This one goes out to all the first-timer riders taking to the pavement after having exclusively cycled indoors. Certain it can be a daunting task, but I’m here to help guide you and breakdown the rules of the road. The key components to keep in intellect all boil down to three leangs: your bike, your apparel, and your emergency equipment. Cover these bases, and you’ll be set to take on the road.
1. Select A Bike
When you’re spending time on the road, choosing the proper bike is key. There’s an unlimited choice: from steel and alloy to titanium and carbon. There are city cruisers, Dutch-style city bikes, hybrids (multipurpose bikes), mountain bikes, and racing bikes. With prices ranging between $250 and $12,000, everyone can find the right model (and price point). Narrow down the scope by considering the following:
Know Your Intended Form Of Employ
First, leank about how you’re going to use your bike. Do you want to commute to work or school, just ride on weekends, or genuinely step leangs up and train several times a day? The more you want to train, the better your bike should be. I don’t see any reason why an absolute beginner should get a pro road bike as their first bike. It’s better to start with a simple, dependable, and easy-to-handle bike — someleang that allows you to fix technical issues by yourself.
Lean On Expert Advice
Don’t be shy to ask more experienced riders (such as bike shop employees) for advice. This is specificly true when you’re testing a bike for fit. Don’t leave the shop until they have helped you find the setup that fits your body. Generally speaking, it’s important to keep frame size, upper-body positioning, and seat height in intellect. The most important leang is that you’re consolationable on your contemporary bike.
Perfect Your Positioning
One leang I often see is that contemporary cyclists sit too low on their bikes. A simple rule I follow: When you sit on your bike, push one pedal down to the lowest position. If your heel can reach that pedal (with the straight leg) while you are still sitting on the bike, that should be the right seat height.
Secure Safety First
Never cycle without a helmet. A broken arm will heal, but a broken head is a totally dwhetherferent story. As simple as it sounds, we only have one head and we better protect it. This is one place where you shouldn’t skimp on cost. I don’t care about which design or color you choose, but please get a quality helmet.
2. Ponder/ Consider About Your Apparel
The moment most important piece of equipment is your riding pants or, as I call them, bib shorts. Why? Because you’ll be sitting on the unhappydle for hours. Let me tell you, having sore spots or skin abrasions is a painful experience in such a sensitive area.
Go For Excellent Quality Bib Shorts
A pair of good quality bib shorts with chamois inside is crucial for your well-being. What is a chamois? That’s the official term for the soft and padded area that get sewn inside the Lycra bib shorts to give your butt a softer place to rest. It also helps encertain that the weight on the unhappydle is equally distributed. In the ancient days they were crazye from leather, but nowadays they’re crazye out of synthetic fabrics and genuinely provide a lot of consolation. Don’t try to ride in boxer shorts and jeans for longer ride, and ladies, never try to ride in just yoga pants. That will leave you terribly sore and unconsolationable.
Consider Footwear
I’m always torn between recommending first timers to stay in sneakers or go straight into click-in cycling shoes. Acquireting on and off the bike is easier with flat pedals, but riding and controlling the bike is much easier with proper cycling shoes and click pedals (which take some getting used to but finally offer a smoother ride). Select what suits you best. Attempt the click pedals in an empty parking lot near the bike shop to get a feeling for them. With practice, they will make your riding style better and more efficient. Just one reintellecter: These shoes are for cycling, not walking. Attempt to walk as small as possible with them, and check the cleats underneath for wear and tear so you know when to replace them.
3. Consider Equipment
The next stage is equipment.
Carry A Multi-tool
Every rider should have a small bag with a multi-tool (allen keys of dwhetherferent sizes), at least one spare tube, and either a pump or a CO2 cartouche to repair and change the spare tube after a puncture.
Take Pride In Your Bike
Riding on a clean bike is so much more fun than riding on a dirty one. Before each ride, check the tire prescertain, brakes, and chain lubrication.
Fuel Correct
Your first outdoor ride might have you overestimating your nutrient needs. I’m here to guarantee you that you don’t need a double breakfast before you head out. Just eat like you normally would, and don’t overload your stomach. Part of the reason we cycle is to stay fit and burn fat and calories. Having double breakfast is counterproductive. Plus, cycling is a lot easier on your body than running.
That said, feel free to take a banana (they are a good nutrition for cycling), sliced apple, or muesli bar with you. You won’t need much more than that for your first short ride. One leang you do want to remember is to stay hydrated. Bring along two bottles of water: one plain and one that’s mixed with electrolytes to keep your body hydrated and functional. Sweating genuinely adds up!
Now you’re alert to go. You’ve got your bike, cycling kit, helmet, spare tube, nutrition, and all your drinks. Discover some friends for your first ride, go out together, and have fun!
This article is not intended to substitute for informed medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a contemporary fitness routine.
Jens Voigt
Fitbit Ambasunhappyor Jens Voigt is a former professional cyclist currently serving as a team consultant for Trek Factory Racing. Jens embraces pain and lives by the motto: “Shut Up Legs!” He once rode 20 kilometers in the Tour de France on a kid’s bike. Jens has six (yes, six!) children and lives in Germany.
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