Cycling for Beginners: How to Love Cycling

Are you looking for information about cycling for beginners?

What kind of blog would this be without a good long post about cycling for beginners? The blog is called Beginner Cycling Tips after all, right? I can give you all the advice in the world for cycling but unless you have a good starting point, you really have nothing to go on.

And that is the purpose of why I have created this guide.

I want to show you everything you need to know about getting into cycling. Cycling for beginners shouldn’t be rocket science. So, I’ve made sure to include everything in here including how to ride a bike, altogether.

Enjoy this free comprehensive guide and get out there and start cycling as soon as possible.

Cycling for Beginners Starts with the Bike

The first tip I can give you on the topic of cycling for beginners is to choose what type of cycling to get into and that always starts at the bike.

 

Types of Cycling

There are many different types of cycling to get into. I suggest choosing one for now and then getting into more once you master the first one. It’s easy for a cyclist to get into different types of riding, too.

Road and Gravel – Road biking is when you ride on paved roads. It’s only of the most popular forms of cycling. Gravel biking is like road biking except you ride on gravel and dirt roads.

Singletrack and Downhill – Singletrack is mountain biking on narrow trail we call singletracks. Downhill is mountain biking where the core focus is going on a downhill bike path. Mountain biking is commonly about speed and technical trails.

Touring and Bikepacking – Touring is when you road bike across your region, the country, or even the world for multiple days. Bikepacking is like touring only you’re camping out in nature and commonly on a gravel or mountain bike. Touring and bikepacking is becoming more and more popular these days.

Indoor and Spinning  – Indoor and spinning is a type of cycling where you use a stationary bicycle, or a bike mounted on a trainer and ride at home. Spinning classes at the gym allows you to ride with other people during a session. There are cool virtual reality programs that make indoor cycling very fun and motivating.

Competitive Cycling – Competitive cycling is when you compete in bike races and timed events. The event could be a road race, cyclocross, gravel race, mountain bike race, or another type of event. Professional cycling could also be grouped up with this category of cycling.

 

Types of Bikes

There are multiple types of bicycles to choose from when it comes to cycling for beginners.

Road Bikes – These bikes are made for riding on paved and smooth road surfaces. The tires are often very skinny, and the materials used for the bike are often made to be light in weight.

Mountain Bikes – These bikes are made for riding on trails in nature. Most are single or full suspension and can be used for general or downhill riding.

Gravel Bikes – These bikes are made for gravel and dirt roads. They’re designed a lot like road bikes but use tires and components meant for gravel, dirt, and off road terrain.

Hybrid Bikes – These bike are often created for fitness and general cycling. They’re usually a mix between road bikes and mountain bikes and can be ridden on the road or bike paths.

Cruiser Bikes – These bikes are often made for leisurely riding and riding on the beach. The tires are often bigger to make it easier to ride on sand.

Touring Bikes – These bikes are made for bike touring and bikepacking adventures. They may have road, gravel, or hybrid style tires and most have a lot of areas to attach racks and bags for storage.

Folding Bikes – These bikes are made to be easily folded up so that you can store and transport them easier. They may be designed for the road, gravel, single track, and other activities.

Recumbent Bikes – These bikes are made to be able to sit down on a lower level with back rests. These are often used for riders with back or mobility issues and come in 2 to 4 wheels.

E-Bikes – These are electric bikes and had pedal assist and full throttling with the help of electric assist components. These can be road, mountain, gravel, and recumbent bike styles.

Bikes will often range in different pricing based on the material used and the components, as well as the brand. Carbon fiber bikes will often be significantly more expensive than aluminum bikes but they’re also significantly lighter in weight. Name brand bikes are often more expensive but typically last years long than cheaper bikes.

 

Try Before You Buy

If you have the ability to try different bikes before you decide on the one you want, you should do that first.

Some local bike shops may allow you to ride around on different bike styles to get a feel for the one you like best. If you have friends that have different bikes, as them about them and see if you can try them out. If you can rent different bike styles for the day, try them out to see which one suits you better.

