FitSugar -- Healthy, happy you.

Speak Up: How Do You Feel About Wearing a Helmet While Bike Riding?

FitSugar — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:00:00 -0700

When I was a kid, there were no bike helmets – just wind in my hair. Unfortunately bike accidents can mean head injuries, and that's why helmets are encouraged today. Now that I'm a mom, I wouldn't think of letting my girls ride their bikes or trikes without a helmet. I must admit, I really use to despise wearing one myself. They're not very attractive and I felt like a helmet interfered with my sense of awareness. Now, I am totally used to the sensation of the helmet and really appreciate the little visor on the front of mine. How do you feel about wearing a helmet while bike riding? Are there any laws in your town about bike helmets? Do you think everyone should wear one all the time, or maybe only on certain roads? Should helmets only be for children? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Source

Bike Riding and Back Pain: Part Two

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:30:00 -0700

Now that you have your bike set up to fit you to further prevent back, shoulder, and neck pain, you want to ride your bike correctly. These tips should help you have a smooth, pain-free ride.

Check your pedaling technique. If you glance at your knees while pedaling, they should be going straight up and down. Try to keep them from pointing out to the side as you pedal as this will make you pedal slower, could injure your knees or hips, and could be causing low-back pain.
Have good cycling posture. Your back should be slightly arched up like a hill, not swaybacked with your tailbone sticking up. This slight arch will allow you to engage your abs, and is also necessary when you hit bumps in the road. Your back will arch up a little more to absorb the shock. If your spine was arched down, hitting bumps would cause your back to bow in even more, which can cause low-back pain.
While pedaling, make sure not to have your bike set on a gear that makes pedaling really difficult. Switching to an easier gear could ease your back pain.
Be mindful of your shoulders. Consciously remind yourself to relax them away from your ears. Scrunching them up will cause tension, which in turn can cause neck and upper-back pain.

Want to see what else may help ease your back pain? Then

Xdream Bike: Who Needs Fresh Air?

FitSugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 08:45:00 -0700

Love riding your bike outside but hate dealing with traffic, inclement weather, and bugs in your teeth? Don't worry. The Xdream is the "first indoor fitness product that accurately simulates the experience of riding outdoors." That means you have real gears, brakes, handlebars, pedals, cranks and seat sensors that enable each move you make to be accurately portrayed on the screen in front of you. Whatever terrain and conditions of the road you see on the screen, the bike will mimic the resistance you feel as if you were actually experiencing it for real. It's kind of like a video game, but much better because at least you're off the couch.

It's great if you live in a busy city, in a bad neighborhood, or the streets are covered in two feet of snow. For most of us though, I'm sure we'll just opt to slap on a helmet and actually ride our bikes outside.

If you want to buy this bike, you'll definitely be breaking the piggy bank for this one. To find out how much it costs and see some great pictures of the Xdream bike then

Bike Riding and Back Pain: Part One

FitSugar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 04:00:00 -0800

Bike riding is great exercise since it gets you outside into the fresh air, it works your heart and lungs, and many people find it to be easier on their bodies than running. Some people may experience pain in their lower back, upper back, and shoulders, and a lot of it has to do with their bike. Check out these tips to help prevent discomfort:

Make sure the bike is the right style for where you plan on riding. You don't want to be taking a road bike, that's made for speediness on flat surfaces, out mountain biking. The right kind of bike will support your body better.
Also make sure it's the right size for you. You'll know it's the right height, if you can stand with your feet flat straddling the bike, and the front bar and your lady business are about two to four inches apart. If you have a women's bike where the bar is slanted, imagine that the bar is horizontal and measure from that line.
Be sure the seat is the appropriate height. When sitting on the bike, your leg should be almost straight when on the down stroke. Having your knees lock can cause injury and a jarring feeling in your lower back.
Find a comfortable handlebar height. Start with your handlebar stem one inch lower than your seat. If this position bothers your lower back, you can raise the bars slightly until your back feels good. If you're riding on tough terrain, higher handlebars may be better.
Don't raise the handlebars so that your spine is in an upright position. A straight back doesn't allow any give when you hit road bumps, and will only make your vertebrae jam together, which will aggravate existing back pain.

Stay tuned for Part Two, all about riding technique and posture.

