Summer, 2019 is within striking distance! Well, it is, it’s arriving this Friday, June 21st. 2019!
If you live in the eastern part of the country, for that matter anywhere east and north of the Mississippi, you know the weather has not been optimal for anything outdoors so far this year. But that is going to change! At least we HOPE it’s going to change! But knowing that everything rights itself in time, we are looking forward to a summer season with hot, sunny weather that’s just made for any cyclist to want to hop on his or her bike and start taking the high road to scenic vistas.

Knowing this day has been coming you’ve already gone through all the necessary steps to make sure your bike is in good condition to take to the open highway or those mountain trails! And if you haven’t done so yet, shame on you. So, we might just cover those steps in an upcoming post! Lucky You!

Making sure your bikes in great shape, is only one point to consider, knowing you're in good shape, physically is also important. So, before you start going on long distance bike hike or inspiring cycling journey, which is what we like to call it. Regardless of what you call it, you need to make sure that you stay on top of your physical game. Get yourself checked out by your physician before undertaking any new physical endurance challenges. After all, if you’re not familiar with all the rigors that long distance cyclists can encounter, and there are a few, having an unknown ailment happen when your miles away from home can cause a serious problem that you don’t need to have happened to you! So make sure you get a clean bill of health from your physician, and you can peddle your way down the road knowing you're in fine shape, physically to enjoy the ride.

Besides a good, reliable bike and the customary cycling attire, one item that serious cyclists take with them on their rides is a good, accurate cycling computer. After all, you want to know not only where your going, but WHERE you are at any time during your ride. How fast you're going, distance traveled, distance to go, your cadence and even the ability to have your route available with turn by turn navigation available. One such bike computer is the Garmin Edge 830!  This reliable cycling computer by Garmin will take any guesswork out of a cyclists trip and provide the peace of mind any cyclist would like to have so that they can enjoy their bike trip. After all, isn’t that the whole point of getting out there on a bike? Well isn’t it?

For an overview of just what the Edge 830 has to offer, we’ve listed a few here below:

Performance GPS cycling computer with mapping

Dynamic performance monitoring provides insights on your VO2 max, recovery, training load focus, heat and altitude acclimation, nutrition, hydration and more when paired with compatible sensors
Cycling safety features include new bike alarm, group messaging and tracking, incident detection and compatibility with Varia™ rearview radar and lights so you can see and be seen

Includes routable Garmin Cycle Map with popularity routing —which helps you ride like a local —plus off-course recalculation and back to start; mountain biking model has integrated Trailforks data, including trail difficulty ratings

Customize with free apps, widgets and data fields from the Connect IQ™ Store

MTB dynamics track jump count, jump distance and hang time as well as grit, a measure of the ride’s difficulty, and Flow, which tracks the smoothness of your descent, so you have a score to beat next time

Battery life: up to 20 hours with GPS; works with Garmin Charge™ power pack for up to 40 hours of additional battery life

Garmin Edge 830 setup and app functionality:

The Edge 830 has both onboard WiFi and Bluetooth connections so it’s possible to directly pair the device to any WiFi network. Once connected, the device will automatically link to Garmin’s servers where it can sync your device.
If WiFi isn’t available and you’ve got your phone, the device can connect to the internet via your smartphone using Bluetooth.
It’s startling how easy it is to set up the Edge 830 with or without the smartphone app, Garmin Express or Garmin Connect. Turn it on for the first time and you’re prompted to input a few crucial bits of personal information (that can later be edited if required) and the GPS is ready to use.
Likewise, fire up the app on your phone, connect it to the Edge 830 device and everything that you wish to achieve such as route mapping, training load, performance and health status and activity syncing, it’s intuitively ready and easy to use.

It’s a similar affair on the computer using the Garmin Connect web-based app, via the Garmin Express computer program. Everything that’s available online in Garmin Connect is in the smartphone app, which ensures seamless compatibility and functionality between your devices. The level of usability and inter-app syncing really impressed me.
Strava integration is top-notch too, and after just a few clicks that are needed to authorize Strava to see my data, the Garmin Edge 830 was already connected, and my rides synced with Strava.
However, on-device Strava Live segments require a Strava Summit membership, and for your smartphone to be connected to the device.

Bundled in this feature-set is the device’s ability to act as an alarm for your bike
The incident detection feature, which alerts a pre-defined contact that you’ve had an accident, requires that the device is paired with and connected to your phone which needs to be smart.

