This page is dedicated to making your riding experience more comfortable, more exciting and more enjoyable.
If you have any tips of your own, please feel free to add them.
- When coming up to a stop light (especially when using clips), change into a lower gear on your front cog, so that when you take off you can easily turn the pedals (to clip in and) to accelerate quicker.
- Always carry some money and a bank card with you, in case you need to take a train/taxi home or you ‘bonk’ and need some energy
- Always carry water with you, even if it is cold. 2 bottles is recommended.
- When using 2 bottles, try having one filled with water, and one filled with energy drink.
- Have your bike fitted to your riding style and body shape/size at a store where the staff are knowledgable and willing to take the time to fit you out properly. It can make the difference in terms of performance, and will also prevent soreness in the crotch, back, shoulders etc.
- Consider carrying a miniature saddle bag containing a puncture repair kit, tyre levers, spare tube, allen key. There are several types around that don’t ruin the look of your otherwise sleek riding machine. Maybe you’ll never use it, but the one time you do it’s priceless! Using these bags means you don’t have to carry everything in your back pocket too, saving more room for chocolate and lollies!
- Carry either a miniature pump…self explanatory
- Always wear sunglasses, even if overcast (all cycle shops sell clear or lightly tinted lens sunglasses). A bug, stone or piece of grit in the eye can ruin your day and send you off into the kerb.
- While they may look flimsy and a waste of money, vests cut out a lot of wind and offer protection if it rains.
- Don’t use your ipod or iriver etc, unless you are training on a velodrome or very quiet road. Other road users will not consider the possibility that you can’t hear them. Save the Bon Jovi or AC/DC fire up song for when you get home!
- If you are wanting to cycle for fitness, invest in a HR monitor. You would be surprised how little effort you actually exert on a ride, and even if you cycle for 60km, you may not spend much time in a HR zone that will improve your aerobic capacity. The efficiency of cycling can work against you if you are trying to get fit!
- Gloves are a must, even if simply commuting. You will notice the difference if you wear some padded gloves, both in the reduction of shock from the road and the abrasion from the handlebar grips.
====================TYRE PUNCTURE PREVENTION===================
It’s the bane of a lovely road outing or a happy bunch ride so listen up to avoid what is the most frustrating thing known to man…
There are two major reasons why you will puncture:
1. Human error
2. Road debris
3. Making God angry/Bad Karma
1.Pinch flats are most often caused by under inflation. If the inner tube is under inflated it will rub and wear on the outer tyre when hitting pot holes. This mainly applies to road riders. Carefully read the suggested tyre pressure marked on your tyres. Ideally 100psi will offer optimum comfort and tyre performance (grip, cornering etc.) For riders over 70/75kgs a higher pressure is needed. 120psi.
The common belief is that the higher the pressure the less rolling resistance, the faster you go. This applies to very smooth roads or on the velodrome, but on rough road a higher psi will result in less cushioning ability and a harsher ride. You may notice that a reduction in cushioning ability will mean that instead of absorbing road bumps, your bike will ‘chatter’ more, meaning your momentum is translated upwards and slowing you down.
1.Be sure to check you have adequate and correct rim tape
1.When pulling off the pump valve, use the other hand to hold down the valve of the tube, using the ring on the thread. This avoids excessive pulling of the inner tube valve, that can possibly tear at the rim hole.
2.Glass can easily rip through a cheap tyre and puncture your inner tube. It’s wise to invest in a strong tyre, that has a protection belt such as Kevlar or Vectran. Vittoria Rubinos or Continental Gatorskins retail at $40-$50.
2.If you have already punctured, check the inner lining of the tyre for imbedded glass that will cause yet another puncture.
3.If you have punctured, relax and try not to stress. I know at the time it can be most upsetting, but consider how lucky you have been in life and don’t sweat the small stuff.
If you’re a climbing enthusiast and would like to go faster up your favourite hills, here’s a tip:
Peel off the stickers on your bike. This will save some weight and make the bike lighter. This includes stickers regarding frame size and “made in taiwan” stickers.
up!up!up!
If you wanted to lose even more weight when coming to a climb, throw your water away and drink someone else’s water when needed…
Haha. Brilliant! Although, with all that weight you saved, wouldn’t you be 100m infront of everyone? How would you get water?
another tip: on approaching steep hills lower tyre pressures to further lighten bike weight. It works!
sunscreen weighs less than clothes—ride the hills naked and shaved. (Might work against you when borrowing water)
with the clothes and all hair gone, wind resistance is also decreased, so after a fast climb, you can look forward to an even faster descent.