Two wheels, one love.

Every day is a good day to ride your bike.

Between the warmer weather and awesome trails and parks we have in NEPA, many people are rediscovering their love for cycling. After all, there’s nothing like the rush of the wind in your face and the whir of tires to make you forget your troubles.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re casual or competitive— biking is a fun pastime for all ages and skill levels. Cruise through your neighborhood or round up the kids for a family ride. If you’d rather kick things into high gear, pedal your way through a workout or take a thrilling adventure on the trails.

Dust off your bike and get back on two wheels this spring. These tips will have you livin’ the bike life in no time.

 

Tune Up Before You Head Out

 

Get your bike ready to go with some easy, at-home maintenance.

Even if you ride regularly, you should always give your bike a safety check. Cyclist Phil Cable from the NEPA Velo Cycling Club gave us some tips for simple maintenance you can do at home:

• Pump up the tires to the recommended pressure.
• Squeeze and release the brakes to make sure they’re returning properly.
• Spin the wheels to make sure they’re not bent or rubbing anything.
• Put a little oil on the chain, then wipe it down to make it clean.
• Hold the front wheel between your legs and try to turn the handlebars. They might move with some force, but they shouldn’t move too easily.

You should also adjust your seat so you have a slight bend in your leg at the full extension.

“A lot of people like to ride with the seat low so they can stand over the bike seat with their feet flat to the ground, but at that point, it would be like trying to walk around in a squat all day. Your legs can get really tired,” Cable explained. “If your legs are straighter, it’s more mechanically correct so your body is more relaxed doing it.”

If you just unearthed your bike from the depths of the garage, it probably needs a little TLC. For some extra help, just call your local bike shop.

“Most of the shops offer a safety check or a basic tune-up that’s relatively inexpensive and gives you the assurance that the bike is safe for you or your family member,” said Cable.

Now Let’s Ride!

NEPA offers everything from casual family rides to rugged mountain trails.

Once your bike’s in working order, it’s time to get rolling at NEPA’s parks, roads and trails. The local rail trails are perfect for cruising along and enjoying the scenery. They’re usually flat and smooth with a gentle grade, so they’re a fun option for families and beginners.

If you’re up for more of an adventure, NEPA is home to single track mountain biking trails. The area has an awesome BMX scene too.

Road riding is a great fit if you’re all about speed and you’re ready to push your limits.

“It’s the closest thing to flying that we can do as humans on our own power,” said Cable. “It’s soaring; it’s the thrill factor of it.”

Gravel riding is also popular because it offers the speed of road riding, but allows you to travel off the beaten path on NEPA’s scenic, unpaved backroads.

If you have a competitive streak, Cable recommends using Strava as a way to stay connected with other cyclists. The app allows you to track your miles and time and see how you measure up against other people who logged the same ride.

No matter what style of cycling is your favorite, NEPA offers plenty of places to ride. Check out our list of popular biking destinations to find a trail or park near you.

Article Updated from its Original Version Published on 5/11/2020.