I Love Bicycling

I Love Bicycling is a website that is geared towards cycling for beginners with road cycling tips, training articles, nutrition tips, weight loss, how to’s and bike repair articles.

The Golden Rules of Road Cycling

by

The Golden Rules of Road Cycling

Road cycling has a long history of rules, originating from a long history of cycling. Almost every unwritten rule is governed by tradition and a regard for safety and consideration of other cyclists and vehicles. Most of the golden rules of road cycling have evolved out of necessity while some of them are tradition for tradition’s sake. There are no cycling law policemen and you won’t be in trouble for not following the rules but you will be safer, make more friends, and have more fun by following the golden rules.

Rule #1 of The Golden Rules of Road Cycling: Ride How You Want

Road biking is not always competition. You don’t have to be faster than other cyclists and there will always be faster cyclists. Ride how you want to ride. If you want to get faster there are a set of golden rules specific to training rides. Set your own pace, especially if you’re new to it, until you get some miles in your legs, lungs, and heart. Self-confidence doesn’t build overnight. One day you’ll look back and realize how far you’ve come.

Rule #2: Build Endurance

Serious road cycling requires endurance. Get accustomed to getting out on your bike regularly. Build it into your way of life. Road cycling requires a routine just like getting up in the morning, going to work and eating dinner. Prioritize it.

Rule Three: Change it Up

Don’t ride the same route every time you go out. A huge part of cycling can exploring new roads and places.  Vary your rides, even if it takes you on hills you’d rather avoid. Include a variety of routes that are easy when you’re not up to it, and harder, longer rides when you have the time and mind-set.

Rule #3: Be Courteous

Courtesy is a key component for staying safe on the road and acting respectfully towards others who share the road with you. Respecting the golden rules of the road makes motorists and fellow-cyclists reciprocate, and they respect you in return. Motorists and cyclists have a tenuous relationship at best, so sharing the road with respect and courtesy eases tension.

 Rule #4: Believe in Yourself

Keep at it when you’re out there all by yourself, and the road seems never-ending. Believe in yourself. There will be times when you doubt your abilities and goals. Don’t give up on them. All cyclists have have bad days on the bike. Don’t let them affect you or your motivation.

Rule #5: Sick Days

Don’t ride when you’re sick. It’s one thing to get out there when you’re tired; it almost always makes you feel better. But don’t try to ride off the common cold or fever, it might make it worse. Take care of yourself. Rest and ride another day.

Rule #6: Obey the Law

Road bikes are subject to the same laws as motorists, follow them. You have the same rights and duties as drivers. Your safety, and the well-being of those around you depends on you interpreting the law in a predictable manner. Obey traffic signals and stop signs. Ride with traffic. Use the right hand lane headed in the direction you are going. Pass on the left.

Rule #7: Claim Your Space

Make it clear that you plan to use your portion of the road – whether its 36-inches from the curb, or an entire lane wide. Don’t hesitate to claim the entire lane if there is no bike lane or the side of the road is rough, full of debris or missing completely. Bikes are vehicles and have a legal right to be on the road. Claim your space.

Rule #7: Be Predictable

Make your intentions clear to other cyclists and everyone else on public roadways. Ride in a straight, consistent line. Don’t swerve unnecessarily.  If you’re riding with other cyclists and you do need to suddenly swerve to avoid an obstruction, make it clear with as shout while pointing at the obstruction so they know to avoid it behind you. Signal with your arms for turns. Glance behind you before turning or changing lanes.

Rule #8: Stay Aware

Keep your head up in traffic or congested areas. Anticipate what other cyclists might do, as well as drivers and pedestrians. Watch for turning vehicles and ride outside the open-door zone of parked cars. Read the traffic. Try to anticipate what’s likely to happen and scan behind regularly. Watch for signs of cars pulling out or looking for a parking spot. Look out for debris, potholes, and other road hazards. Cross railroad tracks at right angles.

