10 Tips I Wish I Knew as a Beginner Cyclist
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There's a lot to take onboard as a beginner road cyclist. Whether that be clipping in and out, selecting the right cycling gear, training the right way...the list goes on. So in this video, both my wife and I will share our experiences as beginner cyclists, emphasising the cycling tips we wish we knew when we were beginners.
#cycling #beginner #tips - กีฬา
Never corner over a wet metal surface. If you are cornering and are going to roll over a manhole cover or metal cap in the road, straighten up, so you don't wash out. Also, never cross railroad/ trolley tracks or metal expansion joints at an oblique angle. If you have no other choice, bunny hop or lift each wheel over the track if you cannot roll over them at something closer to 90 degrees.
Sam, Great tips! Same with rainy roads and painted lines (in LA, they're as slick as glass when wet, fine for a car, but horrible for 28mm tires). Fortunately the roads are never that soaked here, but there is fog/humidity near our coasts that settles overnight making early mornings a touch more dangerous.
great advice. paint lines are often slick too
The scar on my knee knows this one very well.
Ive eaten it doing both of these things. Lesson learned.
Don't even go over tracks. Guy over here flipped head-over-handlebars from a new rail gap. I'm too heavy for my tires to attempt anything that brazen.
I left a like but there is no way I'm going to shave my legs
hahahah! Thanks mate
Me to, that 3 Watts I'm carrying with me till grave. Man, I'm harry as F. Only my feet and palms don't have hair. If I start shaving for cycling, estetic or any other (someone else's) reason I will be miserable forever. I love my body, hairs and all.
15W apparently. Surprisingly high
@@TenSapphires Just think about how many months or years of your life you would be just using up to get shaved... If I'm not strong enough to carry my beard and my unshaved legs through wind - well then I'll have to spend more time on the bike training - i can live with that!
Amen. Thumbs up but no razor for me.
Looking for a cycling club with people my age, but they are dead now. I am 80 and still cycle 20 Km a day in under a hour. On a Amazon $ 400 gravel bike and it is just a good as any $ 1000 bike. They are over priced and the Tourney components work just as good. Have a nice ride.
Awesome to hear, 80 and still pumping out the km's. Inspirational!
👏👏👏👏👏
So inspiring
@Oh well, You'll just have to come to Ireland and ride with my group. I'm the youngest at 69. The rest are in their 70s. The oldest is 78. We usually meet up 3 times a week for 60-80km spins. Keep turning those pedals. It's great being able to get out on the bike instead of having to get up for work in the mornings.
Keep riding sir!!
BE PREDCTABLE!
This goes for any road users, car, bike, walking, running. I am sure that the majority of near misses and incidents on the road are due to people not looking, suddenly turning, or just ignoring street signs/intersections.
Especially when riding as a group, just follow the road rules, its not a race, wait at that red light, giveway at the giveway sign. When riding solo I don't care if you normally go through reds or whatever, but when in a group, show some respect and give an earful to someone that doesn't follow the rules. Not because drivers will look down on riders, but because it isn't fun to be calling an ambulance when looking at someone on the road with there arm pointing the wrong way out its socket.
Ultimately, if everyone follows the rules, there would be no incidents. But thats not how the world works, therefore as riders, we must ultimately be as safe as possible and look after ourselves as we are really just meat bags on thin carbon rods playing around in areas with 1500kg metal boxes travelling at speed.
I engage in conversations with non-cyclists all the time and the #1 issue that keeps coming back is that cyclists are un-predictable and they are afraid of having an accident with one. Talk long enough and dig enough to get past the usual bluster and that is what it almost always comes back to. I get more waves and nods from drivers because I communicate with them through hand signals and ride in predicable ways.
Riding solo, if I ride in straight predictable line cars will squeeze past too close especially if cycle commuting. If I weave a little unpredictably guess what, car drivers pay attention and overtake at a safe distance.
Still haven't found a way to stop the abuse from behind when I stop on red and block the path of the car behind
@@watcher24601 why would you be blocking anyone?
@@markblanch2905 not all drivers want to stop as the lights change to red, especially if late for work!
I learned that one just recently, but in sailing. And since then I use it every single day on my bike!
Tip, when traveling through construction be extremely cautious and take the whole lane. If you try to stay to the side of the lane, people will try to pass you, you are pushed off the road or you are riding the roughest part of the road. Also slow down! You have to prepared for debris, pot holes, cracks that are parallel to travel.
Absolutely! Owning the lane is super important in many situations including spots where the road narrows, intersections, areas with low visibility, etc.
@@AveryAbbott And roundabouts where there are bollards near the approach. I've had so many motorists trying to overtake me at this point - so now, I always 'own' the road here.
Most cyclists wear dark clothes to get doored and encourage teen dooring. They also ignore traffic laws. They also are never are interested in Velocitized drivers terrorizing them, cuz cyclists are two wheel weasels, in town!!! Velocitized drivers make the four wheel weasels a threat to cycling's mental health, but the cycling community is immune to reality, ethics and a good example for the youth cyclists. Honestly - what a bunch of winners.
@@AveryAbbott Cuz weasels have spoken. All hail the two wheel weasels!!!
🥇
Tip 1: before you go out, do a quick checkup of your stuff. Feel the tyres pressure, fill your bidon, put something to eat in you rbackpocket for when you bonk. Check, helmet, glasses, keys to your home, phone to call in emergency. And finally, just before you leave - check your brakes and feel if your bike is OK in the first hundred metres. Make it a small ritual and it will save you from alot of trouble
Tip 2: Make sure you have a saddle bag, even if they laugh at you for having one. Put a small toolset, inner tyre, co2 pump, a gel and 50$ in it so you can make simple repairs and can always take a taxi home when you crash or your bike is damaged beyond roadside repair
They are excellent tips, I am just starting my journey in cycling and it will help me a lot, thank you!
