Eleven Cycling Tips From FitOldDog

Hi folks,

If your bike fits you it makes all the difference, like a good pair of shoes.

Just came off of a great ride with a friend, who pushes ALL the time, even though he says he doesn’t! This turns out to be very good for me, as it is so easy to become lazy, which surely will not get me to Kona. Whilst we were riding, Rory mentioned that he had learned a useful trick from me (which I learned from Victor, my bike guy). This was a simple issue of rear wheel removal and replacement when you get a flat. Then I decided that I would make today’s post about cycling tips, and here are eleven of them – I chose eleven because I like prime numbers, and I have placed the source of the information in brackets. You may wonder why I think that I am qualified to dispense advice. My justification, based on personal experience, is that the best athletes (or musicians, mathematicians, linguists, or whatever) are generally not the best teachers – they just don’t understand your problem.

1. When you remove your rear wheel to fix a flat remember which ring (gear) the chain is in then place the chain on that ring when you replace the wheel on the bike (Victor of Bicycle Lab).
2. When riding with one or more people and you are being dropped off of the back, don’t be tempted to change down because your legs are burning, change up and suck it up and you’ll be back in business in no time (Chris Haute, my coach).
3. When climbing long hills and your legs feel that they are going to die, don’t believe your legs and ask them to kindly keep quiet and just get on with it, as they’ll know how much wattage they can put out, believe you me (experience).
4. If your bike starts to wobble at high speed during hill descents, shift your weight onto the pedals and the bike will settle down (Victor of Bicycle Lab), and when you get home consider buying a new bike!
5. For piece of mind use puncture resistant tires, especially for long distances (Victor of Bicycle Lab).
6. Always use a mirror, even in races (experience).
7. Carry a light, water and wind-resistant jacket if you are training or racing in areas where the weather may change unexpectedly (experience).
8. For long rides carry money, phone, lights and ID, just in case it takes longer than you expect (experience) or you’re unconscious when found (imagination).
9. Don’t waste momentum as you approach hills (Chris Haute, which he emphasized by kicking my ass in California on the Coast Ride).
10. If an ‘asshole in a truck’ (sorry, I mean person of limited empathy for cyclists) comes dangerously close DON’T GIVE HIM THE FINGER, as such an action is extremely dangerous. Take the plate number if you can and make a police report. (Deb, my partner, but I don’t always follow her advice)
11. And MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, GET A BIKE THAT FITS (Victor of Bicycle lab and experience).

-k @FitOldDog