Getting Fit Is Fun - Many people think that you have to ride hard and suffer to get fit. Wrong. You'll condition your heart, lower your blood pressure, and burn calories simply by riding regularly. Here are some good rules to follow: The important thing is that you get out and ride consistently. Ride at least three times a week for a minimum of thirty minutes. Track time instead of distance because it's a better indicator of your workout than mileage. For example, a hilly ten-mile ride with a 25-mph headwind takes much longer to cover than a flat ten-mile ride with no wind. To prevent fatigue and possible injury, add no more to your ride time than ten percent per week. Ride at a pace quick enough to increase your rate of breathing, but not to the point that your effort feels labored. Change your routes frequently to keep things interesting (don't forget that you can ride a route in both directions so each loop offers two ride possibilities). If you follow these guidelines, you'll be surprised at how much fun getting fit can be.