How to Cycle Properly?

[aces_up1504]

It seems a daft question but i can not find a good answer anywhere.

I guess a lot of people come in to cycling as a way to get fit and hopefully improve there lifestyle. Yes we know how to ride a bike and we know what gears do.

But how many newbies know how to cycle properly? How to use gears properly?

If i wanted to get fit, how do i go about it?

I remember trying to go running ( bored the living day lights out of me). After 5 mins i was shagged, bent over double with stitch. Went out to fast and hard for fitness.

Downloaded an app, controlled my pace and run off 5k without a problem alough prettty slow.

Does the same apply to cycling? Found something called candence, is this what its all about and how to gears fit into this

So how do i set about cycling properly?

 

[Globalti]

Get out there and cycle then come back and ask questions on here.

 

[Devonshiredave]

Welcome to the forum. I learnt a lot by doing just as Globalti suggests. My old MTB always seemed cramped and too small until I put the saddle up. And up, and finally up a bit more. All of a sudden, the bike felt so much better. More control, more power it all clicked. And then I got a roadie and I'm having to learn it all over again. Fantastic fun.
Make sure the bike fits. Get it comfy, plan an easier ride and get out there. Can't beat it. Don't worry about daft questions, the community on here are great. Very knowledgeable and good fun, enjoy!

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

get out on your own, with your local club, forum ride, sky ride and enjoy it. You learn as part of your journey in cycling

 

[ManiaMuse]

Does the same apply to cycling? Found something called candence, is this what its all about and how to gears fit into this
So how do i set about cycling properly?

Best thing to do is try cycling at the same speed in different gears and see what you prefer. No need to get too obsessive about being at a specific cadence.

If you have dodgy knees you might want to try using a lower (spinnier) gear. On the other hand some people prefer to push a higher gear at fewer rpm.

 

[Monsieur]

Is this a serious question?
Isn't it just a case of getting on the bike and riding it?
Maybe its just the way I did it when I learnt to ride when I was 4?

 

[ianrauk]

Get bike.
Get on bike.
Ride bike.
Learn.

In the meantime, for road sense pick up a copy of the book CycleCraft.

 

[deanE]

get a copy of “Cyclecraft”.

 

[Widge]

I reckon the thing about cycling is to trust your intuition somewhat. Some people maintain that almost everyone 'can' ride a bike....so, presume you are one of them. You don't have to start out hard. The bicycle is one of the most efficient mechanisms devised by man and will respond whether you push, trundle, grind or fly. Don't get too hung up on performance/training/fitness goals and regimes........the trick is to get out and do enough to enjoy it. The enjoyment is the goal not to lose sight of. There is plenty of time after that to worry about cadence, average speeds, Strava, heart-rate monitors, special socks and nostril expanders!

I am a rubbish cyclist....but I enjoy it. Motivation is a hard mistress so look after her?

 

[aces_up1504]

Is this a serious question?s
Isn't it just a case of getting on the bike and riding it?
Maybe its just the way I did it when I learnt to ride when I was 4?

Of course it is!!

Take the anology to car.

I could 40mph in either 1st, 2nd,3rd or 4th gear.

In 1st i would be sending the revs through the roof, but the gear would it mean the "resistance" would be low.
In 4th i would struggle badly from a standing start to 40mph, the revs would be very low but the engine would be working hard

So obviously 2nd or 3rd gear is correct with balence of engine working and revs.

or i can keep the revs constant and in different gears i would be going different speeds.

Take that to a cyclist, I could have a very high gear and pedal like mad or a very low gear and pedal slowly to get achieve the same speed.

So in a bid to improve fitness and of course speed and endurance, what is the best way to improve? Do i am for a constant Candence and then improve which gear i use as i get fitter?

hopefully that explains what i am asking better

 

[Eribiste]

The cadence thing refers to how fast you are making the pedals and cranks rotate, roughly analagous to engine speed. Many experienced cyclists aim for around 90 crank revs per minute, and just as in a car, they are changing gear ratios to attempt to maintain that cadence. Just as in a car, cyclists use low gears on the climbs, not just for cadence but more importantly to make a 'necessary evil' more bearable! On the downhill bits we can pick the higher gears to prevent pedalling like a madman. I think you'll find as you gain experience that you will select the gear that makes you comfortable, with no need to think "I'm doing 13 mph so I should be in 5th" or whatever.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

You are quite right to wonder about cadence...because many people who ride bicycles don't.....
Cadence is about being efficient and using your body like a machine. Too many cyclists choose too high a gear which puts extra stress on their knee joints and on the cycle components. To start with aim for about 60 to 80 pedal revolutions a minute and choose the best gear to achieve this. By doing this you utilise little fibres in your leg muscles more efficiently which means you can go further and or faster. Also concentrate on ankling which is moving your foot so your ankle draws a circle as you pedal. ....easier with clipless pedals and cleats.

 

[jim55]

^^^^^^^^^^
tmi?
overcomplicated rubbish (albeit correct -for most its bollocks ,just ride it

 

[Nigelnaturist]

^^^^^^^^^^
tmi?
overcomplicated rubbish (albeit correct -for most its bollocks ,just ride it

+1
just ride the rest will come.

 

[Sandra6]

If you wanted to you could apply the same logic of couch to 5k to bike rack to 20k - going for a bigger distance because ime running is a lot harder than cycling.
Start with a gentle pedal on day one, day two go further, day three same, day four try a shorter distance at a faster pace, then the longer distance at the faster pace until you build up both distance and speed as you like.
Remember to work in rest days between cycling days. Do some stretches if you're feeling stiff.