Be healthy, bike to save forests

MANILA, Philippines – Biking enthusiasts from all over the country will embark on a new type of adventure in the 3^rd Globe Cordillera Challenge on May 5, Saturday. Bikers will get to climb 2 summits and race through 27 kilometers of smooth and rocky terrains, while admiring the lush greenery of forests along the way.

Besides the scenic view and the adrenaline rush, bikers can also reap some health benefits from the experience.

For instance, mountain biking is a form of cardio-vascular exercise that involves traversing different terrains, ascending inclines, and navigating through steep declines.

Benefits

This outdoor activity is good for the body in several ways. Among others:

It strengthens cardio-vascular fitness. By constantly moving for a period of time, the heart becomes more efficient at pumping blood and oxygen to the body, and the body becomes more efficient at using oxygen.

It strengthens and builds muscles. Biking tones parts of the lower body such as the thighs, calves, and rear end. It strengthens the movements of the hip and knee joints.

It improves stamina. Pushing one’s self to the limit is common in biking; riders become faster than before as they constantly pedal to their limits.

It develops bodily coordination. Biking is an activity that involves the whole body. The feet pedal in a circular motion while hands steer towards a direction. It practices arm-to-leg and body-to-eye coordination.

It burns calories. The constant movement causes the body to sweat a lot especially when going faster. Furthermore, it triggers the metabolism to consume stored fat and sugar.

A big plus

The challenge was launched in 2010 by the Cordillera Conservation Trust and Globe Telecom. They aim to raise awareness about building forests.

Aside from achieving physical fitness, the environment also gains from the reforestation of Cordillera, a major watershed in Northern Luzon.

“Forests are the epitome of self sacrifice. They produce much for the environment while taking very little from it,” CCT executive director JP Alipio said.

“With a little light and water they produce life, literally. Forests are not just trees. Much of what a forest is, is far from the trees that grow within it,” he added. “We don’t plant trees, we build forests,” Alipio wrote. – Rappler.com