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What Type of Bike is Right For You?

FitSugar — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 15:45:00 PDT

Are you looking to get a new bike this summer? It can be pretty overwhelming to choose the right one once you see them all lined up at the store.

The best way to find a bike that is right for you is to ask yourself "What kind of rider am I?" Are you planning on riding on rocky terrain or do you plan on sticking to paved roads and bike paths? Are you a racer looking for a speedy, lightweight bike? Or do you plan on using your new bike to casually commute or enjoy a light Sunday ride?

Here are a few different types of bikes and what they are used for:

Mountain Bike: This bike has wide, knobby tires, so you can ride on almost any surface including dirt roads, mountain trails, and paved streets. This bike has a gear system, which is helpful when you're trucking up hills. It also has a sturdy frame and suspensions, which are helpful when you're on rugged terrain. It's a popular bike (it's what I have) since it's durable, fast and versatile, so you're not limited to certain types of roads.

Want to learn about the other types of bikes? Then

read more Road Bike: This bike is built for speed, so it can be used for racing, but also just for riding around. It has a lightweight frame and strong yet thin tires that are less than an inch wide. If you're planning on sticking to paved bike paths and streets, this could be the bike for you. Hybrid Bike: This is a bike designed for use on roads and bike paths. It is influenced from both the road bike and the mountain bike, hence the name hybrid. The bike aims to retain the features of mountain bikes, which have made them accessible and popular, but are designed to be more suitable for urban use. Ultimately the manufacturer determines if the hybrid leans more to the mountain or road bike side. Track Racing Bike: This bike is for serious racing. It's extremely lightweight and has no brakes, since brakes would add extra weight. It also has one fixed gear, so the rider can go as fast as possible. The handlebars are low, enabling the rider to lean down and increase his speed. If you are planning on racing, this is the kind of bike you should look at. Street Bike (City Bike/Granny Bike): These bikes are made more for casually strolling the streets and/or commuting than for serious riding. The tires are like those you would find on a road bike but the bike itself is more elongated than your average bike. The city bike is very popular in urban areas right now, but they're especially popular in Holland. Fit's Tips: I definitely recommend going to a trusty bike shop and riding a bunch of bikes to see what feels best to you. Also be sure to pick up a helmet when you buy that shiny new bike - You've got to protect that fabulous brain of yours. Source

In Defense of the Chronically Late Mom

BabyCenter — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:01:11 PST

We're excited to share this post from our partners at BabyCenter! Every week, we will be bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle stories from the experts at BabyCenter, including this post from Betsy Shaw about being late for school.

If I were to wear a scarlet letter it would be T.

T for tardy. T for turd ball. T for totally inept mother.

We are late for school with such alarming regularity it’s embarrassing. The last time we were on time, after a mini snowstorm that excited my children enough to urge them into their snowsuits and outside at 6:30 a.m., we got to school five minutes early to find it dark and empty. Delayed opening. I was apparently the only mother who didn’t get the memo.

Calling Charlie Brown…

Being late for school brings up a vicious brew of conflicting emotion in me. On the one hand I just don’t care. Life is short. Far too short to risk traumatizing your children with a bullwhip and terrorizing morning walkers and squirrels, not to mention my own white-knuckled children, speeding our way to school like Toad on a motorcar bender each weekday morning.

On the other hand I am ashamed, deeply embarrassed, to be “that mom.” All the other moms can do it, even the single ones. Why. Can’t. I? What’s wrong with me?

I complained about this once to a woman from South Carolina who I met on my Guatemala trip and she told me her school started at 7:30. She also made it clear her kids were never late.

Never late.

Keep reading for more of Betsy's reasoning for being late.

Kirsten Dunst and Garrett Hedlund Couple Up For a Bike Ride

Allie Merriam — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:39:55 PST

Kirsten Dunst and Garrett Hedlund took to their bikes for a ride near her LA home yesterday. They practically matched in their gray sweats, but the outing wasn't all about exercising - Kirsten also put posters up to publicize her cat's disappearance. Kirsten and Garrett are together in California after spending a few days last month in Utah. They headed to Park City for the Sundance Film Festival premiere of Bachelorette, Kirsten's new dark comedy with Isla Fisher, Lizzy Caplan, and James Marsden. Garrett skipped the red carpet, but he and Kirsten were seen getting close at the afterparty. It seems the couple got together at some point last year after meeting on the set of On the Road. Both Kirsten and Garrett star in the big screen adaptation of the classic Kerouac novel, which also features Kristen Stewart and Tom Sturridge.