I literally did a spit take with my beer when I heard your wife in the opening comments. Lmao. You both had me in stitches.
Been riding for nearly 65 years, started racing at 15, a good track racer with many successes. Never had a coach (back then it wasn't like it is today unfortunately) but learnt from watching others which is not always the best way. Done other sports but always came back to bike training and a lot of gym work. Held a Masters racing licence until earlier this year when Osteoarthritis in one knee hit me. but i'm improving and back on the rollers right now. Not been out on the road for 10 months and that is hard from a high fitness level even for a 76 year old. Whatever sport you do and you want to be good at it, it won't be easy. Learn to suffer, know your limits, be determined, take advice from knowledgeable people, have a development plan. Remember your body improves when you are resting/recovering from training, so eat well and sleep well and learn the difference between a hard ride and a recovery ride. As we say in rain sodden Northern Europe "I ain't done yet". Good work Cam, I enjoy the read. JohnB in UK
Thank you for sharing your story. I hope to be as tenured in athletics as you one day 😃
Hi John,
I was pleased to read your story, thank you for that! If you have time to share your experience a bit more like a top 10 tips for beginners or what is recovery ride vs hard ride I and many others would appreciate that!
I first started riding in my late 30s and I wish I had seen this video then! I never had my bike fitted and my buddy who got me into it turned out to be Mr Competitive Speed Racer. I was uncomfortable in every way and within six months, was dreading "having to go ride" and eventually just quit. I'm 55 now and giving it another go and watching your videos has me 100% more confident than before. Thank you!
Yes!! Bike fit is EVERYTHING! if the bike feels like an extension of your body its not nearly as painful!!!
@pathlesspedaled has a lot of other great tips for always staying comfortable and riding at "party pace". Bike fit is super important, but please also wear what's comfortable to you, as well as what is safe (i.e. shoes w/laces may not be the safest option, unless you can keep em tucked into the shoe or short enough to never get caught in the chainring if they come untied) & visible (doublechecking safety).
Literally this! I've been riding for almost 20 years and I wish someone would have force me to get a proper fitting. I've had all kinds of problems that were solved after one session. I just didn't go because I didn't want to spend the money and didn't see the value. Was I wrong! I just had my first real fit done a few months ago and I now love riding. I no longer have the dread either.
I just bought my first mountain bike today. A nice one too. I'm 53. It's never too late to start something new
@@markgill7138 53 is never too late….Everyone in the world has that same mindset…Dude dump that mindset. Life is just beginning each day you awaken. Enjoy it and flush the normal thinking of aging.
1st tip: Establish a relationship with a good-quality bike shop.
Results: Where did all of my money go and how did I end up with 6 bicycles. Don't worry mate, you dont need a reliable car ;)
haha
Into something you like and value ... when it becomes really expensive is when your wife starts liking cycling as much as you are ... then you end up in the situation where the bikes inside the car are more valuable than the car itself ...
Cars are overrated. Cycle to the grocery, cycle to the bank, cycle to work. Invest in a good bike lock:).
@@bknapp9728 I live in northern Canada. Sadly 6 months of the year are difficult to ride in. -20c to -40c isn't great. It really makes me appreciate the warmers months around here :)
@@dishboy14 sorry to hear of limited riding season in Northern Canada. I am spoiled in Texas, here, where we are able to ride most year round. I discovered the ability for not owning a car while living in Chicago, IL where it would not be possible to ride (at least for me) late fall to early spring. I am sure it is still mild in Chicago compared to your home. Hope you have the ability to spin indoors until milder weather returns. Cheers.
Finally, a female cyclist discussing the soreness down there lol . I watch a lot of fixed gear channels and no one talks about the soreness we experience when you're a beginner cyclist.
I heard about that issue from a womans husband when he was telling me to have my girlfriend carry a lot of Noxemea for her soon to be issue.
Now imagine a sack down there! Even worse. That’s why it’s not talked about.
@@928pcar is yours like way in the back?
@@Alex_Vir 😂
The biggest thing for me when I first started cycling was investing in a good saddle. I suffered penile numbness all the time when on longer rides. There are arteries down there that if not using the correct saddle, or seated correctly will cause compression and loss of blood flow. Nothing worse than pressing your groin area and realizing you can't feel your member at all.
I'm speechless, everyone told me that something's wrong with me and my 🐈 for experiencing a lot of pain and numbness, now I hear a man complain about the same problem 👀 I'm doing a little better since my posture has changed, but a different saddle might fix it then.
@@chubbydinosaur9148 nope, nothing wrong with you. No different to sitting on the floor and you're sitting on your foot, and you go to stand up and can't feel your foot. Depending on your bike, i'd suggest a short nose saddle, with a fairly wide groove down the middle. It allows you to get into a more aerodynamic position without putting pressure down there. I ended up buying an ISM Unisex's PS 2.0 Saddle. I'm sure there are others out there though if you do a bit of research. Good luck.
After riding for over 50 years it still blows my mind that people still insist on wear dark clothes while riding on the road. Also being a truck driver drives it home even more when you see how hard it is to see someone one a bike with dark tops on.
Thats stupid I am sorry it is like saying still amazes me how many people drive black cars, so hard to see. If a driver is competent and paying attention you will be seen, if they are not it doesn't matter if you have a christmas tree on your head. Even the police force recognise that hi-vis clothing has no significant impact on accident reduction.
@@talonlan that's funny seeing police wear hi vis when doing any traffic duties and even qld motor bike police now have hi vis bikes and day wear.
