| Cycling is a sport that appeals to many people. | | | | concentration up for the entire bike ride, and this type |
| Actually, we do not really have to call it a sport, since | | | | of mental discipline can itself be an act of endurance. |
| many people use it as a leisure or exercise activity, | | | | The focus developed through breathing exercises will |
| and do not compete against anyone else. They do not | | | | certainly help you in this. |
| worry about reaching or beating a certain speed, and | | | | Then again, we have to remember that cyclists can |
| cycle for pleasure and health. Then again, there are | | | | go faster if they maintain aerodynamic postures. What |
| the environmentalists, or the people who cannot afford | | | | is the point of getting specially designed bicycles and |
| other types of transportation. Cycling is, after all, a | | | | helmets if we ourselves are forced to sit in postures |
| cheap, green way to get around. | | | | that are awkward, dangerous and increase wind |
| Whatever your reasons for taking up cycling, you will | | | | drag? Breathing with raised arms might be fine for, |
| eventually begin to be concerned about increasing | | | | say, volleyball players, but only an insane cyclist would |
| your endurance-unless you bike exclusively for very | | | | try to do that in a race. You will have to find breathing |
| short distances. Riding a bike is fun, but it is less | | | | exercises that will not compromise the other aspects |
| amusing once your lungs start to burn. Being short of | | | | of your performance. |
| breath is one of the main reasons why people slow | | | | Besides maintaining a good position on your bike, you |
| down or stop on a long race. As with all sports, getting | | | | have to synchronize your breathing with your pedaling. |
| the oxygen people need is quite necessary, since | | | | To some people, this sound easy, or even so |
| muscles use up more oxygen when under stress. | | | | instinctive that there is no need to learn it. However, it |
| In addition, better breathing means that you will be able | | | | is harder than it sounds, especially once you begin to |
| to concentrate better on what you are doing and | | | | tire and your breathing becomes more erratic. You can |
| where you are going. This is vitally important, unless | | | | match your pedaling to your breathing, or vice versa. |
| you are biking in a totally isolated area. Not all countries | | | | Find out which approach works best for you and your |
| have biking lanes, and even if your area's roads have | | | | objectives. |
| biking lanes, you will have to be very careful when | | | | There are many ways you can achieve better |
| crossing the street. Even remoter areas have their | | | | breathing as you bike. More experienced bikers can |
| hazards: animals, rocks, ruts, other bikers. You will need | | | | also share tips with you. You can check reliable books |
| to keep your eye out for such obstructions, since | | | | and sites. You might also try using a breathing device |
| bikers are more vulnerable in many ways than people | | | | when you are not on your bike. |
| who ride cars, buses, etc. You have to keep your | | | | |