| Even if you're not planning on scaling any mountains, | | | | baskets and nylon carriers that easily attach to the |
| a mountain bike is still a great investment. Mountain | | | | front or rear of your mountain bike that can easily |
| bikes are tough. They have a suspension system | | | | hold a few groceries. Because urban areas are often |
| that makes for a comfortable ride, and the thick, | | | | fairly flat, getting around by bicycle can often be |
| wide tires are less likely to slip than the slimmer tires | | | | faster than getting around by car. You do have to be |
| of a cruiser bike, particularly on wet roads. Mountain | | | | careful of traffic, so it is vital to buy a helmet that |
| bikes have alloy frames that are strong and | | | | fits and that is easy to put on and take off. |
| lightweight. They're definitely not just for climbing | | | | In an age when energy is expensive and people want |
| mountains. Three great reasons for buying a | | | | to cut back on use of natural resources, biking |
| mountain bike are for the great exercise you get, | | | | makes even more sense. You can burn a lot of fuel |
| the fuel you save by traveling by bike instead of car, | | | | just from short trips around town. All that carbon |
| and the lack of environmental impact that a bike | | | | dioxide emitted by automobiles really adds up, and |
| makes compared to a car. | | | | many scientific experts believe that carbon dioxide |
| Benefits of Riding a Bicycle | | | | emitted from cars is a major contributor to global |
| Riding a bike is great exercise. Not only do you | | | | climate change. When you ride your mountain bike |
| strengthen the legs, but you also develop better | | | | rather than drive your car, you don't contribute to |
| cardiovascular health. A mountain bike with several | | | | environmental damage. Bicycling is one of the most |
| speeds will allow you to adapt to your particular | | | | efficient carbon-neutral forms of transportation. |
| fitness level. Bicycling is also kinder to joints than | | | | Mountain vs. Road |
| higher impact exercises like aerobics or running. Place | | | | If you are considering getting a bicycle, whether for |
| the seat of your mountain bike high enough so that | | | | exercise, to save on energy costs, or to lower your |
| your legs almost fully extend with each pedaling | | | | environmental impact, you should consider getting a |
| cycle. And of course, bicycling gets leg muscles into | | | | mountain bike. Mountain bikes are made to be tough, |
| shape. You can start out on flat terrain, then add | | | | and they have wider tires that grip the road better |
| speed and varied terrain as your legs become | | | | and are less likely to slip on wet surfaces. With the |
| stronger. It is a good idea to stretch both before and | | | | right sized mountain bike, a helmet, and perhaps a |
| after riding your mountain bike. | | | | basket or nylon carrying bag attached to the |
| Many people are in the habit of taking their car even | | | | handlebars or frame, you'll not only get in shape, you'll |
| on the shortest errands. There may be errands that | | | | be conserving resources and you'll have more money |
| are too far to walk to complete, but that are well | | | | in your pocket from buying less gas for your car. |
| within cycling distance. There are many types of | | | | |