Life Style

The Top 5 Renowned Cycling Events in the World Besides the Tour de France

Cycling enthusiasts are undoubtedly familiar with the Tour de France – the world’s most famous cycling race, held annually in France.

The race, which winds through the country of France, was first held on July 1, 1903. Since then, the Tour de France has been a yearly event, attracting participants from all around the world.

Usually, the Tour de France takes place over 21 days, covering approximately 3,500 km. Dozens of teams from different countries compete for the coveted title.

Last year, the Danish cyclist, Jones Vingegaard, triumphed in the Tour de France. He broke the consecutive two-year winning streak of Tadej Pogacar after an exhausting three-week race, covering a total of 3,350 km.

This year, the Tour de France is scheduled from July 1 to July 21. The race will kick off in the Basque Country and conclude in Paris on July 23.

Prestigious cycling events like the Tour de France always capture significant attention and media coverage. Here are some other renowned cycling events that have been held for decades.

World’s Most Celebrated Cycling Races Apart from Tour de France

Tour de Singkarak

Quoted from Pariwisata Padang’s website, the Tour de Singkarak is an international cycling championship. It’s also an official race of the Union Cycliste Internationale. The name “Singkarak” comes from a beautiful lake in West Sumatra, which is always part of the race route. Padang city, the capital of West Sumatra, frequently becomes a stage of the race, often serving as the start or finish line. The event was first held from April 23 to May 3, 2009, and was initiated by Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. It also receives support from the West Sumatra provincial government and districts through which the race passes.

Giro d’Italia

This is an annual long-distance race participated in by professional cyclists. The race is popular because it traverses the picturesque landscapes of Italy and its neighboring countries. The Giro d’Italia began in 1909 to boost the sales of the newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport. Every year, dozens of professional teams from various countries participate in this event, which typically lasts about 23 days.

Tour de Langkawi

Held since 1996, the Tour de Langkawi in Malaysia is another significant global cycling event. As per Wikiwand, the event’s name stems from the fact that the race starts on Langkawi Island, Kedah. This race covers various locations across the Malay Peninsula and is part of the UCI Asia Tour. It serves as a warm-up event for professional cyclists before they head back to compete in Europe. The Tour de Langkawi spans a distance of 1,180.8 km, with teams from all over the world competing.

Amgen Tour of California

This race takes place in California, USA. Professional cyclists from around the world are challenged to race through Californian roads and coastal lines every spring. This competition usually lasts 8 days and covers approximately 1,126 km.

Tour de Suisse

Held in Switzerland, this cycling event was first introduced in 1993 and has been an annual event ever since. Similar in structure to the Tour de France, it features several stages where cyclists have to navigate through the Alps. The Tour de Suisse lasts for over 9 days and attracts not just professional cyclists but also novices.

You can take part in this bicycle racing competition in another way, which is even more profitable if you guess correctly. Usually, agen piala dunia sites provide various types of bets ranging from bicycle racing, MotoGP and of course soccer betting. If you want to try and don’t understand how to play, please contact customer service.

September 7, 2023 by bloodyraccoon50 Life Style 0

London Bike Routes: Cycle Superhighway 2 Overview

Stretching 2.8 miles in a northeast direction from Whitechapel Road in Aldgate to the infamous Bow Roundabout, daily challenges greet those who ride the Cycle Superhighway 2 in London.

It’s a prime example of a cycle path that’s been improperly designed. Cyclists are frequently exposed to the dangers of traffic, the stench of exhaust fumes, and the constant din of the city. The weathered blue markings on the path hardly offer any protection against the onslaught of buses, lorries, taxis, and vans.

During rush hours, the experience can range from exasperating to outright life-threatening. It’s a somber fact that a young lady, Philippine De Gerin-Ricard, tragically lost her life here due to a collision with a heavy goods vehicle.

The majority of cycling mishaps occur at intersections, and along CS2, these intersections are particularly perilous, especially near the City end. Here, traffic accumulates until the designated areas for cyclists at these junctions are nearly swallowed by the surrounding vehicles. Often, these vehicles turn abruptly across the bike path without prior warning.

Overseeing CS2 is Transport for London (TfL). According to Charlie Lloyd from the London Cycling Campaign, by TfL’s own metrics, this pathway should have distinct lanes for cyclists. Lloyd comments on the tragic incident near Aldgate East station, emphasizing the palpable danger in the area.

Cyclists are often caught in a quagmire of vehicles changing lanes and making abrupt turns. Lloyd advocates for unique traffic lights for cyclists to avoid dangerous encounters at these junctions.

While London’s cycling commissioner, Andrew Gilligan, has mentioned plans to overhaul CS2 since April, details are still under wraps. Presently, the space is inhospitable for cyclists, often resembling a spectral lane due to the ephemeral blue paint which often gets obscured by vehicles. Additionally, at bus stations, the cycle path is completely non-existent, only hinted at by blue markers in the midst of the traffic lane.

Given the hazards and overcrowding, it’s amazing that there are still cyclists here. Their presence underscores the potential of this route. Even amidst the chaotic rush hour, scores of cyclists await their turn at traffic signals. Daily, thousands of cyclists traverse the Mile End Road, forming a significant portion of its traffic.