Many cyclists ends up getting different styled bikes but it’s still best to choose the one you like the most to be your first bike.

Why Start Cycling?

There are many reasons why you should start cycling and many of these benefits include:

Exercise – Cycling is really good exercise. It’s often less impactful than other activities such as weight lifting and running. It’s good for weight control, joint health, and cardiovascular health.

Eco-Friendly – Cycling is very good on the environment. You’ll make less of a carbon footprint by choosing to bike especially for commuting to work and running errands. Cycling doesn’t create pollution while you ride.

Fuel Costs – Cycling will save you fuel costs if you do it right. As I said above, use your bike to commute to work, buy groceries, and run errands. You could save thousands of dollars a year by choosing to bike instead of drive if you can safely do it.

Vehicle Costs – The less you drive your vehicle, the less you have to pay for inspections, repairs, oil changes, and even having to outright buy a new vehicle. Vehicles and the cost of maintaining them are constantly on the rise. If you choose cycling as much as you can, you’ll save thousands more a year on top of the thousands you save on gas.

Fresh Air – If you can choose a route that’s less travelled by motor vehicles, you’ll be exposed to more fresh air. Fresh air is good for you and will only expand your immune system. Cycling will also work your lungs and heart out which is good for most people.

Stress Reduction – Cycling reduces stress if you enjoy it. If you don’t like cycling, it won’t reduce your stress, and you should find an activity you like instead. If you enjoy cycling, each time you ride, your stress will be reduced.

See More – With cycling, you get to see more things. In a car, you drive by too fast, and you’re distracted by everything you need to be looking at in your car. On a bike, your surrounding is your view and at a very slow pace giving you a chance to see more.

Youth – Cycling makes you feel like a kid again. If you miss your youth and you want it back, no matter how old you are, try cycling out because it might be what you need to feel young again. With the advancement of e-bikes, older folks get to enjoy the feeling of youth again, as well.

There are even more health benefits to cycling that I’ll get more into below.

 

Benefits of Cycling

The health benefits alone is worth getting into cycling to help live a healthier and longer life.

Cardio – Cycling is one of the top fitness activities you can do for cardio. It’s a great way to get your heart rate up and lungs working to keep you healthy and live longer. Please be sure to consult with your doctor to be sure cycling is right for you.

Weight Loss – Cycling is a great way to lose weight. Cycling for as little as 30 minutes a day can help you shed multiple pounds a week. You still need to watch what you eat but cycling can help you lose the weight you really want to lose.

Muscle Health  – Cycling is wonderful for your muscle health and development. Your lower muscle groups will get a wonderful workout and only get stronger. This will help you maintain a better balance and walking routine.

Joint Health – Cycling works out your joints and keeps them stretched and moving. Most joint problems occur in people who let them stiffen up and not get any activity. Cycling will help keep your joints pain free and healthy.

Balance and Coordination – Cycling helps you maintain a better balance and coordination. In order to ride your bike without crashing, you have to maintain a good balance and coordination. By practicing, you’ll master these requirements which will help you off the bike, too.

Mental Health – Cycling is good for your psyche and mental health. Cycling reduces stress, decreases depression, and lets you accomplish health and weight goals without having to suffer to get them. If you want a healthier mental health, you should consider cycling.

Lung Health – Cycling is excellent for lung health. Cycling requires you to breath more consistently and works out your lungs. In return, your lung health increases and help your breathing over a long period of time.

Social Interaction – Cycling let’s you find new friends and connect with others who enjoy the activity. A lack of social interaction often leads to stress, anxiety, and depression. Cycling can help stimulate your social health needs.

Environmental Health – Cycling is good for the environment because it creates a smaller carbon footprint and significantly reduces pollution. If more people chose to bike than to drive cars, it could have many positive impacts on the environment which would also positively impact our health. By becoming a cyclist, you help to promote that cause.

Financial Health – Cycling is a money saver. You can save on gas, vehicle costs, shopping, and healthcare costs. A healthier financial situation reduces stress and anxiety which in turn makes you a healthier person.

