The Benefits of Cycling
Cycling is a wonderful and natural form of sports – travel. It allows one to fully appreciate the beauty during the journey. With just a bicycle and a backpack, one can set off, making it simple and eco – friendly. It offers the thrill of facing continuous challenges and the joy of success at the end of the trip. Long – distance cycling, in particular, has gained more and more popularity as an excellent form of exercise.
As we know, cycling is a low – carbon travel method that is kind to the environment. Beyond that, it has numerous health benefits. It is good for the brain, enhancing the agility of the nervous system. It also improves cardio – respiratory function and may even contribute to a longer life. Long – term cycling can strengthen the cardiovascular system, especially as an aerobic exercise, boost the body’s metabolism and immunity, and play a great role in fitness.
Specifically, cycling has the following advantages:
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Exercise leg and hip muscles: Cycling not only works the leg muscles but also the hip muscles. It can significantly improve our cardio – respiratory function. With long – term perseverance, it can give you firm and well – defined muscles.
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Thin the abdomen: It can exercise the whole body muscles and burn fat. Through cycling, the areas with the highest fat content in the body, especially the abdomen, can be effectively targeted for exercise.
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Relax the body and mind: Cycling stimulates the brain to secrete endocannabinoids, achieving the effect of physical and mental pleasure.
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Strengthen the heart and lungs and improve memory: Bicycles are often regarded as heart accelerators. Cardio exercises are not only beneficial for weight loss and removing toxins but also can improve physical endurance and enhance heart vitality. During the cycling process, constant judgment of the road direction, driving safety, etc. tests the cyclist’s memory and judgment ability.
Equipment Needed for Long – distance Riding
Everyone has their own reasons for setting out on a long – distance ride. For cycling enthusiasts, arranging a long – distance trip in the name of riding may lead to meeting a different self and a different world around a corner. So, what equipment should be prepared before planning a long – distance riding trip?
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Planning the riding route: The development of a long – distance riding route should be based on one’s own physical strength. A realistic destination should be set. Information about the traffic, attractions, and local folklore along the relevant route should be collected. Time should be allocated, a daily riding itinerary should be made, and attention should always be paid to the weather and traffic conditions on the riding route.
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Fitness and food preparation: Adequate physical preparation is a prerequisite for achieving the cycling goal. Endurance training should be persisted in, lung capacity should be increased, flexibility should be practiced, and pre – work preparation should be done to ensure a better condition during the journey. Long – distance riding can make one feel hungry easily, and sometimes there may be no restaurants or kiosks for a long distance, so some water and energy – supplementing food should be prepared.
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Vehicle and personal safety equipment:
- Car: It is the most crucial equipment. Whether you can complete the journey and how far you can go all depend on it. You can choose a suitable car according to your preference and financial ability.
- Riding helmet: The road conditions for long – distance riding are complex and unpredictable, and the risk of danger is high. So, a riding helmet with good safety performance should be selected.
- Repair tools: Due to the complex road conditions, the car is likely to be damaged, so some simple repair tools should be carried.
- Gloves: For long – distance riding, in order to ensure safety and comfort, cycling gloves with more wearable fabric and stronger cushioning performance are needed.
- Psychological equipment: Be well – prepared mentally for long – distance rides. Don’t give up because of small setbacks. Insist on moving forward and finally reach the end of the journey safely.
In addition to improving physical functions, relieving physical stress, and strengthening the immune system, long – distance cycling can also broaden one’s horizons and increase one’s knowledge. It is more free than other sports, with a larger range of motion and a wider field of vision, enabling people to be more knowledgeable and experienced.