Every year at this time, following the excesses of Christmas celebrations, we are bombarded with advertisements for diets, gyms, cosmetic surgery and exercise equipment.
All play on the common New Year’s resolutions to lose weight and live a more healthy lifestyle. For bicyclists, the answer is simple: just ride.
Winter officially started Dec. 22 and so far has been mild. Commuting by bicycle allows you to establish base miles for the season and lose as much as 13 pounds a year, according to Bicycling magazine. Bicycling also has tips on getting started commuting, warm winter clothing, lights and commuting bicycles. More information about winter riding is at IceBike.
After the snow falls and the plow-trucks leave the road shoulders mounded with ice and snow, you can ride indoors. There are indoor spinclasses at many of the local gyms and recreation centers. The YMCA in Lancaster, the Ephrata Rec, Universal health club and - beginning a few months ago - the Lititz Rec Center all offer group spinning sessions.
The Lancaster Bicycle Club continues to offer group rides on Saturdays and Sundays for all levels through the winter.
And Bike Journal will motivate you to ride, even if you are riding alone. Bike Journal, which offers free or paid-premium registration, allows cyclists to track their miles, ranks them other riders around the country and the globe, and provides forums for bicycling-related discussions. Cyclists can also form or join teams and help them reach the team mileage goal for the year. There are three Lancaster-based teams on Bike Journal: The Breakfast Club, Lancaster Bicycle Club and Club Cycle Smart.
Have a happy new year and good luck reaching your goal.
