How to Bike for Fun

It's easy to see why the sport of cycling is growing at such a rapid rate. It provides great cardiovascular benefits, and it's easy on the joints. Not only that, but riding a bike is a lot of fun. It can also be done by people of all ages, athletic ability levels and it can be done pretty much anywhere.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Buy a bike. Make sure it fits comfortably. Bike shops can fit a bike properly, but this costs money. Being able to ride the bike around easily, and being able to stand comfortably over it are the most important factors. Ensure the bike is in good working condition. The brakes and gears should work well.
2. Invest in necessary bike equipment. These include a bag for the bike that should fit under the seat, a spare tube, a multitool, tire levers, hydration pack or water bottles, and a pump or CO2 cartridges. Purchase bike shorts. These are well worth the money spent in terms of comfort. Other biking apparel can wait, such as jerseys. To start, any t-shirt will work.
3. Join a cycling club. Bike clubs know all the local bike routes, and can teach safety information and basic repair skills, and give helpful cycling advice. You can also ride with other people that enjoy this hobby, making trips more fun.
4. Install lights on the bike. Both front lights and tail lights are available. Both are very important--front lights allow the rider to see any obstacles, tail lights allow cars and other vehicles to see the bike rider. If you feel safe and only need to concentrate on the ride, the cycling will be more fun.
5. Get clearance from a doctor to begin an exercise program that includes cycling. It will not be fun if you have to stop in the middle of a trip because of health problems.
6. Plan bike trips to interesting places and enjoy the scenery. Whether out on a park trail, riding downtown or on trails, biking will make you appreciate your surroundings even more.
7. Make day to day trips more exciting. Get on the bike and ride to the local coffee shop. Take a short ride to pick up the daily newspaper. Pick up small groceries and tote them home in a backpack on the bike.