After deciding to move off campus, I worried about my transportation options — walking to class wouldn’t take just 10 minutes anymore.
So, I looked into purchasing a bicycle to ride to campus and around Manhattan. In addition to making my trips to class quicker, my bike also became a fun way to exercise and incorporate physical activity in my daily schedule.
Biking can increase your endurance as well as build toned legs and a strong core because of the balance needed for riding a bike. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, cycling is a low-impact sport that puts less stress on the joints than running while still giving you an intense, aerobic workout. ACSM’s physical activity recommendations for healthy adults suggested at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity — working hard enough to break a sweat but still able to carry on a conversation — five days a week, or 20 minutes of vigorous activity three days a week.
For those who are calorie conscious, www.shape.com has some approximate calorie expenditures to help you stay on track. For example, a 120-pound person biking for 30 minutes at a 5-minute-mile pace can burn 164 calories. A 150-pound person biking for one hour at a 10-minute-mile pace will burn 240 calories. Keep in mind that these values can vary from person to person.
In addition to the health benefits of biking for exercise, riding a bike to campus can save money not only on gas, but also on a parking permit. A campus parking permit for one year costs $150, while registering your bike on campus is free.
There are different options around Manhattan for purchasing a bike. One shop that will help you get set up with your new bike is The Pathfinder, which is located on Poyntz Avenue, near Manhattan Town Center. This outdoor sporting goods store specializes in bikes and bike repair. According to Heather Lansdowne, employee at The Pathfinder, the lowest-priced bike costs $309. Lansdowne said The Pathfinder carries many styles, including commuter bikes, which are a cross between a road bike and a mountain bike. The Pathfinder also sells books about local bike trails, as well as bike accessories and clothing.
Sarah Hurd is a senior in kinesiology. She teaches aerobics classes at the LIFE Fitness Center at noon on Fridays. Please send comments to edge@spub.ksu.
CAMPUS
-Read a PDF of information on campus bike rules and regulations at www.k-state.edu/parking/bikeregsprintable.pdf.
-For a map of K-State campus bike routes and bike parking, visit http://search.k-state.edu/?qt=bike%20map.
CITY OF MANHATTAN
-If you’d like to learn more about the City of Manhattan’s “Bicycle Master Plan,” check out http://www.ci.manhattan.ks.us/CivicAlerts.asp?AID=507.
PERSONAL
-To look into challenging yourself to burning more calories, saving more gas and possibly winning a new bike, visit http://1world2wheels.org/.
LOCAL TRAILS
-For information on the M.R.T mountain bike trail in Manhattan check out http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1078.
-For more information on the Carnahan Creek at Tuttle Creek Lake mountain bike trail in Manhattan, visit http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=132.
-To find other bike trails in Manhattan, try http://www.mapmyride.com/find-ride/united-states/ks/manhattan to help map out your trails.