9 Things I Wish I Knew As A Beginner Cyclist!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ค. 2024
- Let me know any of your tips in the comments :)
Cycling Made Simple video series:
• Cycling Made Simple: H...
Me trying cleats for the first time (9 years ago!!)
Clipless for beginners: • Clipless pedals for AB...
Trying them for the first time: • Video
// Cycling eBook: www.ilikemountains.cc/s-h-o-p
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Well chuffed to have the following brands support me and my ol' cycling adventures. So you will see some of their products I choose to use in my content :)
www.ribblecycles.co.uk/
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So true, I found that cleats made such a huge difference together with taking the extra time/effort to fit yourself to your bike properly and finding a decent appropriate saddle 🙂
Great job. I agree with all of your recommendations. BTW, I am also on Strava and love it. Tracking your stats and achievements over time is awesome!
Thanks Katie. Great tips and I have been cycling for a while and still found this useful.
as usual, again an amazing video! very helpful to beginners!
Hello from Helsinki! Very similar experiense here. Changed 10 years ago from running to cycling. Agree all you say. Flat tyre I don't change on the road because don't want to carry all tools and spare tyre with me. Learned how to change tyre but do it in home. Have large car and Thule mount to carry cycles so I gets by if tyre get flat.. ones have walked 10 km to home because my wife was at work. Flat tyre is normally ones a year incident so not so often.. Like now so much road pedals so have SPD-SL pedals in summertime in all cycles. Only wintertime with SPD because only with them you get warm shoes.
Love this! Really simple but excellent advice and so accessible.
Thanks for this video and I agree Kate.
The quality of the cyclist's training is measured: watts from the wattmeter, pulses from the chest belt and cadence from the sensor on the cranks or from the wattmeter.
The ideal combination of the above is:
Garmin Edge 1030 (Plus) or 1040 with Stamina metric + Garmin Rally 200 (left & right) + Garmin HRM Pro yellow.
Optional tail radar for increased safety, 515 or 715 with camera.
You can ride with an unlubricated chain and a flat tire, it has no effect on the training effect according to the listed metrics.
That is all. Nothing more, nothing less.
Actually yes: good legs, heart and lungs🙂
Smart list, Katie - clearly based on your experience, both good and not-so-good
I plucked up the courage to go for a ride in bibs for the first time yesterday, couldn't believe how much more comfortable I was. Been considering cleats for a long while too, hadn't thought of using MTB ones. Cheers 👍
Great vid! One more thing I’d like to add. #7 - Join a Club might be a good resource for this, but getting a bike fit. I’ve been riding for years and struggled to understand comfort and efficiency on my bike until I got fitted. Thx.
That is such an important thing but I think it's a lot to take in when you first start riding. And a lot of the time we only find niggles after we have been riding a little while. But yes can't rate bike fits enough :) Esp with my mate Phil Burt :)
Some great tips and info there. Yes definitely learn how how to repair a puncture and carry the tools with you. I used to take a spare innertube with me. Food and drink so important, I`ve been there, ran out of energy on a long bike ride. You are giving me encouragement to want to go out cycling again, I just need to build up my strength. Thank you again. Happy and safe cycling.
Best way to build strength is to start riding...
@@JoshuaTootell Yes that is true. Gradually get back into riding. It is mainly my energy levels as I can only eat small portions now, have to eat little and often.
Really solid list, especially about eating. It's way to easy to forget to keep yourself topped up when your goal is to loose weight.
One other tip I'd suggest is getting a proper saddle. I've known way to many people who let poor saddle comfort push them away from longer day rides. But a good saddle can be an intimidating purchase!
Yesssss defo a good saddle :)
Tip number 11. Bonking does not mean the same to cyclists as it does to the rest of the world....
But in both cases, it does involve riding😜
@@JibbaJabber And moaning 🤣
Is it like Netflix and chill ?