Source

Green Exercise: Ride Your Bike Inside

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:30:00 -0800

Riding your bike is perfect exercise for your heart and a wonderful way to tone your lower body. It's also great for the environment, because it doesn't require any gas or electricity to get it going. If you live in a place where Winter means cold, ice, and snow, I'm sure you've put your bike away till the Spring, but you can still get the benefits of riding your bike without having to go outside.

Transform your favorite bike into a stationary bike by using a cycle trainer like the Blackburn TrakStand Mag ($159.99). All you do is remove your bike's front wheel and mount your back wheel into the cycle trainer's mount, which elevates your bike and keeps it stable, turning your road bike into a stationary bike. This bike mount even folds up for easy storage.

Want to make your indoor ride even more challenging? Then

Bike Tire Skins: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 03:30:00 -0700

So you've just taken the plunge and bought yourself a sweet new ride. I am not talking about a gas guzzling ride, but the calorie burning eco-friendly ride. Problem is, your new bike seems a little boring. You can spice it up with SweetskinZ ($34 and up), new bike tires that are not only totally colorful during the day, but reflective at night as well.I am not sure I could pull it off. I feel it would be a lame attempt to reclaim my coolness on the streets, but you guys probably could. So what do you think?

Bike Tire Skins: Cool or Not?

Cool

Not cool

Undecided

Other - tell us below

Get Your Butt in Gear: Pearl Izumi Sugar Short

FitSugar — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:30:00 -0700

Riding your bike is a great cardio workout since it's fun, fast, and the constant breeze keeps you cool. If you don't ride your bike that often, you probably have a sensitive bum, so I definitely recommend getting yourself some padded bike shorts.

Made by Pearl Izumi, Sugar Short certainly protects your booty and keeps you looking and feeling cool! I love the name and I LOVE these shorts.

The best part about these shorts is that they have something called 3D TOUR Chamois™. It's a big name that basically means an anatomically contoured pad for your bum, to prevent you from getting saddle sore. This comfortable pad is seamless and antimicrobial.

I also like that these shorts are not too short and not too long - they have a 5" inseam. Plus, you can't beat the price - $44.95 from teamestrogen.com. These padded shorts will make a huge difference on your next ride.

Get in Gear: Polar Bike Computer

FitSugar — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:00:00 -0700

A computer for your bike? I know you may be thinking, "I ride my bike to get away from my computer!" Don't worry because a bike computer is just the name of a handy little device you can attach to your bike that gives you all kinds of cool info.

How do they work? A magnet is attached to your bike's front wheel (on a spoke), and a magnet pickup is attached to the fork (the bar that holds your wheel). With each tire revolution, the pickup is triggered. Based on the calibration you set for your bike (stats about your bike like tire size), the computer calculates the distance you've traveled, your speed, and other measures, depending on the sophistication of the computer.

I found one that's not too expensive called the Polar CS 100b Wireless Bike Computer ($85).

It's wireless, so you don't have to deal with securing wires around the fork of your bike. The mount attaches to your bike stem or your handlebars, and the computer attaches to the mount. It's simple to use and the large display is easy to read. Instantly, you can look down and find out how fast you are going, how long you've been riding, and how many miles you've biked.

This bike computer is water-resistant, so it can take rain and a few splashes if you are riding in puddles. It uses a CR2032 battery, which you can replace yourself. There's even a low battery indicator that'll tell you when you should replace it.

I'm a huge fan of keeping track of your workouts. It motivates you to workout and allows you to chart your progress. When I run, I use the Nike + Sports Kit for my iPod Nano, and when I bike, I use a basic bike computer like this one made by Polar.

Get Physical: Quadribent Side-by-Side Recumbent Bike

FitSugar — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 03:30:00 -0700

When I have to get somewhere on my bike, I love traveling solo. When I'm going for a long, scenic bike ride for exercise, I must have someone with me, for conversation, and for safety.

If you love the ease and comfort of riding a recumbent bike, you've got to check out this 2-person quadribent side-by-side recumbent bike. Talk about riding together. This tandem recumbent bike is so much better than the kinds that are one right in back of the other. With this quadribent, you can sit right next to your friend, pedal away while being able to have a conversation and seeing each other.

