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On Yer Bike! The Health Benefits of Cycling
With more and more greenways popping up around the country, it's clear that Ireland's appetite for outdoor recreational spaces isn't going away anytime soon. So, we've rounded up some local cycling trails, bike shops, and info on all the health benefits that come with getting up on that bike!
A cycling trail along the Great Western Greenway, Mayo
How does cycling positively affect your health?
Research shows that cycling has many positive effects on the body and makes for a pretty good workout.
- The 'seated' aspect of cycling means it's easy on the joints, making it an ideal activity for those suffering from age-related stiffness or joint pain. Unlike walking, which puts pressure on your knees and ankles, cycling focuses your weight on a balanced pelvis instead of your legs.
- Cycling helps build muscle and bone: You use muscles in your buttocks, thighs and calves to pedal forwards and with the backstroke, you use your hamstrings and hip flexors. Maintaining your posture on the bike also forces you to engage your abdominal, arm and shoulder muscles, while the overall act of pedalling increases your bone density due to the way the muscle pulls repeatedly on the bone.
- A great aerobic exercise: cycling helps get your heart pumping, improving your circulation and blood flow to your brain. In turn, this releases endorphins (or feel-good chemicals) that make all that pedalling uphill well worth your while!
Local Cycling Trails
Check out the 'Local News' and 'Hikes & Trails' sections of the app for the most up-to-date and local recommendations!
Get turn-by-turn directions and a comprehensive map of routes on the app - just go to the 'Hikes and Trails' section to check out cycling trails near you.
Shop local for all of your bike needs
Don't forget to check out the 'Listings' section of the Xplore app to discover owner-operated bike shops near you. Many of them have online stores too - click the website link on their page to find out more about their products and their business.
