| Riding Tips |
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| Pistons Vs. Windmills |
A windmill applies a
light constant pressure to the shaft regardless of what position it is
in.
This will use all your leg muscles more effectively and reduce fatigue. Keep a light pressure on the pedals and use a lower gear to compensate. Spinning the pedals quickly will keep your muscles from burning as when you mash a high gear slowly. |
| Seat height |
One of the most common errors new cyclists make is to have
their seat set either too high or too low.
Your foot should be level at the bottom of the pedal stroke with your knee slightly bent. If you're pedaling on your tip toes or your knee is straight your seat is too high. If your knee stays bent at the bottom of the pedal stroke your seat is too low. |
| Stay loose | If your neck and back
are sore after you ride you should suspect your elbows are at the root
of the problem. Try to keep you elbows slightly bent and your sholders relaxed. This way your arms will act as shock absorbers and will take up the small bumps. Strive to get your position on the bike so your back is straight and your upper body is relaxed. |
| Work up to it |
Most people new to the
sport of cycling will complain of a sore tailend after a few miles on
the bike. One common reaction is to purchase a softer, wider or gel-filled seat. This may cause other problems later. The reason your seat is sore is because you havn't built up much cushion on your saddle bones. Take a moment and feel the tough fleshy cushion that you have built up on the heel of you foot. In time you'll build up a simular cushion on your butt, just work up to it slowly. The same goes for your endurance, start slowly, and ride further each week. In time you'll notice that you are riding further, faster and more comfortably. |
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