Brain Health – Cycling is good for your brain. Cycling makes you think quickly, recognize hazards on the spot, and challenges you. This will help you use parts of your brain that people are using less which could in turn help prevent brain and memory problems as you age.

If there are any negative health issues from cycling, chances are that the positive outweighs all of them. Just make sure you talk to your medical provider if required before you start a cycling routine just to be safe.

 

How to Ride a Bike

Cycling for beginners can be for the absolute beginner who might not know how to ride a bike or how to properly ride a bike to get the full benefits of cycling.

Getting on and off a bike: Stand on the left side of the bike, apply brakes, and swing your right leg over the saddle. To dismount, slow down, apply brakes, and swing your right leg back over. Practice mounting and dismounting in a safe, open area until comfortable.

Using Your Brakes: Gently squeeze the rear brake lever (right hand) to slow down smoothly. Apply the front brake (left hand) gradually to prevent sudden stops. Shift your weight back when braking to maintain balance and control.

Balancing: Start by gliding down a gentle slope with feet off the pedals to find your balance. Keep your eyes forward, not down, to help maintain stability. Relax your upper body and allow the bike to move naturally beneath you.

Steering and Turning the Bike: Look in the direction you want to turn, guiding the bike with your gaze. Lean slightly into turns, keeping your inside pedal up to avoid ground contact. Practice smooth, gradual turns in an open area to build confidence.

Sit Comfortably: Adjust the saddle height so your leg is almost fully extended at the bottom of the pedal stroke. Ensure the saddle is level to prevent sliding forward or backward. Maintain a relaxed grip on the handlebars to reduce tension and discomfort.

Starting Off and Pedaling: Position one pedal at the 2 o’clock position for a strong push-off. Push down on the pedal while lifting yourself onto the saddle. Begin pedaling smoothly, gradually increasing your speed to maintain balance.

Spinning: Aim for a cadence of 60-90 revolutions per minute for efficient pedaling. Use lower gears to maintain a steady cadence, especially on inclines. Focus on smooth, circular pedal strokes to enhance efficiency.

Practice: Begin on grass or a dirt path to reduce the impact of falls. Soft surfaces provide more traction, aiding in balance and control. Once confident, transition to harder surfaces like pavement.

Drafting and Team Effort: Ride closely behind another cyclist to reduce wind resistance and conserve energy. Communicate intentions clearly to maintain safety within the group. Take turns leading to share the workload and support team dynamics.

Be Friendly and Happy: Smile and greet fellow cyclists and pedestrians to foster a positive atmosphere. Celebrate small milestones to keep motivation high. Remember, cycling is about enjoyment and personal growth; have fun!

Riding a bike isn’t difficult at all. The important thing is that you have patience, believe in yourself, and keep practicing if you want to get better at it.

Cycling for Beginners: Myths

There are many myths that come with cycling for beginners that you should know about.

Gear is Expensive: This isn’t true at all. You can get most of your gear from cheaper retail stores and many local bike shops have good deals to choose from as well. All you need is a good pair of padded bike shorts, padded gloves, a couple of water bottles, and a helmet to get started.

Bikes are Expensive: This isn’t always the case. A bike from a local bike shop is going to be your best bet but they’re not all super expensive. If you can handle a heavier bike, it’s usually hundreds to even thousand dollars cheaper.

Expensive Bikes are the only Good Bikes: Expensive bikes are for people who typically compete and race. Most of these professional cyclists have brands deals and sponsors that pay for the bikes. A cheaper bike and an expensive bike will do the same thing.

Mastering Cycling Takes a Long Time: Not true. Riding a bike is easy. The more you ride, the better you get at it. But you do have to enjoy cycling or it will be a miserable activity for you.

Cycling is Deadly: This isn’t always the case. Sure, people die on bikes but it’s mainly due to negligence of drivers of motor vehicles. More people die from car wrecks every year than from riding bikes, though.

Cycling is Painful: It can be if you have a bike that doesn’t fit you, you do more than you can handle, or you aren’t wearing the proper clothing. Visit a local bike shop and get fitted for the right bike so that you can avoid pain. Wear padded bike shorts and gradually increase your riding and fitness goals as you improve your cycling technique.

