Beginner’s Guide to Cycling
Every Friday is Health Tip Day at Zen Habits.
A couple weeks ago I posted my Beginner’s Guide to Running, which turned out to be pretty popular. Today I present my Beginner’s Guide to Cycling, which I hope is just as useful.
I’d like to note that I’m not nearly as qualified to write this guide as I was to write the running guide. I’m a very early beginner in cycling, and what I’m posting here is just the basics, from what I’ve learned from my research (websites, books, and talking to experts) and from my limited experiences so far. I basically just want to share what I’ve learned so far, so that it might help others who want to get started.
Also, I’d like to note that this guide applies only to road cycling, not mountain biking, as I haven’t hit the trails yet. Last, please add to this guide with your own tips and experiences in the comments!
Two Most Important Tips
There are a lot of important tips here in this guide, and in the links I provided, but here are the most important two.
- Start slow. There’s no need to kill yourself when you start. Even if you’re already in good shape, cycling uses different muscles than other exercises, and your body will need time to get used to the new types of stress. Start out nice and easy, enjoy yourself, and progress gradually. Just do 2-3 miles at first, and do them nice and slow. Have fun!
- Be safe. More than most sports, cycling can be very dangerous, especially if you’re on the roads with all the crazy drivers out there. In my area, two cyclists were hit in recent months (one died), so I take extra precautions. Ride during the daylight hours, follow traffic laws, always yield the right of way, wear bright colors and reflectors, wear a helmet. More safety tips below.
The Bike
What’s the best bike to get for cycling? Heck if I know. I’m just a beginner. I suggest that you start with any old bike you can get your hands on. Really. If you’ve got one in your garage, or you know someone who has one that’s not being used, just spray some WD-40 on the rusty parts, inflate the tire and make sure there are no leaks, and give it a go. You don’t need anything fancy to start with.
The really nice bikes are optimal, of course, but they are also well over $1,000 (some are well over twice that), and they aren’t necessary to get into the sport and enjoy it. Once you get into it, and are sure you’ll be doing it for the long term, look into a better bike.
The nice road bikes are lighter, with strong frames, thin tires (for less friction), with a whole host of other nice features to make riding fast and easy. However, I use an old mountain bike, and I still love riding.
What’s most important is that the bike fits you. The bike should fit your height (from ground to crotch), as well as the distance from the seat to the handle. I’m not an expert at this — it’s best to go to a good bike shop to get fitted.
Equipment
Cycling, more than many other sports, is equipment-centric. I am of the minimalist school - you don’t need a host of fancy gear to get started. Add those later.
What’s the minimum gear needed? Here’s my list:
- Helmet. Don’t ever ride without one. It can mean the difference between a bad headache and being a vegetable. Make sure it fits well (see this guide for tips on that, along with other equipment needed to get started).
- Water bottle. Get one with a cage that attaches to your bike. Regular bottles don’t fit in this cage, btw. An alternative is a hydration backpack. You really only need hydration tools once you start cycling beyond an hour, but it’s good to have just in case.
- Pump. A portable pump that you attach to the bike is necessary, in case you get a flat or a slow leak. You don’t want to be walking your bike back home. A floor pump is good to have at home, too, for easier pumping, but isn’t absolutely necessary.
- Repair kit. A simple repair kit would include a patch kit, a spare inner tube, 2 tire levers, a multi-tool for bikes, all in a small bag that attaches to the bike.
Other stuff you could get later:
- Gloves. I actually have a pair of these, and you could consider them essential. They absorb shock from the handles (cycling gloves are padded), but more importantly, if you crash, your palms are protected.
- Bike computer. This attaches to the bike (no, they don’t have it in Linux or Mac flavors) and tells you how far you’ve gone, how fast you’re going, your RPMs, and all other kinds of good info. Very useful, but not absolutely necessary. I don’t have one at this point, but it’s on my to-buy list.
- Gel-padded seat. For beginners, riding on a hard cycling seat can be very uncomfortable. This gel padding has saved me a bit of pain. Experienced riders tell me that you get used to it after awhile, and I have, to some degree.
- Glasses. To some, these are a must. I haven’t gotten them yet, but they block bugs and other debris from hitting you in the eyes. Hasn’t been a problem for me yet, but then I don’t go that fast!
- Shoes/pedals. The most efficient way of peddling is if you are using your up-stroke as well, not just your down-stroke (pulling the pedals up and pushing them down). To do this, of course, you either need cage pedals to put your shoes in, or the kind of pedals that lock into your cycling shoes. You’d also need special shoes for that, of course. I plan to get these some time, but haven’t gotten to it yet.
- Lights. These are a must if you ride when it begins to get dark. I don’t do that out of safety concerns.
- Racks. Important if you want to transport anything. There are all kinds of racks and panniers (cycling bags). Awesome for touring or commuting.
There are, of course, a ton of other equipment out there. But you don’t need them in the beginning.
The Clothing
We’ve all seen the tight and bright clothing that the pros wear. I’m sorry to report that I’ve gone minimalist here as well — I just wear my running shorts and shirt and shoes. That’s really all you need to start off.
However, if you begin to get serious about cycling, you should consider some good clothing. Good cycling clothing is thin, so you don’t get too hot, flexible for comfort, with special material that “wicks away” sweat (basically, it doesn’t soak it up and chafe your skin like cotton does). It’s also tight, so the wind doesn’t flap your clothing all around and irritate the hell out of you. And the bright colors serve a purpose as well: they make you visible to those crazy drivers!
Cold weather: I don’t live in cold weather, but many of you do — in that case, thin cycling wear is good, but layer it on. If you get hot, you can always take off a layer.
Safety
Always be safe on the road. Do not be daring, do not insist on the right of way, do not break traffic laws (yes, you have to follow them too), and always be as visible as possible. If you know the common causes of accidents, you can look out for them:
- Opening car doors. This is a common one — someone opens their car door, right into your path, and you don’t have time to swerve. Slam! The only thing to say is to be on the lookout for any doors that are about to open, and don’t ride too close to parked cars.
- Sideswiped. If you right on the outermost edge of the road, as many cyclists do, cars will be tempted to try to pass you in the same lane. As this is a tight fit, this could result in you being hit. It’s safest to take the center of the lane, even if that doesn’t seem as safe, until you can safely move to the shoulder to let cars pass if necessary. You have just as much a right to that lane as the cars do.
