Hello, fellow cyclists! Today, I’m going to piggy-back off of my latest post on my other blog titled Bart the Bike Guy. There, I wrote an article titled, “Why is Cycling Good for your Knees?” I discussed the health benefits of cycling versus other sports and explained why the low-impact nature of riding a bicycle is perfect for someone with knee issues.

Additionally, I noted how poor cycling posture can add to the knee problems a cyclist might experience. Today, I’ll be sharing some photos and excerpts all about riding posture for your enjoyment. Please see the links below for image sources.

How do you find the right fit for your bike? If your bike fits well and is set up correctly it will offer you good handling in all circumstances. You should be able to reach all parts of the handlebars without putting any stress on your hands or elbows. Your arms should be not quite straight and your back should be at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.

Over many miles of cycling the wrong posture will leave you stiff, aching and sore – while the correct riding position will minimize your risk of injuries, aches and pains. (GUIDELINESHEALTH.com)

The position that you ride in makes all of the difference. Get acquainted with your type of bicycle and select the right bike fit for you. Adjust your seat and handlebars as suggested for your bike. When done right it will serve you well and keep you comfortable while you ride. (Bike with Bekkie)

Here is a list of the advantages to proper posture correction from francefrominside.com:

• Increased activity and participation of the glutes and hamstrings = increased power!!
• Increased efficiency in work load distribution to the entire thigh (glutes, hamstrings, quads) = better endurance!!
• A forward tilt of the pelvis also allows for maintaining a “neutral position of the low back” and set up for proper posture in the upper back and neck = no back pain while riding and less stress in the shoulders!!

As most of us know, a well fitted bicycle helps maintain a comfortable cycling posture that allows consistent performance along the journey, and time saving can be achieved without the need for frequent resting stops to stretch out sore and painful muscles. The key influence to our body’s cycling posture is our cycling capability. (Little Rock Cycles Blog)

Best of luck to all of you on your bicycles this week!

-Barton Haynes

Image Sources:

• https://guidelineshealth.com/health-care/find-comfortable-posture-bicycle/
• https://bikewithbekkie.wordpress.com/tag/bike-posture/
• http://www.francefrominside.com/Blog-france-from-inside/Hip-pedaling-power.html
• http://littlerockcycles.blogspot.com

Happy autumn to all of my fellow cyclists out there! Today’s article inspiration comes from the change in the season. In many places in the Northern Hemisphere, fall colors are gracing the trees and making for a gorgeous cycling commute.

Though the yellows, oranges, and browns are vibrant, this means that the temperatures are dropping. This isn’t true for me here in San Diego, but for many cyclists who only enjoy warm-weather cycling, this time of year can be a literal roadblock for many who own bicycles. Unfortunately, the cooler temperatures mean that many are now returning to driving instead of cycling to work.

On this photograph-based blog, I’d like to share with you some inspiration to keep you on the road and out of your cars as the season changes to fall. Along with the photos will be motivational quotes that will hopefully inspire you all to keep cycling.

AUTUMN CYCLING

By all these lovely tokens September days are here, With summer’s best of weather And autumn’s best of cheer. -Helen Hunt Jackson

“When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking.” -Arthur Conan Doyle

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. -Albert Camus

“There is beauty in silence and there is silence in beauty and you can find both in a bicycle!” -Mehmet Murat Ildan

As always, thank you all so much for following along. Don’t forget to keep updated with my other cycling websites including my Bart the Bike Guy Pinterest page, my answers on Bart Haynes Quora, and of course my information-packed site Bart the Bike Guy at barthaynes.com.

-Barton Haynes

To piggyback on my latest post over at barthaynes.com (Bart the Bike Guy), I wanted to discuss a little bit about good exercises to do if you’re a cyclist.

My most recent post at Bart the Bike Guy is titled “Ask Bart Haynes: Common Cycling Injuries.” In the article, I mention that several problem and at-risk areas can be helped with proper exercises. Building up certain areas of your body will help protect you against bicycle-inspired afflictions and help you improve your cycling performance.

This post will provide you with resources to help you build cycling-friendly exercises into your workout routine. Thank you as always for following along!

CYCLING EXERCISE DIAGRAMS

CYCLING EXERCISE VIDEOS

CYCLING EXERCISE LINKS

• The 6 Most Effective Core Exercises for Cyclists
• Train the Most Important Core Muscles for Cycling
• 10 Essential Strength Training Exercises for Cyclists
• How to Strength Train for Cycling
• 5 Great Strength Training and Conditioning Exercises for Cyclists
• Leg Exercises for Cyclists
• Cross Training: The Best Strength Training Plan for Cyclists

Thank you all for following along! I hope that the resources provided today will help you improve your overall fitness and performance on the pavement.

Happy cycling!

-Barton Haynes

Greetings to my fellow cyclists! Today, I’m sharing some vintage photographs of one of the best cyclists to have graced the face of the planet. For those of you who don’t know about Eddie Merckx, here’s a brief description from biographyonline.net:

Eddy Merckx was a Belgian professional cyclists, who is widely regarded as the greatest cyclist of all time. In an illustrious career spanning both amateur and professional ranks, he won the Tour de France five times, Giro d’Italia five times, the Vuelta a Espana once – and all the major classics at least twice (finishing with 19 classic victories in total). He was world champion three times, broke the world hour record and dominated the sport like no one else has.

To honor this giant in the world of cycling, here are some images featuring some of his greatest achievements. Enjoy!

To conclude this post, here are a few of my favorite Eddy Merckx quotes:

“Ride as much or as little, as long or as short as you feel. But ride.” -Eddy Merckx

“Cyclists live with pain. If you can’t handle it, you will win nothing.” -Eddy Merckx

“Don’t buy upgrades. Ride upgrades.” -Eddy Merckx

Don’t forget to check out these related pages:

• Barton Haynes Pinterest Vintage Cycling
• Motivation for Cyclists
• Guinness World Record with Bicycles
• Vintage Cycling Photographs | Barton Haynes
• Vintage Cycling Photographs 2 | Barton Haynes

Hello, fellow cyclists!

Last week, I was riding my usual stretch in beautiful Rancho Santa Fe in a new cycling jersey from Cycology. After wearing my new uniform, I started paying attention to what cyclists were wearing on the road. Many cyclists, I realized, pay a surprising amount of attention to what they’re wearing on the road. Their jerseys are fashionable, they match strategically, and they have an overall clean and finished look.

In honor of all of the stylist cyclists out there, today I bring you a post with photo inspiration all about cycling in style.

Sources:

• https://i.pinimg.com/originals/17/46/f3/1746f34dba8cd35d1285b792a380b76c.jpg
• https://www.askmen.com/style/fashion_advice/spring-styling-tips-from-professional-cyclists.html
• https://i.pinimg.com/736x/63/72/c7/6372c76f51afa049902b6d6a0f5246b9–bike-clothing-cycling-clothes.jpg
• https://www.pinterest.com/w2547/bicycle/
• https://www.pinterest.com/clarkie_dk/cycling-apparel/
• https://www.pinterest.com/odekokere/cycling-rider-apparel-garments/
• https://www.pinterest.com/pin/488922103278682344/