizona at the age of 82. He placed sixth nation-wide on a 12-speed bicycle. What more can be said except that as with all physical activities, be sure to get checked over by your physician before diving in.

“I’d like to start riding but with my budget, I can’t afford to.”
Don’t torpedo your desires until you’ve shopped around first. Sure, there are bicycles out there that can cost the price of a small luxury car, but there are also many bicycles made from materials naturally occurring on this planet, bikes without the suspension of a Ferrari, or the electronics of a Navy missile-cruiser. Keep that, and your budget, in mind as you cruise your local bike shops. And don’t be put off by the appearance of today’s bicycle—it still has, in most cases, two wheels. Ask questions. That’s what the sales people are there for. The majority of them are cyclists, too, and they’ll be happy to help you select a bicycle to fit your budget and your needs. Once you’ve made your purchase, they may even suggest some contact names for a group ride.

“Some of the bikes I’ve seen I can pick up with my little finger while some look like they’re built for a tractor-pull! How do I know what’s right for me?”
Again, ask the sales people. Let them know what kind of cycling you have in mind. There is an incredible variety of bicycles today from which to choose. Snider of Ride South Bike Shop recommends recumbent cycles for those who find long rides on a conventional upright bike too much to bear. “You’re in a comfortable, laid-back position that gives you a different awareness of your surroundings. So you’re able to react to situations more quickly and you can enjoy the ride a lot better. They are also more efficient and easier to pedal.” And for the rider who prefers the conventional diamond-frame upright, the choices are many, and the prices are varied.

“What’s the next step for me?”
Decide what you expect to gain from cycling. “Test a few bikes and get ready to have some fun,” says Snider. “The money spent on a comfortable bike will provide a good investment on one’s health, fitness level, and social life.”

So keep up the pace, and maybe one day you’ll be one of those cyclists whom others watch with awe and envy as you effortlessly cruise down a Mississippi road.