Made by: Johnnny Reid
Bikes are fun because bike riding gives you opportunities to get healthy and get some fresh air while doing it. Staying alive requires your body to be fit, and being active keeps you young. Some people are so caught up in being busy or too lazy to get off the couch and go outside. Bike riding is a great way to do that because it is enjoyable, and riding makes the time go by quickly. There are so many interesting things to see, and once you get out of the house, you will have a better outlook on everything.
You don’t have to ride alone. In fact, bike riding is a great way to spend time with others. Bike riding can give you time with your friends or family. You can ride around the neighborhood, to the park, or just up and down your driveway. Some great ideas for riding with friends are going to skate parks or BMX tracks. You can do tricks like wheelies, backflips, or handlebar tricks. But you have to have a BMX bike to do things like that. For families, go on an adventure together.
The first thing you need to know is that bike riding is SAFETY matters. Never ride in front of cars, on the street, or in a dangerous place. A side street is a perfect place to ride. One time I wasn’t using safety first. I used two logs and a board to build a ramp. But, as you can imagine, something went wrong. I didn’t plan well. The logs slid out, and the board slipped away. They weren’t stacked safely. When I hit the ramp, it pushed forward, and everything went BOOM… including me. You can use your imagination to realize what happened next.
Smart riding is important.
Smart riding is safe riding. Safety gear includes helmet, knee pads, mouth guard, lights for night riding, headlights, taillights, and reflective gear, so cars see you after dark. The most dangerous time to ride a bike is just before dark. Drivers have a tough time seeing riders that don’t stand out from their surroundings. Bright sunlight in the eyes can blind them as the sun sets and it gets dark. Reflective gear and lights can be beneficial at all times, even in the daytime.
The next thing to consider about bike riding is to start small. Most people start with training wheels. These help you stay upright while learning to ride a bike. They are wheels that keep you from falling over. After training wheels, you can get a simple bicycle that fits your gender.
Another thing about bike riding is a chain. You can’t just buy any chain. You have to have the one that fits your bike, and sometimes it might have to be sized. If you don’t have the right-sized chain, it could pop off, which leads me back to safety. What if the chain popped off and you wrecked, and you didn’t have safety gear? If you are doing tricks, be prepared for the chain to need to be repaired, and be ready with your safety gear. It may not look or feel great to wear, but you’ll appreciate it if you have a wreck.
If you are not enjoying riding, consider that your bike doesn’t fit you right. One of the key ways to know if you have a problem is to listen to your body. There is an old cycling rule that knee pain at the back of your leg means your saddle is too high. Age could affect your enjoyment while riding a bike. If you are older aged, take shorter rides, and don’t push it, Just enjoy yourself. If you are a young age, take shorter rides until you get used to riding.
When you’re confident, you can go anywhere. I know people who ride their bikes to work and save a few dollars on gas each day. You can mountain bike, trail bike, or just enjoy your bike around your house. And it’s never too late to learn to ride your bike. You might even have a bike in your garage – I hope this challenges you to get it out and get back in the saddle.
Now get out there and get some exercise.
green beans 