Some of your friends think you’re crazy.  You think it makes perfect sense.  What’s better than feeling the crisp morning air on your face?   Saving money on gas and insurance has never been so fun.  Sounds appealing right?

If you’re just starting out or if the above has scared you; have no fear.  This article will give you some guidelines on how to get started making biking a part of your life. 

Just starting out? Keep it simple

Don’t try and be a hero.  Ease yourself in to your routine of biking.  Remember you need to get comfortable with biking on the road, beside cars.  As we know some people can be very intolerant towards our fellow biking brethren.  Get a feel for how people deal with bikers in your area.

If you are planning on biking to work do a test run.  You want to see how long it takes you to get there and back so you can better plan your mornings. 

You also want to take note of how you feel physically after the ride.  Also pay attention to the type and amount of traffic you encounter as it can affect how long your trip takes. 

It’s probably not the best idea to start biking to work right away.  Start with shorter trips, making them longer each time you go out. Once you build up your endurance you can go out with the confidence to make the trip there and back comfortably.

Dress appropriately

It’s also a good idea to invest in some biking clothes specifically for biking.  You want to get something comfortable that also absorbs moisture and offsets bacteria. 

Because of the huge amount of sweat you will produce while biking, investing in clothes that can stand up to this barrage is well worth it.  You will save money over time instead of sweating out a bunch of clothes.  Not to mention you will stink less.

You will want to look for man made materials such as lycra, merino wool, polypropylene, soft-shell jackets or anything water resistant.

The amount of clothing you wear will depend on what type of biking your planning to do.  If you are always riding reasonably hard, you will need fewer, thinner layers to avoid getting too sweaty.  If you are a recreational rider, warm and thick layers are the better choice. 

For those that bike to work, it will generally be colder in the mornings than the ride home so you will have to adjust your wardrobe accordingly.

Make sure the clothes you wear allow you to ride safely.  If you are riding at times when it is dark be sure to choose a bright color and a reflective material. 

As you make the transition to this healthier lifestyle keep the above advice in mind.  Remember to use safety as a bearing to help make biking related decisions.  Get yourself a biker buddy to help each other out with the process and to keep it fun!