The 4-wheeled design makes this super stable and the recumbent position allows your head to be up, to eliminate neck, shoulder and lower back pain. Co-Captain steering allows either rider to pilot the vehicle and the dual-drive allows people with different physical abilities to ride together with either rider generating from 0 to 100% of the power. This way you can pedal together, or take turns if one of you gets tired. If you are riding with your child, you can do all the work.

You can either buy this quadribent from Blackbirdbikes.com ($1,949) or if you already own 2 separate recumbent bikes, you can buy a conversion kit ($649) to attach them. If you don't want to spend that much moolah, you might be able to rent one from your local bike shop, or buy a used one. Either way, this bike is a whole lot of fun.

Even Spiderman Can Ache from Biking...

FitSugar — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:20:00 -0700

Whether you're a novice or a pro cycler, celebrity or average joe, Spiderman or non-superhero, biking can cause unwanted aches and pains if you're not careful about your form.

Judging by his gear, Tobey looks like he's definitely done this a time or two in the past, but it never hurts to review the basics of proper form so here are a few tips to help prevent common aches and pains on your next bike ride:

Lower back pain can get severe when you tuck your hips under and don't maintain a neutral spine (slight inward curve of your lower back).
Neck pain worsens when you round your back and slump your shoulders. Retract your shoulder blades and stretch your neck often during your ride.
Wrist or forearm pain can be caused by not maintaining a proper line between your forearm, wrist and hand. When people get tired, they often break at the wrist. Also, wear cycling gloves.
Foot cramping can occur because you may pedal with your feet too far inside the cages or you grip with your toes when you ride. Also be sure your fancy Italian cycling shoes aren't too tight.
A sore butt is common. There are a few reasons for a bruised glute: The first (and most obvious) reason is not wearing proper cycling shorts. The second is improper positioning of your butt on the saddle. Your sit bones should make contact with the rear portion of the seat. If you ride too far forward, the center part of the saddle presses against your soft tissue.

For more pics of Tobey getting his ride on, just

Biking: Bugs vs. Saddle Sore - Which Is Worse?

FitSugar — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Have you been riding your bike a lot this summer? I have been inspired by the Tour de France, have you? There are some things about bike riding I do NOT enjoy. Aside from cars not sharing the road, what do you think is worse?Source

Biking: Bugs vs. Saddle Sore - Which Is Worse?

Bugs flying into your mouth, eyes, and nose

Getting saddle sore

Sarah MG's Bike: Electra Townie 3

FitSugar — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 02:00:00 -0700

I have become obsessed with a bike Sarah Michelle Gellar has been photographed with recently. Not only is it an urban/cruiser bike, it's hot pink! The basket full of fresh looking veggies stole my heart too. Oh how I could picture myself riding to the farmers' market on this bike, with those veggies, in those heels... Wait, scratch the part about the heels, while they are cute, I prefer more sensible shoes while biking. Since these pics are from a photo shoot for Maybelline, the heels can be excused.

The bike however I must have. After much searching, and with a little help from Arthur (Sugar's very own on-site bike expert), I've located the bike. Want to learn about it? Then

Do You Listen to Music When You Exercise Outside?

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Sometimes, going for a run is just an excuse to listen to my favorite playlists on my iPod. The beat of the music keeps pushing me along and the lyrics entertain me. Other times, I like to run without music and listen to the birds chirping, my stride and my breath. I feel more aware of my surroundings too. So I want to know...Source

Do You Listen to Music When You Exercise Outside?

Yes - I always listen to music when I workout outside. It's a MUST!

No - I love to hear the sounds of nature, and be aware of my surroundings.

It depends - explain below.

Safe Tunes for Your Bike: iH8B

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 11:00:00 -0700

I like riding my bike and I like listening to music, but have never really felt comfortable combining the two. I rely on my ears as well as my eyes to stay aware of my surroundings and cranking up my iPod while biking just doesn't seem like a good idea.

The new Bike to Beach Bicycle Speaker for iPod® (iH8B), made by iHome is a creative solution to this musical dilemma.

Here's how it works. You place your iPod in the impact resistant, polycarbonate case and mount it to the lower crossbar of your bike. It has little speakers on the ends of it so you don't even need to wear headphones - that way you can hear your music and also hear what's going on around you. Then you mount the wireless remote control to your handlebars. Now you can easily skip past Gwen Stephani's "Hollaback Girl" when you're really in the mood for Kelly Clarkson's Never Again without having to futz with your iPod. Plus it's water and impact resistant - two very necessary features when it comes to your bike.