- Intersections. If you are making a left turn across an intersection, be very careful. You might think that the oncoming traffic, or the cross traffic from either side, will see you, but you could be wrong. Be very sure you are seen by all drivers. Right turns can also be dangerous if the traffic going into that lane doesn’t see you — or if the driver behind you also making a right turn doesn’t see you, as he is busy looking to his left.
Safety is too large a topic to be covered here. Try this guide or this one for more.
Shifting Gears
This is a topic that might seem simple, but for many true beginners, it can be confusing and a little scary. But with a little practice, it’s actually pretty easy. Here’s what you need to know:
- Three front gears. There are usually three gears in the front — the large, medium and small. There is one shifting mechanism at the handlebars for switching between these gears (marked 1, 2 and 3). The large one is for when the pedaling is the easiest, and can go the fastest. Good for downhills and flats. The small one is for hills, and takes a lot of pedaling to go the same distance as the other two, but is much easier to turn. The middle is between them, and is probably going to be used most often (at least by us beginners).
- Seven back gears. These also go from small to largest, and have a shifting mechanism for switching between them (1-7). I usually pair the small front gear with the largest three back gears (1-3), the medium front gear with the middle back gears (3-5), and the large front gear with the smallest back gears (5-7).
- Basic premise. Basically, you want to pedal using the largest front gear with the smallest back gear that you can handle while still pedaling at a high cadence (pedaling fast). That means that if you can shift to a larger front gear while still pedaling at a high cadence, you should. But if it begins to get too tough for you to pedal at a high cadence, shift down to a smaller front gear (or larger back gear or both). This will take a little practice, but it’s not hard. And as you get better at cycling, you will be able to pedal faster with the harder gears, over time.
There’s more to gears and shifting, though. Read this guide for more.
Braking
Obviously this is a pretty important area. It’s a major safety skill that takes a little practice to learn. A few tips:
- Down hills. The temptation going down hills, to limit your speed and make sure you don’t get out of control, is to brake the whole way down. It’s recommended that you don’t do this, though — the brake pad could burn out. You want to do it in spurts.
- Front brake. Many beginners use both brakes simultaneously to brake. But more experienced cyclists (and I’m not one yet) use the front brake most of the time. If you practice using the front brake, you will lose the fear of flipping over the front wheel.
- Rear brake. This is good for certain situations, especially if it’s slippery or your front tire blows out.
This is a great guide for braking.
Hills
For beginning cyclists, hills can be a big challenge. Experienced cyclists actually have no problems with hills — they know how to shift, to brake, to pace themselves, and they have gotten stronger on hills with practice. There are two areas with hills to be concerned with:
- Uphills. Cycling uphill isn’t that hard if you shift to the right gears. It took me a little while to learn this. What I like to do is build up some speed going into a hill, shifting to a bigger front gear and getting some momentum. This will carry me a little ways up the hill. As the pedaling becomes more difficult, I gradually shift to easier gears until I’m on the smallest front gear and largest back gear. If I’m lucky, I don’t get to that point. It’s also good to learn to pace yourself — don’t pump the pedals too hard early on in a long hill, or you’ll tire out.
- Downhills. Steep downhills can be scary for us beginners because of the speed. I recommend slowing yourself down with intermittent braking. If the downhill isn’t too steep, I recommend shifting to your big front gear and smallest back gear — you can really build up some speed that will carry you when you hit the flat or the next hill.
Flat Tires
They happen to everyone. Know how to fix them, and be sure to have a pump and a spare inner tube. You don’t want to be walking the bike home. It’s really not that hard. See this guide and this one for more.
Commute to Work
One of my goals is to regularly commute to work. While I’ve done it a number of times now, I’m still working on this one. It saves money on gas, helps the environment, and gets your exercise in all at once. Does it get any better?
The main issues for commuting to work mostly revolve around being clean with clean clothes. I give my tips on bike commuting here, but for me, the key has been to bring clothes to work when I drive or carpool to work, and then to shower at work (this is a great option if you’re lucky enough to have it). Also try this guide on bike commuting and this one for a lot more info.
Cycling Forums
If you’re just getting into cycling, a great way to learn more, and to motivate yourself, is to join a cycling forum (off-line cycling groups are great too). Here are a few to get you started:
Cycling Links
There are a ton of sites on cycling out there. Here are just a few to get you started:
Cycling Books
Again, there are a ton of them. Here are a few I recommend:
- The Bicycling Guide to Complete Bicycle Maintenance and Repair
- Bicycling Magazine’s New Cyclist Handbook
- Bicycling Magazine’s Training Techniques for Cyclists
Also see:
- 6 Tips for Commuting to Work by Bike
- Beginner’s Guide to Running
- Top 42 Exercise Hacks
- Top 15 Diet Hacks
- Recipe: Best … soup … ever
- How to Get Back on the Exercise Train
- Trying to eat healthier? Make lifestyle changes, and have a weekly cheat day
- Health tip: Try eating vegetarian sometimes
- Recipe for a Flat Stomach
- Get Healthy and Fit, Part 2 - Exercise Edition
- Posted on 19 May 2007 in Health Tip Day |
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Comments (70)
Peter Says:
May 19th, 2007, 9:34 am
Finally, a subject on which I feel qualified! I’ve been taking part in multi-day cycling events for charity for over ten years. I also write for a webzine that’s all about cycling.
Not only are padded gloves pretty important because you tend to lean forward and put a lot of pressure there, but I strongly suggest padded bike shorts. If you want to wear something else on top of them so you don’t look so “roady” feel free.
If you have any questions, give me a shout at pwfuhrmeister@gmail.com
Peter
Emma Says:
May 19th, 2007, 9:44 am
If you’re going on bike trails which double as running trails, you may want a little bell to alert runners/walkers/slower cyclists that you’re about to pass them, as it can be unnerving to have someone suddenly swish by you without warning. That said, don’t get a bell that’s equally as startling. If you have a loud voice, that works too.
Bike commutes are great–I used to have a ten mile one, along a bike trail, and the best part of all was going on a bridge over the road, and seeing all the cars sitting in rush hour traffic below!
