The popularity of Cycling in North Wales can be seen every year. Thousands of cyclists choose caravan parks for cheap accommodation as a base to set out on nearby cycling routes.

The cycling routes can be taken at an easy pace or you can travel the more challenging ones, through mountain passes and rough terrain.  However, some people feel that they just don’t have the stamina even though they would love to participate.

Cycling is a Breeze with an Electric Bike

Whilst electric bikes have been available for quite some time, they haven’t really been taken seriously by cyclists until recently.  As technology has progressed, these bikes can travel up to 15mph which is the legal limit in the UK. For those who want to cycle but don’t have abundant energy to pedal, electric bikes provide the solution.

Here are 5 excellent reasons for purchasing an electric bike for cycling in North Wales:

1. Keep Fit

Although a traditional pedal bike can improve your personal fitness more, it very much depends on how often you use it and how much effort you put into it. For example, hilly countryside is more challenging so novices might be put off and stick to the flat road. Since an electric bike can reduce the effort by up to 50%, travelling along challenging routes becomes a more attractive proposition.  This encourages cyclists to ride them more often and hence get more exercise.

2. Climbing Hills

Some of the hills in North Wales present daunting gradients for conventional cyclists. Imagine how many you could pass on your electric bike!

3. Perspiration reduction

Strenuous cycling can cause you to perspire profusely.  On long cycle routes, it’s more than likely that your deodorant will have worn off.  Many people don’t appreciate that when you sweat, you lose salt (sodium). The amount lost will vary depending on factors such as how much you drink on your cycle run and the outside temperature. Sodium loss is dramatically reduced when using an electric bike.

4. See more in less time

Cycling in North Wales is a joy but on a conventional cycle, the distance you can go depends on your energy, fitness and time you have available. On an electric bike, you can go faster, expend less energy and go further.

5. No licensing hassle

There is no difference between an electric bike and a conventional one as far as the law is concerned.  Nevertheless, it does make sense to have insurance even though you are not obliged to.

Benefits of Cycling on a Caravan Holiday

Avid cyclists take their own bicycles on a Holiday, but there are also plenty of places to hire them.  If you haven’t cycled since you were a child, but would like to do something to keep fit, you might want to consider the benefits of taking it up again.  Cycling has long been recognised as one of the best forms of exercise for us but what exactly do we gain from it? Research has shown that a wide variety of health benefits can be obtained by regular cycling and here are some of them:

1. Cycling strengthens your muscles

Our immune system, which protects against infections and various systemic diseases, can be boosted by the activity created when we cycle. The many muscles which we all have in our complex bodies that need to be in good shape, and used regularly to keep good fitness and health, are boosted by cycling. This is particularly important in older people and cycling can be an ideal form of moderate exercise for this age group. While cycling we use an amazing number of muscles; leg muscles for pedalling, back and abdominal muscles for stabilising the body and arm and shoulder muscles on the handlebars. We may not be conscious of using all these different muscle groups while cycling but nonetheless, they are all being exercised making them stronger and more efficient.

The skeleton which is the body’s framework is benefited by the exercise, having a positive effect on strength and bone density, and of course, with the muscles also being strengthened they help to protect the skeleton to which they are attached. Particular bones which benefit from cycling are those in the spine. The posture required for cycling and the movement of the legs strengthens the muscles of the lower spine and works the smaller muscles around the vertebrae, which are not often exercised; all of this strengthens the spinal column and helps reduce back problems by holding discs in place.

2. Cycling keeps the joints mobile and relieves stress

Those who suffer from a joint disease like arthritis can benefit from cycling because of the circular motion, transporting energy to the joints which aid cartilage and joint movement. Most doctors will recommend that sufferers exercise, but many fear pain while doing so when in fact exercise like cycling will keep the joints mobile for longer and can help in reducing the advancement of the disease.

