Skip to content

The benefits of a road bike

Spin My Ride with James Durand
1852campbellriverDurand

You have probably heard me say this before.

I am a mountain biker first and an all-round cyclist second. Don’t get me wrong, I love all kinds of biking, but hitting the trails and challenging myself technically makes for my best days.

Having said that, I don’t think I could manage with only a mountain bike. There are a lot of days each year where I jump on my road bike and get more benefits than my mountain bike can ever offer.

When I am training for longer races or rides, getting in the big mileage on a mountain bike can take all day, where a three-hour ride on the pavement can get you long rides, consistent pedalling and large gains in your fitness…and you still have time for a life.

Having kids, my mornings are seriously disrupted. I used to just get up and go for a long ride on my commute to work, hit some trails, take my time and still get there early enough to open the shop. Now after the battle to get everyone ready, I only have 30 or 40 minutes most mornings, so the road bike allows me to avoid the car and still ride to work. Its a bit more rushed and I ride way faster, but getting even a bit of fresh air and blood flow has me smiling and ready for the day ahead.

Currently we are having a nasty winter, and getting motivated to ride in the rain and the mud is tough. I have heard this from so many people this month I have lost count. On a rainy day when your cabin fever is taking over and your legs are itching to get out for a ride, rather than pouting about it and watching TV, jump on a road bike with fenders and go for a quick blast. You will stay fairly dry, there is no mud and It will be just enough to keep you sane through the winter. It will also allow you to maintain a bit of your fitness; making your spring riding that much better.

So if you are looking for a way to improve your mountain biking, manage your winter sanity or just find a way to ride more with less time, look into a basic road bike. You don’t have to spend thousands either, for eight or nine hundred dollars you can get set up with a great bike and you’ll be on your way.

 

I’m James Durand and I’m Goin’ Ridin’...