Richie Says:
May 19th, 2007, 10:03 am
I’d definately recommend getting some cycling specific shorts (they don’t have to be skin tight lycra but make sure they have padding!) this does away for the need for a gel saddle and is MUCH more comfortable than any other shorts/saddle combo …
Nicole Says:
May 19th, 2007, 11:04 am
I commute by bicycle every day. Here’s what I bring:
1. HELMET. HELMET. HELMET. HELMET. Walk your bike if you–heavens forbid it–forget one day. Seriously.
2. Lights, which are ON even when the sun is still up.
3. In my rear basket, I have a reflective vest and a handkerchief. My nose gets runny when I cycle!
4. On my right leg, I have a reflective band that keeps my pant leg out of trouble. VERY important if you’re biking with long pants and you don’t want to get them wrinkled by rolling them up.
5. If I’m wearing a skirt and heels, then I’ve got them in my backpack, along with all my other work stuff (including my waterbottle, which is a regular non-bicycle-attachable waterbottle). I wear track pants or shorts and sneakers, depending on the weather.
6. Chain lock. My boyfriend is using my U-lock at the moment.
7. Bell (see Emma’s comment). I rarely use it, because it’s against the law to ride on the sidewalk in New York State and because there aren’t any trails within my hometown itself.
I do NOT carry a pump or a repair kit. Dead weight. I’ve never needed a repair on the road (preventive maintenance!!!). If I was bicycling through an uninhabited area, then maybe I’d want to carry it, but I generally stick to areas where there are people living within a few miles (and, no, it’s not a big deal to walk a few miles if you need to–easier than fixing your bike on the side of the road with traffic flying by your head at 65 mph). Let’s be serious: for the audience of this article, it would be unlikely that any of you would a) be 50 miles from civilization or b) know how to repair your bike anyway.
Trevor Says:
May 19th, 2007, 11:28 am
I make sure I have my drivers’ license or some sort of identification in case anything should happen to me.
And my cell phone.
Nomad Says:
May 19th, 2007, 17:19 pm
Thanks for this wonderful getting started article. Cycling is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in your environment while in motion. Zen indeed. I agree with starting off with an old bike, because we want to focus on riding first rather than bike shopping.
But… I will add that a rusty chain, mis-adjusted gears and crappy brakes take away from the pleasure of riding and can really add to frustration. Go for a ride then call your friend who knows bikes.
WD40 should only be used on the chain, gears and derailers. Keep WD40 away from the rims and tires or you may ruin your brakes. Keep WD40 away from hubs and headset or it may disolve the grease inside. WD40 can be used to get the bike going NOW for a ride today but isn’t good for regular maintence. After you get into cycling you’ll want bike chain oil.
I strongly disagree with the last bit of Nicole’ otherwise good advice. I always bring a pump and patch kit & tire levers… and usually a compact bike tool and spare tube. If you don’t know how to use these tools, a friendly jogger might. I can’t count the number of times I got a slow leak from my tire…. which only took a minute to pump back-up..and I’m back on the bike. It beats the hell out of pushing a bike with a flat tire for 2-5 miles or wandering around looking for help.
Don’t let anything I’ve said hold you back…. Grab a bike. Go for a ride. Your buddies, cycling clubs, and your Local Bike Shop (LBS) are your friends. ENJOY!
James Says:
May 19th, 2007, 18:00 pm
The best way to brake is Rear Brake and then Front brake, so I generally brake 0.5-1s with the front after the rear, this eliminates chance of rear-ending and generally skidding with repetitve use of the rear brake
Dozy Says:
May 19th, 2007, 18:18 pm
“I don’t live in cold weather, but many of you do — in that case, thin cycling wear is good, but layer it on. If you get hot, you can always take off a layer.”
I wish I was so clever as to make money from this.
Vance Dubberly Says:
May 19th, 2007, 18:38 pm
When passing walkers, joggers, and other cyclists alert them to you presence. Always pass on the left. Every state I’ve ridden in “On your left” or “Left” is the common phrase said prior to passing.
Paul McGarry Says:
May 19th, 2007, 18:59 pm
Glasses: If you are riding anywhere there is a car, truck, motorcycle, etc, wear them. It doesn’t matter how fast your are going, or if you are even moving at all. Think about what happens to your windshield in your car when a rock hits it. Unlike eyes, windshields are easy to replace. Just think of the song: “get yourself a pair of cheap sunglasses”
Drew Says:
May 19th, 2007, 19:02 pm
One thing to learn is, if you live in a city with public transport, where on that system you can take your bike.
I live in London and one of the cool things about our Tube is that I can ride out further than I normally would because I know I can hop onto the Underground and most mainline trains and get closer to home. For all you Londoners who may not know, you can take your bike on any section of the subsurface lines (District, Circle, Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan, and (until it becomes part of the Overground in 09) The East London Line. You can also take them on any of the Tube lines (Piccadilly, Bakerloo, Jubilee, Central, and Northern) as long as they are not Underground. ie: The Bakerloo line from Queens Park up to Harrow and Wealdstone but not from Queens Park to Elephant and Castle owing to that section being underground. The Victoria and Waterloo and City lines do not allow any bikes on them since they are entirely underground. You can take your bike on lines all day on the weekends and outside of the peak (6-9AM & 4-7PM) hours on the weekdays. For some reason the DLR doesn’t allow bikes other than the Folding Brompton Bikes.
Happy Cycling!!
PS- If you live in London you should really check out the Tow-Paths along the Regents and Grand Union canals. Very beautiful and easy rides (since they are relatively flat)
Baldhead Says:
May 19th, 2007, 19:05 pm
I’ve been cycling for 30 years without a helmet. Sorry but cycling is not dangerous if you cycle safely and safety comes from inside your skull not around it.
Also be polite! Cyclists who scare pedestrians and shoot red lights all the time give cyclists a bad name.
Mike Says:
May 19th, 2007, 19:11 pm
Do not use WD-40 any place on your bike. It will gum up your chain, gears, etc. Getting bike lubricant is no more expensive than buying WD-40.
Cozy Says:
May 19th, 2007, 19:13 pm
While you certainly don’t need a super expensive bike to get started, safety is really important. An old bike that was cheap and poor quality to begin with is not exactly what I consider safe; there certainly is a correlation between price and quality. A can of WD-40 is not a substitute for properly functioning components, especially if you are going to be biking in traffic, or for that matter, around any other people…as important as it is to protect your head with a helmet, you need to protect yourself by having a biking in proper working order.