Another often unknown benefit of cycling is that of stress. While cycling the mind relaxes and everyday problems seem to disappear. There can be nothing more relaxing than cycling along through pleasant surroundings at a steady pace with nothing more to worry about than control of your bike. Oxygen is flowing into your body, lungs and heart and this exercise produces a feeling of wellbeing and thus a stress-free mind. The heart in particular benefits from regular cycling because it is being worked and this makes it stronger and less likely to disease. Regular cycling has been shown to reduce the risk of a heart attack by up to 50%.

3. Regular cycling burns calories

For those who are overweight cycling can be the perfect exercise. With a healthy diet and regular moderate cycling, weight can be shed and good health restored. The exercise burns off calories and because 70% of the body weight is carried by the saddle, cycling allows those who are overweight to exercise safely and comfortably.

4. Stop along the way for a break

Taking a Caravan Holiday in North Wales provides you with an ideal environment for cycling down country lanes or if you have a mountain bike you can find innumerable cycling routes over rougher terrain.  Stopping periodically along the way for drinks or something to eat will give you a welcome break especially if you are an amateur.  You might also want to stop occasionally to take in some of the breath-taking views, of which there are many in this area including Snowdonia.

Cycling is for all age groups, all body weights and shapes.  It will definitely improve your fitness and health so get out in the fresh air and give it a try. If you need to hire a bicycle we can provide you with contact details.

Top tips for Cyclists on a Caravan Holiday

If you are not a regular cyclist but like to keep fit riding a bike when you on your Caravan holiday, we have put some information together to keep you safe.

Bear in mind that 19,000 cyclists lose their lives or are injured on UK roads every year due to road accidents according to the latest statistics from ROSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents).  It makes sense for cyclists to take all precautions necessary to remain safe and protected on the road. This is even more important if you are not familiar with the area. Being visible to pedestrians and other road users is a priority so here are some useful tips:

Staying visible on the road

• During the day, you will be seen if you wear fluorescent clothing even if there is fog and mist.
• At night wear reflective clothing.
• If you intend to turn right or left, make sure you use arm signals. By making what you intend to do clear to other road users and pedestrians they will see you.
• Unless you can see a sign giving permission to ride on the pavement, don’t do it! It is against the law!
• If you are on a narrow lane or road, cycle single file and not next to another cyclist.
• Make sure that you leave enough space for a car door to open when passing a parked car.
• Leave a reasonable distance between you and the kerb
• Make sure you have your lights on if you are cycling in poor weather conditions such as rain, fog or mist.

Keeping safe on the road

• Before you consider overtaking, turning or stopping ensure that you look behind you.
• Comply with road signs and traffic lights and observe the rules of pedestrian crossings since it is against the law not to do so.
• Whilst it may entertain you to listen to music on your route, wearing headphones impedes your ability to hear what is going on around you. Don’t do it!
• Using a mobile phone distracts your attention in the same way as any other vehicle operative so if you must answer a call, find a safe place to stop before answering it.
• Wear an appropriate, padded cycling helmet. These helmets are specifically designed to protect you from head injuries.
• Weaving in and out of traffic might be fun but it is very dangerous so avoid doing it even if you are in a hurry.
• Where cycling lanes exist, use them because although not compulsory they are there for your safety.
• Ride across pedestrian crossings, unless it’s a toucan crossing with a sign saying that cyclists can do so.

Whilst North Wales is not an area of high crime if you do leave your bicycle unattended make sure you lock it or it is always within view. Using the cycling trails that are always nearby is a safer way to keep fit and also much more enjoyable. You will be able to breathe in the fresh country air and observe the wildlife, flora and fauna along your chosen route.  The scenery is some of the most spectacular in the British Isles.

Cycling in Abergele (near Sirior Bach Caravan Park)

Here are some useful links for Cycling routes around Abergele:

• https://www.mapmyride.com/gb/abergele-wls/
• http://www.greenlinks.org.uk/things-to-do/abergele-to-st-george-circular-cycling-route-p295311