Cycling guide
Cycling is one of the most accessible endurance sports today, and yet it’s also one of the best sports that can offer the most benefits in terms of personal, societal, and environmental benefits. Cycling is an endurance sport that may offer you the transformation you need.
Try the adventure and challenge cycling offers with this beginner’s guide from Sports Events Egypt.
Is Cycling Safe in Egypt?
Cycling is a safe activity, however, it still depends on the location you plan to cycle. If you’re constantly training in your local neighborhood or usual cycling area, then you should already be consistent in following the same rules, regulations, and safe cycling tips. But if you’re riding on a completely new road or location, know the road and plan your route.
In Egypt, biking on the road and near cars can be risky. In some areas there are, however, safe bike lanes, which were introduced in 2015. The best thing to fully experience the beauty and safety of cycling in Egypt is to join cycling clubs and organizations that organize group events. In a nutshell, cycling is safe health-wise; it’s the external factors that may pose risks and dangers.
Cycling and Body Form
Cycling offers a lot of physical benefits to your body, if your aim is physical transformation. Cycling is a full-body workout that can improve your cardiovascular health and muscle growth. The focal points of cycling in the lower body are the glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves. On the middle and upper body, the focal points are the biceps, triceps, and deltoids.
Cycling and Weight Loss
One of the most popular benefits of cycling is weight loss. Whether you cycle professionally or casually, you can surely achieve your body goals and reap other benefits.
“According to standard criteria used primarily for the assessment of clinical studies, the strength of this evidence was strong for fitness benefits, moderate for benefits in cardiovascular risk factors, and inconclusive for all-cause mortality, coronary heart disease morbidity and mortality, cancer risk, and overweight and obesity,” said a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports.
Cycling and Mental Health
According to scientists, cycling and walking can help release ‘feel-good’ hormones or endorphins and other factors that reduce anxiety and depression. A study published in the National Library of Medicine.
“Aerobic exercises, including jogging, swimming, cycling, walking, gardening, and dancing, have been proven to reduce anxiety and depression. These improvements in mood are proposed to be caused by exercise-induced increase in blood circulation to the brain and by an influence on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and, thus, on the physiologic reactivity to stress. This physiologic influence is probably mediated by the communication of the HPA axis with several regions of the brain, including the limbic system, which controls motivation and mood; the amygdala, which generates fear in response to stress; and the hippocampus, which plays an important part in memory formation as well as in mood and motivation,” explained the study.
What to Wear to Cycling
What you wear to cycling may depend on various external factors, such as the weather, level of difficulty, and duration of your cycling, as well as internal factors like your size and shape. Regardless of your needs and preference, you have a lot of options to choose from since there’s a huge range of cycling clothing out there.
Cycling Shorts
Cycling shorts will offer you the most comfort during your ride. They’re supposed to be flexible, so you can maximize your movement, and padded, to eliminate friction and moisture. As a rule of thumb, a snugger pair of cycling shorts is better. Don’t give yourself uncomfortable restrictions but also ensure that they stay exactly where you want them to be when riding.Cycling Jersey
Matching your cycling shorts is the cycling jersey. Jerseys should also be close-fitting but breathable. You can opt for a short or long-sleeved jersey, depending on the weather. The best cycling jerseys are usually made of Lycra, but some products have added Merino wool. Aside from the fit, also consider additional features like zipper and pockets. Jerseys may come with a half or full zipper on the front and pockets built-in at the lower back. You may need pockets to store essential items like cellphones, wallets, and snacks.Socks
Socks should be able to give you the ultimate comfort, so be careful of the type of fabrics you’re going to choose. Natural fabrics from Merino wool are best for cold and wet rides. They can also potentially reduce sweating during hot days. For protection against skin problems like blisters, choose socks made with polyester or nylon.Gloves
Gloves are optional, depending on the weather. But they can offer extra protection and covering. A good pair of gloves can give you a better grip, especially when it’s cold or wet. So, it’s best to invest in one.Helmet
Helmet offers head protection and ventilation, so you must choose one with strong yet comfortable features. When choosing a helmet, consider the fitting, the outer shell, the inner liner. For the inner protection, aim for a helmet with high-grade styrofoam, preferably, expanded polystyrene foam. The outer shell should be made of strong material that is puncture resistant.Visor or Cycling Glasses
Regular bicycle caps or sunglasses may offer protection on a normal day, but if you want to really protect your eyes and experience maximum comfort in terms of vision, you may add a visor or cycling glasses to your gear. These can keep the sun out of your eyes and offer facial protection.Jacket
Jacket is optional and depends on the weather. A good waterproof jacket can save you from the rain or the cold, offering enough protection to help you continue your ride without so much discomfort.Where to Cycle in Egypt
The growing culture of cycling in Egypt offers many opportunities for cyclers to explore the country through safe cycling locations. Besides riding on the roads, here are some cycling locations in Egypt: