Advice for beginners
Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:14 pm
There are plenty of good repositories of information on beginning to cycle on the net.
I thought I might share some of the most relevent ones to me;
1) ride in a closed road (no cars / plenty of space) the first couple of times and get comfortable with the handlebars / steering / different grip positions. Find a good site the explains how to lean on corners, crank position etc.. I was paranoid when I first read about this but you'll find it will come naturally if you relax. It's all in the timing. Don't worry about the gears too much at this early stage, your body will tell you when to change gears soon enough.
2) Make sure you know how to use the cable screw tensioning knobs for gears and brakes. (only use if needed don't go overboard)
3) Make sure you are riding at the correct tyre pressure and carry a pump / repair kit and or spare tube, multihextool at all times. Know how to use them. (Don't need to become an expert overnight just take it one thing at a time, when you have time.
3b) Learn how to "go light", your rims will thank you for it!
4) When you are comfortable with steering, teach yourself to break. Again find a friend or good site that explains the optimal way to break. This is probrable the hardest thing to master (except for climbing).
5) Carry water (on frame) on all but the shortest of rides. Drink when beginning to sustain exertion or cracking sweat(also vaies on temp) not when your mouth is dry and you are panting of exhaustion. NOTE: Two or three GULPS are motabolised better than heaps of SIPS. Also room temperature liquids are also better motabolised. (I keep mine betwwen fridge and room temp).
6) Dont forget to, vary your grip position, don't be afraid to use the drops, especially if there is a headwind. Use the tops up hills.
6b) Don't use the handlebars to turn, for small moves, flick your elbow out, for larger turns lean and flick your knee out as required.
7) Get a good pair of nix, wear thin shorts over the top if you are modest. Your ass will thank you. Probrably also mandatory would be sunnies, gloves (if doing more than say 10-20kms), sun protection especially in the middle part of the day.
Learn how to maintain your bike (bare minimum: lube, clean, check parts)
9) And probrably most important HAVE FUN;
Ways to have fun;
- Stick to a set route and record your times etc. Try to better yourself.
- Ride with others if its your gig or get an ipod shuffle (or other branded mp3 player)
- Take yourself for a drive one day to a bike path in a suburb you would never otherwise visit.
- Don't always ride at 100%. While impossible it would server you better to change up your exertion and riding mood (distance and speed)
Anyone else have any input on this?
I thought I might share some of the most relevent ones to me;
1) ride in a closed road (no cars / plenty of space) the first couple of times and get comfortable with the handlebars / steering / different grip positions. Find a good site the explains how to lean on corners, crank position etc.. I was paranoid when I first read about this but you'll find it will come naturally if you relax. It's all in the timing. Don't worry about the gears too much at this early stage, your body will tell you when to change gears soon enough.
2) Make sure you know how to use the cable screw tensioning knobs for gears and brakes. (only use if needed don't go overboard)
3) Make sure you are riding at the correct tyre pressure and carry a pump / repair kit and or spare tube, multihextool at all times. Know how to use them. (Don't need to become an expert overnight just take it one thing at a time, when you have time.
3b) Learn how to "go light", your rims will thank you for it!
4) When you are comfortable with steering, teach yourself to break. Again find a friend or good site that explains the optimal way to break. This is probrable the hardest thing to master (except for climbing).
5) Carry water (on frame) on all but the shortest of rides. Drink when beginning to sustain exertion or cracking sweat(also vaies on temp) not when your mouth is dry and you are panting of exhaustion. NOTE: Two or three GULPS are motabolised better than heaps of SIPS. Also room temperature liquids are also better motabolised. (I keep mine betwwen fridge and room temp).
6) Dont forget to, vary your grip position, don't be afraid to use the drops, especially if there is a headwind. Use the tops up hills.
6b) Don't use the handlebars to turn, for small moves, flick your elbow out, for larger turns lean and flick your knee out as required.
7) Get a good pair of nix, wear thin shorts over the top if you are modest. Your ass will thank you. Probrably also mandatory would be sunnies, gloves (if doing more than say 10-20kms), sun protection especially in the middle part of the day.
Learn how to maintain your bike (bare minimum: lube, clean, check parts)
9) And probrably most important HAVE FUN;
Ways to have fun;
- Stick to a set route and record your times etc. Try to better yourself.
- Ride with others if its your gig or get an ipod shuffle (or other branded mp3 player)
- Take yourself for a drive one day to a bike path in a suburb you would never otherwise visit.
- Don't always ride at 100%. While impossible it would server you better to change up your exertion and riding mood (distance and speed)
Anyone else have any input on this?