10 tips for a good start to the riding season!
Mar 12, 2024Apogee Sports
How to start your road cycling season off right
Road cycling can be an enjoyable and rewarding activity, but it's important to keep a few things in mind to ensure you stay safe and comfortable. Here are 10 tips to get your road cycling season off to a good start!
1) Find a local bike shop
Road cycling is your new passion, and you probably have 30 questions about it. Finding a local shop will connect you with experienced advisors who can guide you into this fantastic world. Plus, their advice can cover most of the following points in this article!
2) Ride in a group
Following up on what's mentioned above, some shops also have associated cycling groups or clubs. This is the best environment to grow and learn to ride! Because, just like learning to use "clipless" pedals (more on that later), riding in a group can be quite intimidating at first since our safety bubble is very wide! However, there are now several cycling groups, clubs, or groups of all levels that meet regularly for rides. It's an ideal environment to observe, learn, and develop your skills and even peloton etiquette, at your own pace!
3) Riding without your helmet? Did you hit your head?
First and foremost, it's crucial to always wear a helmet and ensure it fits properly. As a general rule, it's recommended that the front of the helmet be about two fingers' width above your eyebrows to properly protect your forehead, and that two fingers can be inserted under the chin strap. The adjustment dial at the back of your neck can be tightened until the helmet remains virtually still on your head without becoming uncomfortable.
Not sure if the chin strap is tight enough? Put on and fasten your helmet. Make sure the straps are adjusted to clear your earlobes. If you feel a slight tension from the strap on your jaw when you open your mouth wide, that's a good sign!
Finally, wearing eye protection is recommended for several reasons. For the purpose here, it's important to place the temple of your glasses over the strap located in front of your ear. This position will allow the glasses to eject properly in case of a collision! If the glasses cannot clear, note that the skin on the nasal bone cuts easily with the underside of a frame or lens during an impact!
4) Invest in your cycling shorts - bib shorts
First point about cycling shorts: they are worn without underwear! Goodbye, undies! Next, opting for quality shorts with optimal padding, like our Elite and Super-Elite range shorts, will make all the difference in reducing discomfort during longer rides. There are also chamois creams that can be applied directly to the skin, where you typically experience pressure points.
*Bonus tip: Make sure to apply the cream before putting on your shorts, in a private place – as it can be a bit awkward when done in a parking lot for all to see!*
To learn more about cycling shorts, you can also read our blog post For Happy Bottoms.
5) Keep your bike in good condition
If you're not comfortable taking care of your own parts and mechanics, it would be even more important to research a well-established local shop. Most shops have workshops with mechanics who will take care of your ride. Generally, periodic maintenance is all that's needed (at the end of the season). Otherwise, depending on the frequency of your rides, good pre-ride habits always include checking the following three basic elements:
tire pressure (approx. 20psi below max will reduce the risk of punctures and provide a smoother ride);
chain lubrication level (a dry chain, just like a sticky chain, needs a little attention!);
brake pad alignment (they can be easily adjusted by hand, by centering the wheel between the two pads);
*Bonus tip: It's crucial to rinse your bike thoroughly and lubricate mechanical parts after every ride in the rain!*
6) Pack a survival kit...
... and learn how to use it! No one, and no tire, regardless of experience or quality, is 100% immune to punctures during a ride. Equipping your bike with a saddle bag to carry one or two spare tubes, tire levers, a mini pump (or CO2 cartridge), and a set of hex keys (Allen wrenches) are essential items.
7) Saddle adjustment
A well-adjusted saddle will prevent the development of pain in several joints and muscles. For a basic adjustment, sit on your bike, feet on the pedals, and try to remain perfectly vertical. To help you, you can use your training stand, or lean one hand against a wall or counter:
- With one pedal at 6 o'clock and one leg fully extended, foot flexed at 90 degrees, check that your heel can rest on the pedal. Adjust the saddle height accordingly;
- From this point, reduce the saddle height by 1.5 cm;
Ride the bike and test the new adjustment.
- To fine-tune the adjustment, decrease or increase the height in +/- 3mm intervals.
Your adjustment is successful when you can maintain a perfectly still upper body while riding with a fluid pedal stroke. Your saddle is too high if your pelvis sways with each pedal stroke, or conversely, the saddle is too low if you feel increased effort in your thighs!
8) Dress - to be seen
Bright colors aren't everyone's cup of tea, but opting for completely subdued and dark clothing decreases your visibility on the road. Without being dressed in fuchsia from head to toe, wearing clothes with noticeable accents can help you avoid trouble with less attentive drivers. Our new 2023 collections for women and men offer a complete range of color choices. Afterwards, equipping your bike with LED lights at the back and front is also a good combination to ensure you are clearly visible.
9) Master basic techniques
Three major components need to be considered and, most importantly, mastered during rides: shifting gears, braking, and using cleats!
Shifting gears: Getting comfortable with using the shifters while riding slowly can be a good starting point. For smooth shifts, releasing pressure on the pedals allows the derailleur mechanisms to function without chain tension overload. Shifting gears in anticipation of a change in elevation also allows the derailleurs to work better before tension builds up too much.
Braking: Here, we mainly want to talk about braking for a stop (at an intersection or traffic light). One principle to integrate is to ride predictably. Initiating a stop in an obvious way for motorists ensures safety for everyone. Conversely, arriving at an intersection and stopping in the last few meters keeps your environment uncertain about your intentions... and one should never underestimate a motorist's eagerness to leave their stopping point (to save 10 seconds on their route). Before coming to a complete stop, take the opportunity to adjust the chain to an easier gear, which will make your start much more pleasant!
Using cleats: (or "clipless" pedals in jargon) This is the nemesis that every cyclist must overcome. To differentiate the two components, the pedal is, well, the pedal, and the cleat is the plastic piece attached to the shoe that fits into the pedal. The best way to tame this beast is through practice! To make the task easier, you can reduce the tension via the pedal screw to facilitate cleat entry and exit. Practicing stops and starts can completely change your riding experience, as you'll be able to navigate intersections and lights with confidence! Initiating a stop and "unclipping" BEFORE coming to a complete stop is always a winning strategy. Waiting until the last second might make us feel more "pro," but it's a very fleeting feeling when followed by a fall, even when stationary! Afterwards, gradually increasing the pedal tension will optimize foot support during the pushing phase of the pedal stroke.
10) Be predictable
This riding philosophy was mentioned above and is undoubtedly the most important point. It's the foundation of the eternal debate about sharing the road between cyclists and motorists, which is why we save it for last! As a cyclist, it manifests in the ability to ride consistently, without hindering car traffic, and to clearly signal your intentions.
In the first case, this means maintaining a straight and consistent line while riding along the edges of the road. Are you riding with company? Judge the density of traffic on the road you are using, and, if necessary, ride in single file. This behavior is reassuring, both for the cyclists accompanying you and for the motorists who will overtake you. When we are reassured, we are calmer and act free from frustration.
The same applies to using signals. Ensuring they are clear and executed before the subsequent action makes your behavior on the road predictable. So, whether it's to signal a pothole and then avoid it, or to indicate the direction of a turn and then turn onto a street, remain aware of your surroundings and clearly indicate the action before you commit to ensure a long life on two wheels!
Happy first rides :)