This feature provides the device to act as an alarm for your bike. Activate the alarm on the device and if someone moves your bike then the Edge 830 will send a notification to your smartphone.
Once again, while this sounds like a great idea it won’t stop or even deter a determined thief who’ll end up walking (or riding or running!) away with your precious bike and fancy GPS computer. If they have the mind to steal it!

If you’ve got your smartphone tethered to the Edge 530, the device displays notifications from incoming calls and text messages — these help you to quickly decide whether you need to answer your phone or can safely ignore the interruption to your blissful ride.

Garmin Edge 830 route finding and mapping performance
The turn-by-turn navigation is fantastic on the Edge 830. The on-screen map, when zoomed in, provides excellent levels of detail and accurate guidance instructions with ample warning — both audible and visual — when a turn is approaching.
When you’re not on the mapping screen the navigation notifications with a map appear over your current screen, so, in theory, at least, you should never miss another turn again.

The navigation function works fantastically when you’ve uploaded a pre-programmed route on the device, but relies on the device’s own smart routing functionality, and you’re in for what can be a rough ride — quite literally.
Although the on-device route creation is intuitive to use, and for the most part doesn’t require hours of studying the instruction manual, some of the menu functions are a little clunky. It’s possible to find yourself two, three or even four menus deep before you can change or select the option you’re looking to modify.

That said, if you’re without a smartphone or computer, route creation far exceeds what used to be possible on-device from both usability and technical points of view compared to only a few years ago.

There are plenty of options on the Edge 830 to create routes with different parameters, such as ride type: road, mixed, gravel or unpaved and mountain biking. This makes you able to explore new roads, paths and gravel sections close to home that remained undiscovered.

To help the device create great routes, Garmin uses data similar to that created by Strava’s heatmaps that it’s called Popularity Routing. Garmin claims it should help you ride like a local. The Edge 830 creates routes using this data to help you ride the best, or at least most ridden trails or roads in any area.

Once you’ve dialed in your chosen route parameters and set the device to create a route, it takes anywhere between 15 seconds and a few minutes to generate a route, depending on route length and other parameters, such as waypoints. The route can be either point-to-point or circular.
The get you home function works well, and you can choose between a different route entirely or follow the same route you’ve just taken to get you back to your starting point. If you need to get back to the start for whatever reason, it’s a good, reliable method.
It would certainly be fair to say that Garmin’s claims of ‘riding like a local’ are true; the device’s route creation isn’t ideal but is a great feature to get you out of a bit of bind if called upon.

Garmin Edge 830 displays and information
In record mode the device has four screens as standard — one that displays current speed, average speed, distance traveled, time, calories burnt (with compatible sensor connected) and current elevation. There’s a lap screen — the device records a new lap every 5km by default — that displays current speed and distance with your average speed for your previous laps.

The navigation and map screens show your current location on a map and your route if you have one programmed. The final screen displays past elevation data in a graph, your current heading, and current altitude.
Each display is crisp and purposeful and shows you more than enough information for any given ride.
The device’s display and functionality are customizable with apps, widgets and data fields from the Connect IQ Store. Conveniently, the store is available directly from the device’s home screen.

Garmin Edge 830 battery life
Garmin claims the battery can last up to 20 hours on GPS mode and up to 40 hours with an additional power pack or if it’s in battery save mode.
In reality, these figures are going to be less but like any electronic device it’s battery life depends greatly on how you use it and what you’re using it for, how bright the display is and how many times you use the touchscreen.

In navigation mode and with plenty of device messing about, route reprogramming and general use I drained about 25 percent of the battery after two hours of recording.
With these heavy usage habits, it’s safe to extrapolate that the battery would last eight hours on-trail recording — pretty impressive considering the outgoing Edge 820 only lasted four hours in similar conditions.

Garmin Edge 830 bottom line
With an impressive array of interesting and useful — if a little clunky at times — features, the Edge 830 is a true class-leading GPS that really offers plenty of useful functions above and beyond its competition.
The maps and navigation features are easy to understand and it’s relatively simple to program in routes. On-device route calculation isn’t great, though, and it certainly didn’t live up to Garmin’s claims of riding like a local.

The on-device data and displays are fantastically simple to read when you’re on the move, but it’s certainly worth investing in the additional sensors if you don’t already own compatible ones.

So, there you have it. Summer Sun, heat and cloudless skies. All you need to give you the itch to get out on your bike and view some new sites and smells as you traverse the miles of roads that will soon welcome you as you travel on down them. And with the Garmin Edge 830 your going to able to plot your way not only there and benefit from all that data it gathers. But you're also going to have an easy time traveling back the way you came with its “At a Glance” retrace your route function.

So, I guess we’ll just have to say, see ya on the road!

Now that September is reaching its end, the Fall season opens the door to more outdoor recreational activities. One activity/sport that is enjoyed year-round but is a great way to enjoy the scenery this time of year is cycling. It's not only a great way to get outdoors and breathe in that cooling air this time of year but its also a great form of exercise that will continue to help you improve your overall health.

To be fit and healthy you need to be physically active. Regular physical activity can help protect you from serious diseases such as obesity, heart disease, cancer, mental illness, diabetes, and arthritis. Riding your bicycle regularly is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle. And there is no better time of year to begin this healthy journey than in the Fall season.  Which is a good way to use the season as a "marker" to weigh your progress on what you have accomplished, this time next year.

Cycling is a healthy, low-impact exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from young children to older adults. It is also fun, cheap and good for the environment. An estimated one billion people ride bicycles every day, for transport, recreation, and sport.

It only takes two to four hours a week to achieve a general improvement to your health, using cycling as the means to an improved, healthy lifestyle.

Cycling is:
Low impact, it causes less strain and injuries than most other forms of exercise.

A good muscle workout: Cycling uses all of the major muscle groups as you pedal.

Cycling is for Everyone: unlike some other sports, cycling does not require high levels of physical skill. Most people know how to ride a bike and, once you learn, you don’t forget.

Good for strength and stamina: Cycling increases your stamina, strength, and aerobic fitness.
As Strong, of a Workout as YOU Want: Cycling can be done at a very low intensity, to begin with, if recovering from injury or illness, but can be built up to a demanding physical workout.

A fun way to get fit: As we stated above, cycling can be done any time of the year, all you need to do is dress accordingly, and take advantage of the cool Fall weather. Enjoying your physical activity makes what you’re doing, exercise wise, fun, while you enjoy the adventure and buzz you get from coasting down hills and being outdoors. It also means you are more likely to continue to cycle regularly, compared to other physical activities that keep you indoors or require special times or places.

Great Muscle Workout: Cycling on a regular basis helps you to strengthen the following muscle groups and providing you with a way to increase your stamina as you continue to cycle your way up and down those mountain trails or just the open road.

Leg muscles used while cycling:
Quadriceps muscles (front of thighs)
Hamstrings (rear of thigh)
Calf muscles.
Hip Flexors.
Gluteus Maximus (your butt)
Plantar-flexors of the foot
Dorsiflexors of the foot

Cycling as you can see can do quite a bit to help you maintain your regular exercise regimen. In order to take advantage of taking new bike trails, both on and off the beaten path, it’s a good idea to take along with you a good reliable GPS biking computer so that you know where you are, when you are and with the right model, your friends and family can also be aware of your position, just in case there is a need. One such bike computer is the Garmin Edge 820 GPS Cycling Computer  It is designed exclusively for the people who love to cycle and are looking to enhance their performance. It is loaded with the features like performance monitoring, Group Track feature, GPS navigation and much more. All these features will be available on your fingertip while you cycle your way through the tracks.

The Edge 820 GPS bike computer always keeps you connected with the world while you are out there enjoying the crisp Fall air while taking in all the new vistas as you pedal along. It also provides you with "Smart Notifications" including, social media sharing, live tracking, and automatic uploads to the Garmin connect family. Moreover, you can completely customize your Edge 820 the way you want with the available custom data fields and apps.

So, with a device like the Garmin Edge 820, you're never really alone and you can take the time to have a pleasurable ride while knowing that you're exercising those muscle groups mentioned above to get the maximum performance out of your body as you continue to tone it.

Happy Cycling, from your pedaling buddies here at HeartRateMonitorsUSA.com

For those of you who may be new to the sport of cycling, welcome! After all, you're joining an ever-increasing number of people who enjoy getting out on the road or mountain path with just two wheels under them. And I don’t mean dirt bike wheels. There is just something about using your legs to power yourself up and down paths that you may have never been on before.

It's estimated that there are currently about 66 million bike riders enjoying themselves each week or at least twice a month. They may have gotten started on the sport as a way to becoming more active, maybe to lose some weight. Or for some, maybe undertaking a new change in their life to participate in something that they can do by themselves, for themselves.

