Bike to Work

By Carlton Reid and Tim Grahl

In Biking Tidbits we share with you some hints and tips that will help make your biking experience better.

This issue’s Tidbits come courtesy of Bike to Work written by Carlton Reid and Tim Grahl. Bike to Work is packed with useful information and dispels many myths regarding commuting to work by bike. Here we have reprinted from the book a small sampling of some of the common misconceptions people have about biking to work.

“I’ll smell.”

Short distances, ridden slowly, will not transform you into a foul-smelling ogre. Perspiration doesn’t smell. Underarm sweat, produced by apocrine sweat glands, is an odorless mix of salty water, proteins and fatty acids. If you arrive at work in a sweaty state – perhaps it’s hot that day or you wanted a hard workout – you won’t have instant body odor.

BO takes hours to develop. Bacteria on the skin and underarm hair metabolize the proteins and fatty acids, possibly producing an unpleasant odor a few hours later. Sweat from the rest of your body is produced by eccrine sweat glands, contains no proteins and fatty acids and therefore isn’t attacked by bacteria. There’s no huge need for a full-body shower, especially if you already showered in the morning. If you shoulder a rucksack rather than let the bike do the work, your back will get wet but this isn’t sweat that will later smell.

“Bikes don’t have air-con, I don’t want to breathe in city fumes.”

So-called ‘smog masks’ – which filter out precious little city gunk, despite proud claims – are as necessary for motoring as they are for cycling.

In fact, more so. Research shows that motorists are sitting targets: they breathe in two to three times more pollution than cyclists, who sit high above the fumes.

Automobile air-conditioning systems do not remove PM10s, the sooty particulates produced by diesel engines. Cyclists who are breathing hard are rapidly clearing their lungs out as they exercise. Motorists don’t.

“I want to get fit but I don’t want thunder thighs!”

Cycling is chiefly an aerobic activity, one that uses great gulps of oxygen. The heart and lungs work together to bring oxygen and nutrients to the muscles: the lungs expand to bring as much oxygen into the body as possible; the heart beats faster to transport this oxygen around the body. A strong heart and powerful lungs are the building blocks of general fitness.

Even if you only cycle a few miles per day, your muscles will feel and look stronger. The main muscle groups used when cycling are the upper thigh muscles (quadriceps); the backside gluteal muscles (including the gluteus maximus, the biggest and strongest muscle you’ve got), and, to a lesser extent, the calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus). Contrary to popular belief, cycling does not necessarily lead to bulging leg muscles. What most people find is their legs become trimmer and more toned, in other words, shapelier. You want a cute bum? Get cycling.

For more insights into how easy it is to bike to work and for a free preview of Bike to Work please visit www.biketoworkbook.com.