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| Scotty appreciates efficient riding but doesn't get it much. |
As a cyclist, do you ever give much thought to the science involved in recreational cycling? Just riding purely for pleasure or commuting to work involves a number of scientific disciplines. Every time we hop on a bike a number of these come into play. Most of the time we are blissfully unaware of what's happening to our bodies or indeed our bikes, however, with a little thought we can make the science involved in cycling work in our favour by riding more efficiently, which will decrease the stresses applied to our body and cause less aches and pains.
As I am not a scientist, I am not going to delve into the scientific facts but instead refer you to an interesting article produced by Exploratorium, entitled Science of Cycling, which covers six subjects, Drives and Gears; Braking and Steering and Human Power, which should be of immense interest to the average recreational cyclist, wanting to increase their pleasure from cycling because it delves into and gives the answers to the following questions:
* What is the Science of Cycling?
* Why do road bikes have thin tyres, while mountain bikes have fat tyres?
* What is a gear ratio and how do gears help make the bicycle so efficient?
* What are the best materials for frames?
* What are the best designs?
* How do you stop and steer a bicycle?
* What forces keep the bicycle from falling over?
* How does drafting help a cyclist?
* What is skin friction?
* Why is the bicycle the most efficient way to travel?
* How do your muscles work?
Click on the following link http://www.exploratorium.edu/cycling/index.html to gain the answers which will help to increase the pleasure you derive from cycling exponentially.
Cheers and safe riding,
Jimmy Bee
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