Whether you are looking for a new bike seat or you are considering the construction of a bike that you are thinking about purchasing, you'll discover that you have a lot of choices in front of you. There are many different kinds of bike seats out there, and when you want to get the one that is perfect for you, there are several considerations to keep in mind. Consider some of the following models to help you make your choice.

Comfort Seat
A comfort seat has a relatively broad nose and the seat itself is rather wide and well cushioned. This is the heaviest of all the seat types available, and there may be springs underneath to provide you with a smoother ride. When you prefer to ride upright and when your handlebars are higher than the seat, this is definitely the seat that you want to choose. This is a good choice if you are going to be biking around town and with no particular speed. You don't even need to wear cycling clothing when you use it, and it is almost impossible to pedal extremely quickly with this type of seat.

Road Bike Seat
The road bike seat is also known as the race seat, and as the name implies, it is less about comfort and more about getting all the speed that you can out of your bicycle. These seats are very lightweight and they have only a small amount of padding. They are narrow, and the seat rails can be hollow to remove any excess weight from the frame. This is the seat that you will use when you want to ride for fitness and where speed is a consideration. Using this seat will encourage you to lean forward and it is preferred for off and on road excursions.

Leather Seat
If you are someone who will be doing a fair amount of casual riding and is interested in a lot of comfort and a seat that will come conform to your body, you'll find that a leather seat is ideal. This is a great seat for people who want a more classic look, and they also have the benefit of lasting for quite a while. Do be aware that it is susceptible to water damage and that it requires some time to break in before it is completely comfortable.

Gel Seat
Gel seats can come in nearly every shape, but you will find that they are quite comfortable regardless. Using hard top bicycle seats can irritate your groin and your sit bones over time, and this is what gel seats are meant to prevent. A gel cushion rests between you and the bike seat and it helps you get more comfortable.

Women's Seat
Be aware that seats are often made for men or for women. Due to the differences in the breadth of the pelvis, women's seats are shorter and wider, while men's seats are longer and narrower.

Socks have a 2 way purpose-keeping the moisture away from your foot and making a fashion statement. The later part of this statement comes from someone who truly enjoys wearing all kinds and styles of socks. But in this article I will cover both types of socks-the warm, moisture busting type and the fashion statement sock.

As to keeping your foot warm it comes down to what your socks are made of. A common ingredient in the construction of most socks is polyester. Polyester is great at reducing wrinkles and making a long living sock. But when it comes to keeping your feet warm, wool is the only choice.

There are a few fibers which have superior moisture control and thermal capabilites, they are wool and angora. Merino wool is one of the finest wools available. Angora comes from rabbits and adds not only softness but thermal qualities. It wicks moisture away from your body and improves the warmth of the sock. Wool is not just for winter time, it is for anytime of year. It keeps your feet warm in the cold months and wool in the warm months. Remember wool/angora wicks away moisture, winter or summer.

Recently there has been a coming out with socks and other gear for cyclists. These socks are for color, a fashion statement and moisture control. There are many people who find these socks an excellent addition to their exercising wardrobe. You can wear these socks whenever you go riding as well as around the house. A lot of these socks are made of a man made fiber called CoolMax. Coolmax is the brand name of a series of technical fabrics designed to wick moisture away from the skin. The fabrics employ specially-engineered polyester fibres to improve "breathability" compared to natural fibres like cotton. Clothing made from Coolmax is primarily intended to be worn during exertion so sweat can evaporate quickly.

Your feet will thank you for covering them during sock wearing activities!

photo credit: joebeone

So what are your goals for 2009?  Well I have set mine and would like to work on them with you.   So having set mine, I find that to achieve them I need to invest in a heart rate monitor.

Cycling heart rate monitors are staple of cyclist's everywhere. There are so many things you can find out with a heart monitor. You can find out what your average heart rate is and what it has been. This is great for you so...you can see how you have improved or how closer your goal is. It sure makes your day when you look back over your average heart rates and realize you have improved greatly.

I have invested in a wireless monitor so I do not have to deal with the wires.

Your heart rate monitor gives you essential feedback to your training regime. It also helps you to not over do your training and cause more harm.

An element to all successful training regimes is variety!

Your monitor will help you in this regard by giving you a guideline to follow. It will tell you when to take it easy and when to give it your all. Monitors give you different options such as tempo, interval and endurance training. This variety will make you a better/stronger rider. After using a monitor you see how beneficial they really are. They will help you to see how...your training can improve. From improving your training you can start to see noticeable and measurable results.

A good heart rate monitor will provide you appropriate feedback. So you can train at the correct intensity for your current level to get to the level you desire. You can take those weaknesses you want to get rid of...and turn them into strengths. New heart monitors are like a coach right there with you. Giving you all the feedback you need. Let us all go out and do something to improve our training regimes!