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  • 1.  Tip Tuesday: 12 benefits of cycling

    Posted 03-29-2022 08:46:00 AM

    We all know that exercise is good for you. According to Healthline, there are many benefits—specifically—to bike riding:

    1. Cycling may help you lose weight
    2. Cycling will help strengthen your legs
    3. Cycling is good for beginners
    4. Cycling may lower cholesterol
    5. Cycling boosts mental health and brain power
    6. Cycling can help people with cancer
    7. Cycling can offer a positive start to your morning
    8. Cycling may help prevent and manage medical conditions
    9. Cycling is environmentally friendly
    10. Cycling improves balance, posture, and coordination
    11. Cycling is a low impact option
    12. Cycling may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease

    Only 12? We have reason to believe there are a few cycling enthusiasts among us. @Max Anderson, @Jacob Prunuske, @Eric Weissman – What other benefits—or dangers—are missing from this list? Any favorite bike trails to recommend to this group?

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    Penny Schnarrs
    Virtual Communities Program Manager
    Association of American Medical Colleges
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  • 2.  RE: Tip Tuesday: 12 benefits of cycling

    Posted 03-29-2022 01:18:00 PM
    Most important - Biking is fun!!  Biking with a group can help build community, provide emotional and physical support, and build rider skills.  We have a youth ridership program that is a great option for kids in the summer.  Dangers - sure - make sure you ride with a properly fitting helmet and potentially other protective gear (knee pads, etc) depending on location and type of riding.  If riding on the road, situational awareness is key, use lights and signals, follow the laws (stop signs!).  Learn basic bike maintenance and keep you bike in working order.

    Great trail options here: https://www.imba.com/ride/where-to-ride
    and my local rides are here: https://cwocc.org/trail-guide/

    Jake

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    Jacob Prunuske
    Assistant Dean for Clinical Learning
    Medical College of Wisconsin
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Tip Tuesday: 12 benefits of cycling

    Posted 03-30-2022 12:45:00 PM
    I love all 12 benefits (plus @Jacob Prunuske's addition of it's fun)​! Another benefit that I didn't expect as a seasonal bike commuter was the opportunity to see my community from a different vantage point. We miss out on so much when we drive - we're just moving too fast to take it all in. 

    A great trail in my region is the Spokane River Centennial Trail, which runs 63 miles alongside a river from Spokane, Washington to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. I am fortunate that my home-to-work commute includes 5 miles of this path. 


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    Tera Lessard
    Learning Design Consultant
    Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Tip Tuesday: 12 benefits of cycling

    Posted 03-31-2022 07:31:00 PM

    It's also fun!!

    Trails: Since I'm currently in South Florida, Shark Valley is a good place to ride. It's flat, there are tons of alligators and other wildlife. One loop around is 15 miles. It's part of the Everglades National Park. 
    In Miami-Dade County: Old Cutler Trail is a favorite of mine, as is the Commodore Trail and Black Creek Trail. I try to find places to bike that are as far from cars as possible, which is not always possible with the urban sprawl of Miami. Here is a ride I took last weekend: https://www.relive.cc/view/vxOQorNJPMq

    In Chicago, the Lakefront is of course a great place to bike, though in summer, it gets very crowded at certain points. The Forest Preserve is awesome. You can bike up to the Botanic Gardens, park your bike, and free admission to the gardens. 



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    Max Anderson
    Dir of Instructional Design and Learning Innovation
    University of Illinois College of Medicine
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Tip Tuesday: 12 benefits of cycling

    Posted 04-01-2022 12:50:00 PM
    Cool post! And I agree with everyone: biking is fun!!

    Two of my kids are on our local high school mountain bike team, and I'm lucky to be one of the coaches. Riding bikes is something our family has enjoyed doing together. So that's another benefit: spending time together with family (or friends). We love riding together, whether it's just around the neighborhood, pre-riding race courses around Utah, or taking our bikes on road/camping trips. 

    As for trail recommendations, there are so many great places to ride in Utah. In Salt Lake City, the Bonneville Shoreline Trail is great for mountain bikes-tie into Bobsled if you're a downhiller. The Corner Canyon trails complex is another nice area with lots of fun terrain. Road cycling is also big here. Antelope Island State Park near Salt Lake, and the canyons along the Wasatch are popular spots.

    There's so much, though. If anyone's ever heading out this way, hit me up for ideas.

    A

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    Aaron Lovell
    Associate Director, Strategic Communication
    University of Utah Health
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Tip Tuesday: 12 benefits of cycling

    Posted 04-04-2022 08:34:00 AM
    13. Cycling is a great social activity. Have travelled the country with my cycling group
    14. Cycling is a great way to see the world. You get a new perspective and can go places you cannot go on foot or in a car

    Here is a good resource for Rails to Trails
    https://www.railstotrails.org/

    Enjoy the riding

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    Walter Pofahl
    Vidant
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Tip Tuesday: 12 benefits of cycling

    Posted 04-04-2022 03:08:00 PM
    15. Cycling is cycletherapy.

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    Douglas Reifler
    Associate Dean, Student Affairs
    Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
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    Original Message