Depending on how seriously you're taking the sport will dictate the kind of bike you use, and how much your willing to spend on it. If you’ve been shopping around then you know that a good dependable bike can range from $350.00 for a standard bike that will take you up and down hills, just like you may have grown up with. But if you’re looking at the cost of a professional grade bike, say one that they use on the touring circuit, well you could be spending upwards to $10,000.00. The same for a good mountain bike. But there is no reason to spend that kind of money on a bike that you may be using 2-3 times a month.

Remember, you’re making a purchase that will provide you with the means to get you from point A to point B, and have you arriving at point B safely and with the bike in good condition!

The key to purchasing a bike that will take you in confidence on any road or trail is to go and visit a reputable cycle shop. After all, the owners and staff that work there are probably cyclists themselves and know everything about the equipment that they sell. They will be able to select the proper bike based on your physical makeup and the type of cycling you're going to be doing. Proper fit and handle-bar extensions can all be measured by the staff to make sure that when your sitting peddling on your bike your posture is optimum and the fit between you, the rider, and your bike seat along with your hand extensions will be as comfortable as when you start out as when you reach the end of your excursion.

But a good reliable bike is only one aspect of cycling, a good reliable cycling computer is another good investment to make, especially if you're going to be taking part in any competition rides that cover over 100 miles or more on unfamiliar terrain.

Now with the advancements in cell phone technology, some people may think that they can just use their smartphones to navigate those unknown trails that you're going to need to traverse in standard biking competitions. You can use your smartphone and an app like Strava or MapMyRide. For most commuters or recreational riders, the phone may be the better option. If you're serious about biking exercise and maybe one day competing, though, a GPS bike computer is worth the investment. Here's why:

Better battery life
The No. 1 reason to go with a GPS bike computer is for battery life. A smartphone running a GPS app like “Strava” or “MapMyRide” may only last a few hours, whereas many bike computers can get up to 16 hours. Commuters may not have this issue, but you don't want to be out on a 60-mile ride and have your phone die.

Water-resistant
Most GPS bike computers carry a water-resistant rating of IPX7 and won't be damaged when used in the rain. Unless you own an iPhone 7 or Samsung Galaxy S7, which are both water-resistant, it would be safer to ride with a bike computer.

Improved visibility
It can be difficult to see the screen on your phone on a sunny day. You won't have this problem with many bike computers. While they may not be as vibrant as your phone, they do a better job of reflecting sunlight.

Access to more accessories
Eventually, you will want to purchase more advanced sensors and accessories for your bike. This includes things like cycling power meters, heart-rate chest straps and speed/cadence sensors. Many of these support both Bluetooth and ANT+ to connect with a bike computer, but there are still some that are exclusive to ANT+.

Now here's the problem. While nearly every smartphone on the market supports Bluetooth, only Samsung and Sony incorporate ANT+ into their smartphones. That means you won't be able to use a handful of accessories when using an iPhone (or another phone) over a bike computer.

Now that we went over why its better to invest in a good, reliable bike computer, I’m going to suggest one that will fit the bill, whether your new to the sport of cycling or are an old pro at it. The one that works great for me is the Garmin Edge 820 GPS Cycling Computer  Why a Garmin? Well because Garmin has been developing GPS devices for over 50 years, beginning with developing the functionality for our military back in 1991! It is designed exclusively for the people who love to cycle race and are looking to enhance their performance. It is loaded with the features like performance monitoring, Group Track feature, GPS navigation.

It's high-resolution touchscreen in this compact Edge 820 device, allows you to enjoy the same response of its capacitive touch display even when you use it with gloves or when wet. It comes with a light sensor which automatically adjusts the brightness making it easier for you to see at a glance. And it will be a constant companion for you on your ride since its battery life is over 15 hours with the GPS enabled!

So there you have it. We think its pretty clear that if your really serious about cycling and are looking to participate in group competitions that will take you on courses where you’ve never been before, then your best bet is making sure your bike is mounted with a reliable GPS enabled bike computer. After all, do you really want to trust your position and location to just your cell phone, or would you rather put your trust in a bike computer, manufactured by a company like Garmin, who have been the “innovator” in everything GPS related?

We gave our recommendation on the Garmin Edge 820, check it out and we think you're going to be happy with the various ways it opens up the world of cycling to you!