Bike Maintenance is Too Complex: This isn’t true at all. There are tons of YouTube videos that show you step-by-step how to change a tube, patch a tube, change parts of your bike, lube your chain, clean your bike, and do basic maintenance. In fact, most cyclists enjoy learning how to work on their bikes and collecting tools to do it easier.

I’m Too Out of Shape: Out of shape people are perfect for cycling. Cycling is easy, low impact to your body, and is fun. Cycling makes you feel like a kid again and you get in shape without realizing you’re exercising.

No Where to Buy a Good Bike: Check with your local bike shop for better bike selections. You could also buy one used if you know your size. The internet also makes getting great bikes easy and many even offer free shipping.

Most of the negative things you hear about cycling are likely myths and you should research them further to avoid letting them stop you from getting into cycling.

 

Before You Go Cycling

Before you go cycling, there are things you need to make sure of first.

Bike and Bike Fit: Make sure you have chosen the right bike for the right type of cycling activity you wish to get into. You also need to make sure the bike fits you properly or it can result in pain and discomfort. The best way to do these things is visit a local bike shop that has reputable reviews.

Safety Check: Before every ride, you should always do a safety check on your bike. Make sure everything is secured, and nothing is broken. A consistent safety check will keep you safe but also help you save money by ensuring your bike is in working fashion.

Perform Proper Safety Checks: Every cyclist should ensure they perform the following proper safety checks:

• Lube you chain after every other ride or as recommended by your local bike shop.
• Check tire pressure before each ride and inflate to needed pressure.
• Keep your bike and its components clean after each ride.

Master the Art of Tube Repairs: Practice changing tubes (or got tubeless) and patching tubes often. The better you get at this task, the easier it will be each time it happens to you. This is the most common repair cyclists have to do while out riding their bike.

Understand Your Bike: It’s important to understand your bike and it’s components. Below are some important parts about your bike and topics to considering learning more about. Go beyond this article and keep yourself informed for better results.

• Size: Selecting the correct bike size ensures comfort and efficient riding. A properly sized bike allows for better control and reduces the risk of injury. Consult sizing charts or a professional fitting to determine the appropriate frame size for your body measurements.
• Seat Height and Saddle: Adjusting the seat height so your leg is slightly bent at the bottom of the pedal stroke enhances pedaling efficiency. A well-positioned saddle prevents discomfort and potential knee strain. Ensure the saddle is level and at a height that allows comfortable reach to the pedals.
• Wheels and Tires: Wheels consist of hubs, spokes, rims, and tires, each contributing to the bike’s performance. Tire selection affects traction, speed, and ride comfort; choose based on your typical terrain. Regularly inspect tires for wear and maintain proper inflation to ensure safety and efficiency.
• Brakes: Brakes are crucial for controlling speed and ensuring safe stops. Common types include rim brakes and disc brakes, each with distinct maintenance needs. Regularly check brake pads for wear and ensure responsive braking to maintain safety.
• Frame and Headset: The frame serves as the bike’s backbone, connecting all components and influencing ride quality. Materials like aluminum, carbon fiber, and steel offer different balances of weight and durability. The headset allows the fork and handlebars to rotate smoothly, facilitating steering control.
• Gears and Cranks: Gears help manage pedaling effort across various terrains by adjusting resistance. The crankset, comprising crank arms and chainrings, transfers leg power to the drivetrain. Understanding gear combinations enables efficient energy use during rides.
• Chain: The chain transmits power from the pedals to the rear wheel, propelling the bike forward. Regular cleaning and lubrication prevent wear and ensure smooth operation. A well-maintained chain enhances performance and extends the lifespan of other drivetrain components.
• Wearing a Bike Helmet: Wearing a properly fitted helmet significantly reduces the risk of head injuries in accidents. Ensure the helmet sits level on your head with straps snugly fastened. Regularly inspect your helmet for damage and replace it after any significant impact.
• Practice Ride Before Taking Off: Before embarking on longer journeys, conduct practice rides to familiarize yourself with the bike’s handling. These sessions help identify any mechanical issues and build confidence. Gradually increase distance and complexity to prepare for diverse riding conditions.
• Bike-Friendly Routes: Choosing bike-friendly routes enhances safety and enjoyment. Utilize dedicated bike lanes, trails, or roads with low traffic volumes. Planning your path in advance helps avoid hazardous areas and ensures a smoother ride.
• Weather Preparation: Anticipating weather conditions is essential for a comfortable and safe ride. Dress appropriately, using layers for temperature regulation and waterproof gear for rain. Be aware that weather can affect road conditions and adjust your riding style accordingly.

