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.

"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.
"Best chiropractor ever! Highly recommend! The people here are so nice! 10/10"
Rich A.
"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.
"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.
"Best chiropractor in town!!! This office is amazing and always there when you need them! I’ve been a patient of Dr. D for over 25 years can’t say enough about him...you won’t be disappointed!"
Amy W.
"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.
"Amazing place to get realigned! Everyone in here is highly knowledgeable and genuine. I've been a patient here for 10+ years and recommended it frequently!"
Kyle M.
"At my first appointment, I couldn’t stand up straight. I am now able to go back to my regular exercise routine. The staff is very knowledgeable, very friendly and organized. I have never had to wait more than a few minutes for my appointment, even when the office is very busy."
Amanda B.
"I'm a very active individual and lower back pain was getting in the way of activities I love. While my back is still a work in progress, the time spent with Dr. D has been well worth it. I just ran 2 marathons in 2 weeks and these sessions helped me run these races with no back pain."
Matt from mission FITNESS
"I felt heard, taken care of, treated with kindness and respect. Wonderful positive experience. A very welcoming office and staff. Definitely a five star establishment!"
Beth M.
"Amazing place to get realigned! Everyone in here is highly knowledgeable and genuine. I've been a patient here for 10+ years and recommended it frequently!"
Kyle M.
"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.
"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.
"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.
When I first came, I was out of alignment and had joint soreness but through my continual sessions, my overall health has improved 100%. I want to thank all the staff for their support and education."
Benjamin I.
"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.
"I have had amazing experiences here, from the front staff to the doctors. They explain everything to you in detail and in a way you understand. I would highly recommend them."
Marguerite R.
"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.
"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 felt heard, taken care of, treated with kindness and respect. Wonderful positive experience. A very welcoming office and staff. Definitely a five star establishment!"
Beth M.
"I'm a very active individual and lower back pain was getting in the way of activities I love. While my back is still a work in progress, the time spent with Dr. D has been well worth it. I just ran 2 marathons in 2 weeks and these sessions helped me run these races with no back pain."
Matt from mission FITNESS
"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.
"Dr. Wade has been wonderful! I never thought spinal care was a preventative health measure until I started here. The entire staff are very accommodating and friendly! My back has never felt better! I plan to continue to come for maintenance."
Amanda S.
"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.
"Dr. Wade has been wonderful! I never thought spinal care was a preventative health measure until I started here. The entire staff are very accommodating and friendly! My back has never felt better! I plan to continue to come for maintenance."
Amanda S.
"Best chiropractor ever! Highly recommend! The people here are so nice! 10/10"
Rich A.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"Great staff. Listen, understand, and educate you throughout the process. Flexible with scheduling and will do everything they can to accommodate you."
Hunter R.
"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.
"At my first appointment, I couldn’t stand up straight. I am now able to go back to my regular exercise routine. The staff is very knowledgeable, very friendly and organized. I have never had to wait more than a few minutes for my appointment, even when the office is very busy."
Amanda B.
"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.
"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.
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