The latest population census tallied close to 80 million US residents born from 1946-1964, comprising the Baby Boomer generation. Out of a million plus residents living in Rhode Island, its largest demographic group of approximately 280,000 falls between 45-54 years of age. According to findings reported by CNN Health-- overall, Boomers are heavier and less healthy than their parents were at their age, and take more prescription pills than the previous generation. They suffer from chronic illnesses such as: obesity-related diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Nearly 30 per cent have been diagnosed with arthritis. Though there are no magic elixirs, it is imperative for sedentary Boomers to engage in some form of exercise to maintain a healthy weight, strengthen muscles, and improve cardiovascular health.
Pedaling Your Way to Fitness
The positive spin on bicycling is that it entails a low-impact, aerobic workout easier on the joints than most any other type of exercise-ideal for aging Boomers. One's back field in motion will shed extra pounds and melt girth. Having obtained a doctor's high five to roll, the health and fitness benefits accrued from an ecologically sound and frugally fun joy ride should result in tremendous improvements for: cardio-respiratory function, endurance, strength, flexibility, balance, energy level, muscle tone, reflexes, sleep quality, concentration, digestion, blood pressure, bone mass, circulation, and lung capacity.
Boomers, or members of any other generation, for that matter, can't expect to cowboy into the sunset along the concrete trails without getting in shape and staying that way every season by pedaling indoors on either an exercise bike or bike trainer. Also important-since cycling is a repetitive activity where the muscles do not go through their full range of motion, it is recommended the easy rider engage in some form of stretching to loosen up and protect joints after hopping off the saddle and propping the bike on its kickstand.
Boomer Bicycle Alternatives
These key factors should be taken into consideration before investing in a bicycle as a purveyor of health and fitness: (1) whether you plan to ride close to home or transport your bike to another location; (2) the type of terrain you will ride on; (3) priorities such as speed, comfort, versatility, easy storage, or easy riding; (4) any physical limitations you need to accommodate.
No matter what size, shape, fitness level, or limitations-there's a bike for every Boomer bicycle enthusiast:
Adult tricycle - popular with seniors as well as those with handicaps or balance problems, they are easy to board and offer a stable ride.
Automatic shifting cruiser -an automatic 3 speed transmission mimics the automatic sensing and shifting of a car's transmission for navigating hills.
Chainless bike - the chain used on a conventional bike is replaced by a drive shaft from the pedal crank shaft to a set of gears on the rear hub.
Comfort bike -favored by Boomers, this mountain or cruiser bike is modified to enhance comfort level through high gear ratios, wider seats, and shock absorbers.
Cruiser bike -many Boomers appreciate these heavyweight, retro roadies with balloon tires, upright seating posture, and single-speed drive train best suited for leisure riding rather than navigating hilly terrain
Electric trail bike - offers a little jolt for those who need assistance on steeper inclines.
Folding bike - perfect for apartment dwellers for easy storage and transport, they're easy to fold and unfold.
Heavy duty bike - custom designed, engineered, and built for large riders up to 550 lbs.
Hybrid bike- a versatile crossover combining the best features of a road bike and a mountain bike, designed to give the rider a more upright position than a roadie.
Mountain bike - designed for rugged, off-road terrain.
Road bike - designed primarily for speed and distance, but not suited for off-road or rough terrain.
Semi-recumbent bike -no bending forward to reach the handlebars; an adjustable, contoured backrest; wide comfort seat; dual 26" wheels to handle bumps well-it really puts the Boomer in the driver's seat.
Step through bikes- formerly known as a "ladies" bike, elimination of a cross bar eases mounting and dismounting, especially if you're not as limber as you used to be.
Since Rhode Island has become a leader in providing bike paths, lanes, and routes for residents and visitors to traverse throughout spring, summer, and autumn in conjunction with the East Coast Alliance to create a contiguous path from Maine to Florida-let's embark on a pavement pedal preview:
Blackstone River Bikeway:
Length - the 11.6 miles between Valley Falls Heritage Park off Broad St. in Cumberland and River's Edge Park off Davison Ave. in Woonsocket is the largest open segment on a nearly 50-mile former rail corridor that will eventually connect Providence to Worcester, Massachusetts.
Grade - predominately flat with steep hills to exit at Ashton Bridge parking area; a couple of slight rises along a stretch in Cumberland.
Trail Conditions - excellent for paved sections.
View - a ride along former and existing rail right of ways; scenic views of the Blackstone River, its canals, and dams.
Directions - From Rte. 95, take Rte. 146 north to Rte. 123 east. Follow a couple of miles to access road on left (well marked).
Coventry Greenway:
Length -2.7 miles paved between Station St. and an area along Town Farm Rd. in Coventry; 1.6 miles unpaved route between Whitford St. and Station St.
Grade - flat; slight gain in elevation east - west.
Trail Conditions - good to excellent on paved sections; unpaved sections passable by mountain bike or hybrid.
View -an abandoned rail corridor with sections of old track and switches, formerly the Washington Secondary Line, constructed in 1840 to connect Providence with New York.
