SPORTY SUSSEX
It’s all About
THE BIKE T
here’s something about sitting down while exercising that gives it a refined quality. If your preference is to go backwards then rowing should become your sport of choice. If your preference is to go forwards, then it must be cycling. Cycling is defined as ‘the sport or activity of riding a bicycle’ with a bicycle being a frame connected to wheels, pedals, brakes, a seat, and a handlebar for steering. Unlike running or boxing it’s a sport with a low impact factor for the
When the sun is shining and the kids are enthusiastic, strap the bikes on the car, grab the helmets and get going joints* but in common with both those sports it instigates a full body workout. The cardiovascular benefit from an increased heart rate during aerobic exercise is a lower resting rate. Overall, cycling contributes to good all round conditioning of the participant. * Crashes not included
108 SUSSEX LIVING | May 2021
No matter what sort of bike you ride, there’s something uplifting about turning the pedals and becoming self-propelled as Robert Veitch discovered when we put him back on his bike and took off the stabilisers In this part of the world, we are blessed with a varied terrain that suits all cyclists; including the inland rolling hills and high ground of The Weald, the flat lands just north of the South Downs, the contours of the South Downs, and the coastal area which isn’t as flat as might be anticipated.
In recent years the roads have become populated with mamils (middle aged men in lycra), pounding the tarmac on road bikes, covering a vast number of miles, keeping fit and loving every second of it. Off road routes remain the playground of the casual cyclist and training ground for young pedallers. The
Forest Way, Cuckoo Trail, Worth Way, Downs Link, and the South Downs Way are all bike compatible and freely available. Venues like Friston Forest, Rye Harbour, Bedgebury, St. Leonard’s Forest and Tilgate Forest all offer a variety of routes. When the sun is shining and the kids are enthusiastic, strap the bikes on the car, grab the helmets and get going. Of course, before setting out, it’s advisable to ensure any bike undergoes some scrutineering to ensure it’s safe. Experienced cyclists might do this themselves, but