So what's your next theory.
The worst are those that ride around night in black kit! Worst still without rear lights. I can’t even see them riding in the cycle late let alone cars! Once saw a guy with head to toe black, black bike, black matching face mask, black matching over ear headphones, no helmet and running red lights at 10pm at night! Smart boy
@@talonlan Your response is a bit inflammatory, but, I've had >600 lumen lights on my helmet, shining at drivers coming out of side roads, AT NIGHT, and some STILL WOULDN'T SEE ME, so my experience is similar.
@@talonlan Pretty absurd comment to be honest, trying to equate cars with cyclists. False equivalence aside, they've done studies which find that hi-vis clothing significantly reduces the chances of being hit as a cyclist. It's not a massive effect, but it's significant. If you want to increase your chance of dying/being injured by ~5% (which I think is about how big the effect is) go right ahead, it's just baffling that so many do so for the sake of fashion.
Learning clipless on a mountain bike adds an extra element of panic to get out in time to stop a fall! Serious motivation.
Turns out that flats are very nearly as efficient as clips, not nearly as dangerous in a fall. Being attached to the bike is bad news when hitting the ground.
Had a couple hard falls on MTB not being able to get out fast enough. Still prefer that to flats though.
Started in May of 2020. Always learning and listening to more experienced cyclists on everything from equipment to etiquette. As usual well done mate
On the subject of clipins, don't be afraid to go outside the box. I currently use Shimano XTR pedals and gravel shoes on my Avanti Corsa DR, I have road pedals for tri racing also but have never really needed them in general cycling. Clipping in and out with the MTB/gravel shoes is a lot easier and I can walk normally in them also in a pinch.
Same for me, MTB clip-ins and shoes. Another tip for cleats - women’s ankles need the cleats looser than a man’s. Don’t worry, I cycled into a pothole, flew up off the seat and the cleats pulled me back onto the seat. Save! 😊
Solid list. Last point is prob a highlight in my experience. If you’re predictable, others have time to prepare. Keeps everyone upright. 👌🏿
#8: that's honestly the best part about owning a fixie, you learn to NEVER stop pedaling. Even when you're tired and you feel terrible, you absolutely cannot stop pedaling. I think every cyclist should own a fixed gear bike, if not just to have a grocery-getter but at least just for training and always pedaling.
This is so true...I was trained in track cycling...now using a roadie, and my fellow riders often say that they barely see me stop pedaling even at low speed!
Many underestimate the benefits of a fixed gear bike...for me, it trained me to pedal in circles rather than mash at most times; it trained my cadence (it's an average of 80 rpm either in low or high gear) and last but not the least, it taught me quick reflexes and great balance! :)
It’s also makes you aware of sudden stops and you are less likely to do them if you have spent time on a fixie.
My pet hate is people jamming the brakes at speed. Nasty stuff.
First argument for a fixie that makes sense. Still won't buy a separate bike just for this purpose though; just pedal!
Alternately, go zwift racing on a time trial bike and don't stop pedaling or you'll get dropped because you can't draft on a tt bike🤣. You probably won't win but hey...
Great point. The only thing I would add is that folks should have brakes on their fixed gear. It is a simple addition that can save your life.
Some advice I can give to anyone learning how to clip in and out: find out what fighting stance, skate/surf/snow board riding stance comes natural to you. If you are occidental/regular stance that means you lead with your left foot forward and the left should stay clipped in when you come to a stop on the bike, clipping out your right to touch the ground. If you are southpaw/goofy footed you lead with the right and are more likely going to be comfortable clipping out with your left foot first, like I do.
If you told me I can only clip out with the right foot first, my brain would melt and I would probably fall over.
Talking about clip and uncoil…both Cam and I are fans of Zerospeed. But the lollipop don’t just get easy when new, almost not possible! I wish someone would have told me to put on the shoes, clip on and then shoes off leaving them clipped on overnight. You will be good.
Thanks for sharing on the thread Mario
I always felt unclipping with my right foot was much safer.....that way I'd be unclipping away from possible passing traffic, instead of maybe falling in to it (if that makes sense)
I would have thought the skill would be to learn both sides. Not much good in clipping out the other side to a fall....
It was easier for me to graduate to road pedals by starting with mtb pedals; where I could clip in on either side of the pedals. However this required shoes for each pedal type.
After landing on the hood of a car, with black shorts and a blue jersey on in broad daylight, I switched to a neon yellow jersey. My bike is black so not much I can do about that, but I did get highly reflective side wall tires. I also got lights for both the front and back of my bicycle. They still try and run me over but it has dropped in about 1/2 from that. There are some people that just don't pay attention so for gods sake, ride defensively and have fun. :)
Great content as always!
Tip:
- Don't be pressured into buying expensive bike setup. Focus on your fitness then go out and drop all the guys who make you feel like crap on your "cheap / average" setup 😉
Except for terrible cheap bikes poorly made poorly assembled, poorly adjusted if even possible to adjust. Expect spending over 400 if you want anything back in re-sale as Wal-mart bikes can be found for free as someone’s trash. Heavy unridable trash. Buying one will get you over biking quick. Spend enough to be able to re-sell and get some cash back instead of a Craigslist ad you’ll be posting for free bike . They’re junk.
@@tinypurplefishesrunlaughin8052 "cheap / average" will always be relative to where and who you roll with. So if you fall just short of the standard within the context you are in, you can always focus on your fitness over premium gear.