@@ianhoughton3349 Less "Netflix and chill" and more "curl up and pray for death"
You can do one by doing the other
Great video, Katie! Those are the exact same things my cyclist friends told me when I first started riding, I even started with the mountain bike pedals/shoes! I still need to learn and practice to fix a flat tire. I haven't because I always ride with my friends, and they are awesome 🥰
Strava keeps it (very) interesting and great to be able to look back and reflect.......Someone with 27,000 followers must be awesome !
You looked so good in all the clips. Changing the location/background in each was nice also.
Thank you :)
Katie, you are 100% correct with your list of tips. You should mention the use of cleat covers for road shoes when off the bike for short walks of less than 30 or so metres. Especially walking on gravel at road construction.
On my first road bike (in 1974), I started out with old school toe-clips. I switched to mountain bike pedals and cleats a little over a year ago.
I was guilty of obsessing about pace when I started riding again during the pandemic after a 20 year gap much like I did when I started running. Now much more relaxed about pace since as you say there are too many variables to make a meaningful comparison even on the same route. Still guilty of not hydrating properly as was the case over the weekend when 32C in London and felt horrible after a fairly shot but very undulating ride.
Great video Katie. Great advice. 👍🇮🇪
I would add that if you're doing a lot of cycling, you'll also need to learn how to clean your chain. Investing in a set of quick-link pliers and a cassette tool is a good idea too, as when you do a lot of riding, the most frequently replaced items are going to be chains and cogsets.
If you're doing road biking, you need to get into the habit of checking your tire pressure before you head out!
Always with the good tips, to add, group rides in a club you'll go further than you think you can.
Thanks KK. Contact points: shoess, saddle, handlebars are key. Maybe throw in a link to your bike fit. Another commenter sagely stated that most people won't ride if it hurts...so a proper fit is key. Kina disagree with your bibs over shoes statement...been my experience that crappy or ill fitting shoes have a greater impact...saddle type and adjustment can hamire of an impact than high end bibs. I DO agree with your assessment from another video that ultra cheap kit is a disaster 😂.
Keep up the great content. Im back on the shelf getting another cardiac assessment..not too happy as i thought those issues were behind me.
🚴♂️🚴♂️🚴♂️👽🚴♂️🚴♂️🚴♂️
Another ace video Katie ❤
Thank you, some really good tips there.
Good tips, as a Type 1 diabetic I can def recommend the regular fueling. With a continuous glucose monitor you see sugars dropping within 20 mins and on a recent 52mile ride I ended up getting through two bags of jelly babies and a bag of jelly beans and lunch and this was just enough to maintain control. So every 20 mins take on food and hydrate. Also wear SPD as first used clipless on MTB and always preferred.
This is perfect advice thank you!! Yes every 20 minutes or so is ideal :) thank you for reminding us all. Makes SUCH a difference doesn’t it?! :)
@@KatieKookaburra absolutely and as much mentally as physically. When you lack the glucose the mind can start to punish you too. It’s so easy to just get in the zone and forget to fuel and being Type 1 means no different to a non diabetic, just we get gentle reminders😀. And who doesn’t like jelly babies!
If you are diabetic, get off SUGAR ! Go Keto and never look back. Ride fasted and burn fats.....you will never feel better or be faster (Dr. Sten Ekberg)
Your videos so inspire me.
Katie, always wondered what is the chain/ pendent you always wear ? Another tip , don’t skimp on a decent helmet. Saved my life in the past and worth every penny👍
I still use MTB/SPD I personally don't see much point in going full road clipless, especially now thanks to Gravel there is a huge range of stiff, light "roadie" looking MTB shoes, and quite a few single sided Road SPD pedals now too.
I know some people don't like the float and some get hots spots though.
I might also add to what Katie said about MTB cleats for road, get a stiff MTB shoe if you can afford too. Another option is buy an adaptor to convert a road shoe to MTB cleat if you don't plan to walk a lot.
I like #3 ! ..... and you gotta experiment, 'cuz the bib shorts can fit so different, even within the same brands.
Defo!!!!!
3:00 I prefer road pedals because it's a bigger platform. The tip to add there is: only use the yellow cleats with SPD-SL and for sure never ever, ever, ever use the red (fixed) ones.
