Now, with two young daughters and a busy practice, he's switched to a road bike and hits the streets a couple of times a week for vigorous rides. Like Dr. Weidmann, many of his patients talk about beginning a fitness program with a travel goal in mind. You'd have to play a lot of very competitive softball to get that much exercise, and there are a lot of injuries. Bicycling for fitness isn't for everyone, though, says Weidmann. For those who are not very fit, slow rides around the neighborhood are probably a good start.
Many neighborhoods have lots of stoplights, which breaks the aerobic continuity of the exercise.
Finding a safe road near where you live or work that will provide an unbroken stretch of aerobic cycling may be difficult. If you are determined enough, though, you can make it happen. If you decide to take it up, approach the sport carefully, get a bike that fits well, and get some good advice, he suggests. Play it safe, and pick routes appropriate to your fitness level and riding ability. Local bike shops carry maps of good rides around Austin, and various home pages list local routes and events .