Besides the obvious of not being able to brake, if your chain comes off the derailer everytime you try to shift, it’s not going to be very safe for yourself or those around you.
leeqid Says:
May 19th, 2007, 19:24 pm
One “trick” to get around carrying tire fixing equipment and a pump is getting a tube with a car type valve. This way you can simply fill your tire at the next gas station, garage or car dealer.
While on the subject of valves, recently most bikes over here come equipped with French-standard valves. Avoid these, they are just a handful.
I also usually carry my backpack while cycle to avoid unnecessary fixtures on the bike, which tend to be flappy or even fall off.
Also if you live in a bigger city, I suggest to use public transport instead of the bike for safety reasons. Going through rush-hour traffic into downtown is Harrakiri, thus AVOID!
Regarding hitting the trails, I personally made a habit to prefer these over the road where ever possible, simple because they are more idyllic and quiet. Plus you don’t have care about cars. Two words of warning though.
* Do not stray from the fixed paths, you end up pushing the bike in most cases, simply because the terrain is full of stuff you can’t drive over (like fallen trees, huge roots, mud and the likes). You might also have unintentional close encounters with wild animals. (/me had a head-on situation with a deer’s horns once, no funny stuff that ;) )
* While on the topic of mammals, also avoid the trails during evening and daybreak, because this is usually the time hunting activities are in progress.
Robert Says:
May 19th, 2007, 19:34 pm
@Kyle:
So, what constitutes “expert”? Lance Armstrong? Maybe myself? I have been riding bikes since I was a kid, but I am far from an expert. The writer may be a beginner but ,for the most part, the advice is sound. Lack of experience doesn’t make the writer any less helpful if the advice is safe, good, and well thought out.
If you have a legitimate grip in the article then point it out and correct it in a helpful way, don’t just berate the guy because of his “inexperience”.
tharold Says:
May 19th, 2007, 19:46 pm
Helmet wearing is a largely American fixation. Most of the world does not bother. You (and others) place far too much emphasis on a piece of foam. A motorcycle helmet, a football helmet even, now THOSE are helmets. The slab of foam cyclists strap on their heads are an expensive joke.
Yes I ride, 15 mile commute.
Nick Says:
May 19th, 2007, 19:48 pm
I’ve been cycling for more than 10 years without a helmet. But lately I started wearing one. But when I saw some videos on bicycle drifting at http://www.talentshakes.com, I get really scared.
1 Lucky Texan Says:
May 19th, 2007, 19:59 pm
no mention of recumbents. Major oversight.
Mike Says:
May 19th, 2007, 20:20 pm
Another thing that is important to mention is the kind of brake and their stopping effectiveness. Disc brakes offer the most stopping power and are very useful while mountain biking. While V-brakes are just as good as disc for road riding, and in my opinion you should buy a bike with one of these 2 brake systems. There are many other kinds of brakes, but those are the 2 main ones that you should encounter when looking at a beginner bike.
A good book to have on hand, especially if you plan on doing some of your own maintenance is “Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance”.
Leo Says:
May 19th, 2007, 20:29 pm
Thanks for all the great info and advice, guys. As I said in the article, I’m still learning all this stuff myself, so I appreciate your help in making the guide even better. I basically just wanted to share what I’ve been learning with others, and especially links to guides on each topic from more experienced people. Thanks again everyone!
p.s. there were some really nasty comments that I’ve removed, here and on another thread. I am not about censorship, and can take criticism, but when people start criticizing my kids, I think the level of conversation drops below the standards of this site. I hope you understand. I would like to keep the discussion on this thread positive and helpful for all new cyclists.
Tai Says:
May 19th, 2007, 20:36 pm
Just because you’ve ridden for a gazillion years without an accident or live in a part of the world where helmets are rare doesn’t mean helmets are a bad idea. Assuming your personal experience with helmets is the norm, or any personal experience is the norm, is pretty silly. Also, cultural behaviour shouldn’t prevent you from taking care of yourself. There are many countries where driving without wearing a safety belt is normal. Think that’s smart, though?
There are readily available statistics on bicycle accidents that show that had helmets had been worn, a high percentage of those accidents would have been less severe or non-fatal.
If you are afraid of looking “dorky” or are afraid of standing out from the crowd in your country, by all means don’t wear a helmet. But suggesting others do the same, especially cycling newbies, is extremely irresponsible.
Sam Says:
May 19th, 2007, 21:03 pm
Finally, a blog i know about myself. No offence to this guy but he really doesnt have much of a clue about bikes, because for one, you shouldnt have to use WD40 on your bike if it is well kept. Real cyclists dont use gel seats and wouldnt even go near then ever…bikes under $1000 are pretty bad and shouldnt be touched….finally i think who ever posted this blog should learn his stuff a bit more but good try.
Nicole Says:
May 19th, 2007, 21:03 pm
Strongly agreed with Tai above^. I wish I lived in a country where the traffic speeds were slow and there was more than the occasional bicyclist in the road. But, for better or for worse, I live in America, and we do not have a bicycling culture here like in other parts of the world. I have been yelled at, propositioned, and nearly run over more times than I can count. I have two friends who have been in bicycle accidents–not their fault, and the courts agreed–and their helmets saved their lives.
With regards to Nomad disagreeing and always carrying a pump and repair kit: if that works for you, then that’s great. Personally, I prefer preventive maintenance (i.e. checking over my bicycle quickly every time I ride, and more thoroughly on the weekend) to address things like slow leaks. Because I tend to catch the small problems before they become big problems, I’ve never had a problem on the road. If I did have a problem on the road, I imagine that it would be a significant enough problem that a mobile repair kit wouldn’t fix it.
Rob Says:
May 19th, 2007, 21:25 pm
If you’re truly worried about head injuries the fact is you’re more likely to get a serious head injury in a car - do you wear a helmet whenever you ride in a car? Children get more serious head injuries falling off playground equipment than bicycles- should kids wear helmets in the playground? Head injuries are tragic wherever they happen but this fear mongering about head injuries on bicycles has simply been blown way out of proportion. Wear a helmet if you want, but to suggest it’s irresponsible to talk about not wearing one, comes from someone who is poorly informed.
country mouse Says:
May 19th, 2007, 22:20 pm
one very important health-related issue you didn’t mention is genital numbness. This is a result of nerve and/or artery/vein compression. This affects men and women resulting in permanent impotence, numbness, or incontinence.
