• Did You Know???
• May is National Bike Month
• 7 Health Benefits of Cycling
• Beat the Decay Cycle

This week kicks off National Bike Month and the only proper celebration includes leaving the car at home and busting out the bike for your commute. Your party favor — a hot bod, biking blasts about 500 calories per hour!

Here are some easy solutions to lessen the “hassle” of riding your bike to work

1.    I don't want to get sweaty: The first thing to keep in mind is that a commute to work doesn't have to be a high-sweat, intense cycling workout. Ride at a moderate pace and you won't look like you've just stepped out of a shower.  A few things to throw in your bag (or store at your desk) to quickly clean up your act: dry shampoo, deodorant and fresh towelettes for a quick rub down.  Also, try grabbing a few sample perfume testers next time you're at a department store and keep those stashed at your desk!

2.    Ugh, helmets are such a drag: Sure, I'll admit that helmets don't do wonders for a fresh blowout, but safety comes first! Luckily, there are chic solutions for your helmet woes. Purchase the base helmet then accessorize with fashionable coverings to ride in style, search for helmet covers to find many creative solutions.  Also, try wearing a bandanna under the helmet to help prevent the frizzes.

3.    I don't own a bike: Purchasing any new bike gear and gadgets includes an upfront investment but there are tons of financial incentives to help offset the cost, including no gas station stops. If you're still not sold on owning a bike, see if your city offers any rental bike programs, or commuter programs.

Be sure to read up on traffic safety rules, then you'll be ready to hit the road with your fellow biking commuters!

1. Cycling is good for your heart: The heart is one of the most important organisms for a healthy life but can be damaged by inactivity. Cycling is ideal for training the heart to be stronger which results in less stress of the heart. All the risk factors that lead to a heart attack are reduced and regular cycling reduces the likelihood of heart attack by more than 50%.

2. Cycling is good for your muscles: Humans have several hundred muscles, which have to be used regularly in order to maintain fitness and health. A week of inactivity reduces the strength of the muscular system by up to 50% and can harm them long-term. This is particularly true for older people as aging causes muscles to shrink. During cycling, most of the body's muscles are activated. The leg muscles are responsible for the pedaling movement; the abdomen and back muscles stabilize the body on the cycle and cushion external influences; and the shoulder-arm muscular system supports the body at the handlebars. All this trains and tightens up the muscular system, making it stronger and able to function efficiently.

3. Cycling is good for your waistline: You can burn a lot of calories while biking, especially when you cycle faster than a leisurely pace, and cycling has been associated with helping to keep weight gain down. And cycling has the added benefit of ramping up your metabolism, even after the ride is over.

4. Cycling is good for your blood pressure: Moderate cycling can prevent, or at least reduce, high blood pressure and so help to avoid stroke or damage to the organs. Blood pressure is also reduced by a lower heart rate, which is a result of regular cycling.

5. Cycling is good for your coordination: Moving both feet around in circles while steering with both your hands and your body’s own weight is good practice for your coordination skills.

6. Cycling is good for your mental health: Cycling has a considerable relaxing effect due to its uniform, cyclic movement which stabilizes the physical and emotional functions of the body. This counteracts anxiety, depression and other psychological problems. The exercise also controls hormonal balance.

7. Cycling is good for your immune system: The immune system serves to protect the body from infections and diverse systemic diseases. Studies show that moderate activity, such as cycling, strengthens the immune system and thus contributes to a healthy life. It can also increase activity against tumor cells, assisting the prevention of related illnesses.

Have you had any dental problems lately? Have you noticed more tooth staining? Dental cavities? Or sensitive teeth? There are a couple of reasons cyclists are more prone to these problems.

Sports Drinks and Gels – stuff we eat while out riding

Tooth damage tends to happen with a pH of less than 5.5.  Sports drinks are typically around 3 to 3.5 (lower pH means higher acidity).  The pH around your enamel drops rapidly in response to a sugar load. This can lead to increased tooth decay.  The pH then normalizes due to the action of saliva.

You can minimize the problem by doing the following:

1. Rinse your mouth out with water after drinking or eating.

2. Remain hydrated.  If you become dehydrated through the day your saliva production diminishes.  Low saliva levels combined with prolonged exposure to sugar can cause some problems.

3. Drink your sports drink in big gulps.

Grinding

Chronic tooth grinding can lead to excessive wear and even cracked and broken teeth. It’s common for cyclists to literally ‘grit their teeth’ going up a big hill. A sports guard could be the solution if you notice this happening regularly.