any cycling tips for a novice.
as title, my dad recently gave me his road bike to help me get fit and lose weight. I've been riding a few weeks now and was just wondering if any cycling enthusiasts could help me to get the most out of this new hobbie/interest. some things i would like info on are:
-what kind of food(s) should I eat and what should i stay away from?
-what equipment should I use, i,e helmet, lycra, clip-on shoes etc
-riding tips. currently doing 1x 14mile route a day but would it be better to 2x7miles routes
-any other info/tips you think I should know.
thanks in advance
inb4 cool story bro or TLDR.
All Comments (27)
Jump to unread Post a Commentthanks but im not much of a drinker.
Top cycling tip.
add bikeradar to your favourites.
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/index.php?c=3
Best accessory for me is a hydration back pack, closely followed by a hexus 16 multi tool.
Edited By: slamdunkin on Jul 23, 2012 16:33
Best accessory for me is a hydration back pack, closely followed by a hexus 16 multi tool.i
thanks slamdunkin, finally some proper advice. good thing i like pasta and bananas then. a hydration pack seems like a good idea but i usually just pull over and stop for a drink and a rest or just drink whilst riding if there is not much traffic. do you have a link to the multi tool you use?
Food: This is very personal, and just comes from experience. I can eat loads (pasties/sausage rolls/sandwiches) on my long rides, but my mate can only eat simple foods like bananas. At the distance your doing now, just don't eat too much before hand, and eat small amounts to find out what works for you.
Bike: Keep it clean and in good condition e.g. check your tyres and brake pads often, and keep your tyre pressures constant, and know how to at least fix the basics i.e. adjust your brakes, and fix a puncture.
Equipment: Always use a helmet. Always. Anything after that just comes with experience.
Clothing/shoes: Till you get really keen just use whatever you find comfortable/practical. You don't want to be buying new clothes now if you intend to lose weight.
Splitting your rides up into two will give you much more flexibility, and scope for training in the future, so sounds like a good start.
Anything else just ask.
Sean
I actually got mine from an ebay seller who had them on a BIN at £13 but I used the make offer facility and got it for £11 if I remember rightly.
id say a padded pair of lycra shorts are pretty invaluable,
im going to pick up a cheap helmet from here, cause i havent been using one up untill now: http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/cratoni-heli-helmets-chain-reaction-cycles-com-was-39-99-now-9-99-with-free-delivery-1271083#post15068471
also going to get a retro jersey from ebay, as ive jsut been cycling in T shirts so far
i have some busy weekends planned ahead, but might well look into joining a cycling club for a sunday hack..
have been tryign to lose weight to help with running atm so have been eating cous cous a hell of a lot, every lunchtime 5 days a week, low fat but a lot of carbs
would definately agree wit hthe tyre pressure comment aswell, if you keep the pressure up in them it helps and awful lot
Edited By: joeprosho on Jul 23, 2012 16:57
I ended up getting bell slant
Food: This is very personal, and just comes from experience. I can eat loads (pasties/sausage rolls/sandwiches) on my long rides, but my mate can only eat simple foods like bananas. At the distance your doing now, just don't eat too much before hand, and eat small amounts to find out what works for you.
Bike: Keep it clean and in good condition e.g. check your tyres and brake pads often, and keep your tyre pressures constant, and know how to at least fix the basics i.e. adjust your brakes, and fix a puncture.
Equipment: Always use a helmet. Always. Anything after that just comes with experience.
Clothing/shoes: Till you get really keen just use whatever you find comfortable/practical. You don't want to be buying new clothes now if you intend to lose weight.
Splitting your rides up into two will give you much more flexibility, and scope for training in the future, so sounds like a good start.
Anything else just ask.
Sean
huge thanks for the info. long term goal? well i do want to keep this going maybe join a club/group as i do like to keep fit but have let myself slip recently. talked about doing the manchester to blackpool bike ride next year which does look like a possibility but would like to to maybe one day do long distance routes. as for food i think you are right in that different foods work for different people and that over time i will become aware of what works and what doesn't. the bike i have currently is a Jamis ventura sport.
what do you think about it. there are better bikes out there but this will do me for a while i hope. my dad is a keen (mountain) biker so he checks and teaches me all the key things i.e breaks, tyres etc so im ok in that area. don't currently have a helmet but it is essential to be safe so i do aim to get one this week,
any recommendations on what helmets to get or what places to browse as i am on a budget.
as for clothes i agree that no point getting clothing as i am quite a big guy at the moment and do aim to lose a few inches and clothes would be too big soon after ive bought them, as for shoes i do like the idea of the clip on shoes as they are more efficient afaik. as for routes i would agreee with you that doing the smaller route twice instead of one longer route is better.
I actually got mine from an ebay seller who had them on a BIN at £13 but I used the make offer facility and got it for £11 if I remember rightly.
thanks i will look into them.
I ended up getting bell slant
thanks, i usally try before i buy anyway.
id say a padded pair of lycra shorts are pretty invaluable,
im going to pick up a cheap helmet from here, cause i havent been using one up untill now: http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/cratoni-heli-helmets-chain-reaction-cycles-com-was-39-99-now-9-99-with-free-delivery-1271083#post15068471
also going to get a retro jersey from ebay, as ive jsut been cycling in T shirts so far
i have some busy weekends planned ahead, but might well look into joining a cycling club for a sunday hack..
have been tryign to lose weight to help with running atm so have been eating cous cous a hell of a lot, every lunchtime 5 days a week, low fat but a lot of carbs
would definately agree wit hthe tyre pressure comment aswell, if you keep the pressure up in them it helps and awful lot
thanks for the info again. think me dad has some of those toe clip pedals so i met get some shoes to go with them and try them out or look into SPDs. might get some cheap lycra soon as they will most likely make my cycling more efficient but i don't like figure hugging clothes as they show me true body shape which is quite unflattering at the moment but maybe at a later more toned date.
one thing im trying not to do atm is spend money due to the influence of tour de france :) get carried away in it, have nearly spent as much money on tyres, pedals & shoes as i did on my bike now...
hate my bike a bit... gonna build one i think, find a nice slim vintage frame i like and start from there
really need some of the basic little tools, jsut spent a fair bit of money on some marathon kevlar tyres in the hope i will never get a puncture!
Key thing is to start slow, much slower than you think, and keep at it. Slowly build up the mileage, and keep a rough log of what you're upto so you can keep an eye on what's working/areas you'd like to improve.
Plan rest days, and days where you extend your mileage/speed, and then quieter days just to spin your legs. An example might be two or three days 2x7 miles, One day of 20 miles slowly, or 10 miles fast, followed by one of 5 at your normal pace, then two rest days.
The next week/month you might add 5-10% to these, depending on how you feel it went, or you might stick at it for another week or two, to let your body adapt.
Little things too, like getting your bike/cycling kit out ready the night before, putting a drink in the fridge ready for when you get back. These all help to make it an easier thing to just get out and ride.
Oh, and my favourite tip. One day a month/whenever suits you, give yourself, an hour, or an afternoon free (whatever suits), and just go out. Make direction decisions as you get to junctions, go whatever speed you feel like, race yourself to lampposts, basically go out and play! It really mixes up a fixed training plan, but also adds some fun, and makes it enjoyable rather than a chore for goal X,Y,Z.
Comfortable saddle is a must IMO!
There are miles of country lanes near me, plus a handy pub.
Take plenty of fluids and a bike lock.
Comfortable saddle is a must IMO!
^^^^^^this is so true.
There are miles of country lanes near me, plus a handy pub.
Take plenty of fluids and a bike lock.
thanks for the info