The Tour de France starts next month, and with it comes television coverage that intimately takes viewers on a journey throughout the gorgeous French countryside. This should be all the motivation you need in order to get out of the house and start cycling through a beautiful countryside of your own choosing.
With retirement comes a mountain of free time to do what you want to do. However, it also comes with achy feet, creaky bones, and a heightened desire to simply relax. For those who aren’t the most fit, cycling doesn’t seem to be an option once retired. However, with the advancement of electronic bikes, cycling is something that everyone can do as long as you know how to ride a bike. What better way to enjoy the freedom of retirement than by hopping on a bike and exploring the most beautiful locations around the world?
See the sights
The best part about cycling is the opportunity it allows you to get outside and get some fresh air. The world is truly your oyster — from a nice relaxing ride on the beach all the way to a challenging climb through a mountain pass.
And there truly are some spectacular sights that can only be accessed through cycling. Europe alone has awe-inspiring trips in places as diverse as the Alps, the Cornish coastline trails in England, and El Camino de Santiago, the route made famous by the novel The Alchemist. There are many more majestic paths taking you through the best of what Europe has to offer.
Europe certainly has the most famous cycling routes in the world, but by no means are they the only continent to provide a top-of-the-line cycling experience. Cycling in North America brings you the California coastline, spectacular mountain passes through the Sierra Nevada mountains, and everything in between. For those willing to go a bit outside of their comfort zones, South America also has a huge cycling culture with wonderful landscapes.
Using electricity to your advantage
What do you do if your partner, an avid cyclist, wants to go for a ride through the Col du Tourmalet — the highest paved mountain pass in the French Pyrenees and a stage in the Tour de France? In years prior, you would have been forced to wait until they returned, raving of the once in a lifetime experience that they just had. But, luckily, technology has advanced to the point where you can join them — as long as you know how to pedal a bike of course.
Electric bikes are an easy way to go on more challenging rides but still retain the feeling that you are actually riding a bike. Of course, you could always drive to the destination, but it’s during the journey there where the memories are made. The wind blowing across your face, the gorgeous mountain view, the conversations with your companions — these combine to make memories that can last a lifetime.
But how does one go about getting an electric bike? And once you decide you’re going down that route, how do you choose between the hundreds of different options?
First, you need to think about what you will mainly use the bike for. Some bikes are optimized for short commutes while others have the battery power to last for an entire day’s ride. Functionality is also an option, as some electric bikes fold together to maximize space — perfect to take with you on a bus or a train. Others come equipped with storage space, making a multi-day ride up the coast a possibility. You can even buy a tandem electric bike for your partner. With electric bikes, the possibilities are endless!
An easy way to stay fit
The best part about cycling is that it doesn’t have to be done in a certain way. Sure, some seniors have cycled most of their lives and are able to go on challenging rides that not many other people can. We can’t all be Frenchwoman Jeanie Longo-Cuprelli, who won a time trial at the age of 52. But casual rides along the beach remain an option for anyone trying to remain fit.
In fact, just a half hour of cycling a day can keep you slim while reducing the risk of heart disease. And when compared with another popular form of aerobic exercise – running – cycling is low impact, meaning that it is much easier on your joints. No longer can you use your weak knees as an excuse to stay inside!
Cycling is a great way to spend your retirement. Not only will you stay in shape but you will be able to see the most beautiful parts of the world with the people you love. Now as you watch the Tour de France, you can multitask and find your next vacation!