These speakers for your bike only cost $99, but they're not quite ready to be shipped yet. You can order one straight from iHome though, and be the first on your bike path to have one.

Want to see more pictures then

Indoor Bicycle Trainer from Bell

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 09:30:00 -0700

No matter what your reasons for having to stay inside are (the weather, that newborn baby you just had, the episode of Oprah you just can't miss...) you can still get in a biking workout, even if you don't own a stationary bike. No, I'm not telling you to bike around your house...

It seems that almost all of us have a bike laying around the house somewhere, right?. Perhaps collecting dust? Think about putting that bike to good use by turning it into an indoor stationary bike. The Bell Motivator Mag Indoor Bicycle Trainer ($98.64) can easily convert that old (or new) bike into a cycling trainer for indoor riding. It even has magnetic resistance to make your indoor riding a little more challenging. A lot of cyclists will get these indoor trainers to be able to train indoors on their racing bike, but you can use it simply for exercise too. Buy it from Amazon.com. FYI: A bit of assembly is required.

Fit's Tips: Something to consider that should not deter you, but is worth the thought: Dragging your bike inside from the garage or basement (or even attic). I'm not saying this should be the end all be all, but just keep it in mind.

What Type of Bike is Right For You?

FitSugar — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 15:45:00 -0700

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

Bike Friendly Cities for National Bike Week

FitSugar — Thu, 17 May 2007 03:30:00 -0700

If you're really into biking, you may want to check out these Bicycle Friendly Communities. There is actually a Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign - they award cities that actively support bicycling. A Bicycle Friendly Community provides safe accommodations for cycling and encourages its residents to bike for transportation and recreation.

These cities have an awareness of bikers, and many of their roads have bike lanes. When roads feel safe for riding, MORE people ride their bikes.

I hope this encourages other cities to put time and money into making their cities more Bike Friendly. It can be both scary and dangerous for bikers trying to share the road with cars. Awareness and safety precautions are so important, since biking is a great form of transportation, it's good for the environment, and keeps people active and healthy.

Want to know which city won the Platinum Award in praise of the bike? It's Davis, California!

These cities received the Gold Award (in alphabetical order):

Boulder, Colorado

Corvalis, Oregon
Madison, Wisconsin
Palo Alto, California
Portland, Oregon
San Francisco, California
Tucson/Pima Eastern Region, Arizona

Want to see which cities received Bronze Awards for being Bicycle Friendly? Then

Spring Biking Tips: Mudguard

FitSugar — Thu, 03 May 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Spring time can be a wet time. So when you're biking, nothing is more annoying than having mud splash up onto your butt and back (especially if you're biking to work).

You could pack a change of clothes, but why not stop the problem where it starts? Since you can't stop the rain from falling, you've got to stop the mud from splashing. Do your clothes a favor and get a mudguard.

This one is called the Flinger Portable Rear Mudguard. What's so great about it? For one thing, it's cheap ($12.99), and can be easily attached and detached. Once you take it off, it can retract (like a pirate's telescope) to a compact size, and placed in the convenient little storage bag that comes with it. So after you get to where you're going, you can stick it in your backpack.

Another great thing is that it's got reflective trim on it. You really can't have enough of that stuff when you're a biker.

How to Fit a Bike

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 02:30:00 -0700

So you want to ride a bike again. Ahhhh...to feel the wind on your face and re-discover that flying feeling of your youth. Well good thing about biking is you never forget how to ride one, but the proper fit can make your return to two wheels much more pleasant.

Bike Height: You should be able to stand over the bike without making contact with the top tube while both feet should be on the ground.
Seat Height: Adjust the seat of the bike so when pedaling your knee is just shy of being totally straight on the down stroke. Your knees should never lock!!!
Saddle Comfort: Saddle is "bike-speak" for seat. You want a ~~seat~~ saddle that cradles your pelvic bones. You might think a cushy, soft seat is the way to go, but they can end up restricting blood flow and cause unwanted numbness.
Bike Helmet: You want your helmet to fit snugly, but not too tight and you can end up with a headache.

Enjoy the ride.

Streetstepper by bodybuddy

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 02:05:00 -0800

Why remain stationary when you workout when it's possible to convert that energy into covering some space? This is the main idea behind bodybuddy's Streetstepper.

