Top Tips On Starting Or Getting Back To Cycling
If you’re thinking about starting cycling or getting back to cycling, give it a go! It’s low impact and a fantastic cardiovascular cross training option which complements running and other sports very well. You can travel far and wide, local coronavirus restrictions permitting, under your own steam which is very satisfying.
Our NoviceRunnerNik, who appears to have acquired a cycling addiction over the last few years to add to her running addiction, has drawn on her own recent experiences of getting back to cycling and written up her top 10 tips:
Like many people I’ve ridden a bike from a young age (with stabilisers) on and off for years (without the stabilisers) and I’m into cycling in a big way at the moment so I thought I’d share my top tips for getting into it or back to it:
Getting back to it or getting started:
1. If you didn’t do a Cycling Proficiency course or similar at school and / or are nervous of how to cycle, you can take online cycling Bikeability courses and watch videos, which may help with your knowledge and confidence.
2. Read the current Highway Code so that you know your responsibilities as a cyclist and those of the vehicles sharing the road with you.
3. Check your bike’s tyres are in good condition and inflated to the pressure shown on the tyre, that its gears are working correctly and that the saddle and handlebars are adjusted to suit your body geometry. If it doubt have it serviced.
4. Start slowly with shorter distances and build up your mileage gradually.
5. Be safe and visible. Wear a cycling helmet for all your rides and wear a high vis top and use bike lights, front and back, even in daylight. I’ve found that drivers are generally better behaved when I have lights switched on, on my bike.
6. Ride with confidence – you have just as much right to be on the road as the other vehicles do – and look ahead for hazards such as potholes and slow traffic so you can avoid sudden changes of direction.
7. Don’t let hills put you off. Walk them if you need to. No one cares! And they are good for you!
8. If you like using a sports tracker such as Strava, use one to record your rides. You can also check out other people’s routes and see how your fitness improves over time.
9. Follow any local Covid-19 local restrictions when you ride your bike (it goes without saying really) and remember to give pedestrians next to or in the road a wide berth.
10. Make it fun so that you keep doing it. Stop to admire the views, take photos, drink coffee and eat cake and enjoy it!
Also check out our other cycling blog posts for more tips and inspiration to ride.
Next time: upping your cycling distance and becoming properly addicted to riding!
Words by NoviceRunnerNik.