|
Gerry and Sue ride the freeway on
TRIKKE-8's!!!
Jim Delzer crosses US on a Kickbike!
What is a Kicking bike?
A kicking bike is a cross
between a scooter and a bicycle. It's got handbrakes, and pneumatic
tires like a bicycle but you kick it like a scooter. A razer scooter is
like a skateboard with a handle. It's also a lot of fun although not for
long trips!
Why get a kicking bike -
I've got a fine recumbent already!
 Why?
Because it's a combination of the freedom of running without the jarring
to your knees and the smooth ride of a bicycle! Because it's
addictive. Because it's a new dimension in biking not quite like
anything else. Because it works a lot of leg and back muscles in a fun
way. Because it's THERE!
Advantages of a kicking
bike
Awesome calorie
burn - 800 to 1000 calories an hour depending on
your weight and how fast you kick!
Great for those
short hauls which are too short to use a bicycle
but too long to walk. (Great for longer hauls if you are an
animal and looking for more challenge!)
If you get a
folding kicking bike, you can easily do longer
rides by combining kicking with taking the bus.
Works the same
muscles which running does... and then some, yet
has no impact like running. Your legs love
it!
You can go as fast
as an average inline skater, burn the same
calories and not have to worry about falling -
it's really hard to fall on a scooter or kicking bike and then
you don't fall very far. (that's a big issue for
us er...more mature types - falling HURTS more
when you are over 40!) :)
Can wear regular
clothing on a kicking bike.
No one minds when
you take a kicking bike into the store with you,
even if you don't fold it.
Accomodates all
sizes of people (see the Xooter link below)
A kicking bike
ride is invigorating and refreshing! (Even a razor scooter is
fun - kind of like safer roller blading!)
Fringe Benefits of
kicking bikes
Can go scootering
with the grandkids (related disadvantage - they
will soon decide you should replace their
scooters with kicking bikes - this can get expensive
if you have more than one grandkid!)
Skateboarders
smile and say "HI" to you (don't take
this lightly, skateboarders seldom smile at anyone
over 18 years old!)
Can ride the speed
of a bicycle (slow) yet are welcome on the
sidewalks so don't have to deal with cars!
Great conversation
starter!
Caveats about kickbiking
It's not a chance
to go bareheaded... wear a safety helmut!
kicking bikes are
awesome on downhills - and just as horrible on
uphills as they are awesome on downhills. Related
caveat - you can always get off the kicking bike and
walk up the hill (just take a drink of water,
like you meant to stop there anyway).
Use both legs!
Best to get into a routine - I do 2 sets of 3
kicks on one leg and then, switch to the other
and do same. When you kick, kick forwards first,
sweep your leg backwards, touching only the ball
of your foot to the ground and end with your leg
backwards. If this is confusing, watch any
skateboarder kick - they use the same technique.
Related tip - if you don't know how to change
legs without stopping, watch the kids on their
razer scooters - they are quite expert at it!
Further related tip - if the kid method doesn't
work for you, you can always stop and change
legs!
Learning how to
ride a kicking bike? Just DO it! Or have your
children or grandkids show you how - they'll love
being the teacher for a change and do a good job
of giving you the 'ins' and 'outs' of
scootering/kicking.
The most important
reasons to get a kicking bike
|