Excellent tips … ta very much. PS: You might also have mentioned your eBook for cycling beginners available for a nominal fee … I like it! 🚴🙂
Invest in good bike tools and a high quality floor pump.
Your advice is applicable to potential competitive riders, who ride a lot (200+ km a week) and fast (every second counts). For more recreational riders (especially female) gel-padded saddle is more convenient vs. padded bib shorts. Platform pedals are also more convenient and much safer vs. riding clipped.
Extreme gel pads on saddles can create more issues but you do what works for you :) but I couldn’t disagree with you more. Also these bibs as I explained in the video are for longer distance riders for sure. You don’t need to spend that to be comfortable on shorter rides.
The things you learn... You spoke some time ago about spending more for better quality bibs and is it worth it? I was one for best value for money but took a gamble on a pair of Assos bibs you mentioned and I was so glad I did. Thanks to you they were the best and the best advice I have taken.
Glad I could help :)
Strava challenges have also been great motivators and ways to get deals on product and kit...
thanks for the tips
Thank you Katie for your tips for bikeng God blessed
Agreed! Speed is overrated, which is why 90% of my rides are solo. Almost everyone seems to be obsessed with it. And, there’s nothing like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on a ride!
the bib shorts are the important thing. i don't think i could ride without them. Also with jerseys they're incredibly convenient for carrying a lot of stuff.
Also i followed the local club on ridewithgps, and even if i wasn't riding with them, it was good for getting new routes.
Lightweight rack is even more convenient for carrying stuff.
Number 2 is so true, I still run but I've started cycling because my knees can't take the stress of running as often as I need to exercise. Did my longest ride yet at the weekend (40K on hilly roads on the hottest day of the year!) and felt like chucking it after 10K, but completed it, with the highest average speed for a ride I'd ever done on the return leg and managed to cycle up a hill I usually struggle to run up.
Scared to try cleats though, I remember what happened many years ago when I got my first road bike with toe traps!
Toe straps are the devil and put so many off from trying cleats. If you go with Shimano style SPD mountain bike pedals they sell an easy/multi release cleat (SM-SH56), if you set the tension on the pedals low at first too so they barely hold then if you forget or panic and you can just yank your foot out, after a few rides the "twist" it just becomes second nature.
Also, just my own experience from knowing lots of cyclists IRL I've found that failing to unclip and falling over at the traffic lights is seen as a kind of "right of passage", so a lot will claim its happened to them, but I'm not convinced it actually happens that often.
You can practice "unclipping" now. Every time you come to a stop, unclip from your flat pedals by rotating your foot out in the same motion. Just a good habit to be in. I do it all the time on my flat pedal MTB because the rest of my bikes are clips 😂
Number 10…..Watching your videos for inspiration.❤
Thank you! xxxx
Appreciate tge honest tips
Hi Katie, I love your content, I've watched a lot of content over the weekend. Do you have any tips for transitioning over to a road bike? I'm currently 49, and I have been a mountain bike rider for many, many years. I'm planning on coming back to the UK to visit my family, and would like to do some road cycling as I think it's quite a bit more accessible, as opposed to the MTB cycling I do here in Brazil. If you have some advice for MTB > road cycling, it would help greatly, thanks.
Bike fit on a road bike is very important. That's the main thing. You can get away with a bad MTB setup, but a bad road setup will make you miserable.
Ive' used mountain bike shoes and Cleats for 23 years' i just could not get away with road Cleats. SPDs all day long for me katie.👍👍
all great advice
Have a few of these I disagree with. I’m 54 so no Lycra. I don’t mess with Strava much because of the cost but am willing to warm up to it. And I’m one of those weirdos that prefer riding studded flats to clip in pedals. The rest? Absolutely spot on! Thanks for sharing this and I hope some newer riders can benefit from it.
I'm 59 and always lycra. It's by far the best material to ride in.