If you find you have genital numbness after a bike ride, *STOP*. Do not ride that bike anymore. The most likely culprit is the bicycle seat itself. I did a lot of damage to myself which took years to heal because I listened to people selling me a special pad or a different bicycle seat to fix the problem. Fixing this problem means permanently stopping bike riding or switching to a recumbent bicycle with a flat seat.
In summary,
Your genitals should never go numb from bicycle riding.
The only predictable fix is to not ride an upright bicycle.
If you’re going to ride, ride recumbent with a flat seat.
There are enough things in this world to make your life miserable, you don’t need to add something so avoidable as this one.
Nicole Says:
May 19th, 2007, 22:22 pm
Rob, I have a feeling your comment was intended to raise ire, but I’d like to respond anyway. Any argument taken to the extreme will always become illogical. For example, if you take the argument that “some drugs are bad for you, and therefore their possession and use should be illegal” and turn it into “anything that’s bad for you should be banned,” well, you can see how the argument falls apart.
With regards to helmet use in cars–of course it’s not necessary–that’s what airbags, seatbelts, and other safety features are for! But in all seriousness, this is about the logical mitigation of risk. If you’re traveling 60 mph in a car, a car pulls in front of you, you jerk the wheel to avoid the car, and you slam into a tree, would a helmet help you? No. Now, if you’re traveling 20 mph on a bicycle, a car pulls in front of you, you try to avoid it and go over your handlebars, hitting your head on the pavement, would a helmet help you? Probably, yes.
I hope this explains why your argument doesn’t quite work. Of course, if you don’t want to wear a helmet, don’t. That’s your business.
P.S. I am a transportation planner with a focus on bicycle and pedestrian planning–hardly poorly informed :-)
Alex Flint Says:
May 19th, 2007, 22:23 pm
I’d like to add that a good way to avoid running into an opening car door is to check whether there’s anyone in cars that you are about to pass. If you see the silhouette of a head in the driver’s seat then give the car a wide berth as you pass.
Josh Says:
May 19th, 2007, 22:25 pm
WOW!! i actually just bought a bike 9 so recently that it hasn’t arrived form internet shipping yet) and i plan on doing the same exact thing. i have a shower at my work!! with gas costing 3:20 a gallon here in Columbia, mo, it is stupid NOT to buy a bike.
Fantastic article, as always. keep it up.
John Says:
May 19th, 2007, 23:00 pm
I like the post, but I really don’t think you should ever use wd-40 for any bike maintenance. You can tell a bike when it comes into the shop that has had wd-40 used on it. Wd-40 is a dirt magnet. Instead get some gt-85 or other cheap bike grease for basic maintenance and some decent chain lubricant for the chain.
joedonh Says:
May 19th, 2007, 23:03 pm
I’d like to add another book to the list for bicycle maintenance as well:
http://www.speckpress.com/books/bicycle.html
I don’t know if it’s available at that site, but I’m sure it’s out there for purchase on the intarwebs somewhere if not. It was written by an old friend of mine that I haven’t seen in years, but he was a bicycling enthusiast to the nth degree. It covers not only the solid basics of bicycle repair and maintenance, but also intersperses it with insight and reflection on making biking a lifestyle. It’s very much about the Zen of biking, and becoming one with your bike, so I thought it was appropriate for this site and this article.
Tony Yarusso Says:
May 20th, 2007, 0:18 am
Some good general points, which is fabulous, but as others have pointed out there are a few things which need tweaking. Most importantly, just get out and ride, but note a few things:
1. WD-40 should never go on any part of a bicycle. Use bicycle-specific chain lube and bearing grease.
2. My personal opinion - ditch the patch kit. Patches are meant to be a temporary fix only, and too many people just leave a patched tube in until it gives them more trouble. They also often take more time to do than just putting a new tube in. I just carry a tube, tire levers, and a pump for that.
3. With regards to saddles, more padding isn’t necessarily better. You want some padding under your sit bones, but not under the genital area. Any amount of saddle in the middle will pinch arteries, cutting off blood flow and causing permanent cell damage. Simply adding one of those soft covers to a hard seat merely gives more gel that when pressure is put on the outside will squish towards the middle, making you feel better at first, but causing worse damage in the long run. Rather than focusing on the level of padding, make sure you have a saddle that is the right width for your sit bones (not necessarily wider for bigger people, etc.), and has a cutout in the center. I strongly recommend “Body Geometry” saddles by Specialized of California.
4. Keep your equipment new and maintained. Applying a chain lube weekly, replacing your tires, tubes, and brake pads often, and having your bike professionally adjusted and checked for safety regularly will make a huge difference in your riding experience.
5. The pant leg straps mentioned above are a great help. Also, you may want to tuck your shoelace ends under the laced part, to keep them from getting caught, if not using cycling shoes.
6. While saying “on your left” and passing that way is the proper thing to do on a bike path, also be prepared for pedestrians who don’t understand. A lot of them will just hear left, and think you mean they should go there, forcing you to pass on the right. Be aware and flexible.
7. Sideswiping is scary. If you have a shoulder or bike lane, use it, but if you have to ride in traffic, take your lane. The drivers will have to learn to deal with it.
8. It’s been said, but can’t be said enough - wear a helmet! I don’t care if “nobody else does”, or you don’t think it’s “cool”, or you’ve “never had an accident before”. Even the most experienced riders have crashes, sometimes due to personal error, sometimes because of drivers, other cyclists, unavoidable road hazards, bike failure, etc. You can kid yourself all you want, but riding bareheaded is just plain stupid. Period.
9. If you’re riding on pavement, but aren’t a “roadie” totally comfortable with the dropped handlebar position, consider a hybrid bike - a lot of people aren’t aware of what’s out there for the commuting and fitness market.
10. Avoid filling up your tires at gas station pumps. Most of the blowouts that happen are because someone used one of these to save some time and effort, and did not get the proper pressure in their tire. Even if you stop when the gauge reads correctly, by the time you react it will be overfilled. Just use a hand frame pump. (Consequently, it won’t matter what type of valve you have.)
(I’m a bicycle mechanic for Erik’s Bike Shop in Minnesota.)
Rylinkus Says:
May 20th, 2007, 0:31 am
Gears….?
Gears are for wimps. Get a single speed bike ;)
As for greasing chains and such, I’ve always thought Pedro’s makes a good line of products.
Rylinkus Says:
May 20th, 2007, 0:40 am
@ Rob…..
