Cycling is a great sport. If the winter continues to be mild we can ride through the entire season. It’s a great time to improve your cycling strategies. Here are tips that will help you.
Proper fit of the bike.
If you’re starting out or even if you’re a seasoned pro getting a bike fit is essential in allowing you to maximize your potential and helping to prevent injury. Shoulder width, the length of your torso, leg, foot and arm should all be considered. The height of the saddle is of course essential. Got get your bike fit by an expert. Take it out for a ride (or two or five), and bring it in again to tweak the fit.
Relax your shoulders and keep your head up.
Keeping your shoulders up to your ears or gripping the bar tightly never made anyone faster. Muscles work best when they are relaxed. Pay attention to where you are going. Always at all times. A good athlete knows where everyone is in the moment, a great athlete knows where everyone will be in the future. If you suspect a car will make an unsignaled turn, chances are that it will.
Switching gears
Change gears before you go up the hill and before you go down the hill. You are then prepared to tackle the change in grade. If you climb up a hill in too high a gear you may be fatiguing the fast-twitch muscles you’ll need later. Never coast, always peddle.
Push the pedal.
The best riders push their pedals hard and go faster. Evidence shows time and again, that those who push the pedal hardest go fastest. You don’t have to over think the foot action, push the pedal hard and you’ll get to where you want to go.\
If you wear the proper gear, you’ll be able to ride all through the winter. And then when spring comes, watch out!
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