Interestingly, the CS2 holds immense potential for segregation. Lloyd notes the wide spaces between buildings, suggesting the feasibility of an isolated route throughout. Rachel Aldred, a transport expert at Westminster University, draws attention to the significant latent demand and emphasizes the need for spacious cycle paths to cater to a large number of cyclists.

The borough of Tower Hamlets, which CS2 goes through, is adjacent to Hackney, a hotspot for cycling. Aldred underscores the economic benefits of affordable transportation for this borough, and the potential increase in local business revenue.

Given its current state, CS2 is far from optimal and poses genuine threats. Any makeover must aim for a bold, segregated space dedicated to cycling.

AREAS OF CONCERN:

Aldgate Circle – Where CS2 commences with just blue paint marking its presence amidst a busy road.
Aldgate East Section – A perilous crossing without any pedestrian lanes, giving priority to vehicular traffic.
Whitechapel Road Market – As per LCC’s Charlie Lloyd, this market holds cultural significance and has potential economic benefits from cyclists.
Mile End Road – A rare peaceful segment of the highway with a European ambiance.
Bow Roundabout – Notoriously dangerous, with the loss of three cyclists’ lives, and still presents risks even with new traffic light arrangements.

August 3, 2023 by bloodyraccoon50 Life Style 0

7 Best Recommendations for Cycling Activities

Lately, the activity of cycling or playing on bicycles is popular with many people. It’s no wonder that there are many recommendations for the best type of bicycle that you can use for hours, whether on flat roads or on difficult tracks like mountains.

If we can cycle comfortably, then the body will get a variety of good benefits. One of them is maintaining heart health. Therefore, you need to consider several things before buying a bicycle, including the type.

For example, if you want to cycle only around the house or to work, then choose a folding bike. Meanwhile, for difficult activities, choose a mountain bike that can face the streets with various obstacles.

Best Bike Recommendations

Don’t worry, we have some recommendations for the best bicycles of various types that you can take for cycling anywhere, as below.

1. Folding Bike 16 Inch or 40 cm

There are various types of folding bikes, including those with 16-inch or 40-cm tires. With this tire diameter, this bike is suitable for those of you who are small in stature so you can pedal easily.

What’s more, the brake system uses hydraulics so it’s quite grippy when braking suddenly.

Best Bike Recommendations 1

2. 20 Inch or 50 cm Folding Bike

For those of you who are rather big and want to have a folding bike, then choose one with a tire size of 20 inches or 50 cm. In addition, choose a folding bike made of stainless steel so that it lasts longer to withstand body weight, like the following recommendations.

Best Bike Recommendations 2

3. Vintage Folding Bike

Do you like collecting antiques or classics? If so, the best bicycle recommendations for you are vintage ones.

You see, the classic bicycle below has a saddle or seat made of classic brown leather with a traditional design, as shown below.

Best Bike Recommendations 3

4. Folding Bikes with Various Speeds

Choose a folding bike that is equipped with speed so that it can ease your pedaling when going uphill.

So, the following two bicycle recommendations are equipped with a 7-19 speed that you can adjust according to road conditions.

Best Bike Recommendations 4

5. MTB Mountain Bikes

Apart from traveling to the office or exercising around the complex, you can also use a bicycle to ride in the mountains. However, choose a special mountain bike made of aluminum alloy so that it is light when pedaled.

Prioritize those with large tire sizes so that they can traverse mountainous areas easily, like the bicycle recommendations below.

Best Bike Recommendations 5

6. Gear Racing Bike

If you want to have a racing bike, then the main factor that must be considered is the teeth. You see, bicycle gear can adjust the speed and weight of pedaling on a particular travel field.

For example, if you are going downhill, you can adjust the gears of the bicycle to reduce its speed. Here are the recommendations for the best racing bikes to choose from.

Best Bike Recommendations 6

7. London Kids Bike

Apart from bicycles for adults, you can also get the best children’s bicycles on the ACE Online site. Uniquely, this children’s bicycle does not have a paddle to train the child’s balance through both legs.

Of the seven recommendations above, which is the best bike you want to choose?

These are 6 Body Muscles that Work While Cycling

According to research, cycling is an effective cardiovascular exercise to train the heart, and lungs and improve the circulatory system.

Cycling is also able to activate most of the muscles in the body. The muscle work will be greater when you pedal faster.

Moreover, if you have joint problems in the knee, hip, or ankle joints. So, cycling can be a safe exercise to train the heart and lungs, without putting additional stress on weak joints.

So, bicycles can reduce the risk of injury to that part. In addition, cycling also helps the body to achieve balance and reduces pain in the back, you know.

Other benefits of cycling are that it can control weight, maintain heart health, stabilize diabetes, reduce the risk of depression, and can boost the body’s immune system.

# Then, which part of the body muscles works when cycling?

To answer this question, here are the parts of the body muscles that work the most when we cycle.

Quadriceps

The largest muscle in the leg is in the upper thigh and works when our leg is extended. When cycling, the position of our feet will continue to rotate, so that the quadriceps muscles will continue to be trained.