Directions - From Rte. 95, take Exit 10 to Rte. 117 west. Follow about six miles to a right on Station St. in Coventry.
East Bay Bike Path:
Length - 14.5 miles between India Point Park in Providence with a connection to 3 miles of paved path in Colt State Park, Bristol.
Grade - predominately flat with one steep hill in East Providence. Occasional stiff head winds along Narragansett Bay's upper and lower stretches.
Trail Conditions - good to average.
View- diverse terrain; waterfront to bay front scenery.
Directions - From Rte. 95, take Rte. 195 east to Gano St. exit. Take left to India Point Park. Trail begins at right with ramps to the path running on bridge alongside highway.
Fred Lippitt Woonasquatucket River Bikeway:
Length - 5.1 miles between Providence Place Mall and Lyman Ave. in Johnston.
Grade - good to excellent.
Trail Conditions - 2.8 miles of on-road biking with precautions to be taken with heavy traffic in the urban section; 2.9 miles off-road.
View - 5 city parks; the river.
Directions - On Manton Ave., Providence, bear left onto Aleppo St.; or take Hillside Ave. off of Greenville Ave. in Johnston.
Quonset Bike Path:
Length - 2.5 miles from Post Ro. (Rte. 1) and Calf Pasture Point nature area in the Quonest Business Park in North Kingstown.
Grade - mostly flat.
Trail Conditions - Excellent.
View - short and scenic, providing access to a part of historic Wickford Village, Wilson Park, and tidal ponds.
Directions - From Route 95, take Exit 9 to Rte. 4 south. Take Rte. 403, and follow signs to Post Rd. Take a left at the Shell Station. After a couple of miles, between State Police Barracks and NK Police and Fire, take left onto Intrepid Dr. Follow to parking lot. Alternative is Rte. 4 south to Rte. 102 south to left on Route 1. After a mile, take right onto Rte. 1A where a sign for Wilson Park is on the left.
South County Bike Path:
Length - approximately 8 miles total with 5.6 miles between Kingston RR Station and Rte. 108 in Wakefield; on-road routes must be accessed to reach the shore.
Grade - gentle hill in the middle of the trail from Kingston Station to Peace Dale; Peace Dale to Wakefield has a moderate gradient; caution - a switchback built where an old trestle was removed requires vigilance.
Trail Conditions - excellent.
View - path served as a rail spur from the main line to Narragansett Beach; passes through sections of the Great Swamp.
Directions - from Rte. 95, take Exit 9 to Rte. 4 south. Follow until junction with Rte. 1 south, then follow to Rte. 138 west. Pass University of Rhode Island, look for signs to Kingston Station. Trail begins from back of parking lot. Alternative is Rte. 4 south to Rte. 2 south to Rte. 138 east to Kingston Station.
Ten Mile River Greenway:
Length - 2.5 miles between Ferris Ave. in East Providence and Armistice Blvd. in Pawtucket.
Grade - relatively flat through Slater Park; rolling in southern section.
Trail Conditions - excellent.
View - one of the few bike paths not constructed along a former rail corridor, so it has more hills and curves; highly scenic throughout Slater Park.
Directions - Take 95 into Massachusetts and take 1st exit, Exit 2A. Follow Rte. 1A south. Take left onto Armistice Blvd. and park entrance is on right. Or, follow south on Rte. 1A and entrance is on left.
Washington Secondary Bike Path:
Length - Cranston Bike Path, 5.5 miles; West Warwick Greenway, 3 miles; Warwick Greenway, 1.5 miles.
Grade - generally flat; good incline heading west from river point section of West Warwick to Coventry line; slight incline from onset of Cranston Bike path at West Natick Rd. heading north.
Trail Conditions - good to excellent; isolated areas have a small amount of dirt and debris after heavy rains; some bumping from root encroachment along Cranston path.
View- passes through heavily populated areas; view of mills and Pawtuxet River.
Directions - West Warwick Greenway: From Rte. 95, take Exit 10 (northbound) or Exit 10A (southbound) to Rte. 117 east. At second light, take a left onto Rte. 115 (Toll Gate Rd.). Follow to Rte. 2. Go straight on street before Horgan Elementary School, take right to parking area behind restored caboose. Warwick Greenway & Cranston Bike Path: Take Rte. 295 to Rte. 2 north. After the first light, take left turnaround to Rte. 2 south and exit onto West Natick Rd.
The Baby Boomer's path to fitness and health should be paved with more than good intentions to exercise. Take the right of way by investing in a bicycle appropriate for your physical condition, and suitable for the type of terrain you prefer to pedal on. A low-impact, aerobic workout easier on the joints than most any other type of exercise, bicycling involves only an initial outlay of cash to purchase a set of wheels without shelling out a penny on fossil fuels as prices soar at the pump. You are more than road ready to pedal along a vast scenic stretch of Rhode Island's bike paths in tandem to the rhythm of your own wheels, echoing the refrain of the Who's popular song in the Sixties - "I can see for miles and miles."
