Don’t know what you don’t know? Here’s some stuff you should know.
So your new to biking, or it’s been awhile since you’ve ridden a bike. Bike Werks Mobile Bike Shop knows that there are two things you can expect – fun and exercise. There are two other things that will make your experience a good one – comfort and safety. In no particular order, here are some tips for the new or returning cyclist:
- Wear a helmet
- Research reveals that an experienced cyclist will have an accident every 4,500 miles according to the WABA (Washington Area Bicycle Association). Beginners much more often.
- If you don’t have a helmet, get one – these days, helmets are light, generally inexpensive and fit comfortably. In a bike wreck, there’s no time to react, and bouncing your melon against the road or trail can ruin your day.
- Set an example for our youth.
- Wear gloves
- Prevents hands from slipping
- Most have a terry cloth patch between you thumb and forefinger for wiping your brow which comes in handy
- Keeps hands warm in winter
- And, what I feel is most important – gloves are safety gear. They protect your palms in the event of an accident.
- Get your bike fitted
- You can spend a lot of money on a professional fit, and if you ride over 100 miles per week, I recommend it.
- My opinion is that the most important areas of fit for the recreational rider is a bike that’s the correct size with the saddle at the correct height. In general terms, you should be on the balls of your feet when sitting on the bike.
- Handlebar height and reach can also be adjusted with the help of Bike Werks.
- Besides height of your saddle, having it level and at the proper fore/aft position can maximize comfort. See my post on selecting the proper saddle.
- Don’t ride with headphones or while talking on the phone.
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Not hearing an emergency vehicle or other commotion behind you or off to the side can cause you not to take caution when necessary.
- Be seen
- Make sure that your bike has reflectors facing front, back and on the sides.
- Invest in front and rear lights, even for day riding
- Wear bright colored or reflective clothing
- On the road, ride as if no one can see you. Give cars, motorcycles, pedestrians, hazards and other cyclists plenty of room. Expect that they will stop short, cut in front of you, blindly open car doors or crowd you. If you ride like you’re invisible, you will always give a wide berth and avoid dangerous situations.
- Know the rules of the road
- Ride with traffic and obey all road signs, or…..
- Avoid the road and ride on sidewalks, off road trails or bike paths but still be aware of your surroundings.
- Ride in the proper gear
- Riding in too hard of a gear can put added strain on your knees. It can also shorten your ride due to fatigue.
- Try to spin the pedals in the range of 70-90 rpm. Count two seconds (“one one thousand, two one thousand”) and the pedals should turn just under 3 revolutions as a rule of thumb.
- Check out my blog post on shifting.
- Keep your head up
- Always keep a look out for obstacles like broken glass, pot holes and storm grates to name a few.
- Make it a habit to be alert, but don’t ride stressed. After all, cycling is meant to be enjoyed. If you develop good habits, you’ll have fun, exercise, be safe and be comfortable enjoying everything that cycling has to offer.
So those are some tips for those getting back into cycling or getting into it for the first time. There’s more to learn as you move forward, like getting some bike shorts, having a flat kit, carrying snacks and liquids plus a whole host of skills to be learned. And, of course, I have to mention that having a properly operating bike is very important. I know the perfect place to go for that – your driveway. Bike Werks Mobile Bike Shop will tune up, service and repair your ride right there. Now, go ride your bike!