Glutes

The glutes are the muscles in the buttocks area. Just like the quadriceps muscles, the glutes muscles will work when the legs are extended.

Hamstrings

The hamstring muscles are the muscles that are located on the back of the leg, to be precise, on the back of the thigh. Unlike the quadriceps, the hamstring muscles actually work when the knee is bent.

Calves

The calves muscles, also known as the calf muscles, are located on the lower leg. This muscle will work when the foot is pointing downwards.

Anterior Tibialis

This muscle is on the front of the shinbone, and works when the foot is pointing up. When pedaling a bicycle, the feet will rotate and move the calves and tibialis anterior muscles alternately.

Hip Flexors

Hip Flexors are muscles in the lower abdomen, and work when the hips stretch. When riding a bicycle, stretching and contracting the muscles occurs as the knees come in and move away.

By cycling, there are at least 6 muscles that work. If done continuously, these muscles will become more trained and get maximum benefits.

# How long is a good cycling time?

To provide maximum benefits for the body, a health study says that it is enough for us to cycle for 2-3 hours a week.

However, for adults aged 18-64 years, experts recommend doing this exercise for 30-45 minutes every day.

Time for bicycle exercise can also be distinguished from variations of bicycle training sessions. If you do a long bicycle exercise by pedaling lightly, then you can do it for more than 60 minutes.

Light-intensity cycling is when you can catch your breath easily while pedaling.

However, if you pedal harder and faster, just do 30-60 minutes. Make sure you start with a 10-minute warm-up session first.

Then, ride the bike up quickly for a few minutes and start to ease off to rest. Repeat this until you reach your destination.

October 13, 2022 by bloodyraccoon50 Life Style 0

8 Benefits of Mountain Bike, from Physical to Mental Health

5 Benefits of Mountain Bike, from Physical to Mental Health

Mountain biking is suitable for extreme sports enthusiasts in a natural environment. Mountain bikes are recommended because they can maintain physical, mental, and emotional health. This sport requires a special bicycle for mountainous terrain. In addition, additional equipment is required, such as a helmet, elbow guards, and knee guards, to avoid the risk of injury.

Mountain bike (MTB) has various types of variants according to the track to be traversed.

First, there is Cross Country with up and down lanes. In addition, there is a downhill with a descending path. If there is a downhill, of course, there is a path that is only for going up. Then there are also variants according to the Olympics and also for the relay. In the following, Normallyaspiratedhuman.com summarizes the five benefits of a mountain bike:

1) Helps Control Weight

MTB training is perfect for weight control. Regular exercise can burn fat and tone muscles. Long-distance training can provide more oxygen to the working muscles. In addition, with energy that runs out quickly, it will help burn fat in the body.

2) Natural Therapy

MTB can be one of the natural therapies because it will connect with nature. Cycling with the nuances of forests, mountains, and other natural environments can refresh the brain. It can also rest the mind and make the mind calmer.

3) Maintain Heart Health

Cycling can reduce the risk of developing coronary heart disease. This also applies when practicing MTB. By pedaling a bicycle it will stimulate circulation so as to prevent the appearance of varicose veins.

4) Strengthen the Immune System

This activity is suitable to avoid a lazy lifestyle. Cycling is one way to ward off various kinds of diseases.

5) Maintain Mental and Emotional Health

Mountain bikes have a huge impact on brain function because they are able to release endorphins which are known as happiness hormones.

6) Stabilize Diabetes

Sitting too long and lack of physical activity can be a factor causing diabetes. Diabetes that is not well controlled can cause serious complications such as kidney, eye, stroke, and heart damage.

If you have diabetes, you should be diligent in physical activities such as jogging in the morning or cycling. You are free to choose which sport you like. By cycling, you can reduce the risk of complications from diabetes and keep the sugar levels in the body under control.

7) Helps Overcome Insomnia

After a day of activities, of course, our body and mind need adequate rest time. However, this does not apply to those who suffer from insomnia. As a result, lack of sleep alone can make the immune system, decrease and interfere with the body’s metabolism. So, if you often experience insomnia, you can try cycling diligently and making a sleep schedule at the same time every day.

8) Lower the Risk of Heart Disease and Cancer

An unhealthy lifestyle and rarely exercising can increase the risk of heart disease and cancer, such as colon, lung, and breast cancer. Cycling regularly can reduce the risk of both diseases.

In addition, cycling can also reduce blood pressure so that it becomes stable and controlled. Meanwhile, by actively cycling, the risk of cancer can be reduced.

After cycling, don’t forget to keep your body clean so that germs, pollution, and sweat that stick to your body are gone. Use Liquid Soap that contains antioxidants to thoroughly clean germs and pollution.

September 24, 2022 by bloodyraccoon50 Life Style 0

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ormallyaspiratedhuman.com does not sell bicycles, the bicycles here are only for comparison, see specifications, and help find bicycles according to the criteria we want. Because it's rather difficult to choose one bicycle from the many types and brands of local bicycles, if we don't sort and compare them all at once.