Discovering a new sport and great way to lose weight – cycling!

I ditched biking once I reached high school and could drive my own car.  It once represented for me a means of getting from point A to point B.  But recently that changed. 

Now an adult with seemingly countless responsibilities, I am constantly caught rushing from here to there and everywhere attempting to accomplish an ever-growing list of things to do.  Last winter, finding my business in a normal seasonally lower time, I found the time for myself to meet a friend regularly at Defined Fitness to workout.  It all started when we passed by the cycling room and the class was going to start in just five minutes so we decided to give it a try…

I forgot what I was missing!  I recall another guy who was in the class telling us in the locker room that he has been going three – four times per week for about three months, and couldn’t believe how much weight he was losing.  Best of all, it didn’t feel like exercise – cycling is cleverly disguised as fun!  My gym buddy and I found ourselves meeting at a spin class nearly daily and burning an incredible amount of calories, dropping weight at a fantastic rate ourselves.  When I put my mind to it, it makes sense.  I was lifting weights and focusing on my upper body but while gaining muscle, I was not achieving my primary goal of liking what I saw in the mirror.  But the legs – the primary body area used in cycling – are larger muscles so naturally burn more calories than the upper body does.  It is surprising how much fat I was able to lose in my abs by working my legs.  And did I mention it was fun?  I became hooked.

The next progression was getting back on the road on a real bike.  I decided to go to local Rio Rancho cyling shop High Desert Bicycles.  I must admit that I was overwhelmed surrounded by tons of bikes and having no idea what type of bike I wanted.  Fortunately, the shop worker was very patient, explaining in detail for me each bike’s benefits and drawbacks from the lowest-priced ones to the highest-priced ones.  I settled on one I liked and since it was only January and usually too cold for cycling coupled with the price of the one I chose, I placed it on layaway. 

I had it paid off in April.  Wow what a fever I caught!  I had no idea what I was missing out on all of these years since early adolescence when I last rode.  No longer a means of getting from one place to the next, I now recognized cycling as good exercise and a great way for me to decompress, de-stress, and thoroughly enjoy myself. 

My six-year-old daughter Taylor even caught on.  I purchased a chariot that she can sit in which attached to the rear of my bike, and soon after graduated to a bike of her own that attaches to mine so that we can ride together.  It is like the concept of a tandem bike.  For Father’s Day, Taylor and I rode from our home in Enchanted Hills of Rio Rancho all the way to the Jemez Dam and back.  It was priceless time spent together!

Still a novice cyclist and growing in this new sport, I have found myself amazed not only at how many cyclist enthusiasts call the Greater Albuquerque area home, but also by how ideal this destination is with tons of trails just for biking.  While my favorite remains the Bosque Trail along the Rio Grande River in Albuquerque, I have also discovered many great rides in the east mountains, throughout all areas of Albuquerque, and even in my hometown of Rio Rancho!  Today my bike lives on the rack fixed to the back of my car so that I can escape for a quick ride anytime I find a couple hours between appointments, leave the office early, or decide to escape on a day road trip to one of MANY great cycling destinations found in New Mexico.

If you have given cycling a thought or two, I personally endorse this sport!  After shopping around, I have found that I lucked out wandering into what I now recognize as the best bicycle shop in the Greater Albuquerque Area – High Desert Bicycles of Rio Rancho.  The staff is very friendly, knowledgeable, patient, and their inventory carries many higher-end equipment and a vast selection over most of the other stores I have shopped.  I would recommend starting out at High Desert.  They will take the time to help you determine just the bike for you, give you a map of trails throughout the Greater Albuquerque area, and even offer to enroll you in their cyclist club which offers discounts on bikes, discounts on accessories, and emails to you regarding group rides. 

While I am by no means an avid biker thus far, if you have any questions that I can offer my opinions or help on, or merely want to go for a fun ride, please feel free to get in touch anytime.  My phone number is 505-307-4006.  Enjoy!~