Indoor vs. Outdoor Bike Riding

Which do you prefer?

Whether you’re an aspiring Lance Armstrong, or a casual bike rider, you’ll probably ask the simple question: should I ride my bike indoors or outdoors? Is one environment more effective than the other? There are indeed fundamental differences between each style of bike riding that could affect your enjoyment of the exercise. In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of each type of bike riding

* Benefits of the Outdoors. There’s nothing better than getting out in the fresh air to exercise, but biking doesn’t have to only be a form of exercise. Using bikes for transportation is both healthy for you and for the environment. Many people enjoy that feeling of freedom that biking brings. Using a bike as transportation frees you from having to find that ever elusive parking space, and reduces the number of fill ups needed by your car. These aspects of bike riding make it an effective way to exercise while also being useful.

* Drawbacks to Outdoor Riding. While all these aspects of bike riding might be positive, there are many negatives to consider about outdoor riding when deciding whether biking inside or outside is best. If you’re an avid outdoor biker the weather can be wonderful, but what do you do on those days where you have to train and it’s too hot or too cold to go out safely. In addition to these concerns about the weather, you must also consider traffic safety, especially if you’re a commuter. It’s all well and good to combine your exercise routine with going to work or the store, but make sure to keep your safety in mind when deciding whether outdoor bike riding is for you.

* The Alternative. If you don’t like the idea of battling weather and traffic while exercising you might want to consider taking your bike riding inside. There are several options for riding inside, including exercise bikes or rollers onto which you can put your regular bike. Once you decide how you’re going to go about riding inside you can enjoy your exercise routine in the comfort of your own home or the gym of your choice. In addition to protection from the weather you can keep yourself amused while you exercise by reading or watching television, neither of which you could do if riding outside. All in all, by riding your bike inside you can make your exercise very comfortable.

Naturally, all the drawbacks to riding indoors are the benefits of riding outdoors, discussed earlier in this article. By riding indoors you’re forgoing the enjoyment of riding in nature and the economical benefits discussed above. In the end you may decide to use both, if possible. Overall, bike riding is a wonderful form of exercise that can be tailored to suit your personal preferences.

Photo Credits: Pörrö

Originally posted 2009-09-17 03:41:58.

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