New rider tips
#1
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New rider tips
Hello everyone,
I am a BMX rider that has recently turned to road biking. I just bought a Specialized Allez and would appreciate any tips on road biking. Any little tips help and I would love them.
I am a BMX rider that has recently turned to road biking. I just bought a Specialized Allez and would appreciate any tips on road biking. Any little tips help and I would love them.
#2
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Welcome! Wear a helmet. For encouragement and learning skills and etiquette, find a group to ride with. Read the old posts in the forum.
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#3
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Just like anything else on the road, Don't have accidents, don't cause accidents, and enjoy the ride.
More than that I cannot say .... specific advice in a general situation......
More than that I cannot say .... specific advice in a general situation......
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Keep your DL/ID and Medical card w/u on your rides.
Always assume drivers DO NOT see you.
Happy Trails. . .
Always assume drivers DO NOT see you.
Happy Trails. . .
#6
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When I decided to take cycling a little more seriously decades ago, the one thing that was drilled into me was cadence; getting my rpm’s at 90 or more. Today, I’m more in the camp of both spinning and low cadence power.
John
John
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You're not exactly a new cyclist, but I always tell people that gaining confidence and self sufficiency at basic maintenance greatly improves both the practicality and enjoyment of cycling.
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#8
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This is the best basic safety read I have encountered. After you have read it, let me know what you think.
https://bicyclesafe.com/
https://bicyclesafe.com/
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Here's another safety read:
https://www.marinbike.org/wp-content...ls-Handout.pdf
Take some space on the road. Hugging the right pavement edge encourages drivers to ignore you and leaves little room for safety maneuvers. A foot or so out is good or more for car door zones.
https://www.marinbike.org/wp-content...ls-Handout.pdf
Take some space on the road. Hugging the right pavement edge encourages drivers to ignore you and leaves little room for safety maneuvers. A foot or so out is good or more for car door zones.
#11
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Interested in feedback for riding on two lane roads with no available shoulder, not in a residential area, or multiple cross roads? I've read and follow tips suggesting to make yourself observed ...lights front and rear, bright clothing. I basically stay close to the white line when no traffic in either direction. However, when I see oncoming traffic, I will drift into the lane I'm riding to be more observed after looking for vehicles. This is done with speed and distance awareness to allow the car ample time to reduce speed. My thoughts are that I want to avoid the car from squeezing between me and oncoming car by taking up more of the lane. Thoughts?
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From the thread title, I thought the guy was falling over a lot ... was going to suggest more practice unclipping .....
#13
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With that I will add wear bright clothing (reflective at night), bright lights on your bike for both day and night, use a mirror either on your helmet or handlebars to see traffic behind you, and with that still assume that drivers don't see you.
#14
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It has been said that experience is the best teacher. But it does not always have to be your experience. It works as well to observe how others have screwed up. Read this forum frequently and the trouble have got into.
#15
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^^^^ It may seem obvious, but always cross railroad tracks at a perpendicular angle.
Sage advice, unless you want to upgrade your grupo after the crash.
Sage advice, unless you want to upgrade your grupo after the crash.
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Here's another safety read:
https://www.marinbike.org/wp-content...ls-Handout.pdf
Take some space on the road. Hugging the right pavement edge encourages drivers to ignore you and leaves little room for safety maneuvers. A foot or so out is good or more for car door zones.
https://www.marinbike.org/wp-content...ls-Handout.pdf
Take some space on the road. Hugging the right pavement edge encourages drivers to ignore you and leaves little room for safety maneuvers. A foot or so out is good or more for car door zones.
#20
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#21
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I was an experienced rider with over 20 years on the road when I joined a cycling club 25 years ago. I learned as much in my first 2 years with the club as I had in all my earlier years on my bike. A good cycling club with a welcoming attitude for newcomers can be a very good learning experience
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I can’t emphasize enough what others have already said. A group to ride with is great. I got into cycling at the same time as a friend and I don’t think I would have stuck with it if I just rode solo. Still ride to this day 6 years later.
#23
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My methodology does not have to be your methodology, but.. 1) I ride only with my fiance, never with a group or even another couple. We may consider riding with a couple, but not a group. 2) We ride extremely rural roads, with mirrors and Garmin Varia radar blinky rear lights. And also front facing lights. 3) We don't have earbuds and music playing. I almost always hear a car before it shows up on the Garmin display, but the wind can obscure the sound of approaching cars. 4) I almost always ride hugging the white line. Never been sorry I did that. There's times when I zone out and am not aware of cars overtaking me, but because I'm riding as Far Right As Possible as my default position, I don't need to adjust my location on the road.
#24
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