Hit The Road: Ten Reasons You Should Take Up Cycling

Each year usually begins with a slew of New Year's resolutions to get fit but while these have usually gone by the wayside by February, it's never too late to take on a new challenge and work toward a healthier you. Cycling is one of the best ways to exercise as it is low-impact and suitable for people of all fitness levels. And no matter how busy your schedule is, it is easy to fit in a 30-minute spin around your other commitments.  Of course, the only thing better than helping yourself is helping other people, which is why we're backing the Endurance Challenge 2085 event this August. Ireland's biggest endurance event series takes place across the country with four marathons in each province, four regional cycle tours and a swim of the River Shannon and aims to raise an incredible €500,000 for Breakthrough Cancer Research. If that wasn't enough to get you back in the saddle, here are our top ten reasons to take up cycling. _____________________________ 1) It's good for the environment Leaving the car at home and taking to two-wheeled transport will have a major impact on reducing your carbon footprint. According to bikerader.com, twenty bicycles can be parked in the same space as one car, it takes around five per cent of the materials and energy used to make a car to build a bike, and a bike produces zero pollution. 2) Skip the traffic Forget road rage by cycling to and from work. You'll be getting some fresh air, avoiding traffic and getting your workout in all before you get to the office! 3) Save money Between petrol, insurance, tax and maintenance, running a car is an expensive business. Make a once-off investment in a bicycle and helmet and you can use all your extra funds on a nice holiday! 4) Feel the burn A nine-stone woman will burn 343 calories with one hour of cycling at a speed of 10 to 12 mph so getting on your bike is a sure fire way of dropping a few pounds. 5) Get strong Cycling provides an overall workout and is a great way to tone your body and build muscle. While many people think that it only the leg muscles that benefit, many different areas of the body are involved while cycling so it's is a very efficient way to improve your figure. 6) Boost your energy Rather than tiring you out, a moderate level of exercise actually increases your energy levels and leaves you feeling more capable of taking on the challenges of the week. 7) Improved mental strength Taking on a challenge such as the Endurance Challenge 2085 can sharpen focus and build stamina. Organiser Sean Buckley said that he love to "challenge myself mentally and physically and have had the ambition for a long time to create an ‘ultimate challenge’, which would test my mind and body to the limits". “To have witnessed personally the pain and suffering that a cancer patient endures during treatment made me realise that any pain I would endure during our 2068 challenge would pale significantly in comparison,” he added. 8) Better co-ordination Cycling improves arm-to-leg, feet-to-hand and body-to-eye coordination, which can be of benefit in many areas such as dancing and parallel parking. 9) Protect your heart Cycling is great cardio-vascular exercise and will have a knock-on effect on your heart health. According to the British Heart Foundation, around 10,000 fatal heart attacks could be avoided each year if people kept themselves fitter. 10) See the countryside Regardless of how strong your willpower, staring at the gym wall opposite your treadmill will get monotonous before long. Cycling allows you get out on the road, see new places and appreciate the beautiful Irish countryside. Endurance Challenge 2068km was started by two Irishmen, James Colbert and Sean Buckley, who plan to undertake a record triathlon feat by completing the entire 2068km of the Challenge. To do so, they’ll have to cycling through every county in Ireland, swim 120km of the River Shannon and run in four consecutive marathons; all in just 22 days. The event is in memory of Sean’s father, John Buckley, who sadly passed away from cancer last year. “It is only when cancer touches someone close to you that you realise how powerless you are. All your trust and hope goes into treatments, which all stem from cancer research. It’s a great opportunity for people to breakthrough their own walls, whether that is a 5k run or a cycle through Ireland. We need as many people as possible to get involved, so please register today.” For more information, click here.