Healthy Dose Link Time: The Scoop on Kendra Wilkinson's Nutty Diet

Michele Foley — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:49:08 PST

Kendra Wilkinson is a complete nut when it comes to her diet - Cafe Mom
Soothe yo self: 5 ways to reduce postworkout soreness - HuffPost Healthy Living
Get the scoop on which yogurts are really good for you - Real Simple
Dr. Travis Stork on health and what he really thinks about Stevia - Peanut Butter Fingers
How to get results from only two workouts per week - Shape
Super Bowl snack attack! Find out what Jillian Michaels's favorites are - Fitness
Natural smoothies and juices to heal digestive issues - Healthful Pursuit
7 fun, fast - and best of all - affordable road bikes - Bicycling

Speakers That Can Go Anywhere: Turtle Shell by Outdoor Technology

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:10:46 PST

Taking your tunes with you wherever you roam is easy with an MP3 player and some solid headphones, but what if you're riding a bike, hanging at the lake with some friends, or camping? Enter the Turtle Shell by Outdoor Technology. This small speaker was made to hit the road (or trail) with you. The geometric-shaped speaker fits in the palm of your hand, is water-resistant, comes with a built-in microphone for connecting to your Bluetooth devices (like an iPhone perhaps), and even connects to a Gorillapod for clamping down on the nearest tree or a specialized rig to attach to the front end of your bike. A bike trail sing-along? I'll take it.

The Turtle Shell won't be out until May of this year, and Outdoor Technology also has some sweet wireless Bluetooth headphones with the same geometric flair going on sale in June, most likely through Urban Outfitters. See more of both products in the gallery!

Ways to Keep Knee Pain at Bay

Susi May — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:25:56 PST

When a good workout leaves my muscles sore, I know I'm getting stronger every day and revel in the pain. But when a long run leaves me with achy knees, I'm reminded that I'm getting a little bit older and a little more creaky. Unfortunately, my knees have been talking back a lot lately - just another reminder that as your age increases so does the amount of time you need to spend doing body maintenance. A long run requires a long yoga session and hours on the bike translate into time spent stretching and strengthening. With all that in mind, here's my happy knee to-do list:

Roll it: I roll my iliotibial bands religiously (here's more details on rolling the ITB). The ITB is a band of fascia that runs from the outside of the pelvis to just below the knee. Unlike muscle, fascia is not very flexible - I call it the body's shrink wrap. Using a foam roller and slowly rolling out this band can do wonders for knee pain by adding a little length to the tightened band. Turn the 60-minute guilty pleasure of your fave reality TV show into body time and roll out your legs in front of the boob tube.
Stretch 'em: Tight hamstrings and calves, both of which cross over the back of the knee joint, can yank on the joint, pulling it out of alignment. Keep your hamstrings loose with these stretches and stretch your calves regularly, especially if you run, is imperative to keeping you on the road. As you age, it's important to hold your stretches for a little bit longer to reap the benefits. Increase the time in the stretch to 45 seconds to a minute.
Strengthen: Strong hips make for a happy runner, and at least two times a week I work my glute meds, the stabilizing muscles on the outside of the pelvis. Strong glute meds decrease the sway of the pelvis, cutting down on both low back and knee pain. I do two to three sets of 20 side-stepping squats with a theraband.

With a little TLC and common sense, you can prevent many problems of the weekend warrior. If your pain doesn't go away with time off and rest, make an appointment with a physical therapist. Having a trained professional diagnose an injury early on can prevent it from becoming a chronic condition.

Get Outside! Cold-Weather Exercising Tips For Winter

Michele Foley — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:07:17 PST

Going for an outdoor run or bike ride when it's 40 degrees outside might not seem like your idea of a good time. The treadmill offers warmth, but exercising outdoors breaks up the monotony of the gym, increases calorie burn, and can also help performance increase. Follow these cold-weather tips for exercising outdoors, and you'll find that Winter workouts aren't as daunting as you think.

What to wear: Sure you'll work up a sweat, but it's important to dress warmly when exercising in cold weather. In the Winter, it's all about layers (like these cute long-sleeved tops). You also want to make sure that your bottom layer of clothing is moisture-wicking. To avoid overheating but still stay warm, dress like it's 20 degrees warmer than the true temperature outside. Here's a checklist of what to wear for cold-weather workouts.
How to warm up: It's important to warm up before any workout - outdoors or otherwise. It can be even harder to do in cold weather; muscles feel extra tight and the last thing you want to do is brave the elements. Get blood flowing and muscles loose by warming up indoors first. Here are warmup ideas that can be done indoors (even in a small apartment space!).

Keep reading to see more tips on exercising outdoors during the Winter!

How I Convinced My Hubby Not to Hate Running

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:30:39 PST

My husband loves his bike and he loves his skis, but he's never been much of a slip-on-your-sneaks-and-go-for-a-run kind of guy. That is until now.

Wooed him with gear: To replace his cotton tube socks, sweatpants, and high school t-shirts, I got him some wicking socks, real running pants, and merino wool shirts. He was amazed that after a run there were no blisters or chafing from his loose pants, and he stayed relatively dry thanks to the wicking shirt.
Added a little friendly competition: It's human nature to be a little competitive, and my hubby is no exception. For a couple bucks, I downloaded the Nike+ GPS app to his iPhone. He loves that it keeps track of his time, distance, pace, and calories burned, and the GPS charts his route. The latest version of the app has the Nike+ Tag feature, which allows you to compete with friends. The object of the game is not to be "It," and in our case, whoever runs the shortest distance becomes "It." The competition has actually motivated both of us to run.