By understanding your bike, its components, and topics associated with it, you’ll be able to enjoy a safer ride every time you go out.

 

On The Bike

It’s important to know on the bike tips for cycling for beginners to ensure an enjoyable bike ride.

Start by riding shorter bike rides and increase your distance as you gain experience. It’s okay to ride 5 to 10 miles when you just start out so that you can get a feel for things. Increase your mileage by 5 miles the more comfortable you get on the bike.

Try to ride with other cyclists especially those who’ve been riding for a while. There is a lot to learn from experienced cyclists and most are willing to ride with you and show you the ropes. Find local cycling clubs that offer “no drop” rides.

Make sure you listen to your body as a cyclist. Pay attention to warning signs that your body puts off as you ride. If you’re in pain, make sure you address the pain before it turns into something worse than what it already is.

Use your shifters. Experiment with shifting especially going up, down, and on a flat route. Once you master shifting, cycling gets a lot easier to do.

Make sure you ride with traffic not against it when riding on the road. Obey the rules of the road and stop when required (at stop signs and stop lights) and use signals. Disregarding road rules will only paint a negative image of cyclists.

Make sure you stay hydrated and fueled for your bike ride. Drink water routinely and make sure you fuel up with a snack or brunch while on the bike, as well. Failure to keep yourself hydrated and fueled could lead to problems on the bike.

Make sure you recognize safety hazards associated with cycling. There are a few of them. The following are ones you should consider the most:

• Ear Buds – Listening to music can make a ride better but it will also cancel out sounds that you need to hear in order to save your life like horns, brake sounds, and cars coming at you at a high rate of speed.
• Parked Cars – Be cautious when riding near them because someone inside the car may not notice you as they open up their door in front of your path or drive off from their space.
• Ground Hazards – Potholes, dead animals, debris, and more – there is always something in the road or on the bike path to look out for when riding on it.
• Following Vehicles Closely – Drivers are unpredictable and may stop or do things that put you in danger if you’re following too closely to them. This is actually your liability if you do tailgate them.
• Railroad Tracks – Be cautious on railroad tracks. Watch for trains but also watch out how your tires may go into the depressions of the tracks on the crossing and cause you to wreck.
• Other People – Watch out for other people such as walkers, runners, and other cyclists. Chances are, they’re not watching out for you.
• Following Cyclists Closely – Make sure other cyclists you get behind know you’re drafting them and are okay with it. Doing this without telling someone is irresponsible and can lead to both of you getting hurt.

When riding at night, make sure you take safety as serious as possible. Use lights and wear reflective cycling apparel. Your chances of experiencing a safety issues significantly increases during the night time hours.

If you can help it, don’t ride in bad weather at all. Ride inside or go to a spin class if you need to get some riding in. If you do get out, please use extreme caution because you’ll be elevating your risk of getting into an accident.

Make sure you take bike security seriously when leaving your bike unattended. Use locks and ensure that nothing can be removed and stolen from your bike. If you can install something to track your bike, that could help law enforcement if something were to happen to it.

Practicing good standards while on the bike will help your achieve bike riding success.

 

After Your Bike Ride

After you’re done riding your bike, there are some things you need to practice in order to ensure you can enjoy the next bike ride you go on.

Make sure your bike is clean. Wipe off any dirt and mud, clean your chain and drivetrain if needed, and lube your chain. Keeping your bike clean will make it last a lot longer.

