Thanksgiving is the perfect excuse to indulge (or overindulge up to some extent) in food. The spread is too tempting not to take a bite of every dish served on the table. And each taste is sweeter and more sumptuous because of the company. Family and friends make time and effort to gather on Thanksgiving.The celebration may drag up to the weekend. Reheated leftover food from Thursday's dinner is still yummy because you now associate the food with the stories and laughter shared during the festivity.But once the containers are empty, you will now realize that it is time to wear your exercise clothes and get your body moving. And what better way to jumpstart the fitness regimen is to cycle off-road and hillsides. Immerse in the cool winds as the fall foliage slowly turns into skeletal trees waiting for the first drop of snow.
Soaking up on Vitamin D is always a good idea, especially when you spend most of your days at home working and attending to your needs and your family's. COVID-19 is still very real and has been a source of mental fatigue and physical inactivity. So, to keep ourselves physically and mentally healthy, hop on your bikes and traverse the picturesque roads.Cycling is known to protect us from diseases such as obesity, heart disease, mental illness, and other problems that may arise from the sedentary lifestyle–work from home's public enemy number one.Although a quick roundabout in the neighborhood is a good idea, why not take it top a notch and cycle uphill. Bring your friends and family, and it will double the fun (and pain). There is also pain when there is fun; cycling can be a complicated relationship that involves loving and hating the activity, especially if your body and mindset are not yet ready. But, once you have accomplished cycling uphill, you will be rewarded with an abundance of happiness and a sense of fulfillment.Are you ready to challenge yourself? Here are a few tips that you can rely on.
Physical condition
As in every physical activity, you must examine your condition. And the best person who can determine that would be yourself. Are you well-rested? Are you feeling fine? The slight inconvenience brought about by the quick assessment is nothing compared to pushing yourself too hard even if you are not in the condition to cycle.Another thing that could hinder you is your body weight. Of course, science tells us that the heavier you are, the ascend will be more challenging. Fundamental physics explains the gravity involved and the lack of inertia, so do not take this to heart too much. But does this pose much of a concern? Definitely not! Squeeze in some exercises before your uphill climb. It helps you strengthen your core, trains your breathing, and normalizes your heart rate.
Early morning cycle
Not a morning person? Then you might want to challenge yourself and try waking up early to catch the morning light. That and the scenery are perfect combinations to lighten up your mood and refresh your mind. The climb uphill releases mood-lifting chemicals in your body, such as endorphins.Have the crazy Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals put you under too much pressure and stress? Then these negative feelings that you experienced in the last few days will be warded off through cycling. Has the work been giving you an intense headache lately? Then cycling will wipe out the anxious feeling and fatigue brought about by these concerns. The scenery as you focus on your pedaling and breathing will occupy your mind, and it helps clear your mind and block off negative energies.
At your own pace
Leisure biking is one of the best exercises there is. While it is always fun to cycle with companions, you do not need to feel pressured to keep up with their pace. Pedal at your own pace. Stressing your muscles will only lead to unwanted injuries. You may also give yourself a break to get your leg muscles a breather.Always check your heart rate, especially when ascending. Pushing yourself beyond your comfortable state will only result in disappointment and pose a danger to your overall well-being. So, relax your body and enjoy the smooth ride.
Use a bike hitch rack
While you may start your cycling adventure from your house to your intended destination, others would prefer driving to the location and just carrying their bicycle units. And what a better and safer way to transport your bicycles is by attaching a bike rack onto your vehicle.
FLEXIMOUNTS BIKE HITCH RACK FOLDABLE BHR4
The bike rack is as durable as you want it to be. It is made of a cold-rolled steel structure with a protective powder paint finish. It has anti-wobble knobs to strengthen the connection between the mainmast and folding arms. You are assured that you can firmly or securely fix the bike rack in place, which would be our biggest worry when on the road. Frequent glances at the back of our car would be lessened with this rack as you will be at ease with its performance.The foldable bike hitch rack features a tiltable mainmast. The rack's body can swing up, down, forward and backward, which allows easier lifting of bikes. The rack pops back to its original position with the anti-wobble knob.Moreover, its foldable arms are easy to move. So, when the rack is not in use, you can easily fold it back to safekeeping. The arms won't also get in the way even if they are installed in your vehicle.The Fleximounts Bike Hitch Rack Foldable BHR4 is compatible with different sizes of bikes, which is perfect for group outings and if you own multiple types of bicycles. The rack has adjustable straps that can hold up to four bikes, and it can carry a weight of up to 165 lbs.