Keep reading for more ways to convince the guy in your life to love running.

Announcing the 2012 Independent Spirit Award Nominees

Becky Kirsch — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:50:49 PST

Kate Beckinsale and Anthony Mackie were up early this morning to present the nominees for the 2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards. The Artist and Take Shelter lead the pack with five nominations apiece. Right behind it was Drive, which picked up four nods, including one for leading man Ryan Gosling. The Descendants also scored four nominations, though George Clooney was left off the list this time. Though two of our favorite movies of the year didn't pick up quite as many nods, I was happy to see that Beginners and 50/50 got some love, including nominations for best feature.

To see the full list of the nominees, just

read more. BEST FEATURE 50/50 Beginners Drive Take Shelter The Artist The Descendants BEST DIRECTOR Mike Mills, Beginners Nicolas Winding Refn, Drive Jeff Nichols, Take Shelter Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist Alexander Payne, The Descendants BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to the director and producer) Another Earth In the Family Margin Call Martha Marcy May Marlene Natural Selection JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD (Given to the best feature made for under $500,000) Bellflower Circumstance Hello Lonesome Pariah The Dynamiter BEST SCREENPLAY Joseph Cedar, Footnote Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist Tom McCarthy, Win Win Mike Mills, Beginners Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, and Jim Rash, The Descendants BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY Mike Cahill and Brit Marling, Another Earth J.C. Chandor, Margin Call Patrick DeWitt, Terri Phil Johnston, Cedar Rapids Will Reiser, 50/50 BEST FEMALE LEAD Lauren Ambrose, Think of Me Rachel Harris, Natural Selection Adepero Oduye, Pariah Elizabeth Olsen, Martha Marcy May Marlene Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn BEST MALE LEAD Demian Bichir, A Better Life Jean Dujardin, The Artist Ryan Gosling, Drive Woody Harrelson, Rampart Michael Shannon, Take Shelter BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE Jessica Chastain, Take Shelter Anjelica Huston, 50/50 Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs Harmony Santana, Gun Hill Road Shailene Woodley, The Descendants BEST SUPPORTING MALE Albert Brooks, Drive John Hawkes, Martha Marcy May Marlene Christopher Plummer, Beginners John C. Reilly, Cedar Rapids Corey Stoll, Midnight in Paris BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Joel Hodge, Bellflower Benjamin Kuh-Sulk, The Off Hours Darius Kond-Jee, Midnight in Paris Gui-omme Shiffman, The Artist Jeffrey Waldron, The Dynamiter BEST DOCUMENTARY An African Election Bill Cunningham New York The Interrupters The Redemption of General Butt Naked We Were Here BEST FOREIGN FILM A Separation Melancholia Shame The Kid With a Bike Tyrannosaur ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD (Given to one film's director, casting director and its ensemble cast) Margin Call PIAGET PRODUCERS AWARD Chad Burris, Mosquita y Mari Sophia Lin, Take Shelter Josh Mond, Martha Marcy May Marlene ACURA SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD Simon Arthur, Silver Tongues Mark Jackson, Without Nicholas Ozek, Mamitas AVEENO TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD Heather Courtney, Where Soldiers Came From Danfung Dennis, Hell and Back Again Alma Har'El, Bombay Beach

A Reader Buys Her First Bike and Preps For a Bike Race

Fit Community — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:30:49 PDT

Being a beginner cyclist didn't stop FitSugar reader bjeanne18 from participating in a 15k bike race! She shares what it was like to shop for a bike and prep for her big race day in our FitSugar Community.

The 15K bike race was part of the Corporate Challenge. I signed up for the bike race and a 5K run and they are the first races I've ever competed in as long as you aren't counting elementary school where I was downright legit at the water balloon relay. Word.

I probably got into biking around January when the BF and I decided to look into getting bikes. We went to our local Richardson Bike Mart and told the salesman we were total newbs and looking for beginner bikes. He nods his head as if he understands us and says, "Ah yes, so the sub-$1000 range." Sub-$1,000?! Um, wow. I really was under the impression a $300 bike was a lot of money. I mean, I still have to be able to afford shoes.

So I get completely schooled/versed on bikes and read a lot of stuff online but I still can't part with the money for a nice road bike - I ended up going with a hybrid Men's DiamondBack but I absolutely love it. It cost me a little less than $300 from Sports Authority and came with a free tune-up in the first year. I like that my seat is more cushion-y than actual road bikes and that my handles bend back slightly so I can sit up straight when I'm riding. It's a lot more comfortable.

Read on to learn more about bjeanne18's bike race prep.