Give your bike a good check over. Look for any damage or cracks in the frame and makes sure components are working like they should. Take the bike to your local bike mechanic if you find anything wrong with it.

Make sure you are storing your bike properly. It should be stored inside and out of the weather to prevent rusting, corrosion, and theft. If you are only able to store it outside, make sure you locked it up and put a tarp or something like that over it to protect it from moisture which will significantly decrease the life of your bike.

After riding care is important if you want your bike to last for a long time and it’s a golden rule of cycling for beginners.

 

Cycling for Beginners: Eating and Drinking

Make sure you’re eating and drinking right when cycling to prevent injuries and fatigue on the bike.

It’s important to stay hydrated while on the bike. You should be drinking a few times every half hour or so while on the bike, especially when riding in warmer conditions. Avoid drinks that dehydrate you such as alcohol and soda.

Bring fuel with you for your bike ride. This is stuff like gels, gummies, bars, and quick things you can eat that will replenish the fuel that you’re losing while riding your bike. Not fueling yourself on the bike could cause you to become too fatigued to keep riding or it could lead to injury in certain circumstances.

Use electrolytes while riding your bike. It’s always a good idea to drink water and have another bottle with electrolytes mixed in with water. This will put that sodium back into your body that you sweat out on your ride.

Healthy food with carbs such as pasta is good for you to eat the day before a big bike ride. It will give you enough fuel to burn as you ride your bike the next day. Carbs are a good thing as long as the food providing them are a healthy choice.

 

Cycling Gear

Make sure you have the right cycling gear and kit to ensure you can enjoy the best bike ride possible.

You should have some basic repair items on your bike at all times. This includes things like a portable air pump (or CO2 pump), spare tubes, tire levers, and a multitool. It’s also a good idea to carry a patch kit for tubes and tires.

Make sure you bring other gear that might be needed, as well. This could include eye protection, hydration mixes, snacks for fuel, sunscreen, bug spray, chamois lube, emergency medical information, your phone, and a portable charging brick with needed cords.

Wear the right cycling kit to enhance your riding experience. This includes padded bike shorts or bibs, bike jersey, tights over your bibs when it’s cold, cycling socks, a cycling jacket or vest when it’s cold, cycling shoes and shoe covers for colder weather, head/ear/face protection for the cold, and rain gear if needed.

Bring the needed bike gear with you, as well. This includes a bell, mirror, fenders if needed, clip in pedals, bike computer to track your ride, and a video camera for insurance (road rage, dog bites, accidents, etc.)

There are various bags you can get for your bike to help you carry your gear. Saddlebags attached under your seat can be used to carry all your tools, handlebar bags can carry other items, frame bags are good for fuel and hydration or quick grab items, and a hydration backpack might also be something to try out. Make sure you carry a couple of water bottles on your bike for hydration, as well.

 

Becoming a Better Cyclist

The main goal in cycling for beginners should be to become a better cyclist over time through experience and learning curves.

You have to have patience. If you don’t have it, you’ll never succeed. It takes time to get good at anything.

You have to be consistent. If you’re not consistently trying to get better on the bike, then you don’t want to get better. It takes consistency to get better at anything.

Set smaller goals that are easily achievable rather than larger goals that are hard to complete. If you’re working your butt off and not getting results, you’re going to burn out. Smaller goals leading to larger ones are the only way to succeed.

Get a training plan and follow it. Make sure it’s a plan based on your experience and abilities. A good plan will keep your organized and on track to become a better cyclist.

Focus on improvement where you’re weak the most. If you’re not a fast cyclist, start focusing on increasing your speed. Master your weaknesses and you’ll be the best cyclist you can be.

Make sure you’re training off the bike, as well. Take up swimming, hiking, weight training, cross-fit, or running to keep strengthening yourself. Off the bike fitness will only make you better when you get back on the bike.

Bend your elbows when cycling. Bend them slightly so that you’re not putting strain on them and your arms. This will ease any pain you have and make cycling way more comfortable.

