May is National Bike Month

May is National Bike Month (along with National Fitness and Sports Medicine Month, Digestive Disease Awareness Month, and National High Blood pressure month).

Now that we are in late spring and quickly approaching summer, it is the ideal time to begin cycling, if you are not already. This is the time of year that people often begin to complain of the heat, specifically that it is “too hot to run.” I happen to like the heat, and I am also primarily a runner, although I do other sports as well, so I run year round. However, I can understand that some people do not acclimatize as well to heat and therefore are better off focusing on other types of sports or exercise to stay active during the warmer months. Cycling in the spring and summer is great because even when the temperature rises, you can stay fairly cool because you make your own wind!

You can go for long rides, short rides, and everything in between. And with everyone trying to cut corners and save money any way possible, riding a bike to work and/or to run errands is a great way to save money while at the same time getting some exercise.

If you plan to do long rides (2 hours or more), you can carry multiple bottles of water and “snacks” with you (on the bike) and on almost any route you will be able to coast at least at some point to take a break if you need to.

Most cities have bike shops that offer beginner classes on taking care of your bike, how to cycle safely, and often offer free group rides. There are also tons of bike races to take part in.

Here in Austin, Texas starting today (May 4, 2009), you can join the commuter bike challenge at http://www.austincommuterchallenge.com/ . This allows you to log your miles, plan routes, get cycling tips and routes from other users, etc. The city of Austin will also use data from this challenge to improve they city’s cycling infrastructure.

You may want to also note Friday, May 15 on your calendar; this is “Bike to Work Day.” In Austin from 7 to 9 a.m., the following locations will be providing free breakfast: Whole Foods Downtown, One Texas Center (505 Barton Springs RD), City Hall Plaza, Bike Texas (1902 E. 6th street), Mellow Johnny’s (4th and Nueces Streets), Wheatsville Coop (3101 Guadalupe St), Bicycle Sports Shop (517 S. Lamar Blvd), Freewheeling Bicycles (24th and San Gabriel streets), Orange Bike Project and Longhorn Po-boys (Speedway between Dean Keaton and 21st street), The Peddler and Texas Culinary Academy (119 E. North Loop Blvd), Shoal Creek Blvd at Far West right of way, Music City Cycles (6301 W. Parmer Lane, #504), and El Chilito (2219 Manor Rd).

Happy cycling!