One of the sports that grew most in popularity in our country during the quarantine imposed by the government to reduce Covid-19 infections was cycling.
One of the reasons the sport became so popular is that it can be done outdoors and without contact with other people, while always respecting social distancing.
Because of heavy vehicle traffic, many of the most popular cycling routes have become somewhat dangerous.
For this reason, we put together a list of the best cycling routes and parks so you can enjoy the sport you love in a healthy and safe way.
If you are a beginner cyclist, we also want to share a few tips that will help you improve, not only in learning the sport but also in your physical conditioning.
• Choosing your bike: it should suit the type of cycling you want to do, your body measurements and your difficulty level.
• Nutrition and hydration: it is important to eat something once you pass two hours of riding, whether an energy bar or a piece of fruit, and to hydrate every half hour to avoid fainting, headaches or other problems.
• Know your body: at first, some muscles you are not used to exercising will ache. You need to know your body to understand how much exercise it can handle, and with practice you will gradually raise the level.
• Make exercise a habit: go at your own pace. You can start with one hour on the bike, and as time goes by you will build more endurance.
• Find company: while you are just starting out, it is good to surround yourself with people who know the sport. That way you will learn more and develop skills from the group.
• Basic knowledge of your equipment: if something happens to your bike on the road, it is good to have the know-how to solve the problem quickly and effectively.
With these tips in mind, it is important to define the type of cycling you will do and, therefore, the bike you will need, whether road cycling or mountain biking. It is best to have all the information you need before you start pedaling.
For cycling on the road, the best approach is to find a suitable route, especially if you will be sharing the road with vehicle traffic.
You can choose the area based on the following criteria:
-Topography: if you are looking for a flatter area, or rather a route with ups and downs, the elevation profile will help you determine how much climbing you will face.
-Vehicle traffic: the fewer vehicles on the road, the more relaxed your ride will be.
-Weather: Costa Rica has a varied climate depending on the area, so you should decide whether you prefer a hotter or a more humid climate, taking the chance of rain into account.
We put together a short list of places in our country that meet all of the criteria above for road cycling.
-Vara Blanca in Heredia
-Santa María de Dota, Tarbaca, Aserrí and Coronado (Las Nubes) in San José
-Pacayas, Orosi, Turrialba in Cartago
-San Pedro de Poas, Poasito and the road to Poás Volcano in Alajuela.
When you head out, remember that cyclists may not ride on highways with speed limits above 80 kilometers per hour. Also wear bright or eye-catching clothing, or make sure your bike is equipped with reflective tape, so you are more visible on the road.
And if mountain biking (MTB, short for Mountain Bike) is what appeals to you most, here are some recommended places where you can practice this sport.
-Hacienda La Chimba, located in Río Oro de Santa Ana, has dedicated areas for MTB
-La Angelina, located in the province of Cartago, has trails for intermediate and expert levels, suitable for all kinds of people, and offers wonderful views of the mountains of our country.
-Senderos Colón, located in Ciudad Colón, has higher-difficulty routes, so some prior experience in the sport is recommended.
The good thing about these 3 MTB parks is that they are all within the Greater Metropolitan Area, and the entrance fee ranges between 3,000 and 4,000 colones, parking included.
Something special about our country is how close everything is: near the city you can find areas for mountain biking. Thanks to our biodiversity, cycling lets you see Costa Rica from a different perspective and visit places that are impossible to reach by car.
Keep in mind that every time you leave home to go cycling, you should carefully check the condition of your bike, starting with the brakes, the tire pressure and the tire quick-release, as well as the protective gear needed for your safety.
Finally, at CasaMax Inmobiliaria we are always attentive to the needs of our residents, which is why our projects keep adapting to new trends, such as Source Living, which features a Running and Cycling Track designed for this kind of sport.