Try to stay in the saddle as much as you can. Sit in your saddle on your sit bones and with the help of padded bike shorts, it will help keep you comfortable and relaxed. Staying in your saddle will help you conserve more energy for your bike ride.

Try not to grip your bike too hard. Gripping too hard can cause you to become injured and stiff. Make sure you safely hold on to your bike but not too much where it is causing issues. Wear padded bike gloves to help you grip your bike better.

Ride for time not distance. Try to ride as long as you can and that will even help you get more miles in because you want to ride longer. If you focus too much on distance, you’ll forget the time which can cause you issues as it gets dark.

 

Top Mistakes of Cycling for Beginners

Avoid these top mistakes of cycling for beginners so that you can focus on having a better ride.

Don’t wear the wrong clothing for the wrong type of cycling. If it’s cold out, practice the art of laying so that you can add and subtract layers as needed. Wearing too much will cause you to sweat and that will cause you to be cold and uncomfortable.

Don’t just take any bike you find. If you get a bad fit, it will cause you to be in pain and potentially lead to a long-term injury. Visit your local bike shop and ask them to fit you for a bike because most of them will do that for free.

Don’t attack hills. This means that you shouldn’t put all your riding effort and speed into getting up a hill. Instead, steadily and gradually get yourself up the hill so you don’t burn all of your energy on that one hill and ruin the rest of your ride.

Don’t conduct bad safety practices. This will only cause you and potentially others around you to get hurt. Riding through stop signs for example is a bad practice and only hurts the cycling community because you’re being irresponsible.

 

Commonly Asked Questions About Cycling for Beginners

Below are some commonly asked questions and answers about cycling for beginners.

What is the best type of helmet to get?

The best types of helmets to use are ones designed for cycling. Your local bike shop will likely have safer types of bike helmets. One types has MIPS built into it which helps protect you further during an impact scenario.

Should you ride your bike in the rain?

If you do ride in the rain, try to be more visible and use extra caution. You should use lights on your bike day or night whether its raining or not because it will give you extra visibility which could save your life one day. Make sure you clean your bike off after riding in the rain to make it last longer.

What if my workplace doesn’t offer showering for bike commuters?

If your workplace doesn’t offer showers for bike commuters, I suggest bringing in a change of clothes and changing once you get to work. Wear spandex-styled bike clothing to work as it will wick moisture from your body and help keep your less stinky. Take some body wipes with you to wash off when changing into your work clothes and use deodorant.

What if I can’t carry all my groceries on the bike?

You can always attach a child trailer to your bike and load up your groceries in there or attach a basket and use it. The best thing to do would be to take multiple trips throughout the week as it will prevent impulse buying which saves you money and require you to bike more which makes you a healthier and more fit cyclist. Just make sure you don’t carry too much and increase your chances of getting into a wreck.

How can I learn more about bike repair?

You should try to learn as much as you can about bicycle repair because it can help you save a lot of money in repairs to do it yourself. There are plenty of videos on YouTube and other websites that will show you step-by-step how to do any types of bike repair. I suggest you get an old bike and take stuff apart, replace components, and make it your repair education bike.

Should I wear underwear with my padded cycling shorts?

It’s easy to make the mistake of assuming you need to wear underwear with cycling shorts. You shouldn’t do it though because the padding in bike shorts is designed to go against your bare skin so underwear would defeat the purpose and likely cause you to chafe. You should also wear skintight spandex cycling shorts because of the benefits it gives you, but you can also get liner to wear under baggy clothing if you are self-conscious about wearing cycling shorts.

 

Final Thoughts About Cycling for Beginners

This concludes my ultimate guide about cycling for beginners. I hope this guide has helped you learn more about cycling. Now it’s your turn to put these tips in use and get out there and ride your bike.

I’d love to hear from you. Comment below and tell me the hardest part about cycling and I’ll do what I can to help answer your questions.

If you found this post to be helpful today, please consider Buying Me a Coffee to show your support.

Be sure to follow this blog on X for even more cycling tips and resources.