What Items Will Aid Your Cycling Workouts?
There’s a lot more to cycling than just getting on a bike and riding. I mean you could conceivably just do that, but you’d be robbing yourself of an optimal ride. Do you really want to go cycling without a water bottle or something to carry your wallet, keys, etc? The best cycling accessories will also enhance the safety of your ride.
No matter what level of cyclist you are, having the right items will make everything so much more convenient. At first, the absolute essentials such as a helmet and water bottle may be all you really need. As you get more advanced, taking longer rides, accessories like attachable bike pumps and fitness trackers are great to have. You don’t have to break the bank either, as most of these cycling accessories are very affordable.
Helmets
Once upon a time, I would go cycling without a helmet. I wasn’t as into it as I am now back then, and was just mostly riding on a sidewalk not far from my apartment for around a half-hour ride maybe. Over time, I started riding a better bike on trails or in the bike lane on the road. Admittedly, I still didn’t wear a helmet at the time.
It was my girlfriend at the time who convinced me to start wearing a bicycle helmet. She was right though, it’s so much safer to cycle while wearing one. If you’re like me, you’re gonna ride fast sometimes. What if you hit an object on the trail or go off of the trail itself? Even if you don’t ride very fast, there’s always that chance of falling off your bicycle for a multitude of reasons. Believe me, I’ve done just that. There is no doubt that head protection in the form of a bicycle helmet is a necessity for safe riding.
Make sure to find the right size helmet that’s easy to adjust. While increased safety is what you’re looking for in a bike helmet, you also don’t want to neglect comfort. It shouldn’t be too difficult to find a helmet that suits you.
Water Bottles
If you are doing any type of serious cycling, you need to have a water bottle with you. Honestly, you should even have one with you when you are doing a little recreational riding. No matter how far you’re going, thirst could sneak up on you. This is especially true on those hot summer days. With the dangers of dehydration, a water bottle can be seen as a cycling accessory that improves safety.
The vast majority of bicycles will have an attachment to a water bottle holder. In many cases, they may already be on the bike. Honestly, I’m not even sure if any new bikes are made without this feature. They are easy to attach to common household tools and are also easy to adjust. They are also in the perfect spot to easily grab while cycling.
The best water bottles for cycling are going to be easy to sip from while riding. They all have pull-up or twist tops for easy sipping. Also, the best of them are made of strong plastics, as you will undoubtedly drop them at some point while you’re taking a bike ride.
Handlebar Bags
This should be an essential accessory if you are into cycling. There was a time when I used to ride my bicycle without a handlebar bag so I had to keep important items like keys, my phone, and my wallet either in my pockets or in some crummy plastic bag tied to the bike. Heck, one time I even lost my phone (fortunately it was found and actually turned in to the police). The discovery of a handlebar bag made riding with my personal effects so much simpler, I don’t know how I got along without one for so long.
There are a variety of handlebar bags available. The best are easy to attach and have enough room for what you need to have with you without getting in the way of your ride. Even better, many of them will allow you the ability to see and easily interact with your cell phone. This can certainly be important if you are following a map or need emergency assistance. Also, there should be plenty of room for small snacks like protein bars and earbud cases.
Bike Locks
Depending on where you store your bicycle, you may have to have a bike lock for it. This is especially important if you leave your bike somewhere outside. Having it locked up will give you the peace of mind that it likely won’t get stolen, even if it’s in your yard.
A bike lock is also an essential accessory to have if you plan on making any stops during your ride. Let’s face it, you should always have a bike lock with you just in case. Even if you are just stopping to use the bathroom you may want to lock your bicycle. You just never know what people might do, especially if you have a nice bike. If you are riding to the store or gym then you for sure want to lock up your bicycle.
Bike Pumps
Nothing will halt a bike ride quicker than a flat tire. I’ve had it happen to me, which resulted in a long walk back to my vehicle. The thing is, a lot of times these flat bicycle tires happen gradually. You don’t realize it at first, but then the ride seems to be getting bumpier for no good reason. That is until you realize you’re riding on one or both tires being very low. This may result in a complete flat where you could be causing damage to your bike wheels if you keep riding. With an attachable bike pump, you can save yourself plenty of time, and possibly money.
Attachable Bicycle Pumps
When I first bought my present bike, I didn’t realize there was a spot for an attachable bicycle pump. Once I realized it, I could purchase one fast enough. These pumps are small and inexpensive. They will easily attach to your bike with a screwdriver. Ease of use is another excellent feature of attachable pike pumps.
Bicycle Car Racks
Chances are, if you want to hit up a nice trail to cycle on, you’re gonna have to drive to it. If your favorite biking area is close to home, hey that’s great. However, many times you’ll have to drive to a trail, especially if you enjoy a variety of them. While taking a road trip vacation, you certainly can’t go wrong bringing your bike to take in the scenery while still getting some enjoyable exercise. There are many options for bike racks to attach to your vehicle.
In my opinion, bike racks that attach to a hitch on a vehicle are the best. They will give you the most peace of mind that your bike, or bikes, aren’t going anywhere. Racks that attach to the top of a vehicle also seem very safe for your bicycles, as long as there’s no chance of hitting anything overhead.
There are plenty of options even if you don’t have a hitch on your vehicle. These will strap to the back of your car or SUV. Whether you need to carry one or multiple bicycles, you can find what you are looking for. The issue with these types of bike racks is that it can be a bit nerve-wracking to have your cycle strapped to your car. I would prefer to use one for short trips.
Fitness Trackers
There are many different types of fitness trackers out there, from the ones that simply measure your heart rate to those that monitor your activity levels and even your sleep patterns. The best option for you depends on what you’re looking to get out of your tracker. Fortunately, there’s something for everybody.
Is any workout really complete these days without a fitness tracker? Are you in a fat-burning heart rate zone? How many calories are you burning? How far do you run or cycle? All of these will be answered with the best fitness trackers. With all of the options available, there’s no good reason not to wear one when exercising.
The vast majority of fitness trackers are worn on the wrist and double as watches. There are quite a few big-name brands with a variety of features. With such a wide range of choices, you will certainly find one that suits you based on your budget.
Get What You Need At Your Own Pace
Much like exercising on a bicycle, you want to get the items you need, or want, at your own pace. As far as bicycle accessories go, a helmet and water bottle should be the first items you purchase. Over time, you can attain other accessories and upgrade your present ones.
There are always new discoveries when it comes to upgrading your cycling experience. If you find something you think can help make your ride more comfortable or efficient, try it out. There is no end to new bike accessories being created by cycling enthusiasts.