Don’t ride upgrades, ride up grades. You’ll smoke those peacock cyclists every time
@@tinypurplefishesrunlaughin8052 on the contrary, walmart's road bikes are not a bad entry point to those who want to dip their toes into cycling, they are sturdy and so long as the brakes are set up right they are not a terrible option, resale isn't too bad either. I would still suggest someone interested in starting out buy a vintage road bike as to dodge any chance of depreciation and to potentially get a lighter frame, but Kents, Schwinns, and the like aren't as awful as they used to be.
To all those that follow the channel, I am still seeking a group-set for the SEKA/Vortex build, but please know that it is a priority! Really keen to get that thing built up ASAP for many reasons. I also haven't been able to pinpoint a good day for the Caden, Winspace, iCan wheels test. These videos are front of mind though! In the interim, I thought we'd mix things up with something a little different. Cheers, Cam
I've got most of an Ultegra 8020 mech groupset that is new. It was striped from a new bike before it had even been sat on.
I'd suggest going Rival AXS FD, RD, shifters, calipers. They should be available somewhere. Chainset, chain & cassette i'm sure you'll want to go Red - and they should be available.
@@rocco5466 thanks for the suggestion mate, I’d really love 1X though. If I can’t get one I’m going to strip the Winspace
1. Pull through a paceline, no matter what. Don't leave gaps and don't pull off early. 2. Hold your line. 3. Never stop pedaling, avoid coasting as much as possible in a group. 4. as you learn more, be welcoming to new cyclists. we want to grow this sport 5. embrace the process: it's going to take time to get fit but the rewards will be there. 6. racing is one of the best ways to get fit. Racing cuts through the bullshit and clarifies what's what. 7. with the exception of complete "drain the tank" days, try to leave something on the table for the next workout. 8. recovery rides have a purpose, embrace recovery. 9. don't take abuse, but take considered advice from other riders you respect with grace. Be humble and listen, there are almost always very good reasons behind the best practices of riding on the road that might not be clear from the outset. 10. quality clothing and good shoes are the first places to invest good money, not on upgraded wheels/components.
Nice one David, thanks for sharing on the thread
Shaving legs? Never have and never will. The reason your legs may be 'bloody' is that you cut them whilst shaving them 🤔 A little humor from this rider from Colorado, USA! Love your content Cam. Keep it coming across the Pacific and the Western States, across 2 mountain ranges to the middle of my country...
as a skateboarder turned cyclist, my legs have taken a beating my entire life. i am hairy as fuck and never once has hair been an issue. i will never shave my legs.
You make me now want to shave my legs because I have never done it! I wish I had a room in Colorado.
@@adrianc6534 does your skateboard do 40-80kmh?
Ya, I said never too. Never say never 🤣
@@markblanch2905 I think the world record is 143kph
I would say that cycling is a life changing experience. I'm 61 and my rides are 90-100 klms. Feels great!! Living on the outskirts of Madrid, Spain, beautiful riding out here! But I've always been a lone wolf on my rides. But would not mind at all to have a riding partner though. Maybe some day I can find one.
Great video!! Boy, I didn't know that the girls personal parts could suffer when they are beginners. Makes sense though.
But once you get rid of the saddle sores at first, then it's heaven after that...
But most importantly, i would say personal higiene is super important, and fresh clean riding clothing is extremely important!!
Never ever use the last rides sweaty gear!!! Yukkkk!!
Omg what, is this electric? I can get 40-60km on a non electric bike
@@ABoxIsMyHome What? Do nonmotorized bikes have a range? Is that till you stop to eat?
@@ghz24 lol I don’t know why I said that, I meant Electric, ignore the “non” hahaha no way I could go that fast on a normal bike
@@ABoxIsMyHome No problem I was just confused.
Group riding can be so much more enjoyable when every member knows their hand signals (especially signalling obstacles for the riders behind you) and calls out when vehicles approach, from the front or the back. And positioning yourself according to wind direction. And maintaining a constant speed. And... And... :-)
Came up on my feed and so glad it did. I've been riding now for 2 years and riding roughly nearly everyday around 15-20 miles but still Learning. Your refreshing humour but still good points has gained you a new subscribers! Going to check out your other videos now 👍
Cheers Chris
Definitely agree about the bike shop, I paid about 10% more than I would have online for the bike but I got great advice and they have already saved me double that within 3 weeks by fixing my pedal thread screw up.
Love this vid. A mix of hilarious sh*t and sage advice!!
LOL - gymnastic reach-arounds in car parks, Terrance, HTFU for lady bits.
Great points as per usual. Here's some from me.
1. Don't wear underwear.
2. Suncream on ALL exposed bits.
3. Learn how to fix a puncture.
4. Take a phone.
5. Check your bike over.
6. Check the weather.
7. Take suitable clothing.
8. Take some food/cash.
9. Don't underestimate bends.
10. Don't overestimate your skills.
And plan your recovery.
BTW, regarding the leg shaving debate - I shave my whole body, slather on chamois cream and then slip into a gimp suit...
I find it's the best way to recover ;)
Nice additions, thanks for sharing on the thread mate
Put some thong on too? Seriously, if you’re an amateur racer, I somehow understand.. most of us are only recreational riders, riding alone. Why would I go thru the ordeal of shaving legs? My gf partner hates doing it and has 10% of body hair that I have. I think recreational cyclists have to stop wanting being pro so much.
Great tips cam :) the clipping in and out practice especially. I remember falling over at some traffic lights in front of a busy cafe :( I’ve never gotten up,so quick in my life, of course with a round of applause from the latte drinkers lol
be visible & wear your helmet properly - YES!
As a commuter e-bike person, I have an orange helmet and wear a hi-vis yellow jacket - sun protection factor of the long sleeves is nice too as NZ sun is brutal - great tips!
