RAGBRAI is making another visit to the Corridor. Want to ride along?

"Cycling is a wonderful way to burn a lot of calories without the joint compression associated with other weight-bearing activities," says Mike Shaffer, UI Sports Medicine physical therapist and athletic trainer. Here are some suggestions to make the experience safer and more comfortable:

• A bike tune-up is money well spent. Mechanics evaluate and lubricate the chain, drive train, gear shifters, and brakes.
• Padded shorts make the difference between being happy to be on the ride vs. happy to be done with the ride. Cycling shorts pad your most sensitive areas to make long-distance biking comfortable.
• While it's tempting to buy a saddle that feels soft, choose a saddle designed to transfer weight off your sensitive areas to your ischial tuberosities ("sit bones").
• Let the gears do the work. Riding in a low gear can result in fatigue and overuse of your leg muscles. A higher gear allows easier pedaling while quickly transferring power through the drive train.
• Ride…. lots. Many shorter rides build muscle strength and endurance faster than fewer, longer rides.