Must-Have-Gear

When you start to ride again, begin at the bottom -- your bottom, that is.

"Buy yourself some good bike shorts," advises Keith Gifford, a 40-year-old Indianapolis attorney who began riding again three years ago after more than 20 years off a bike. "Shorts made my riding much more comfortable."

Instead of the skin-tight models, Keith opted for baggy shorts with protective chamois inside. Expect to pay from $40 to $80 for a good pair of shorts. With shorts in hand (so to speak), Keith felt comfortable enough to pedal 20-milers almost as soon as he began riding again. And after 10 weeks of regular cycling, he lost 25 pounds and was fit enough to tackle a daunting 100-mile ride that winds around Bloomington, Indiana, called the Hilly Hundred.

Another cycling essential is a helmet. In addition to protecting your own noggin, you'll set a safety-conscious example for your children. Check the inside of the helmet for the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) sticker that indicates the helmet meets safety standards. Such safe helmets cost as little as $20. If you opt for fancier colors and styles, you can spend $35 to $150.

Your helmet should fit snugly and level on your head (not angled up or to the side) and the strap should be tight enough so you can slip only two fingers between your chin and the buckle. The V straps on the sides should meet just below your ear and, if you look up, you should just barely be able to see the brim.