Just like a cyclist's leg muscles, their heart is forced to get stronger, adapt to the demands placed on it, and may sustain inflammation and injury resulting in scarring — studies have observed raised markers of inflammation in endurance athletes.

You'll be reducing the pressure on your heart and in turn reducing your risk of heart disease. Regular cycling can also help you to lower your levels of bad cholesterol, reduce stress and maintain a healthy weight, all of which are good for your heart.

Aerobic exercise like cycling is excellent for maintaining a healthy heart. Among these, cycling is the best aerobic activity because your heart, blood vessels, and lungs all get a workout.

Bikemap is an iPhone and Android app that offers route planning, navigation, real-time updates and plenty more. In our experience, it's a good alternative to Strava or Komoot for route planning and offers more for free, though both Strava and Komoot also have their own unique features.