A Fun Way to Keep Fit and Trim

I don’t know about you, but I’m not a lover of intense, heavy duty, adrenalin pumping exercise, but I’m always looking for fun ways to stay fit and trim.

Dave and I both love cycling. Getting out in nature, feeling the wind against our skin, covering more kilometres in a shorter time than it takes to walk, and the buzz we get from being active are all big plusses for us. So I’m always on the lookout for leisure activities which include a cycle ride to help us stay fit and trim while having fun.

In our 9 years living in Australia’s beautiful south west we’ve done lots of coastal and forest walks, and many jaunts around the Margaret River Region visiting amazing wineries, but we’ve never done a wine tour by bicycle.

I can honestly say that the bike tour we did last week with Dirty Detours was one of the best days out we’ve had in a long time, and it combined a little indulgence with a nice bit of exercise – 18kms to be more precise.

We were Lovin’ Life 🙂

The Sip n’ Cycle tour is actually the brainchild of Rob and Tamara Oostdam and is one of a range of cycling tours Dirty Detours offers which include single and multi day tours. There’s the leisurely cruise for coffee, or the wine tasting on two wheels while for those looking to raise more of a sweat there’s for the Boranup Forest ride for the average rider, and an Advanced XC for those looking for some punishment!

Well, as you can imagine. The Sip n’ Cycle tour was for me 😉

A gentle tour which took from 9.30am until about 3pm visiting 4 wineries with scenic cycling through forests, along well maintained bike trails and along the edge of vineyards. You don’t need to be a super fit cyclist but a moderate level of fitness is required.

Dave though, is keen to do the 1000km Munda Biddi bike trail which runs from Perth to Albany through the forest, along what has been voted as one of National Geographic’s Top 10 Cycle Routes in the World! Watch this space – I’m likely to be the back up team!

If you’d like to read more about The Sip n’ Cycle tour pop over to my travel blog “ZigaZag” for the full story.

Why is Cycling good for you?

So why is bicycling good for you? I’ve done some online research and asked cycling friends what it is about getting out on a bike that does us good, and why it’s a fun way to keep fit and trim as we get older.

1. Cycling strengthens your heart muscles, lowers resting pulse and reduces blood fat levels, so it’s good for your cardiovascular system.
2. Cycling improves strength, balance and coordination.
3. Riding a bike regularly should increase your muscle strength and flexibility.
4. It’s considered a good stress buster and can help reduce anxiety too.
5. Riding a bike is a fun, low-impact form of exercise suitable for most ages.
6. Cycling can be fitted into your daily routine – you can ride to the shops, to the beach, the park or work.
7. Cycling can help you lose weight (along with a calorie controlled diet of course).
8. British research suggests that if you cycle for half an hour every day you could burn nearly 5kgs of fat over a year.

Safety Tips for Cycling

1. Wear a helmet
2. Wear bright clothing so that you are visible to traffic
3. Try and avoid rush hours if you’re cycling on roads
4. Always make sure you obey the rules of the road and remember to use hand signals
5. Wear covered shoes to protect your feet
6. Carry your mobile phone, and a small puncture repair kit particularly if you’re cycling alone.

Where we stayed

Our energetic weekend away was complemented by a lovely stay at Margarets Forest Holiday Apartments, situated on the edge of the township between natural forest and the cafe strip. We stayed in a really comfortable self contained unit with a fully equipped kitchen, laundry with washing machine, dryer and iron, and a private balcony with a barbecue. It was beautifully furnished and had everything in it you’d need for a holiday stay, and we could walk straight from our door along the Margaret River main street for restaurants, galleries and shops. Read more about Margarets Forest on my travel blog ZigaZag.

Where we Dined

After our cycle tour we had a wonderful meal at the vibey, Swings Taphouse and Kitchen which is considered the local’s Local. The food is designed for sharing and we considered it a cross between fine dining and conversation sparking good nosh. The menu is created from locally sourced produce driven by the seasons. Portions come in three sizes; bites, small plates and large plates. Novely factor – Swings & Roundabouts wines on tap, and craft beers on tap too. We left brimming with delight, and festively full. Gotta love Margaret River food! The SA rock oysters harissa, with melon granita were especially #Yum! Read the full review on ZigaZag.

Disclaimer: In my work helping to promote business and our lovely part of the world, I’m always grateful for assistance I receive to help with my expenses. My tour with Dirty Detours, my night at Margarets Forest and my meal at Swings Taphouse and Kitchen were complimentary, but all views and opinions are my own.