In May, the sun hangs higher in the sky, grass grows greener and the days stretch on. The outdoors beckon.

For some, the thought of stepping out their front doors can be daunting, but the summer need not slip by. Those first few steps are easier than you think.

Thinking back to her formative years, Lisa Rasor said she never considered herself all that athletic.

Although she owned a bicycle for quite some time, Rasor said, she didn’t consider herself a cyclist until 1995. That’s when a friend recruited her to a team of cyclists riding the MS150, a two-day, 150-mile ride benefitting those with multiple sclerosis.

“I was a band geek and a bookworm in high school, and to do something that physical was not something that really came natural to me,” she said. “But 1995 is when I really got into it, and finding I could do it was a huge accomplishment and it felt really good. I just got hooked.”

Since that ride, Rasor has made an effort to participate in several rides each year. One of her favorites is the annual Bike Across Kansas, a nine-day excursion from the edge of Colorado to the Missouri border.

There are plenty of races to ride all across the country, Rasor said. But she prefers to compete against herself and enjoy the rides, especially if she’s got company along the way.

“There are folks who are part of competitive teams, and they get a lot of fulfillment out of it and that’s great,” Rasor said. “But that’s not the only option. You can do it just for fun and share that experience with other people without having to compete.”

Cycling is indeed a social sport, said Dan Hughes, the owner of Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop, 804 Massachusetts St. It’s also a simple solution to many complex problems, he said.

Hopping on a bike is a great way to get or stay in shape, Hughes said. It’s a low-impact cardiovascular activity, and an alternative to running, but it can also help improve an individual’s mental health.

“Whether it’s an actual ride or commuting to work, it’s time to de-stress and let the day wash off you,” he said. “No matter how hard the wind is blowing or how big the hills are, I always feel awesome when it’s over.”

Not only are there both physical and mental benefits to cycling, Hughes said, but it’s also easy to get started, especially since so many people already own a bicycle.

“The bare essentials are a bicycle, air in the tires, and it needs to stop and it needs to go,” he said. “That’s pretty much the cost of admission to riding a bike and feeling the wind in your hair.”

While a properly fitted helmet isn’t mandatory, Hughes said it is a prudent addition and he encourages all cyclists to protect their heads. Those planning to ride at night are also legally required to mount a front headlight and rear deflector on their bikes, he added.

Rather than loading up on unnecessary gear, it’s best to get started, focus on the experience and let that dictate what to buy in the future, Hughes said.

Before getting started, Hughes said it’s important for each cyclist to ensure their seats are set to the correct height and their handlebars are set at the proper distance. This can be done by visiting a professional or by trial and error.

Kurt Mason, an outpatient physical therapy supervisor at Kansas University Medical Center, said cyclists should seek to fully extend their legs with each pedal rotation. Over or under-extending can lead to knee problems over time.

When considering handlebars, Mason added cyclists should aim for a “relaxed reach.”

“If you’re too far away and your arms are fully extended it can draw the shoulder blades away from the spine and pull on the neck,” he said.

As the weather continues to heat up, beginners should ease into the sport and remember to stay hydrated, Mason added. Rather than fixating on a distance, it may be better to ride for a set amount of time.

“People often try to do too much too soon,” he said. “Start small and go in increments. Gradual progress is easier on the body.”

Rasor, Hughes and Mason all agree cycling is a fantastic way to transition into an active lifestyle. And while the options of who, what and where are limitless, it’s best to gear up, hit the road and let the experience speak for itself.

Trial and error can also be applied to cycle routes, Hughes said. Some cyclists prefer gravel roads to hills, streets or bike paths, he said. It’s all about tailoring the experience to what feels best.

Several sample routes have been provided here, while more can be found online at www.mapmyride.com.

“It’s a really great feeling to know you’ve pushed yourself past what you thought you could do, or pushed yourself past the expectations others had of you,” Rasor said. “It’s amazing. You can do more than you think you can.”