When people talking about getting fit, they almost always reference going to the gym. "I've got to start going to the gym," they'll say, or more gleefully, "I've been going to the gym!"

But let's face it—the gym isn't for everyone. In fact, it isn't for a lot of people. The Lululemon outfits, the sculpted bodies, and the tedious cardio equipment can be so uninspiring that some people don't even make it to the end of their (ridiculously hard-to-get-out-of) membership contracts.

Keeping fit is important, especially if you work a stressful job. It gets your mind off work, gets your body moving and releases all sorts of feel-good chemicals from your brain into your body. But if the thought of a gym is more stressful than your job, a gym membership won't get you anywhere because you'll never use it. So why not try something new?

Pretty much everyone knows how to ride a bike. Even if you don't—and there are  lots of people who never learned—it's easy to get the hang of. One of the more popular aspects of cycling among business professionals is road biking, the kind you see in the Tour de France. (Some have gone as far as to call it the "new golf.") You don't have to be like Lance Armstrong, though, to get in on the action. All you need is a bike, and a good place to ride.

Unlike its cousin, mountain biking, road biking isn't something you have to "learn" if you already know how to ride a bike. Sure, there are helpful techniques and skills to acquire, and etiquette if you're riding in a group, but at its core, its just point-and-go. Not only that, it's low-impact and heart-friendly and it's a great way to get outside and experience the Canadian outdoors. We only get a few months where being outside is truly pleasant and fall is the perfect time to start cycling.

First, you'll need a bike. This is the best part. Road bikes are sexy, sensuous and yet hard-core machines—the dominatrix of the cycling world. Thin, smooth and graceful on the outside, they'll have you begging for mercy at the top of a particularly treacherous hill. A good-quality road bike will likely cost you around $1400, although you can find online bargains for $100 to $400. If you want to go high end, be prepared to spend $5000 or more. No matter where you purchase the bike, you should have it fitted for your body type, as a bike with the wrong frame size, seat or handlebar height can result in discomfort or injuries over time.

There are various other accessories you can buy as well, including cycling shorts with seat-appropriate padding, sweat-wicking jerseys, and of course, a helmet.  If you don't like the look of the tight cycling shorts, pick up a pair of mountain biking shorts instead, which are looser-fitting. A bike-repair kit, as well as the basic knowledge to use it, is another good idea, especially if you're planning on doing longer rides in the future.

Now, you need a place to go. Option one is to see if there's a local cycling group in your area you can join up with. It's motivating to ride with other people and a good way to network or learn new skills. Option two, if you're more of a solo kind of person, or want to go with a friend or spouse, you can pick up cycling maps and books at places like Mountain Equipment Co-op or any other outdoor-activities shop. Generally speaking, rural roads are quieter and more scenic. The less traffic, the better. You can never be too cautious when riding out on the road.

A true road biking session should carry you far: 30, 40 or 50-kilometre rides are common fodder for the average road biker. Hard-core enthusiasts will go on 100 or 150-km rides on the weekends just for kicks. But if you're just starting out, a 10 to 20-km ride will be just fine to get your legs in shape. Your route should keep to the tarmac as much as possible. A road bike's skinny tires are not built for off-road action. If you'd like to cover those areas as well, a "touring" bike with more rugged tires is probably a better choice, although it will be heavier than a road bike. 

Scott Birke, an editor with Canada's largest action-sports publishing company SBC Media, started riding his bike 21 kilometres to and from work in the summer a couple of years ago. He'll call himself as a city biker, but putting in 42 kilometres on a bike most days earns him pretty good cred as a road biker as well. He learned quickly that road bikes are the way to go on any distance ride.    

"I picked [the road bike] up because I started riding my mountain bike on my 21-kilometre commute to work and it was ridiculously cumbersome," he explains. "So I poked around on Craigslist and bought a cheap, vintage steel Columbus tubing frame with good vintage components. Sure, it's way heavier than any serious roadie's but it works great for me, for now."

What does he like best about it?

"The speed, of course, and ease of acceleration compared to my mountain bike. I've been mountain biking forever and never really thought about picking up a road bike, but now I'm on it about two hours a day, at least three times a week. The best thing though is beating cars from red light to red light. It's incredibly satisfying."

So whether you're going to put in a good long ride to work, or spend a Saturday morning exploring the back roads of an area near you, road biking is an easy, and very beneficial, fitness routine to start. Just pick a route, load up your water bottle and tuck a granola bar in your pocket. Pretty soon, you'll find longer and longer distances aren't a chore, but part of the pleasure.

by: Katie Bailey