58 and keep the Lycra under a pair of baggy shorts 😉….. you can do Strava and use the “free version” and get everything you need… I use Garmin Connect for my head unit and you can share the data into Strava so you can connect with your friends on their rides… as long as you keep your Strava to your pool of friends you avoid all the “Strava-holes” that like to make it miserable 😅
I didn’t ride in cleats for years but eventually made the switch to mtb cleats , I use road cleats on the turbo trainer . I’m not a fan of riding with a club a lot of advantages to riding solo like I can pick my own routes go at my own speed stop and start when I want . Can’t do any of those things with other riders always end up doing what someone else wants to do
As a beginner a club is a great way of getting out with other like minded people, gaining confidence etc. These days I mix and match with club rides, enjoying company etc.
Mountain bike cleats + hybrid pedals = the best upgrade I made on my bike.
Dayum. I definitely have a crush on Katie now. It was a slow burner but yeah! Looking very well indeed and great information, which is the most important thing. Excellent channel
Yeah mate. Definitely not a weird comment at all.
Easy release cleats are really good for getting confidence
Thank you kindly
The capability thing is so relevant. When you met us at Alder Hey, there were people who'd done virtually no riding and did 390 miles in 3 days. You CAN do it.
You lot smashed that ride!! Was awesome to see xx
Make your own electrolyte sports drink: 200ml normal squash (not sugar free) 800ml water and 1/8 to 1/4 tsp salt. Mix, shake up, slap in the fridge. Sip throughout your ride❤
My Grandad born at the turn of 20 century was a distance walker (just missed Olympic selection). He used to have cold fish & chips and a pint of orange squash with two teaspoon of salt after walks.... ala pre war electrolytes!
I switched from SPD to road pedals last year. I found the road pedals so frustrating, I’ve moved back to SPDs. Much more enjoyable!
Yeahhhhhhhh Noel!! I love them :) especially Shimano shoes SPD as they have carbon soles so super stiff :)
I'm 65, overweight, with an arthritic knee. There is no way that I regard speed as anything more than a fun indicator
Maybe I'm Gonna say something mess but some of theses advises that durianrider says!!! Amazing, thanks!!
Nice tips, but my issue is how do you decide what a good pair of bib short equates to. I’ve tried a lot of mid range bs and I’ve even tried Chinese Ali express ones, but have I found the right ones yet no. When your buying an expensive pair you can’t send them back if there not suitable, I find it’s mind field.
The one thing I totally agree on 100% is food and drinks pre and post ride.
Sounds more like you have a saddle issue.
@@JoshuaTootell I’ve already changed my saddle, again like bib shorts it’s a mine field, I lent one from giant for a month it was ok, but the test one I had, didn’t exist any more so we got the close one to it and I got one with a cut out to release the pressure, but it wasn’t quite as good, it was a good branded saddle as well (not cheap).
10. Get a bike fit _before_ you buy a bike
This is such a good one!
Ditto. If the bike is uncomfortable you won't ride. And if you are a woman find a bike fitter that understands women's biomechanics. There is much more, but that is for another day😉
It's amazing how often people (me included) have purchased bikes that are too large & poorly setup, based on misleading sizing charts, tradition, etc.
Motorcycles 🏍❤️
1. It’s not how fast you go, it’s how little you slow down, conserve your momentum. Riders around you will appreciate it.
2. There is a difference between "capable" and stupid, know your limits during extreme weather conditions.
3. When off the bike for an extended period of time you still have to break your ass in again. It takes a few rides to be comfortable for long rides. Quality shorts will help shorten the time.
4. It takes time to determine what food works for your riding, experiment; once it is optimized the performance gains are noticeable.
5. Yep, make your own.
6. Most riders will fall during stopping when using clipless pedals for the first time. TWIST to release, NOT pull.
7. Find a club without “bike dicks”, ride to have fun, go to work and get paid to be aggravated.
8. ????????
9. Tires/tubes can have a big effect, do not by cheap equipment. Ride quality and puncture resistance will improve the riding experience.
The best advice!!! Thanks
Use Slime tubes they avoid flats with road bikes, use Michelin Protek tubes they avoid flats with mountain bikes. I on the contrary use road shoes for my road pedals and my mtb shoes for my mtb pedals, with older spd oedals you could use MTB shoes with road pedals but not anymore.