When learning on clipless,- make sure you understand that the tension on the pedal is adjustable. I was “taught” by someone who didn’t know this and my first few rides I nearly broke my ankle trying to disengage my shoe from the pedal. (And fell a few times as well) A fellow rider finally took pity on me and adjusted the pedal tension and it was of course game changing!
How Do you Set up the tension nowdays? Im a beginner and added only a bit of tension, like 1/4 of the max
@@BigIsJimmy depends on your cleats pedal but shimano spd-sl uses an allen screw to tension your pedal
7am here in 🇮🇪 and your wife’s comments fairly woke me up 😂 then your Chamois cream one made me LOL so much I NEARLY woke the house up!! But in general love your tips!! Missing bunch rides since covid must get back to a club ride!!!
haha cheers Jay
I got back into cycling MAR 2020. dropped 18/19kg (40lbs) in a year. sadly it’s almost as hard to find a “trustworthy” bike shop these days without taking the time and possibly driving miles to do research and take a look as it is to find a decently priced bike. luckily I like doing things myself so I’ve learned to be able to do anything on my bike...even repainted it since I hated the dual color 😂
We are looking at coming over to Aus from South Africa. I’ve gotten into cycling and my hubby is a big cyclist. We are extremely excited about being able to cycle in a place where it’s much safer, less potholes and I can go out on my own and not need to stay in my area that is safe-ish. These tips are great
I toppled over my first big clipped-in ride, in the starting wave of the NY 5 Boro Tour, with 30k of my closest friends. It was a big stop-start-stop as we got moving and I thought we were going and then we weren't. Advice to practice somewhere quiet is good!
Thanks for sharing on the thread Gene
Totally agree with all your tips. I would like to add one more - use a rear-view mirror. I don't know why these are so unpopular. I would not drive a car without one, why ride a bike without one? Third-eye are my favorite, just $15. It makes it so much more comfortable to ride being able to easily see who is on your wheel and what is coming up from behind.
Agree 100%! I use Cateye BM45’s on my bikes. Game changer! Less stress in the road, but makes you a safer cyclist!
I agree entirely, I fitted one to coach my partner and see where she was but now I cannot manage without one. So much safer out on the road being able to see the lunatics coming up behind you.
I should have used one while racing. Would have driven my competitors nuts! So much easier keeping an eye on those behind with a mirror instead of the under the armpit glances.
And as a daily commuter, I can't believe I took a 20 year mirror hiatus!
(My 16 year old just asked me for a mirror for rides to school! So proud of him!)
Really enjoyed this. After a few years now I still have clipping in moments typically at junctions when you’re caught in that thought between being able to go or having to wait….!
I'm a bike riding re-beginner in my 60's and bought a bike with pedal straps. I thought these would help with not slipping off pedal as i built my confidence. I got caught in exactly what you have mentioned, shall i, shan't i! But soon realised that gravity can take over very quickly! Lesson learnt!!
Riding about 4 years, I still gotta be careful with clips at the intersections. :D
100% being predictable is the most important thing as it falls under the umbrella of safety which is ultimately the goal to enjoy riding safely. Whether that’s holding your line, not drinking when you’re on the front of the bunch and signalling hazards
What helped me when i started clipless is to predict what you are gonna do on the first rides when stoping and just stop at random objects on safe paths. Like when you ride on an empty road and you see a sign or a tree just say to yourself "I need to stop there, I am gonna put my foot there". You naturally unclip and you just get used to it
Funny how you can forget what its like to be new to road cycling. I started late with chamois cream, now it’s a must have on long ride. Not sure about the leg shaving 🤔 The weather also has a lot to do with it… great videos Cam 👍
Leg shaving is more for ease of removing bandages after a fall than aerodynamics. You haven’t felt real pain until you try to pull off tape/bandages that have bonded to leg hair around a scab..
#6: hi-viz clothing is a last line of defence. If the driver doesn’t want want to see you, they won’t see you 😱
Daytime running lights are the way forward 💡💡💡
Yes fair call
@@CamNicholls Why thank you Cam 🤤
for training in un-clipping I went to a nearby park (was into the stadium were I was working) found a lonely site with grass, ride into the grass and complete stop, then unclip the correct foot in the side where the bike falls
Best thing for clipless pedals. Loosen off the tension spring all the way until you’re familiar with the pedals
The LBS relationship is a good point. I have one where I live, plus a well known volume retailer of bikes and car accessories. The LBS has been there for years and is very well patronised. A little too much, actually. Every time I've gone in, I have to wade through the lycra warriors swapping war stories ; the place is their local hang out. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but people with kids who just want to start them cycling tend to go to the big box retailer because the atmos in the LBS intimidates them. That's a shame and its not uncommon. I don't know how we can get around that.
Another shoe tip - try mtn bike cleats first, then progress to road cleats. My partner switched to mtn bike cleats, fitted on Cyclocross carbon soled shoes, she's never going back! Super easy to get in and out, double sided entry and multi angle release, she's never fallen since and can comfortably walk around with minimal performance loss.
Nice one James, thanks for sharing on the thread
Me, too. Easy.
Same shoes for both bikes here too. Mainly because of the potential severe anguish after driving to a nice trail for an MTB ride and realizing you brought the wrong shoes.
Good Job mate. There are two basic rules that I've learned as well: 1. Make it fun; the more fun I'm having results in my desire to repeat and stay healthy. 2. Be heard, carry a bike bell and announce your presence before you surprise pedestrians or other bikers when approaching them in their blind spot. I absolutely hate other riders who come up silently then announce themselves loudly "ON YOUR LEFT". I'd like to spit in their eye.
I love tip 9! I did this, and it worked out very well. Thank you for het info, and the humor!
