By now we have all heard the health benefits of riding a bicycle.
Cycling is better on the joints than running, it reduces stress, it keeps us active, it can help reduce body fat, etc…. Knowing that is fine, but knowing why to get out on your bike in the Tennessee Valley is even better.
5 Reasons to Bike the Tennessee Valley
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Great places to ride
The Tennessee Valley offers terrain to fit everyone’s riding habits.
Road bikers can choose from plenty of beautiful country backroads to wile away the time.
Mountain bikers feel right at home blasting down the trails on Monte Sano Mountain or treading the single track at Joe Wheeler State Park among many other off-road hot spots.
The more casual bikers will find our local greenway systems and downtown areas great places for leisurely rides.
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Awesome local bike shops
The Huntsville metro area has some great bike shops. Not only do they carry the latest and greatest in the industry, they have experts to offer a knowledgeable helping hand.
With bike shops spread throughout the area, there is a good chance you’ll find one near you. You will find that your local bike shop beats the big-box stores, hands down.
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Growing bicycle culture
Huntsville is slowly working to make itself a more bicycle-friendly community.
The city is working to expand the greenway system and encourage more people to ride with initiatives such as the annual Mayor’s Bike Ride.
Businesses are also getting in on the bicycle push. There are increasingly more bike racks around town, and downtown Huntsville has a free bicycle loan program during Greene Street Market.
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Bicycling is a social activity
No matter your level as a cyclist, there is a group for you.
The local club Spring City Cycles has various groups, but you can turn to social media and find any number of groups to support your riding style.
One group that is gaining a large presence is Slow Cycle Huntsville, dedicated to more leisurely social rides that feature some other form of entertainment, such as dinner or lectures.
Also, Bikes and Brews is a monthly group ride where riders sample some of the local beer.
Whatever your speed, log on to your favorite social media site and you can find a group for you.
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Know your community
Most of us travel the same routes each day without exploring the world around us.
Even if you run outdoors regularly, you’re not getting close to the range of travel and exploration you can experience while riding your bike.
Even if you bike in areas you usually drive, you might be surprised by what you notice and appreciate being out of your car.
Wil Elrick hails from Guntersville, Alabama where at an early age he developed a love for both trivia and history. He has spent the last 20 odd years, fine tuning the art of communication while working in law enforcement, writing, television media, historical research, and public speaking. He lives in North Alabama with his two boys, and a neurotic German Shepherd Dog. He one day hopes that Bigfoot is proven real. Wil’s new book Alabama Scoundrels is available from History Press.