Sorry to Double post, but the helmet thing may be trite, but it does save heads… mine for one….. I hit a damn horse……
2 Years ago, biking with my old man on some trails in a national park. They also allow walking and *gasp* horses. And they have all these “horse only” trails. But the lady riding the incredibly skittish horse, she’s riding the trails that bikers are on as well. So we see the horse earlier and it reacts to us, but we get by with no issues. Second time by it, no such luck. My dad whizzes by it and the horse gets startled and spins 90 degrees to the trail we’re on. It’s now blocking most of the trail. But the trail is wide and it looked like there was plenty of room behind it to clear it. Horse lesson of the day: Horses go backwards faster than expected. I think it caught my back tire. I just know the whole bike got launched. My helmet hit a rock, my knee gravel, and my collarbone/neck the handlebars. Lady says “sorry” and rides on as I lie on the ground, feet still locked in my pedals…… GRRRR….
Best part of it. 5 Minutes later I am back on my bike and finish up the mountain we’re spiraling up. My dad looks at me and says, “Jesus, can’t keep up with a 50 year old man?” Perfect.
It’s funny as all hell to me. But that helmet had some decent visible damage, and I’m VERY happy it wasn’t my head instead.
Ben Says:
May 20th, 2007, 0:45 am
One thing I’d recommend is to carry some sort of ID . I usually either carry my wallet or I have my name and phone number written inside my helmet.
The other thing I didn’t see mentioned was the use of hand signals to indicate your turning direction. This is especially helpful for left turns - Simply point with your left hand, outstretched, in the direction you intend to go thereby indicating to other drivers your plan of action. For right handed turns, when necessary, I just point right using my right arm. Simple, yet effective. It might, however, be difficult for new cyclists who aren’t comfortable riding with one hand.
Wolf Says:
May 20th, 2007, 1:03 am
So….are the people like Tharold who advocate riding without a “piece of foam” helmet living under a rock or something?
A Giro biking helmet saved someone after their head was run over by a delivery truck.
http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=456&sid=1140491
I feel sorry for “the rest of the world” as Tharold put it.
Michael Johnston Says:
May 20th, 2007, 1:24 am
re: “the best way to brake is Rear Brake and then Front brake, so I generally brake 0.5-1s with t…”
No. There is no advantage at all to rear braking unless you are on cobblestones or very slippery surfaces. Even then, if you’re stopping to avoid hitting something, you’re probably better off taking the risk of a skid or locked wheel in exchange for stopping almost twice as fast.
I do use my rear brakes, but only for speed control, not for stopping. And the only reason I use them for speed control is to not have to replace my front brake pads as often.
Rob Says:
May 20th, 2007, 1:41 am
Rylinkus,
I’m glad you were wearing a helmet! I am more commenting on the irony that people who are adamant that everyone should wear a bike helmet couldn’t care less about wearing one in a car, even though figures clearly show you are about ten times more likely to get a head injury in a car, despite the “airbags, seatbelts and other safety features”.
Riding a bike, despite what anyone may claim, is comparatively safe. I personally know no one who has had a head injury from a bike accident but know two from car accidents, so I guess it all comes down to personal experience.
Alas, I think irony is lost on many of the more militant helmet wearers.
Mark Says:
May 20th, 2007, 3:13 am
Helmets - what a debate! They give good protection from minor scalp and side injuries if you fall off at low speed and fail to prevent your head hitting the ground. They are very little use in vehicle impacts - the energies are far in excess of where a polystyrene shell can help.
They can be dangerous for two reasons: 1) the wearer thinks, because of the magical powers suggested by the press, that they are invincible when riding with a helmet (ref. the UK case where a woman died from having her torso run over by a lorry, and the police made particular mention of the fact that she wasn’t wearing a helmet!); and 2) rotational stress to the neck and spinal column on impact.
Check out http://www.cyclehelmets.org/ if you think there is good data that they reduce death and serious injury. You’d better invest in a walking helmet too, as the data does show that walking a given distance is more dangerous than cycling!
My kids wear them because they might fall off at low speed and bang their head. I don’t, because if I fall off at low speed, I’ll stop my head hitting the ground. If I get hit by a car, I’ll take my chances without one.
Oh, and Wolf (a few comments up) - that Giro did nothing in that impact except prevent scratches. The polystyrene collapsed completely, and had no structural benefit. It was the strong calcium carbonate container that protected the rider’s brain from being squashed by the truck.
Papa44 Says:
May 20th, 2007, 3:27 am
Hey, that was a fairly good article. some of the comments are a bit daft though. I think the more people there are on bikes the better, and a lot of stuff people are saying kind of over complicates how simple a mode of transport this is. seriously, forget all the nerdy tips, i agree with getting a pump and a puncture repair kit, and using lube instead of WD40, but other than that you don’t need to worry as you are starting out. The main thing is get on a bike and pedal. like owning your first car, you will figure out what you like and don’t like as you get better and can change equipment accordingly.
I’m a cycle messenger in london and have been for about 12 years, so let me just say LOOK OUT FOR LEFT (RIGHT IN AMERICA) TURNING LORRIES. they kill. often. 4 people i know of so far this year in london, one of them a friend.
Adam Snider Says:
May 20th, 2007, 4:18 am
Good tips here, both in the main post and in the comments. I’m just starting to get back into cycling, so it’s been helpful to read this, as well as some of the other sources you linked to, Leo.
Chris Says:
May 20th, 2007, 5:48 am
@ Michael Johnson…
In my personal experience, the first (and last!) time I tried only using my front brakes to stop, I ended up being sent over the handlebars and into the road, so I think I’ll stick to always putting on the rear brake slightly before the front!
Sandy Says:
May 20th, 2007, 6:41 am
It’s refreshing to see someone who admits to having limited knowledge. That gives a basis for reading with perspective.
Unfortunately, you wrote more words, after having disclosed your general level of ignorance, and demonstrated it in just about everything that followed. For shame !!!
I do hope you keep riding, though. Ask others about things you don’t know, and then you can feel comfortable that you have gained knowledge. But stop writing about the bicycle, please. Your advice may actually act to keep people from enjoying this pastime.
With best regards -
Robse Says:
May 20th, 2007, 7:57 am
Bikewear (padded shorts, jersey) is a must. In the summer it’s a
bad idea to be wearing a T-Shirt to go biking, it’s totally wet after
15 minutes. Then if you go downhill, you’ll actually be freezing!