It's a cross between a bike and the stepper machine you see at the gym. Your stepping motion is what makes the bike work.

If you've suffered from back and neck pain from a regular bike, you might like the Streetstepper better. You're not hunched over like on a bike, but rather you're in an upright position, just like when you're walking. It looks so graceful. Check it out.

Phone Charger for Your Bike: Pedal Power

FitSugar — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 07:30:17 -0800

Love to ride your bike? Now you can go for a long ride and charge your phone at the same time. Check out this phone charger for your bike. It's made by Motorola and the coolest part - it's powered by your pedaling.

Hey why not? They have chargers for your car - why not have one for your bike as well? It was designed mostly to help people in 3rd world countries stay connected. It can also be used in places where biking is the primary form of transportation, or those who don't have access to electricity. But I think it's a great idea for everyone.

Not only will it increase communication between people, but it's good news for the environment. I had no idea, but Motorola is pretty conscious about their companies choices and how they impact the world. Hopefully it'll become available to the rest of the world soon.

Get in Gear: Jeep Compass Folding Bike

FitSugar — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 04:00:00 -0800

Bikes are a great way to get out and explore while burning a few (hundred) calories. Problem is that many of us don't have room for a bike in our small city apartments, or that we don't have bike racks on our cars, and we can't fit them inside. You want to bike but what is a girl to do?

With a Jeep folding bike, those problems finally become things of the past! The Jeep Compass 20" folding bike ($299) takes less than 8 cubic feet of cargo space, that's less than 1/5th of the cargo space in a typical mid-size SUV -- It even fits easily in the trunk of a mid-size sedan with plenty of room for all your stuff. The Jeep folding bike has 6-speed indexed gear shifting to ease the hills, and the rear rack can carry your gear for you. This bike has quality construction throughout, including an aluminum folding frame, mudguards and a kickstand.

Now you can keep a bike in your small apartment or even in your dorm room. How cool is that? Buy one on ABikeStore.com.

Fit's Tip: If you are an avid biker, this may not be the bike for you as it is meant for people who want to bike but can't due to space restrictions, not for people who clock 200 miles a week on their bike.

Luna Bar Women's Triathlon

FitSugar — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 11:35:00 -0800

The Luna Bar Women's Triathlon is back for its 4th year at Rancho Seco Park.

They're having the same friendly 1/2-mile swim in Rancho Seco Lake, followed by a beautiful scenic 16 mile bike ride on closed roads in the park, and it finishes with a fun 3 mile run.

The race is not until Sunday, August 26, 2007 - So you'll have plenty of time to start training for it.

You can register online - if you're in a relay team of 2 or 3, it costs $110, or $70 if you're doing the whole race solo. Check out the website for rules and details.

If completing a triathlon is top on your list, this would be a great one. Plus, all athletes receive a goody bag filled with Clif Bar products. Sounds good to me.

Get it Up - Your Heart Rate, That Is: Stationary Bike

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 09:44:44 -0800

The stationary bike is a great way to add some diversity to your work out. One of the best things about the bike is that almost every gym has one (at the very least) and that you can use the bike without causing high impact on the joints of your lower body.

00:00-05:00 Pick a steady pace and level that will elevate your heart rate, RPM 95+
05:00-07:00 Pick up the pace, RPM 100+
07:00-09:00 Pick up the pace even more, RPM 105+
09:00-10:00 Go as fast as you can, RPM 110+
Repeat the entire sequence two more times for a total of 30 minutes.
Cool down for 5 minutes, RPM under 95.

Make sure you get your heart rate up! Not sure what your target heart rate is? Check out the Fit Calculator to find out!

Fit Gift: Citybike for the Urban Chic

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 14:00:00 -0800

Some people consider the urban lifestyle totally unhealthy but that does not have to be the case. Urban transportation is usually walking, biking, subway, bus or taxi. Walking can be time consuming and biking seems scary on a road bike with über-thin tires and mountain biking on Park Avenue seems wrong since mountain bikes are, well, made for mountains.

Ever been to Europe -- particularly the Netherlands-- and noticed all the bikes? Nearly 30% of transportation in Amsterdam is done by citybike, but it has never even been a real option over here.

Want to get your own super cool citybike? Then,