»life Deconstruction
Gearing Up for a Good Ride
Tallahassee is full of cycling opportunities. Whether you prefer riding down winding, hilly roads or exploring one of our fair city’s many off-road trail systems, you’ll have a blast while getting a great workout at the same time. In the past few years, several of Tallahassee’s off-road trails have been completely renovated and are now considered among the best in the state. The rolling hills in and around Tallahassee provide some serene and scenic adventures for both short- and long-distance rides alike. In either case, finding that perfect ride shouldn’t be too difficult, but you should definitely consider the differences in equipment and gear to make sure you’re properly prepared for the good times ahead. // Laura Bradley Protecting your noggin
It’s simple. Falling from your bike, even at low speeds, can be quite dangerous. The helmet takes the force of the blow — instead of your head. That’s a pretty good reason to cover it up.
Cycling jersey options Tighter fitting
jerseys offset the wind experienced on high-speed road rides. Beyond being extremely fashionable, the bright colors available increase your visibility to drivers. For mountain biking on off-road trails, some prefer something looser, and not quite as … neon.
Padded shorts! On longer rides, padded shorts make a huge difference. Some prefer tighter fitting, padded cycling shorts for both on- and off-road riding; others prefer baggier shorts — also available with padded inserts. Caution: At 15-25 miles per hour, baggy shorts will slow you down and probably drive you crazy flapping in the wind.
Road bike (Felt F5: $2,069 as shown; Higher Ground Bicycle Co.) Primarily designed for paved roads, these bikes are generally made of lightweight materials like aluminum or carbon fiber (or other materials like steel and titanium) and equipped with drop handlebars (making your body more compact and aerodynamic) and narrower tires with higher air pressure (upwards of 120psi) for less rolling resistance.
Becoming one with your bike Everybody generally starts
out with flat, traditional pedals, but when you’re riding for hours at higher speeds, cycling shoes with cleats that “lock” into the pedals improve overall efficiency. With a simple twist, you can disengage your foot from your bike. Adjusting takes time, but once you’re clipping in and out, you can’t imagine it any other way.
Mountain Bike (Specialized Carve Comp 29: $1,600 as shown; Higher Ground Bicycle Co.) Mountain bikes are primarily used on non-paved, rougher environments. Wide, knobby tires with lower air pressure (around 35–50psi) provide better traction and shock absorption. The front suspension fork helps to level out varied off-road terrain (some mountain bikes have front and rear suspension, providing a much smoother ride when conditions are at their roughest). Model: Graham Gillis // Photos: Terri Smith Photo
tallahasseeMagazine.com July–August 2013
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