Starting any form of exercise can be intimidating at first, so we thought it would be a good idea to give all of the beginners out there a handy guide that should help them get the gist of things and set them on their way to becoming good cyclists. This list assumes you have a bike already, but if not then check out our list of the top ten bike brands on the market today to get you started.
Cycling Tips for Beginners
Get The Right Equipment
It should go without saying that you need to get a good bike helmet before heading out onto the road, but you will find that a decent pair of padded cycling shorts and some cycling gloves will also help when it comes to overall comfort and quality of your ride. Your butt will never forgive you if you go on a road ride without padded cycling shorts as a newbie.
Positioning
Many beginners struggle with the positioning when they first climb onto a bike, particularly when riding a road bike. A good knowledge of the three main cycling positions will be extremely helpful:
Neutral – The most comfortable position, allowing you to change gears and brake easily in addition to being able to look around. You should be sat almost upright in this position.
Lowered in the Drops – This is where you lean into the handles in an effort to gain more speed. A road bike will generally have “drops” for you to grip when in this position. They are the part of the handlebars that make the “C”. d
Standing – You will use this position when you need to generate a little extra power in your riding, such as when you are going uphill.
Proper use and transitioning between these three positions is extremely important.
Using Your Gears
As a cyclist you want to maintain what is known as a regular cadence, which is the average speed that you can rotate the pedals and is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm). Keeping your cadence stable is important to improve as a cyclist, so you need to know how to operate your gears appropriately.
As such, try to figure out your cadence on a flat road and don’t stay in a high gear too long or you will place undue stress on your legs. Always move to a lower gear when going uphill so that you can maintain your cadence and ascend without issues.
Keep Your Eyes On the Road
One of the main issues that you are going to face when you actually head out onto the road is the condition of the roads themselves. Potholes and other debris can lead to you falling and, in worst cases scenarios, injuring yourself.
Always keep your eyes open when riding and be aware of what is around you. You don’t have to go full speed in every area, so if you are a little wary, slow things down a little bit so that it is easier to pay attention to what’s happening. You can speed things up again when you start to get more comfortable.
A Good Bike Fit
Bikes come in all different shapes and sizes, just like the people riding them, so it is important to get a bike that fits your body type. This will help in regards to comfort levels and reduces the risk of sustaining injuries or muscle aches during prolonged cycling.
A professional bike fitter will be able to help you ensure you have everything right; everything from the bike frame through to the positioning of the saddle and handlebars can cause issues.
Obey The Law
To cycle on the road you are going to have to obey the rules of the road, in addition to demonstrating some general cycling etiquette.
Don’t assume that you can run red lights because you are on a bike, as you put yourself in danger in addition to other road users. Also try to keep your cycling line as predictable as possible, rather than swerving around, as this can make other road users nervous and lead to more accidents. Finally, always stick to the right side of the road wherever possible, and be sure to clearly indicate your intentions if you want to make a left turn, so that everybody behind you knows what you want to do.
These are a few quick cycling tips for beginners. For a Complete Guide To Cycling For Beginners Click Here!