Have you been thinking of doing something exciting? You want to try cycling and maybe even road racing, don’t you? If your answer is yes, but you don’t know where to start, keep on reading to learn.
Cycling is a very fulfilling and fun activity, and it will help you find new friends, develop new skills, and most importantly, it will help you have loads of fun. Here are some of the things you should know before you sit on a bike.
Start slow
If you have not ridden for a while, or if you’re just starting to get familiar with cycling, don’t try to ride for a long time and risk an injury. Pick a nice and quiet spot, like a public park for example, and start riding. By doing this, you’ll avoid getting distracted, and in turn, you’ll start to really enjoy riding. Once you build up your confidence, you can start riding your bike on the road.
Which bike to buy
Depending on what you want to do with it, pick a bike that will suit your needs. If you plan on riding your bike just from your house to your office, then buying a second-hand bike might be a good idea. If you intend on going on long rides or conquering some mountains, then buying a new bike is a better choice.
What to wear
When it comes to cycling clothing, you’ll have a hard time picking the right clothes for yourself. There are many companies that make quality cycling clothes, and most of them look really good. But, you don’t need clothes that look good, you need those that will make you feel comfortable and safe. That’s why you should start with buying padded shorts. You might think that having a padded saddle is enough, but it really isn’t, especially if you plan on riding your bike often. The only way to stop your backside from hurting on a bike is to wear padded shorts.
Probably the most important thing to wear is a helmet. Some people don’t like them, and they feel constrained while wearing them, but having a quality helmet on your head can save your life. You never know when an accident might happen, so it is better to be safe than sorry.
A bonus tip: If you plan on riding your bike through the mountains, get yourself a pair of gloves, knee pads and quality shoes. You’ll be needing them. Most mountain cyclists prefer using Shimano cycling equipment and accessories, but you’re free to pick whatever suits you the best.
Bike maintenance
As they say, a little bit of maintenance goes a long way. Instead of waiting for something to break, you need to take good care of your bike. Look at it this way. If you were riding a horse, you wouldn’t let it starve, and you wouldn’t let its hooves be in bad condition. The same goes for your bike. Always check whether your brakes are working, and check if your tires have a good tread and suitable pressure. Check your bike every time before you go on a ride and schedule monthly check-ups by a bike mechanic.
The most important thing to do while riding a bike is to have fun. It doesn’t matter whether you’ll be riding it in your local park or on the top of some mountain. Take care of your bike like it’s a supercar and you’ll be riding it for a long time. Now get yourself out there, let the wind blow through your hair and ride, ride like there’s no tomorrow!
What do you think?
Advertisement
