| Cycling is a sport which offers great fitness, | | | | made of Lycra and are padded to give more comfort |
| competition, enjoyment and stress relief. However, in | | | | on the saddle. There are cycling shorts with |
| order to gain the most out of your cycling it is | | | | drawstrings around the waist, but many prefer |
| important to invest in the proper equipment and cycling | | | | "bib-shorts", which come with straps which run over |
| clothing. It is also very important that your bicycle is set | | | | your shoulders to hold up the shorts. Cycling shorts fit |
| up correctly for you.Lets run through a list of cycling | | | | tightly to reduce wind drag.There are many cycling |
| apparel as a sort of checklist by which you can | | | | helmets on the market these days, many of which are |
| ensure that you get the most from your cycling. Of | | | | highly adjustable. Look for an indication of whether the |
| course you need a bicycle, and then a helmet, glasses, | | | | helmet of your choice meets the standard of the |
| cycling jersey, padded cycling shorts, gloves, cycling | | | | testing authority. A bicycle shop will be able to guide |
| shoes and socks.When purchasing a bicycle, the first | | | | you in your choice, and will probably not sell a helmet |
| thing you should look at is whether the frame is the | | | | which does not comply with safety standards. Make |
| right size for you. The size depends upon your height, | | | | sure that the helmet is adjusted in such a way that it |
| but also on the length of your upper body. These two | | | | fits comfortably, yet firmly on your head.A good pair of |
| factors will determine the height of the frame's seat | | | | sports, or cycling glasses, will protect your eyes from |
| tube as well as the length of the top tube. Different | | | | both the sun and any insects or other objects which |
| frame builders often use different angles, resulting in | | | | may fly into your eyes while you are cycling. Look for |
| variations in frame proportions. It is best for an expert | | | | a pair that fit comfortably, provide adequate protection |
| to assist you personally in ascertaining the correct | | | | from the wind and give the required UV protection.For |
| frame size.Next you need to make sure that the | | | | added comfort on the handle bars, try a pair of cycling |
| saddle height is correct, usually allowing for 25 - 30 | | | | gloves, these fingerless leather palm padded gloves will |
| degrees of bend in the leg when the foot is at the | | | | also protect your hands should you come a cropper. |
| bottom of the pedal stroke. Here again it is advisable | | | | Then all you need is a pair of ankle high cycling socks |
| that an expert assist you. Other adjustable settings | | | | and a decent pair of stiff soled cycling shoes. The |
| include the length of the stem, the angle of the saddle | | | | shoes should have a firm sole in order to reduce the |
| (which is usually set parallel to the ground) and the | | | | amount of energy lost in the pedal stroke. If your sole |
| fore-aft position of the saddle as it slides on its rails. | | | | is too soft, and your foot bends around the pedal, you |
| Once you are fitted properly to your bicycle you can | | | | are effectively wasting much of the energy your legs |
| concentrate on kitting yourself out in cycling | | | | are working so hard to transmit into forward |
| clothing.Cycling jerseys (shirts) are made of breathable | | | | motion.Cycling becomes much more enjoyable when |
| material and fit snugly so as not to flap around in the | | | | you are able to ride comfortably and safely with the |
| wind. On the front the jersey has a zip and at the | | | | correct cycling gear. As a better prepared cyclist you |
| back it has three pockets in which you can put your | | | | will be more efficient in your cycling and get much |
| spare tube, pump, keys or other items. Cycling shorts | | | | more out of it. |