Hey cam...have u done a video on the dynamics of the pedaling movement...u mention in this video without much detail...it sounds be great to learn how it should/could feel...I may be way off but my experience has been an up stroke through the upward third of the rotation...I have also been mindful of how the up force and down force are in proportion to eachother...e.g. the downward push tends to stabalize my torso by pushing back on my seat and up to reduce the weight supported on my seat ( and causes less saddle soreness), where the up stroke pulls me forward and puts added weight on the seat. I have been working on a good balance that can be sustained over longer rides. Anyhow, flying blind really and I do know how I can rationalize all kinds of wonky ideas 😎
Be predictable on the road is a fantastic piece of advice. Is running that red light really worth it? Hey, if you stop at the stop sign you can get more effort into your ride from all the accelerations :)
Cam. Gold. The reach around and vag management. It is bad enough having to do that at the end of trip facilities. Can’t imagine doing it in the car park. There again how many dudes in your local area on the sunny coast just drop the shorts and put on boardies to go for a surf.
Thanks Cam for pulling us noobs aside with these tips! Will pass on to my mates as well!
Thanks for this video, much of the things you brought up we learn and take for granted as we go. Nice and concise and will not only recommend it to all nubies but relearn it to improve and cement my own base knowledge. Good job👍
Cheers
Great tips and loving the channel! I always tell newbies to practice riding on grass in a park first time clipped in ( it hurts a lot less😆) On their first few road rides I keep it simple and follow behind them saying things like “ get ready to unclip” and “unclip now, get ready to stop” to get the muscle memory happening it makes for a better first time experience.
Nice one Oliver, thanks for sharing on the thread
I practiced on a trainer. Made it very easy to do out on the road after a day or two of practice
I really wished I had someone tell me that at first. I have had many marks on my shins from improper clipping in / pedal bite when I first started riding my road bike with pedals. The transition from flats was rough. Lol
Still, it was a lesson well learned.
My first time was in the park, I ended up on my back with the bike on top of me, completely upside down. Lol.
what's "clipping in and out" please ? i do not understand a word of this cycling jargon. i start reading the advices everyone here is sharing, but can't understand anything. but this clipping in thingie seems to be important
I´d say that the absolute first thing to consider when diving into any new sport or activity is to make a realistic guess of how often you will have time to do it and also what you can spend on it.
People buying expensive kit, bike etc and having to live with quilty confidence over "money just standing in the shed" Or people train extensivly the first month and then have to catch up with all that was left to do just because they really didn´t have the time from the beginning.
I bought a MTB from a friend and thought that would be my additional exercise to Motocross & Enduro, a week later another friend asked me if I would buy a roadbike that a friend of his had to sell. I said, I just bought a MTB but if the price is right, I´ll try it out. A bargin later (250EUR for a Bianci with Carbon forks and Veloce groupset) and some Castelli kit from Ebay and I was on my way.
That was some six years ago and the time spent on each bike ratio MTB vs Roadbike for me is like 5/95. I can go out and train any time I like to, having the best of both worlds but when I don´t have the time (or the right feel) my bikes will just wait for me an don´t depreciate.
Really like your video, reminds me of older GCN, I will check out the rest of your content.
Keep up the good work! BR // J
Great tips for the beginners… sharing with my Michigan Gravel Grinders cycling group. Very entertaining. Thank you!
Wearing sunglasses over straps have never worked for me .. I wear the prescription inserts in behind the shade lenses and it forces the nose bridge of glasses out quite far , meaning they slip down and fall off easy if bent over .. The extra security of fitting them in behind the strap is only way for me …
My tip, being vocal, but also polite while passing. Barking "ON YOUR LEFT!!!!!" as you pass hurts the confidence of newer riders, or scares them so they swerve as you try to pass. A polite and firm, "Hey man passing on your left." is sufficient for safe and easy passing. Also if you are on an electric bike and passing real cyclists up a hill you should be as polite as possible.
i find that a bell like the spurcycle is both very audible and less startling, especially on shared use trails and the like.
Great point, I don't have a bell but I just call out 'bring briing' because everyone understands a bell sound means move over. then i say thanks as I pass. happy riding
I'm on an electric bike and always polite to everyone who's civil to me not just when passing.
I honestly strive to never be a "real cyclist" especially the butt cream, uncomfortable saddles, leg shaving, lycra shorts/kit wearing, bent over the handlebars kind.
How did I ever manage to get to around when I was a kid.
Thanks for this, watching all the way in Kenya, yesterday went for a very long ride, wish I saw this before but now I have I will be a better rider
Very important video Cam this one is a keeper for newcomers and a reminder for some veterans. Cheers and good rides!
I only started riding at 61 and I understand the value of group rides, but I find the concept of fitting into some fixed schedule difficult, given all the work and family commitments. Also I want to enjoy riding in good weather only, not at 37 degrees or in the rain, which does happen in Perth a lot. Also they seem to have so many strict requirements, like colors, lights etc. I tend to ride on bike paths where these issues are less important.
As an LBS, this was spot on (apart from the shaving malarkey obviously). I would add, don't go full banzai on the bike as a beginner. Expensive bikes are easier to break and more expensive to fix, conversely the low budget stuff that has got an internet listing longer than this post is also one to avoid. You then get usually 2 easy and big paying upgrades to treat yourself with. A nice set of tubeless wheels and tyres and, if it comes with square taper, upgrade to a hollowtech crank. Oh and I have had to fix a few bikes that "my mate at the club" messed up.... caveat emptor...
Awesome video! I’ll share this to my club. Thank you 🙏
This is gold! Love your work, so helpful for everyone
I learned how to clip in and out holding onto a fence and repeating for ten minutes. Never had problems .
