Well, I don't have that much of experience. However, with the little experience I had in cycling around, I would like to gather some of basic tips.
Know your bicycle
- If you have your own bicycle, you already know it, the brakes, air pressure in the tires and everything. It doesn't hurt checking before the ride, however.
- If you are hiring one, please do check the brakes, tire pressure, the gears, check if the nuts have been tightened properly and everything.
- If the seat is adjustable, adjust it slightly above your waist (while you stand on the ground).
What to ?
1. A t-shirt will be the best for cycling. A jersey like t-shirt will be easy rather than cotton one.
2. Wearing a shorts will be easy and safe too, since a pant may have chance to enter the chains. If you feel uncomfortable or shy :p wearing shorts, then you may tie up your pant using something like a rubber hand band or a rope even or you may simply fold your pant. ( If you have or want to buy padded shorts, that is even better.)
3.Travel light. Carry as less as possible.
4. A small bag might come handy to keep your small things like mobile, mask, sunglasses, etc.
5. Shoes (with grips) might be easier rather than slippers. Sports shoes would be good than converse ones.
(You could buy cycling shoes, if you think you will be cycling often.)
6. Avoid muddy,slippery roads and roads with sand and gravels as much as possible. If not possible, go SLOW.
Things that will help you if you bring along:
1. Helmet
2. Gloves
3. Sunglasses
4. Mask
5. Raincoat
6. Extra shorts / trousers
7. Sweat hand band
8. A small Towel
Well, much can be said. But these are the only things in my mind right now. If any queries, feel free to ask. :)
Useful links
THESE TIPS ARE NOT FOR RACING CHALLENGES.
Know your bicycle
- If you have your own bicycle, you already know it, the brakes, air pressure in the tires and everything. It doesn't hurt checking before the ride, however.
- If you are hiring one, please do check the brakes, tire pressure, the gears, check if the nuts have been tightened properly and everything.
- If the seat is adjustable, adjust it slightly above your waist (while you stand on the ground).
What to ?
1. A t-shirt will be the best for cycling. A jersey like t-shirt will be easy rather than cotton one.
2. Wearing a shorts will be easy and safe too, since a pant may have chance to enter the chains. If you feel uncomfortable or shy :p wearing shorts, then you may tie up your pant using something like a rubber hand band or a rope even or you may simply fold your pant. ( If you have or want to buy padded shorts, that is even better.)
3.Travel light. Carry as less as possible.
4. A small bag might come handy to keep your small things like mobile, mask, sunglasses, etc.
5. Shoes (with grips) might be easier rather than slippers. Sports shoes would be good than converse ones.
(You could buy cycling shoes, if you think you will be cycling often.)
6. You might want to take water and/or energy drinks.
7. Ride with traffic, obey all signs.
8. Use hand signals to alert drivers to your intentions.
What NOT to?
1.Never keep your hands off the handle for show off or anything else.
2. While downhill, keep your hands on brake, don't go too fast, you might sleep off as the tires aren't that big as of a bike or car and aren't stable.
3.While uphill, never force yourself if you can't pedal. Simply, get off the cycle.
4. Change gears only when the cycle is moving.
5. Never ride in the middle of the road, though it may be empty. You never know when a vehicle might come.
7. When a large vehicle is approaching and you get afraid, just get down the cycle and wait for the vehicle to go. There's nothing to be embarrassed about.
8. Use your front brake as less as possible. Actually it is a good to use both brakes together. Also, don't give too much pressure to the brakes, instead PUMP THEM (hold for a while and leave again, iterate in the same way)
9. Don’t ride side by side with another cyclist.
10. Don’t wear headphones (in urban areas). If you can't stop yourself, keep volume low and wear only one.
How to have more fun?
1. Stay with your friends, don't ride in a hurry just because you can.
2. Take a camera, capturing the moments is always fun and you can cherish them in your old days. :)
3. Enjoy every pedal you make. :)
How to use GEARS?
Normally there are two gears on a cycle, front and rear. The RIGHT is for REAR and LEFT is for FRONT.
* THERE MAY BE DIFFERENT CONVENTION FOR NAMING THE GEAR. I CALL THE BIGGEST AS THE HIGHEST GEAR AND THE SMALLEST AS THE LOWEST.
-For a normal cyclist , changing only the rear gear is OK. You needn't worry about the front gear. Just keep it at the lowest one. Normally, front ones have 3 gears. Keep it at lowest i.e. gear 1.
- If you are cycling on a normal surface, change the gear to higher one.
- For the rear gear, the higher is the gear, the easier it shall be to pedal. So, as the road gets slopier (uphill), change your gear to the higher one.
Things that will help you if you bring along:
1. Helmet
Helmet is actually A MUST to bring along. But since the 'cheaper' hire shops here in Kathmandu (or anywhere in Nepal) don't provide you with helmets unless you pay extra, I kept it here.
So, if you are willing to pay extra, you MUST bring a helmet too.
So, if you are willing to pay extra, you MUST bring a helmet too.
2. Gloves
3. Sunglasses
4. Mask
5. Raincoat
6. Extra shorts / trousers
7. Sweat hand band
8. A small Towel
Well, much can be said. But these are the only things in my mind right now. If any queries, feel free to ask. :)
Useful links
- http://www.bicycling.com/beginners/bike-skills/bicycling-beginners-guide
- http://www.active.com/cycling/articles/9-tips-for-beginner-cyclists
- http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/beginners-guide-to-essential-cycling-skills-30693/
- http://www.bicycling.com/beginners/bike-skills/it-gets-easier-cycling-advice-new-cyclists
- http://frayedlacesracing.com/top-5-tips-for-beginner-cyclists/
Thank you Amwrit for such a useful tips.They are really helpful.
ReplyDeleteI will be glad if it helps in any ways. :)
ReplyDelete