Summer is a popular season for bike riding. Whether you cycle on the roadways, bike trails or prefer mountain biking, this activity has many benefits.

Biking burns calories, builds strength and endurance, increases cardiovascular fitness and flexibility. Before pedaling off, prepare your body for physical activity with the following stretches.

Before Your Ride

Bike riding mainly focuses on the lower body, so it’s important to warm up the hips and legs:

  1. Leg Swings: Using your bike for stability, swing your outside leg forward and back while keeping it straight. Walk around to the other side of the bike and repeat on your other leg. This simple motion will stretch your hip, thigh and groin muscles.
  2. Heel-Toe Stretch: Step one leg forward, putting your weight in your heel. Lower your torso forward then back up, transferring your weight to your back leg and rolling the front heel to the ball of your foot. Lower down and repeat with the other leg forward. This stretch will loosen your calves and help with ankle flexibility.
  3. High Knees: Standing in place, lift one bent knee up and hop to the other leg, alternating the knees as high as you can. This stretch warms up the whole body and gets your heart pumping.
  4. Cat-Cow Stretch: On all fours, inhale and slowly arch your back to the ceiling. Release and exhale, rounding your spine and tucking your pelvis. This stretch will help keep your back from getting stiff while riding.

After Your Ride

Static stretches help loosen the muscles after physical activity, to help decrease soreness:

  1. Quad Stretch: Balancing on the left leg, lift your heel up and grab your ankle behind your back. Hold and feel your quad loosening up. Repeat on the right side.
  2. Hamstring Stretch: Sitting on the floor, extend both legs out in front of you and lay your body forward, reaching for the toes. You should feel this behind the quads.
  3. Runner’s Lunge: From a high plank position, step your right foot up by your left hand. Hold and feel the stretch in your hip flexor. Repeat on the right side.
  4. Neck Stretch: Believe it or not, your neck might feel tight after a long ride. Tilt your chin down to your chest and hold. Lift your head, then lower your ear to the left shoulder and hold, right shoulder and hold. You should feel tension releasing in your neck muscles.

Chiropractic care is great for cyclists! Gentle spinal manipulation can ease joint pain, improve mobility and enhance overall health.

