Biking in Calgary

One of my favorite summertime activities is biking. I can hardly wait for the snow to melt and the sun to shine so that I can hit the bike paths of Calgary. I hate working out inside and nothing gives me seasonal depression like being stuck inside.

For me hitting the bike path is particularly easy because I live right on Edworthy Park. From this park I have access to the main hub of Calgary's bike paths and am only quick ride from downtown Calgary. Based on this my personal favorite ride to take is from Edworthy Park to Prince's Island Park, which is a quick 12 kilometer ride round trip. My favorite time to complete this ride is a Saturday or Sunday afternoon because I can easily pack some snacks, a blanket and lounge out in Prince's Island Park in the sun for a couple hours. It's also cool to take this ride and check out the new Peace Bridge or stop in Kensington for a coffee at Higher Ground Cafe.

Sunny afternoon in Prince's Island Park 

The main reason I love biking, is because a few years ago I severely injured my knee. Biking is great exercise and is low impact, which is great for my now 80 year old knee! In addition biking is a great way to build up leg muscles, burn off unwanted calories and explore the outdoors. Based on Fitwatch, it is estimated that I can burn about 370 calories in an hour while biking at a moderate pace.

Over the past few years, I have been experimenting with different gear to get the best outcomes. I have found a few items that really can help improve your biking experience.

- First off, the sore bottom after the first few rides of the season, try these shorts from Mountain Equipment Co-op. They are fairly inexpensive at about $30 + tax and really help to save your butt!

-A simple bike computer, such as this Schwinn model can really help keep track of the kilometers ridden and how fast you are travelling. It also works as a really good workout tool to help set goals, test your abilities and track your improvement.

Another good idea is to take some spin classes (especially useful in the winter months) to improve biking technique or keep biking while the flurries are still flying. Most gyms and recreation facilities in Calgary offer spin classes. Mount Royal's Recreation facility is my personal favorite because they offer spin classes at a very student-friendly cost and they have drop in classes.

Biking is a great way to get some exercise while enjoying the outdoors and exploring your city!