I purchased a $140 pair of shorts a couple of weeks ago and they are no different than my $30 Walmart shorts. I was actually quite disappointed. Recently I purchased "The Black Bibs" do you have any thoughts on those? I know they are not the highest of quality but I heard some good stuff about them.
Great tips. I agree with all and will now forward to a woman new to cycling who has just started going out with our club. 👍🏻🙂
Do you have any videos related to beginners advice for women? Esp when it comes to staying comfortable on the saddle. My wife has started cycling and is struggling to remain comfortable for even short rides. Would love to hear your thoughts on female specific kit (bibs, saddles, etc)!
Absolutely!!! Just search my channel for saddle and there will be loads of videos :)
If they lady is not going to be competitive rider, consider wider gel-padded saddle. Narrow saddles are mostly for the athletes, who pedal hard all the time, so the saddle doesn't matter as much and can be ultra light and narrow, as most of the body weight is constantly supported by the legs.
my tips:
1) prefer agility vs. leg-breaking cogs, and your career will last longer
2) take care of the parts of your body that are stressed, first of all your back:
stretch it regularly, go swimming sometimes if you can
2) when you pass the age of 40, a visit of a cardiologist every 24 months
3) yes, you can do much more that what you ever thought, but recognise the
limit at due time
4) you don't need the follow the last trend of the bicycle market
5) let the other road-users know what you want to do, but guess
what THEY are going to do
Hi Katie hope all is well, ace video, what electrolytes do you use 🙂
Any you can get your hands on. I mainly use Precision Hydration but also SIS and High5 ones.
How do you carry the dates? Any special trick or just a plastic bag inside the back pockets? Thank you! :)
1. Agree. I have power meters on all my bikes, but you dont need that. Perceived exertion is under rated.
2. Agree. And it is easier to test your limits on a bike vs running.
3. Yes. If you want, you can wear them under regular shorts if you don't feel comfortable being seen that way. But...nobody cares how you look.
4. Agreed. Though... I dont take my oen advice (I'm very fat adapted) 😂
5. Disagree. Your nutrition will cover your electrolytic needs. Just plain water is fine. If you have serious cramping issues, that is something you have yo figure out how to manage. I can do full XC races with nothing but straight water and no fuel and feel the same at the end. I use a sugary mix (GU Roctane) for the placebo. I've tested it with and without electrolytes, my performance is the same.
Also, drink to thirst. You dont need to drink "before you're thirsty". Drinking before you are thirsty is how people die in marathons.
6. Biggest benefits of clipping in is the shoes. Stiff soled shoes are more comfortable on the bike and more efficient, side benefit of being lighter and more aerodynamic. Nothing wrong with "MTB" pedals and shoes, but they do flex more than typical road shoes.
7. I'm an introvert, so, clubs are optional. Though I did used to ride with a lot of people, but my mental health improved when I i stopped.
8. Don't need Strava if you do #7. I'm on Strava, and I'm over it. I keep most of my stuff private.
9. Yes. But also, buy high quality tires. Yes, good tires are expensive. But they last longer and are less prone to getting flats. I went through so my tubes with cheap tires. I mostly pick whichever high quality tires I find on sale.
Can you provide more information on electrolytes please?
Have you tried magnetic pedals? I use MagPeds and they are a pleasure to use. They work as good as clip ins but give you a better sense of foot freedom.
Ooohh I haven’t…. Will have a Google!
I’ve looked into these as well, still haven’t got any yet as my redshift seat post might be first.
A pinner of really good haze will make those 60 mile rides a breeze.
Awesome
im watching this the day before my first 500km (in 2 days hopefully) and N°2 got me laughing xD Will see in 3 days if I were capable for this!
Pro tip: learn how to fix a flat WITHOUT the lever tool! You run the risk of damaging the brand new tube with the tool when you put it back in, so learn to put the tire back in with your thumbs. Thumb game should be strong
Get down safely. Don't stress about being slow down a hill Make sure you can change a tube, get the tyre on/off easily, fix a broken chain. Carry a quality pump that works.
