Biking is a really green thing to do. In Florida, we enjoy a year round climate conducive to great biking. Communities and employers are recognizing the growing number of bikers and making provision for them to store their bikes in convenient racks while they work or shop. Along our roadways we have courtesy biking lanes to allow safer conditions when using this form of transportation. Hardly a weekend goes by without hundreds of bikers taking to the streets for local races, pleasure riding and well needed exercise. Biking is about the greenest thing there is. When you bike, your create a healthier body, you use no polluting fuels, there are no noxious emissions, and virtually everything on a bike is recyclable. This continues to attract more and more people as a pleasant way to lose weight and tone up. It is also fun to ride a tandem or collect the entire family for a ride together. Biking is just good for you.
How do you select a bike? First, you need to decide how you will use the bike. Will you just be a pleasure rider on mostly flat terrain. Another possibility is racing or endurance riding. Bikes are designed for different uses and your enjoyment is increased when the bike us designed for your intended use. Wikipedia lists many different bikes with these as the main ones:
Utility... for commuting, shopping and errands.
Mountain... for off road racing and rough terrain
Racing ... designed for speed
BMX. ... designed for stunts and tricks
Cruiser... heavy framed, balloon tires sometimes called beach bikes or boulevardiers
Many local bike shops belong to a group called SWFBUD...Southwest Florida Bicyle United Dealers, has won national recognition for promoting bicycling throughout the Tampa Bay area. This group also sponsors the Bicycle Bash at the Bay, an annual fall event. David's World of Cycling features two Trek locations, one in Tampa and a second in Clearwater.The Schwinn web site can help you slect the right type of bike for all ages and applications as well as help you find a local dealer. There are over 80 different bicycle manufacturers around the world to choose from when selecting a bike. There are some wonderful local shops like Energy Conservatory Bike Shop in Dunedin which has assisted cyclists for over 30 years in the sport and art of biking.
Groups have developed to bring biking enthusiasts together. Cycling Singles promotes the sport and identifies folks with this common interest. Tampa BayCycle is another great opportunity to join other biking enthusiasts and network throughout the area. They have year round activities to encourage biking. The Tampa Bay Bicycle Meet Up is a combination of pleasure biking, socializing and networking throughout the year. They host special events and encourage ridership. In Pinellas County, there is the St. Petersburg Cycling Club and the Suncoast Cycling Club encouraging cycling. The Tampa Bay Freewheelers were founded in 1982 with about 30 memebers and now has hundreds participating in many activities. This gives you a good start on finding a group of folks to cycle with in the Tampa Bay area.
So, what's stopping you? As we head into 2010, perhaps it is time to get the old body on a bicycle, join a biking organization and have some fun as you get healthier in the new year. Bikes come in all price ranges and are sold in local bike shops, department and discount stores. In fact, with today's tough economy, there is an ever increasing supply of good bikes at local pawn shops which can be purchased for cents on the dollar. All obstacles removed...it is time to start biking! Biking is a really green thing to do.
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