Cycling Tips You Need to Know Before Getting Started
Cycling is a unique and addictive experience that one is bound to enjoy. However, if you are new to it, it can prove to be a challenge. It might feel unnatural as if your body is being thrown forward. Your torso is somewhat low to the ground, so the feeling that you could fall is normal.
What you need to do is remain relaxed, and practice. Make use of areas with low traffic to do so, and you will be feeling more comfortable with your bike in no time. In this article, we are going to discuss some of the essential cycling tips for beginners.
Cycling Tips for Beginners
A comfortable saddle
Though a lot of people will tell you otherwise, you can actually find a saddle that is comfortable. It might, however, be somewhat tricky to find just the one that fits you. Another person’s perfect saddle might not be that good for you.
Some shops use measuring devices to determine the best solution for you. All you need to do is visit your local shop and get sized. You will still have to try out more than one saddle until you find the perfect one.
Position
There are three positions when riding a bike.
- The most common position has your arms at a 90-degree angle to your torso, with your hands on the hoods and over the brakes. You may feel like you are leaning far forward at first, but it will feel natural in time.
- This is when your hands are placed in the C-shaped lower section of your handlebars. This is a common position for getting more aerodynamic in order to go faster, or when you are descending. Drops are safer for descending due to the fact that you have better control of the brakes and your center of gravity is lowered so you can make a faster stop.
- This position is mainly used for climbing. It requires a little more of your energy because you need to support a greater amount of body weight with your limbs. To do this properly, you need to start in a neutral position and then lean forward as you stand up. Don’t forget to keep pedaling.
Of course, you’re always free to mix up your routine so you don’t get bored quickly.
Learning how to fix a flat tire
If you haven’t had a flat tire yet, you are going to have one — sooner or later. Therefore, it is essential that you are prepared for that moment because it is important for your personal safety. So, as a beginner, you need to learn how to do it.
You can visit your local bike shop and have someone teach you how it is done. Practicing it a couple of times will make it an easy job. You need to always have the equipment with you, though. If nothing else, someone can help you out when you’re in trouble. Always pack tire levers, the proper tube for your tires, and a CO2 inflator.
Steering
When it comes to steering your bike, there are three ways you can do it.
- Upright steering. This is when you turn the handlebars and hold both your body and the bike upright. It’s the best solution for problematic conditions and slow speeds.
- The common way to steer consists out of leaning your body and the bike in order to turn. For sharper turns, you need to lean over more. Your outside pedal needs to be at 6 o’clock, as you will be pushing your weight through it.
- Countersteering. It’s an advanced level of steering, used for sharp turns or turns that have more bends. The way you do it is that once at speed, you push one hand down. Your wheel will start to turn to that side, but as the bike begins to lean, you will turn to the other side.
Hill climbing
A successful hill climb consists of a steady effort from bottom to top.
It might be a good idea to browse online for sturdy bicycles such as road bikes for this. Most people find it easier to spin than to mash during this. When climbing, you need to sit upright, so that your lungs take in more oxygen and larger muscle groups can activate.
Relax your grip so you don’t waste more energy than necessary. Staying seated is generally the best way to make a climb. However, standing can produce more power, so sometimes it is beneficial. It can be very useful during long climbs, as you get to engage various muscle groups, while the other ones rest.
Wrap-Up
You may be a rookie when it comes to cycling, but with enough motivation and effort, you can easily become good at it. Follow the essential tips in this article to become an experienced cyclist.
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