What's with the broken chains? I've never ever had a chain break on me (and I ride bikes for over 50 years now) and neither have I ever seen anyone else have a chain break. Flats though... at least twice a year. And the worst part of that is the pumping.
Chain is as strong as it's weakest link. You've been lucky. But if your chain gets jammed due to chain suck you might need to break it.
@@wazzup105 Chains are the second most likely thing to go wrong after punctures. If you have ever been a mountain biker you'd be very familiar with chain issues... Dead easy to fix with a spare link and a chain splitter.
1st is absolutely true.
If it’s advice for beginners then be aware where your front wheel is going at all times. You need to be able to take avoiding action before you hit potholes, other riders wheels, loose gravel particularly on corners. If you are riding behind someone, that can obscure your view and unless you know them to be extremely competent you are in a risky situation. I’d wear a helmet, too. I didn’t for many years but it avoided a serious injury recently.
Great Advice, don’t know about the Dates if you know what I mean👍😂😂
How are you able to keep your skin so white even though you bike so much outside? recommendations/tips please? I worry about sun damage.
Factor 50!!! Every single ride!!!
Just eat food! I love this advice - just eat what you normally would, but do it on the bike. Bananas are pennies, and fit the bill
EXACTLY!!! :) We don't need anything fancy - we aren't racing for the 'finish' ha :) Glad you agree
MTB pedals and cleats are also dual-sided, meaning it doesn't matter which way up the pedal is, whereas (most) road bike pedals are single-sided.
The point being that you don't have to get the pedals the right way up before clipping in
❤❤❤ Katie ❤❤❤
good tips, but am I the only one that can't stand bib shorts? Regular cycling shorts with a good chamois for me, I hate having the extra layer on my upper body and it's easier to use the bathroom when needed.
Not a fan of candy but have to admit gummy bears and worms help sustain me. My biggest struggle is getting nutrition on the bike.
The last one is most important learn how to fix and service your bike saves loads of money...
I use my heart rate while riding as a measure rather than speed.
Why are they called clipless pedals when you actually need to be clipped in?
Presumably because thy are not toe clips, which was previously how cyclists used to attach themselves to pedals.
What @@andygolborne5747 said.
But I think it is stupid and I call them clip in pedals.
I discovered that Starva/Apple deleted my longest ride (it was 42km) when I was scrolling through my workout history the other day
Whaaa?! Never had that happen! 🧐
been riding for years and im never wearing lycra shorts
10. Yes there is something called second or third or fourth wind. You will find strength out of nowhere in adversity.
I really don’t think you need to eat or bring food on a 30 min ride. Just a bottle of water be fine imo
Love my mountain bike cleats...won't use anything else. ❤
The quality of clubs and group rides is highly dependent on location. The group rides here in Switzerland are absolutely terrible. No cohesion, everyone riding for himself or herself. I've been on 100k group rides in a group of 10 when the group was never once together. They always go slow on flat ground and as hard as they can on climbs. In the decade I rode in group rides there was never any paceline. I've been riding on my own on the road for a number of years now. Since the country itself is perfect for cycling, I don't mind. The only group rides I do now are at the velodrome.
Katie says, Fix a million flats at home!!!! OMG!!!! 😱😱😱...🤣🤣🤣
Continuing with number 9. I am not a great mechanic. Don’t worry about fast tyres. Get some more puncture resistant tyres. Nothing is puncture proof. I have armadillos
I TOTALLY agree. Because the way I see it, I will be faster on any given route if I DON'T have to stop and fix a flat.
Have you fallen out with Greg , Sally and Richard, when is your next big trip with them?🤣
Noooo course not, they have been in Thailand :) It was Sarah not Sally :)
@@KatieKookaburra Sorry, Sarah. 👍
#11. Get a bicycle fit. Before you buy your first bicycle!
After the explosion of the cycle to work scheme so many people were being sold the wrong type of bike, hello Halfords.
A good hybrid bike is all the beginner will need. Then decide if you prefer a road or gravel bike or stick with a flat bar hybrid.
Also, beginners avoid mountain bikes, too heavy and dog shit on the road.