Thanks for sharing on the thread Leslie.
I've been riding for over 50 years!!!! OMG I'm old, but I'd like to pass on one...actually two old school tips for setting up your bike for the very first time without help. #1 Seat Height: Put your kit on, shoes included. Seat squarely on the seat. Get the bike moving (nice if a slight down hill) now take BOTH FEET OFF THE PEDALS and let your toes barely touch the ground. This is an excellent beginning point for seat height. #2 Seat Set back (fore and aft) A) Now, off the bike and standing along side, simply take your elbow, place it on the tip of the seat and extend your fingers to the stem bolts. The fingers should touch that spot. OR B) get on the bike, roll around a bit, grab the drops, look through the handlebars and you should NOT see the front axel in front or behind your line of sight. OK like I said this is for 'a good place to start.!" don't get all excited.
And WIFE!!!! Vagina Flaps... what the hell... They are called labia (major and minor) and yes there are things you can do. #1!!!!! make sure your have a well fitting pair of shorts!!! OMG As a woman track and road cyclist I prefer bibs but that is totally personal. (always keep those flappy parts tight and snug) #2. Cream! Get some! Borrow Cam's... I carry extra on rides in Contact Lens Snap Cases!
I think a big one that was missed, although it kind of goes with being predictable, is to signal your intents. Here in the US, I know the hand signals for turning and stopping are (all with the left hand/arm)...
Stop: Elbow bent, hand down. Left: Arm straight. Right: Elbow bent, hand up
I don't know if other countries use the same or different hand signals, but it helps people on motor vehicles predict what you are about to to, lessening your chance of getting hit.
It may not be perfect, but I'll take every ounce of safety I can get while out on the road.
This was great practical advice and as a beginning cyclist, I very much appreciated it.
I wouldn't have the discipline to follow all your cleat training advice, but I did hold off on cleats for a while. Riding with others was a both a source of advice and caution, and a catalyst to get cleats. I unclip on either side and have never forgotten to do so. Whilst a gust of wind can complicate the situation, what has brought me down is front wheel slippage when slowing to a stop or doing a slow speed turn around, and a loose cleat, which wouldn't come unclipped as expected.
I've never been injured in a clipstack, but heard of ladies fracturing wrists / arms - think women should be aware their risk might be higher due to lower bone density.
Shave my legs? I'm not that desperate! 😀
Great tips as usual. Predictability is SO important. All the respect you may gain in a group for being strong and fast is lost the minute you swerve around like an idiot.
This applies to riding and driving. How many people need to learn this?
A firefighter chief I know was perpetually frustrated with dumb drivers. They hear or see lights and their (little) brains become useless. Since they can't remember what they're SUPPOSED to do, they instead go into "Brownian-motion mode!" Indecisive and dangerous! Back and forth like morons! So my friend always said, "If you don't know what to do, don't do ANYTHING! Just keep doing what you're doing and I'll get around you!"
If you like wearing dark kits like me make sure you bring a reflective belt or vest cuz you might be going home later than expected, cuz back signal light wont cut it.
Good to see footage of the SKCC crits in Melbourne. Unfortunately we've lost access to that crit course. Good news is we were able to use part of Albert Park Lake before the 2022 F1 GP and hope to have long-term access. Would be good to see you down here again Cam.
Never used chamois creme. Never needed it. Even doing rides like 'Around the Bay in a day about ten times, I have never finished a ride and thought 'If only I'd lubed up'
Yes, not everyone uses it. For big rides I personally find it's beneficial.
Cliping and uncliping is like most important thing to learn and practice. Had few incidents when learning that and 3 crashes at home drive🤦 when trying unclip ( once wind was just too strong and it flipped me over🤦)
Best advice I got from friend is that when climbing on hill, look down and keep pedaling. It helps a lot. At first I was allways looking where is top of the hill and suffering from begining, but now I try to go slow and just look down.
Also music helps. I just put my phone in back pocket and play some music, no headphones… so I can still hear what is going on around me.
Thats a big one for sure! it can be painful when you image everything you have left to go thru, just focus on that next revolution!! left right left right!!!
What does clipping and unclipping mean
Thank you for this video. This was a nice refresher after being away fromm my bike for a while.
In 17 countries and Morocco, that scene in the parking lot would get you arrested… 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤜🏽🤛🏽🍻
haha
You had some great tips there. The sore flaps and reach around were gold. No benefit in shaving the legs though.
Everyone knows that shaving your legs makes you go faster.
@@rickcski8082 So say the razor blade companies...😁
As far as I understand it, you shave your legs so that leg hair doesn't interfere with wound management after a crash. I still ride with hairy legs though.
Thanks for the tips dude! Beginner cyclist here as well from 2019.
3:22 Chamois cream is an art, each person has to figure out for themselves where to put it, and how much 😎.
The group ride etiquette will be good to watch.
Want to know the rule on forcing non-club riders of the road or assuming that once a rider is out of peripheral vision they must be 2 metres behind so it's okay to pull in and slow down
The HR tip is really useful.
I haven't trained for around a year and a half. And I had never used an HR monitor in the past.
Now I got one, and I decided to go back to cycling.
Turns out my normal workouts are 1h of 180+HR :D
Now I'm slowly trying to build up my aerobic system, and I feel very good after a workout. And I used to by dizzy after every single one.
Don't half wheel was one of the first tips I got and tell everyone starting out .... great content !
I love the bike light vs kids tip, mostly because I now have to buy a new bracket for my Knog tail light...