I’m a mountainbiker and can recommend reinforced tires (they have an inner lining made of strong plastic) and I havn’t had a flat tire in
over three years. Also only have to pump them up every couple of
months. Another must, because of the crazy automobiles, is a bike
helmet. For longer tours (4-6 hours), be sure to have a padded
saddle, and gel padded gloves!
Joe Blow Says:
May 20th, 2007, 8:56 am
I’m glad to see you’ve started cycling. It’s a great sport and one of my favorite ways to get exercise.
I wanted to share some thoughts on the article from a guy who’s done a lot of cycling…. Just a few points that I think are worth adding in:
- Helmets… Get one… use it always! It has quite literally saved my life on more than one occasion.
- Cycling computers are great…. They can help a lot, but just be careful to not let your ride become “all about the computer.” Maybe it’s just how I’m wired, but I found myself riding the computer and getting disappointed or frustrated when I didn’t reach certain goals and expectations during a ride.
- If/when you decide to get the pedals that require special shoes… Find a safe place with little to no traffic to practice using them. Practice starting and stopping with them. In the first few months when I had mine, I fell over several times trying to get out. With most of them you twist your foot to the side to pop out which isn’t your natural reaction to trying to get your foot off the pedal.
- Uphill climbing tips - Get a rhythm (even if your standing) for both your breathing and your pedaling. Try not to look at the top of the hill.. it’ll only break your mental concentration. I like to look at the road about about 12-18 feet in front of me (enough to be safe)… This let’s me concentrate on my rhythm but have enough situational awareness to be able to react.
- Find weekend rides and bike clubs. Go to local bike shop and ask if there’s a regular weekend ride. It’s a great way to meet other cyclist (of all ages, levels and speeds), and to learn more about the sport.
robert Says:
May 20th, 2007, 10:26 am
people really like the padding on bike shorts, but the most important part on bike shorts is that they are almost frictionless and do not have seams at the contact points. So wear them with out underwear (they are underwear.) If riding for over an hour you will notice a huge difference and have no irritation.
Also, have fun and observe. everyone i take cycling always notice things they have not noticed before in a city they have lived there whole life in because they are not zooming by it in a car!
Rob Says:
May 20th, 2007, 11:41 am
Great article. As other’s mentioned, padded bike shorts are an absolute must. In recent years i’ve replaced my padded bike seat with a ergonomic, gender specific one, and it helps immensely. For starting out, i’d definately ride a mountain bike on the streets (this is my commuter bike). Definately stay in the MIDDLE of the lane, otherwise idiotic cars will try to pass you unsafely. Helmet is absolute must; a month ago during a club ride there was a bike on bike collision; one biker who went down hit the pavement so hard she had a concusion, and that was with wearing a helmet. Without it, there would be significant head injury. (Concusion means there is no visible trauma via medical scanning such as PET or MRI). However, on another club ride, there was a fatal collision between a SUV and a biker at probably 40 mph. He hit head first, the helmet didn’t help at that speed. Dead on impact; it was very shocking. ANyway, biking is great fun, but be safe. The incidence of accidents is very low but dramatically increases if you are doing bike races. If you are biking via commuting, the odds that you will have an accident are probably the same as if you were commuting by car.
Bryan Hughes Says:
May 20th, 2007, 12:30 pm
Make sure to piss off anyone in a car and hold up traffic as much as you can, since you have as much right to the lane as cars do.
Kyle Pott Says:
May 20th, 2007, 19:29 pm
I will never ride without a helmet again…on a casual ride to the gym one afternoon I debated not wearing a helmet. After all, I was planning on riding really slow. I chose on a whim to wear the helmet. On the way home I lost control, fell off my bike, and hit my head (in the helmet) on the curb. The helmet was destroyed and my life was saved. I walked away from the accident with cuts, bruises, a cracked helmet, and a scratched up bike. Without the helmet I would not have walked away. The “crappy piece of foam” saved my life and it will save yours. Yes, even experienced cyclists fall off!
Peter Says:
May 20th, 2007, 21:37 pm
For what’s worth, I’ve seen people die solely because they didn’t have a helmet on. That said, it’s your choice. I choose to wear one, and I won’t let my kids ride without one. A further word on helmets - if you don’t wear it right, don’t bother wearing one. It should sit down to cover your forehead, and when you open your mouth wide, the strap should pull the helmet down tight onto your head.
As far as WD-40 and all the other comments about lubes and dirt magnets, the problem is less WHAT lube you are using, and more about HOW MUCH. Please read this article:
http://www.pedalpushersonline.com/?CID=973
Best,
Peter
country mouse Says:
May 20th, 2007, 22:29 pm
Author: Bryan Hughes
Comment:
Make sure to piss off anyone in a car and hold up traffic as much as you can, since you have as much right to the lane as cars do.
if you travel less than the speed limit while occupying a lane, you are at risk of being arrested and fined by the police or more likely, getting run off the road by those as rude as you.
holding the lane means not impeding traffic flow while making other vehicles aware of your presence. it is not about being a macho asshole. it is about riding safely and working with other vehicles to get to your destination safely. if you can’t keep up with traffic, you must yield to faster vehicles.
Never forget all riders 2 wheel and 4 are legally bound to motor vehicle laws and regulations, no exception. From what I’ve seen of cyclists regard of traffic laws and safety, I think they could stand to take the motorcycle rider safety courses and learn how to ride safely on 2 wheels. if this source can drop accident rates for bikers, I’m sure the equivalent can do the same for cyclists.
robert Says:
May 20th, 2007, 23:59 pm
as “country mouse” states…… true
bikes have 3 feet from the curb if there is not a bike lane; and 1 foot from grated storm sewers in areas of a city where they have not been replaced.
As smart as you may be, others may not be!
have fun
Vincent Says:
May 21st, 2007, 4:08 am
Great post, Leo. Although, as other riders have pointed out, you may want to change the WD-40 comment. While it’s fine to use on various parts of the bike (handlebar stem, saddle post, etc) to keep them from sticking or rusting, it can break down the grease inside the cassette and cause premature wear. The cogs on the cassette should last as long as the chain does, so it’s worth it to invest in some good lube.
I’m a cyclingforums member, and they’re great! They, along with my local bike shop, helped me get started.
