Bicycling Accessories make Cycling More Fun!

By Kevin Conway, Shape Up Shop contributor

This is a great time to be a bicyclist.

The choices available for biking have never been greater -- whether your interest is in racing, touring, getting some exercise or just running errands on your bike. Your choices range from inexpensive to the luxurious, and you can choose from a multitude of road, mountain, hybrid, adult tricycles or recumbent bicycles.

Popular bike manufacturers -- Schwinn, Trek, Raleigh and others -- continue to roll out new models to suit every taste in bicycling.

Much of the recent interest in bicycling is a result of Lance Armstrong's performances in the Tour de France, the world's pre-eminent bike race. The fact that most of us are not in the pro biking category doesn't deter us from admiring his accomplishments or sometimes attempting to emulate his accomplishments in our own ways.

Many local, county and state governments provide funding for the creation of bike paths and/or bike lanes along new roadways. Some government agencies, notably in crowded urban areas, are turning to commuting lanes for bicyclists in an attempt to alleviate some of the rush hour traffic woes -- and perhaps as an admission that building more and more highways for more and more cars and trucks cannot continue forever.

Some people bicycle out of necessity -- a set of wheels in some family budgets means a two-wheeler with handlebars. Others who can afford a car (and the attendent costs for insurance, gas, regular maintenance, etc.) choose to commute on a bike for what they see as more practical matters -- they don't want to contribute any more to global warming or don't want to send another dime to domestic or overseas oil cartels.

Most municipalities have their own set of laws concerning bicycling ... and some enforce those laws more stringently than others. Most of the municipal laws are of the "common sense" variety, but it's a good idea to check whenever you're bicycling in a new place.

Biking is an activity that can be enjoyed by people of every age group. Who doesn't remember their very first bicycle as a child, the terror-filled hours trying to learn how to stay balanced on your bike while pedaling (even with training wheels!) or the rush of freedom you felt when you were old enough to take off on your own for the very first time -- even if it was just a quick spin to the end of the block and back?

One of the great joys of childhood is exploring nearby areas on your bicycle -- places that would have been considered too far away to walk.

A corresponding joy of adulthood is helping our children learn how to ride a bike and seeing the joy on their faces when they realize they're "doing it on their own."

Whatever your reasons for bicycling, there are certain things that can add to your enjoyment and safety. These are just a few of them -- and they're all available to order through this site:

• A good water bottle and holder. This is a must in the summer and worth having most of the year. You'll still have to stop to re-fill it if you're biking for any distance, but at least you can start your biking without having to worry about dehydration.
  
• A safety helmet. These are really important for children and not a bad idea for adults. Why?, you ask? One word -- pavement. It's a lot tougher than our heads.
  
• A speedometer/odometer. It's fun to know how fast you're going -- whether you're spinning along a flat stretch of city street or country road, straining up a steep hill or racing down the other side of that hill. And the odometer adds to the fun when you start keeping track of your miles -- day by day, week by week, month by month. You'll be amazed at how many miles you pedaled by the end of the year.
  
• A local map and/or guidebook for new places when you're on vacation or traveling.
  
• A tire pump and emergency patch kit. You never know when you're going to need these, but it's better to be safe than stranded.
  
• Comfortable clothing (that's appropriate for the weather) and a backpack if required.
  
• A good bike lock. You don't want to encourage a theft of opportunity, whether your bike is an inexpensive off-the-shelf model or a custom-built beauty.
  
• Any other accessories that you require.
  

Happy biking!

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