"This is an outstanding office focused on not just relieving discomfort, but promoting optimal health. I look forward to my maintenance visits to keep my neurological system in tuned up condition."
Ellen P.
"Being a fitness instructor and lifetime athlete, it is important that I keep my body healthy and moving. Pat DeFrancesco has been a huge help in this process. He is extremely knowledgeable, but more importantly he truly cares about my wellness & well being. He goes above and beyond & I feel lucky to have him on my wellness team. He leads by example in all areas of health & to me that is so important. Pat and team are top notch!"
Darcy
"Great staff. Listen, understand, and educate you throughout the process. Flexible with scheduling and will do everything they can to accommodate you."
Hunter R.
"Best chiropractor ever! Highly recommend! The people here are so nice! 10/10"
Rich A.
"Great staff. Listen, understand, and educate you throughout the process. Flexible with scheduling and will do everything they can to accommodate you."
Hunter R.
"My whole family goes to Chiropractic Health Center of Glastonbury. My other half has been getting adjustments for years and he has been the driving force for the family to get checked out. He says since he has been coming here, if his back has any issues or is out, it seems to get better much faster than ever before. If you've had any problems with your back, you'll know that speaks volumes. We trust this group!"
Maggie P.
"I started adjustments for neck, back, and tailbone pain and at the end of the 10 weeks the pain was completely gone. Dr. Wade is kind, funny, and very good at what he does. He brings positive energy into the office every single day and is in a good mood 100% of the time."
Cassandra K.
"I love Dr. D and his great staff. I have been going to him for about 16 years and I would gladly recommend him to anyone looking for a chiropractor. He has helped me immeasurably."
Lelaneia D.
"I started adjustments for neck, back, and tailbone pain and at the end of the 10 weeks the pain was completely gone. Dr. Wade is kind, funny, and very good at what he does. He brings positive energy into the office every single day and is in a good mood 100% of the time."
Cassandra K.
"Dr. D has been providing an integrative approach to the health and well being of my family for over 25 years. He is not only a highly skilled practitioner, but is a compassionate and caring person, not only to his patients but to the community.
Susan K.
"I have been a patient for over a year and have seen terrific results from my plan of care. I was introduced to the office by a friend after I told him I was having back pain. The staff and doctors have been outstanding. They took some x-rays and ruled out certain things and put me on a plan of care that helped get me straight and pain free. I can't thank them enough."
Matt U.
"There is no better place than Chiropractic Health Center, from the moment you step into the office, you are welcomed with a smile and they even manage to remember every patients name. They put a lot of emphasis on your care, you start feeling better with every visit. I would recommend this practice over any other possible treatment/office in the state."
Carlos V.
"I lost my cousin (who was also a lifelong best friend) tragically back in November and happened to mention it during an adjustment, and a few days later, I received a handwritten sympathy card from Dr. Joe and the team. Things like that go a long way! I recommend CHCG without reservation."
Maxwell T.
"From the moment you walk into the office, you are welcomed with a smile and they even manage to remember every single patient's name. They treat you like family and put a lot of emphasis on your care. I started coming to this office when my son was about 4 months old and now at 11 months old, I have seen SO much progress with his neck that I myself started to see Dr D. and I am very grateful to have found such a wonderful place."
Nichole C.
"I strained my lower back a month prior to an Ironman race. I was unable to sleep, walk or sit, never mind continue training as planned. The entire office staff is beyond kind, caring, professional and runs extremely smooth. I was explained every step and procedure, along with a patient education class that really helped me understand what was wrong with my back and steps to fix it. Dr Wade was able to get me sleeping, walking and able to compete in my triathlon. 5 stars for many reasons and would highly recommend."
Dylan H.
"Great experience! Our whole family goes and we have referred other family members. Dr. Wade is awesome, he listens and wants what is best for his clients."
Kayla B.
"The administrative staff and practitioners are all friendly, capable, efficient, and very responsive. In addition, Dr. Keith Wade is knowledgeable, passionate about his craft, patient and thorough in answering questions. As a direct result of all that, my low back, ankles an knees feel much better, I am in less pain, and I am less afraid that my back will keep hurting or "going out." I am very grateful."
Malinda B.
"Such a great experience in understanding and learning how to treat my chronic pain! The office staff is wonderful, informative and empathetic! Dr. D is also invested in making you to your best self! They found a convert here!"
Debby D.
"This is an outstanding office focused on not just relieving discomfort, but promoting optimal health. I look forward to my maintenance visits to keep my neurological system in tuned up condition."
Ellen P.
"I strained my lower back a month prior to an Ironman race. I was unable to sleep, walk or sit, never mind continue training as planned. The entire office staff is beyond kind, caring, professional and runs extremely smooth. I was explained every step and procedure, along with a patient education class that really helped me understand what was wrong with my back and steps to fix it. Dr Wade was able to get me sleeping, walking and able to compete in my triathlon. 5 stars for many reasons and would highly recommend."
Dylan H.
"Such a great experience in understanding and learning how to treat my chronic pain! The office staff is wonderful, informative and empathetic! Dr. D is also invested in making you to your best self! They found a convert here!"
Debby D.
"Best chiropractor ever! Highly recommend! The people here are so nice! 10/10"
Rich A.
"The administrative staff and practitioners are all friendly, capable, efficient, and very responsive. In addition, Dr. Keith Wade is knowledgeable, passionate about his craft, patient and thorough in answering questions. As a direct result of all that, my low back, ankles an knees feel much better, I am in less pain, and I am less afraid that my back will keep hurting or "going out." I am very grateful."
Malinda B.
"I have been going to the Chiropractic Health Center of Glastonbury for years. Dr. D. keeps me walking and moving so I can work and enjoy my grandchildren. The staff in the office are great. They are like a second family to me. I know I can call and they will always fit me in if I have to have an adjustment."
Catherine K.
"I started adjustments for neck, back, and tailbone pain and at the end of the 10 weeks the pain was completely gone. Dr. Wade is kind, funny, and very good at what he does. He brings positive energy into the office every single day and is in a good mood 100% of the time."
Cassandra K.
"If I could give more than five stars, I wouldn't hesitate to do so. The office staff are all very professional and accommodating. There have been several instances where I had to make a last minute change to my appointment - either a cancellation or different time - and the office responded right away to make it happen. Not only this, but my appointments are always quick, yet very efficient. The doctors take their time in addressing my questions and explaining things so that I receive the best possible care."
Zach G.
"I started my chiropractic journey a few weeks before having my 3rd baby. They were amazing, patient and gentle during the pregnancy. They weren't pushy when I took my time, post pregnancy, to come back. They were amazing with my schedule and did everything to work with me. I felt so comfortable with them that I brought my new born baby and my 3 year old in to get adjusted!"
Candace L.
"They are not only extremely professional and helpful but genuinely care about your well being! In addition, the group is very supportive of the community. I love that they partnered with We Are the Children to donate thousands of dollars worth of toys.
Jocelyn D.
"Dr. D has been providing an integrative approach to the health and well being of my family for over 25 years. He is not only a highly skilled practitioner, but is a compassionate and caring person, not only to his patients but to the community.
Susan K.
"Our family has been clients since 1994 and since 2005, we have been one of his long distance clients moving to New Hampshire! We have continued with monthly adjustments as he is truly The Best of The Best!"
Skip G.
"My whole family goes to Chiropractic Health Center of Glastonbury. My other half has been getting adjustments for years and he has been the driving force for the family to get checked out. He says since he has been coming here, if his back has any issues or is out, it seems to get better much faster than ever before. If you've had any problems with your back, you'll know that speaks volumes. We trust this group!"
Maggie P.
"The staff at Chiropractic Health Center of Glastonbury is wonderful. They take time to get to know you, personally. They all always have a smile to greet you with and are genuinely concerned for your comfort and well being. Dr DeFrancesco truly wants to make sure you understand your issues with your body and he takes time to explain what those are."
Daniela P.
"The staff at Chiropractic Health Center of Glastonbury is wonderful. They take time to get to know you, personally. They all always have a smile to greet you with and are genuinely concerned for your comfort and well being. Dr DeFrancesco truly wants to make sure you understand your issues with your body and he takes time to explain what those are."
Daniela P.
"Dr. D has to be one the most caring and supportive individuals I have ever met, I consider him a friend. Doc has taken care of me, my family, and a group of my friends. I will always recommend chiropractic care as a needed practice to maintain a healthy body and will only recommend Dr. Patrick DeFrancesco and the Chiropractor Health Center of Glastonbury to anyone I come across who is in need."
Christopher B.
"Dr. D has to be one the most caring and supportive individuals I have ever met, I consider him a friend. Doc has taken care of me, my family, and a group of my friends. I will always recommend chiropractic care as a needed practice to maintain a healthy body and will only recommend Dr. Patrick DeFrancesco and the Chiropractor Health Center of Glastonbury to anyone I come across who is in need."
Christopher B.
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