Spring Cycle

My friend Darla Brown started cycling recently with her boyfriend to prepare for a charity ride to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in Arlington, Va. Now, the guy is out of the picture. But the bike is still around. "I find cycling to be a blast," Darla says. "I love the thrill of flying down hills, as well as the challenge of getting myself up the hills in the first place. I love the wind in my face and the freedom of going just about anywhere on my bike."

She is not alone in her love of cycling. Many enjoy the fun of riding a bike for the same reasons they did when they got their first two-wheelers. More and more women are turning to this activity as a form of exercise, as well as a great escape that is good for the planet.

The American Heart Association reports that aerobic exercises like cycling are the best ways to increase your heart rate. In addition to being great for your heart, cycling is a great way to burn calories and is easier on the joints than running. Livestrong.com states that pedaling at an easy pace (about 10 miles per hour), a 150-pound woman will torch over 400 calories in an hour.

Hopping on a bike is also great for toning your legs. According to Patrick Koetting manager at Cape Bicycle Cycling and Fitness, "Cycling stresses the muscles of the legs. Who wouldn't benefit from stronger and tighter glutes/quads/calves?"

Darla's favorite aspect of cycling isn't the calorie burn or the leg toning, though. "My favorite benefit is the self-esteem boost," she says. She's discovering the same blues-busting benefits of going for a bike ride that British researchers recently touted when they reported 71 percent of people who exercised outside said they felt less tense afterward.

Another self-esteem boost could come from how good cycling can be for the environment. While Darla doesn't use her bike for her commute into Washington, D.C., research from Stanford University and the University of Michigan found that if Americans would hop on their bikes instead of getting in the car for short trips, it would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 11 percent and oil consumption by 38 percent.

When getting equipped for cycling, women have several things to consider. Koetting says he likes to spend a lot of time talking to his customers before they even start looking at the bikes. Initially, the concern is to establish what kind of riding they want to do and where they will ride.

"Regardless of what type of riding, a helmet is a must," he says. Spend the money, get a good helmet, have it fit to your head and for God's sake wear the thing. $45-$190 for a helmet is much less expensive than a head injury."

After getting the bike and helmet, there is not much other gear needed.

"It seems to me that women will have issues with their bicycle saddle [seat]. This is normal. Talk to your salesperson. Most have done the research to help make the bicycle more comfortable. Don't run out and buy a gel pad to slip over your saddle; most of the time it won't help, or worse yet, it will exacerbate the problem. If something hurts, let your salesperson know," says Koetting.

So what are you waiting for? Spring is the perfect time for a bike ride. Join the kids for a spin around the block. Get with a group -- though there isn't a specific women's cycling group in Cape, there is a local riding organization called Velo Girardeau that does have female members. Or, take off on your own -- you'll strengthen your heart, legs and spirit. Besides, you never know who you might meet.

"Cycling is also a great way to meet people who share your love of the activity," says Darla. "All of the cyclists I've met are friendly and encouraging, and I've made several new friends though cycling."