Rule #9: Be Seen

Assume that you are invisible to motorists. Do whatever you can can to enhance your chances of being seen to avoid accidents. Ride where people and cars see you. Wear bright clothing. Use lights in low light conditions with a white light on the front and a red rear light. Make eye contact with other cyclists and pedestrians. The article “Bikes Versus Cars, How to Ride in Traffic” can give more insight into safely riding with traffic.

Rule #10: Be Ready

Keep your bike in good working condition. If you’re unsure how to do basic maintenance, practice on your bike at home, or have it serviced by a professional. Check that your tires have enough air; check that your brakes are working, chain flows smoothly, and always check the quick release levers on your wheels. Learn how to fix a flat and carry all the tools and supplies needed to repair your bike and get rolling again. And of course wear a helmet.

Rule #11: Get Involved

It’s one thing to prefer riding by yourself and getting out there in your own space. But there also is a whole world out there of cycling that you could be missing out on. A culture of like-minded cyclists just waiting for you. Build friendships, share stories of your experiences. Balance is key.

Rule #12: Challenge Yourself

It might not seem possible at first, but you’re capable of doing more miles than you can possibly imagine. Challenge yourself. Gain motivation by enrolling in a long-distance ride event. The motivation gained by a simple mark on the calendar will promote you to ride harder and longer. When the event arrives, you’ll be ready to rock and roll. During the ride, take a look at those other cyclists around you. You’ll notice the pain, exhilaration, and exuberance that you’re feeling is shared equally. It’s a feeling you will never forget and constantly seek to be returned to.

The golden rules of road cycling will allow you to be safe while further enjoying your road riding experience. Some you don’t need to follow and may not want to but if you do, it can help your riding experience as well as those around you. Follow the golden rules of road cycling and you’ll set yourself up for a lifetime of great riding.

The Golden Rules of Mountain Biking

by

The Golden Rules of Mountain Biking

The golden rules of mountain biking are far less strict than those of road biking for one reason in particular — it’s more of a solitary sport. It’s just you and the bike and if it is more than just you, it’s relaxed with everyone there for a good time.

Free Spirited

Cycling on public roadways is governed by strict rules. It’s because of road cycling’s heritage, and the fact that the roads are shared with motorists and other cyclists. Mountain biking, with its devil-may-care freewheeling attitude, is more like the unwritten code of the west, the last of the cowboys, or throw caution to the wind.

On Principals

It’s one thing to say that there are no rules in mountain biking, but those who do it on a regular basis know that to stay safe, certain principals apply that help keep the rubber side down.

Test Of Time

The golden rules of mountain biking are not written in stone but rather in mud that may get washed over a bit with the next rain. Instead of thinking of them as rules that you must follow, think of them as dos and don’ts, or suggestions that have withstood that last rain storm.

Of course, if you’re riding a mountain bike on pavement, the same rules of the road that apply to road bikes, cars or other motorized vehicles also apply to mountain bikes. But when you’re out there, careening down the side of a hill, the golden rules of mountain biking are there, for the most part, to keep you safe, and to provide you with the most fun.

Rule # 1 of The Golden Rules of Mountain Biking: Look Where You Steer

It’s a fact that you go where your eyes are looking. Don’t focus on things you want to miss. Look where you want your wheels to go. In other words, if you focus on a large rock in the trail, it’s likely you’ll clip it with your derailleur as you pass by. It’s an easy rule to say, but a hard one to accomplish. Think of it like this; your wheels follow your eyes. Another example is ruts; you see one on the left, and choose a line to the right. There’s no need to keep looking at the rut out of fear as if you do, you’re likely to end up in it.

Rule #2: Scan Ahead

After consulting rule number one, continue scanning ahead. Dismiss obstacles that won’t bother your line. Reach forward with your eyes as far as possible while maintaining control of the bike.  This rule varies depending on conditions; if you’re swerving in and out of trees, focus on scanning the next move no matter the distance. If you’ve got wide open trail, scan as far as you can, but stay in control. Don’t look down unless you absolutely need to. Looking down serves no purpose, and takes focus off of the trail.