Really nice tips. And maybe don't join other riders without asking them first... a few years back when I started riding I got a panick attack because our lane was so narrow and i'm a bit claustrophobic, so first i slowed down a bit then had to stop on the side of the road because i was in full panic mode. Little did i know that an other rider used me as a windshield for the last 100 or so meters without me noticing him and when i stopped he almost collided with me. So yeah, be predactible, when possible but also don't stick to someone else's rear wheel without asking, it's just inpolite and dangerous.
Clipping in and out is big question for me. I feel very confident in it after 2 years of practicing in the city cycle 40-60km per day, but once i take 178km a day on freeways, and at the end i still can peddaling easily but just no power to clip out.🤣 So I switched back to flat pedals. 🤷🏻♂️😁
Did you know the force needed to unclip can be adjusted on the cleats? My wife started cycling a few weeks ago, bought her cleats, put them on her bicycle without adjusting them. Although it was funny to see her crash, the bleeding knee reminded me to check everything. She might just have crashed in front of a car or truck, and the story wouldn't be so funny anymore...
You will only fall over once with clipless pedals. My first ride many years ago & I had the tension waaay too tight.
On my back & bike in the air and still clipped in! Corner Domain Road / Punt Road.
Still get reminded by mates 30!yrs on and still gets a laugh.
Don’t let that be you :-)
I still remember the pedals - Look Worlds.
Thanks for the informative video. It was fun to watch and extremely helpful!!
Great advice for the most part, and great video.
One thing I would mention is the 'be seen' mantra is great, but in reality it's rubbish because there is nothing we can do to truly be seen by absent minded drivers. The much better strategy is expect each car to be a threat until you can eliminate them as a threat. After they are past, etc. Unfortunately the hard data shows that hi vis doesn't work. Group riding works, staying away from cars works.
Agreed. Maybe wearing bright colors would reduce accidents by 1%(or zero?) but really the factor that matters is if drivers pay attention or not. I could be lit up like a neon Las Vegas sign and still get hit by someone driving and texting, so I spend nearly all of my cycling time on bike paths and quiet roads.
Sadly you're right for the most part, but there are definitely circumstances where a bright and/or contrasting outfit can make a cyclist visible from much further away than if they were wearing matte black all over. The longer a distracted driver has to see you the better
@@armadillito I'd agree, except the not seeing is as much a choice as it is distraction driven. Making oneself more visible doesn't fix the driver's unwillingness to see and avoid. Relying on the 'good will' of each driver is a recipe for death. Too many people gives zero fcks until it's too late and they are standing over a body and don't understand how it could have happened. Sadly I have a results database of dead friends to draw upon to validate this conclusion.
Another great vid Cam. You mentioned that your local area has a criterion track. Do you know how your local club (s) went about getting that track built? It may be another great video story line for you to present to your subscribers... Look forward to your reply :)
It was a council decision many years ago when building Girraween. Interestingly, QLD has many purpose build criterium tracks VS the rest of Australian states. It's probably a good one for me to investigate - why!?
6:36 same here, yeah I run lights all the time. 3 on the back 2 on the front.
Loving that you say "don't go around giving yourself a reacharound with cream and then you're feeling yourself up in a car park with somebody in the background
I think I'll never shave my bloody legs other than for (triathlon) racing, but you get a full thumbs up for this kind introduction into your final tip. 😀
Good vid although, I'm guilty of wearing my cycling glasses inside my straps! The reason being, I wear prescription lenses clipped behind whatever other lenses I have on and they are bloody expensive if my glasses fall off and they scatter all over the place!
That's a fair reason there Steven.
No even sure I return constantly to your channel for bike tips anymore. It’s just so dam funny. Chapeaux!
haha cheers Aidan
Be Predictable! So true for both solo and GROUP (Bunch) rides!
I would love to know why you feel we MUST shave our legs. The aero gains seem pretty minimally important if you're not a racer, but I've heard it makes managing injuries easier. It just seems like a lot of work with very little good reason other than aesthetics (which is also up for debate). But I loved the rest of the video! Great tips!
Been riding for quite a while. Road, mountain, gravel...
Never shaved my legs, and never will. Unless you're racing, aero gains are pointless. As far as getting injured, having hair on your legs isn't going to make the injury any worse, it just makes scrubbing dirt and stones off your legs a bit harder.
If you're always rubbing on some sort of moisturizer, muscle warming cream, etc. then shaved legs do make it much neater and cleaner, depending on one's personal hair situation. I never bought the aero thing.
if only He listen to his own advice about exposed skin and shaved his face xD
Trust me, i’ve many crashes racing in triathlons and having smooth legs (arms as well if you are really a kamikaze on the road!) makes the removal and reapplication of bandages so much less painful and its also more “sterile” on the wounds without having lumps of matted scab crusted hair sticking to the new skin.
Also a ton easier to apply sunblock and moisturizer to your legs without the hair.
He clearly had the opportunity to tell us why we should shave our legs, BUT HE DIDN'T! He explained the Why in all his other assertions but left us guessing about shaving. I imagine if he was concerned about the issues you raised he would have told us. I am left to surmise that it is an aesthetic issue for him. Those that are insecure about their own personal issues often obsess to the point of advocating totalitarian resolutions. I know many people who are generally grossed out by body hair. It's an obsessive-compulsive neurosis akin to mysophobia(germophobia).
Great video but as a slow audax rider its a hard no on the shaving. Lol
haha
Thanks for the pointers!
Tip one, splits the show in two parts 😉!
This is worth looking into. There was, I think, Selle Royal bib shorts with flap for easy and fast going to toilets. No other that I know. So it difficult, especially when sweaty, to take clothes off. Poor Tom Dumolan.
Good to hear its not just blokes that have problems sitting on a bike seat, some women have more flap than a blacksmiths apron.
🤣😬