There’s a comment up there about not buying a bike for under $1000. This may be true for some, but it’s certainly not always true. I actually bought a bike from a member of cyclingforums.com. It’s an old bike, yes, but it’s a nice road bike. Had very few problems when I got it in the mail, and I spent $250 on it. The cheapest road bike at my LBS was $700, so you get the idea of the kind of money I saved—the money I had left over went into getting the bike tuned up and it bought me some nice equipment as well. Now I can keep up with the best of ‘em.
One of the most important tips I can offer the beginning cyclist: get to know your local bike shop. The people in it usually are avid cyclists themselves and are willing and able to help you with any questions you may have, from which bike is right for you to how to repair it to which equipment to buy. At mine, they even host some free classes as far as maintenance and beginning riding. It’s usually a great way to learn about local group rides, as well.
Second most important, and probably intertwined with the first: learn your local traffic laws for bicyclists!! Ignorance on the road (especially in America, which has a deeply and stubbornly ingrained car culture) can lead to some serious accidents. Learn to assert yourself on the road, but don’t be an ass about it; you’re the one on the bike, they’re the one in the car, so in the event of a collision, guess who wins. Don’t be an idiot when you’re riding. I’ve had to deal with hecklers—I’ve even had things thrown at me from inside cars—but if you’re smart and safe while you’re on the road, and if you stay calm, you’ll be fine.
Finally, as another poster mentioned, just get out there and ride! The more bicycle-aware people are, the fewer jerks you’ll have to deal with, and the more pleasant everybody’s ride will be. It’s great exercise and great fun, so just hop on the bike and go!
Baldhead Says:
May 21st, 2007, 6:30 am
Maybe we should wear neck-braces too because those neck injuries can be pretty bad.
I’ve got to chip-in on the subject of seats. Old-fashioned hard saddles (e.g. Brooks) are the best. Think about what happens when you sit on a gel seat…the gel compresses until your bum touches the hard surface beneath while the gel rises-up between your bumcheeks and presses into the sensitive genital area. That way you get an uncomfortable ride in more ways than one — thanks gel seat!
Just get an old-fashioned saddle and mount it correctly (horizontal, aligned with the pelvic bones of the bum, you’ll work it out).
Don’t worry about all these fearmongers running around screaming you’re going to crush your bonce as soon as you sit on a bike! You’ll be fine! Just keep your wits about you and soak up the information, enter the zen-like world of traffic flow anticipation and leave your worries behind!
You run far more risk of dying or becoming a vegetable by staying on the couch than by not wearing a helmet.
tamgo Says:
May 21st, 2007, 7:28 am
I was actually thinking of getting into cycling yesterday. Thanks for the post. It’s a really good way to start.
Marco Slot Says:
May 21st, 2007, 17:42 pm
Apparently cycling is highly culture dependent. From a Dutch point of view:
“The Bike” There’s one golden rule: Rustier is better. The rustier your bike, the less likely it will get stolen. If you’re in need of a bike just pick one up at your local train station. Otherwise you can buy them from friendly looking dealers on the corner of the street for 10-20 euros. You visit a bike shop only if you’re interested in making a long term investment. Remember your bike won’t be useful until it starts rusting.
“Start slow”
No need. You’ve already started when you were 3 years old.
“Be safe”
More importantly: Don’t look ridiculous. You will not find anyone wearing safety gear in the Netherlands other than 3 year olds with overcareful parents.
“Helmet”
Helmets will make you look like an idiot.
“Water bottle” “Pump” “Repair Kit”
Attributes will get stolen, if not the whole bike.
“Gloves”
Ok, maybe when it’s very cold.
“Bike computer”
No one cares how fast you can go or how far you’ve gone. If you’d even mention it in a conversation you’d be stuck for 5 hours listening to old people telling you how many times they’ve circumvented the globe.
“Gel-padded seat”
Anything you can sit on will do.
“Glasses”
For eye-sight: yes. For protection: hell no.
“Shoes/pedals”
Errr… is that even an issue? Just wear whatever shoes you are wearing at the time and pedal.
“Lights”
The only good reason to have your lights on/working is because there are cops checking on it. Under normal circumstances your lights should be broken.
“Racks”
Just remember that cycling bags are exclusively for paper boys and women.
“The Clothing”
Cycling can be done in any outfit. From business suit to clown costume.
“Safety”
If you cycle from 3 years on. You’ll know what to do.
“Three front gears” “Seven back gears” “Basic premise”
Don’t bother. Your gears are probably broken as well. Just try to use the middle one.
“Braking”
Only when strictly necesarry. Remember your brakes may not work, use your foot in that case.
“Hills”
There is no hill.
“Flat Tires”
Yikes, didn’t bring a repair kit. Oh well, there’s a bike shop around the corner where you can get one.
Apollo Lee Says:
May 21st, 2007, 19:07 pm
A couple of resources to add to your list. The late Ken Kifer created one of the finest set of articles for bicyclists of all levels, including a large section on safety in traffic.
Also:
Ride Better (League of American Bicyclists)Sheldon Brown’s bicycling articles.Biking Resources (San Francisco Bicycle Coalition)
I’m in the “wear a helmet” camp. Bicycle helmets have saved my life on numerous occasions, most recently in 2005 when I was hit by a car in Menlo Park, California, and landed on my head. That Giro Eclipse took the brunt of the force and made my injuries far less severe.
Christian Tietze Says:
May 22nd, 2007, 8:14 am
I don’t know about your country (except reports from friends who visited big cities — but these hopefully aren’t representative!), but a lot of us here in west Germany, where the cities aren’t always THAT big, go to various places by bike. Wherever you go, you’ll see bikes. When something cool is happening in town, the streets are crowded with parked bikes.
I myself love to ride bike because it’s faster than walking and still fun, even with companions. I recommend the so-called trekking bikes. If you can grab a rather cheap one at eBay — go for it! When mine was stolen (expensive birthday present :( ) I bought a new one there.
It has hydraulic rim brakes due to the tighter grip and a hub dynamo. According to wikipedia, hydraulic rim brakes aren’t very popular, so if you see inexpensive disk brakes grab a pair of them. But be careful when pulling them, they stop your bike immediately :)
Why I recommend trekking bikes? You can easily change the handlebars according to your route. When going for a picknick you should considersitting upright, when driving fast the usual straight handlebars will do. Their tires aren’t really small, but it’s working well for a decent amount of MPH and for calm trips as well.
Don’t buy cheap brakes or a cheap gearing system — at least not without a professional check up before your first tour. It could easily be the last one for some time if you don’t take care.