Rule #3: Two up, Two Down

Ride with two fingers on the brakes at all times. Use the other two to steer. Get used to this position. It allows you to steer and brake simultaneously the instant you get in trouble or to avoid a nasty collision with an obstacle. The constant pressure on your brakes also allows you to feather the back brake for corners or trim it slightly for more control when you get moving too fast. When you get good at it, it’s fine to use your back brake for controlled slides around corners. But do so only if you’ve practiced the maneuver.

Rule #4: Decision Making

Things happen fast on a mountain bike. Be ready to change your gears, your position, your speed and your mind instantly. Be ready to apply your brakes if needed, swerve or jump your bike at high speed. There’s not enough time to think about what you’re going to do and you’ve only got a split second to decide your next move.  Never hesitate to change course if needed. If you get into trouble, brake, swerve or hop, you’ve got to do something; just do it.

Rule #5: Embrace Momentum

Momentum is everything on a mountain bike.The more momentum you can maintain while staying in control, the easier everything becomes. You should begin to feel a certain flow up and down through depressions and over humps. Momentum gets you through loose stuff and over technical bits along with sweeping you out of corners with centrifugal force.

Rule #6: Posture Forward

Position your body weight more toward the front of the bike when either sitting or standing. The forward-torso position keeps your center of gravity lower on the bike. The position is gained by using your elbows and knees to act as suspension which brings your chest toward the handle bars and stem. This position assists the bike to turn sharply and brings extra traction to the front wheel.

Rule #7: Stay in the Saddle When Climbing

When climbing, bring your head and chest toward the handle bars by bending your elbows, similar to rule six. Slide your butt forward on the saddle to keep the bike tracking in a straight line. This position also stops the bike from wandering across the trail and keeps the front wheel on the ground as you apply torque to the pedals. If you stand up it offsets your balance, reduces your traction, and your heart rate jumps.

Rule #8: Learn to Hover (Stand, don’t Sit)

The hover or standing on the pedals with your knees bent could be considered the all-round best body position for all purpose mountain biking. The hover position is the most comfortable and allows for the best control of a mountain bike in rough or technical terrain. Stand up with your legs and elbows bent; these are your shock absorbers. Your torso should be slightly forward. Pedals at the at 3 and 9 o’clock position, also known as the platform. Hold this pedal position unless you’re negotiating tight corners. Reacting from this position is a simple process of shifting your weight from side to side, forward or back.

Rule #9: Descending

What goes up, must come down. The torso forward position in rule number seven is reversed. As you begin to pick up speed on the downhill, keep your butt as far back on the saddle as possible without losing control of the bike. Hover or sit in the saddle, depending on conditions, but try to keep the weight to the back of the bike. Too much weight forward can cause the dreaded endo.

Rule #10: Trail Etiquette

Despite being on trails with far less people than the roads, you are still likely to come up on another rider, hiker, or horseback rider and respecting others is the golden rule of “Golden Rules”. Horses always have the right of way and when you come up on them, make sure the rider knows you’re there and give them space to pass. You don’t want a horse freaking out on the trail. Hikers will often give you the right of way as it’s generally easier for them to step to the side of the trail but they are by no means required to do so. Make sure they know you’re coming and slide to one side of the trail to let them pass or if they let you go, give a heart-felt thanks. If you come up on another rider, the one traveling uphill always has the right of way. Slow and give respect. If you come up on another rider from behind make sure they know you’re there. Give a “Hi there. Passing on your left.” or whatever the situation warrants.

Following “The Golden Rules of Mountain Biking” will allow you to ride and navigate the trails with precision and finesse keeping you safe as well as those around you. You don’t have to follow what’s written in mud but as a mountain biker you will want to. Who doesn’t like mud anyway?

Useful Info

Recent Posts

Connect with Us