Beginners Guide to Riding Road Bicycles
- The first step in buying a bike is knowing where you're going to ride. Are you going to be commuting? Do you want to race? Do you want to ride through the city? Or do you just want to ride for leisure? Bicycles come in all shapes and sizes. Those looking for a comfortable ride should look for comfort bikes. These bikes will let you ride in a "head up" position, where the handlebars are situated well above a comfortable seat. Racing bikes will put you in a "head down" position, where the handlebars are situated lower than the seat, and commuter and road bikes will give you the option to put the handlebars and seat at even heights. Commuter bikes also have a little bit thicker tires than a road bike so you can manage all those bumpy roads and potholes that are all over the city streets. Do a few test rides and see what bike fits your needs most comfortably.
Beginners should also look for entry-level models. Most bike models will go from beginner to advanced, advanced bikes being the ones you see in the Tour De France and beginner bikes being your everyday bike. It's unnecessary to buy a $10,000 bike if you're just going to be riding around the block a couple times a day. Beginner bikes can start at around $100, and the better ones won't be more than $1,000.
Once you find the type of bike and the model you want to ride, get one that fits you properly. Put the bike between your legs and lift it up. You should be able to lift it one to two inches before it touches your body. If you can't lift it an inch, the bike is too big for you, and if you lift it more than two inches, the bike is too small for you. To test the seat height, sit on the bike and push one pedal all the way down. Your extended leg should be slightly bent when the pedal is all the way down. Bikes also come in both men's and women's models, so make sure to ask for the right one.
You're also going to want to check the brakes. Nothing is worse than a bicycle with bad brakes. A good way to check the brakes is by putting your thumb between the brake lever and handlebar, and then fully applying the brake. The lever should never come closer than a thumb's width away from the handlebar. If it does, it's too loose and can cause major problems down the road. - It's best for beginners to start riding in places with which they are familiar. It's even better if you can ride along a paved bike path while you're starting out. Once you get better you can ride with the cars, but you have to follow all the same traffic laws. If the only place for you to ride is on the street, don't be scared; by following simple precautions you'll be riding comfortably in no time. First things first: always ride in the same direction as traffic. Riding against the traffic can startle drivers and won't allow you to read the street signs and traffic signals.
When riding with the traffic, stay on the far-right side of the road (the shoulder). On long straightaways, you'll be able to stay in the shoulder the whole time, but when you have to make turns or cross intersections, this can get tricky. Whenever you're going to cross an intersection, you want to be in the middle section of the lane while you're crossing the street. If you stay on the right side, you're in danger of getting hit by a turning car as you continue on a straight path. Don't worry about slowing down traffic a little, because you have every right to be on the road.
Whenever you make a turn on your bike, make sure you use proper hand signals to let drivers know you're making a turn. Extending your left arm out to the left will signal a left turn and extending your right arm to the right will signal a right turn. You also have to stop at stop signs and traffic lights and obey any other traffic laws. Many streets, especially in the city, are marked with bike lanes to make things safer for cyclists. If you have this option, stay in your bike lane and follow the rules.
When you're just starting out, you should also try to avoid riding at night. If you do, you must have lights and reflective gear. It's almost impossible for cars to see you until it's too late, so wearing bright colors will also help. And no matter where you're riding, always wear a helmet. - When you first get your bike you might be tempted to ride as far as possible, but you don't want to do that. Even if you're in excellent shape, cycling will work and strain muscles in your body you may have never used before. You don't want to get tired 20 miles away from your home and have to ride for another two hours just to get back. You can get stranded, hurt and most importantly, disinterested. Pushing yourself past the level of comfort may cause you to despise cycling in a few days. Start off doing two to five miles a day and take it easy as you ride.
Your bike will have a gear set, and learning how to properly switch gears will make your riding experience easier. Use the smaller gears for going up hills, the higher gears for going downhill and adjust your gears accordingly in between. Whenever you push the pedal down without any tension at all, you should shift to a higher gear. If it's a big struggle to push the pedal down, switch to a lower tension. - Every cyclist is going to beat up their tires as they ride. The one way to prevent your rims from getting damaged is by making sure your bike tires are properly inflated. You should always also check to make sure the brakes are properly working before you go out. Spin the wheels and check for rubbing. And apply the brakes to ensure they stop the bike smoothly and evenly. And last but not least, make sure there is nothing loose on your bike. If your tire uses a quick release, make sure it is tightly secured. Make sure your seat is tightly fastened and check to see if your handlebars are also tightly fastened. Do a slow-speed ride and inspect bicycle, brakes and shifting before you leave for your ride.
- Always take the weather into heavy consideration before you go out and ride. If it's cold, when you're whipping through the wind it's going to get even colder. If it's rainy, your brakes won't work as well and conditions are going to be slippery. And when it is sunny, proper sunglasses or a hat may be necessary for your safety. You don't want to be blinded by the sun while your going 30 mph downhill.
