Do you want to take up cycling for the first time? If so, then this is the guide for you. Here you will find out what steps you can take to make sure that your new venture is enjoyable, so you can make the most out of your time-out, while also taking a positive step towards getting fit and healthy.
Point out Hazards
If you are cycling as part of a group, then it is so important that you take the time to point out hazards. Flat tyres are terrible, and if you have a group that is having to wait for the affected rider, then this is even worse. If you want to lower the chance of getting a flat or something else similar, then you need to try and point out the holes and glass that might be on the floor. The hand signal needs to go back so that you can make sure everyone gets the message. If you can do this, then you can make sure that everyone is covered and that you are doing your bit when on the road. You might also want to have a set of audible warnings so that if you know that there is a very dangerous situation that you need to flag, you can do so with ease. If you run over some debris, then use your hand to brush the surface of your tyre as well. If you can do this, then you will soon find that it is easier for you to stop yourself from injuring yourself or someone else on the road.
Be Proactive about your Safety
You also need to try and be proactive about safety, as well as pacing. You don’t want to be barked at constantly, but at the end of the day, the people at the back do have to let the people at the front more when they need to go into a single file formation. Sometimes things like this can be done when there is a car coming up or when you need to tuck into the side more. You also need to try and tell people around you if you are struggling with things like wind direction. This is a good way for you to stop accidents when you are out and on the road. Another thing you can do to try and help yourself would be to look into bicycle insurance. This is the best way for you to make sure that you are safeguarding your equipment when you are out and on the road. It is also a good way for you to make sure that you are not putting other people at risk by not having the right coverage. If you are serious about riding, then this is one thing you should not overlook.
Pull Longer
If you are feeling really good, or if you know that you are the fastest rider within the group, then do not ramp up the speed when you get to the front. It’s not a nice thing to do, and sometimes it can make the pace feel bad for everyone else. You will get the training you need if you stay at the front for longer and if you maintain your pace. This will give you the chance to provide extra time in the raft for the people who are riding with you, and it will make a big difference to them. If you know that you do not have the fitness to do a long pull at the group pace, then you should probably try and rotate through it like everyone else. There is no rule here that you should pull equal to the person that is in front of you, but at the same time, you should try and pull according to the group’s pace. Do not slow down because then everyone will end up stacking behind you, and this is the last thing you need.
Make sure that you pace the climbs for the middle of the group as well. When you know that the pack is hitting the rolling hills, it can be hard for people to stick together. If you have a person who is drilling at the front, then this can also present issues. The orders at the front need to consider everyone when setting things like the climbing pace. Of course, if you are riding in a group, then it is common courtesy for people to wait at the top when there is a longer climb. If you want to lower the number of soft pedal stops, then you need to set the pace that suits the middle of the group. This will mean it is easy for the people at the front and hard for the people at the back, but it does help the whole group to stay on task.
Shift when Standing
Another thing you need to do is shift when standing. When you stand up to pedal your weight shift, you will soon find that your cadence slows. This can result in a kickback, which will affect the group. If you want to stop this, then shift up once or even twice as you stand up from the pedal. This is a good way for you to make sure that you end up shifting harder, and it also allows you to throw your entire body weight behind the pedal. As if that wasn’t enough, it also allows you to maintain your speed, which is a good way for you to avoid things like kickbacks. If you can keep this in mind, then it will help you a lot, so make sure that you keep this in mind if you can, as it will make a major difference to your cycling journey.
So as you can see, it’s easy to go cycling for the first time, and if you follow this guide, you will notice a huge difference in both your ability as well as your knowledge on the road.
