Which came first the chicken or the egg? Or better put, which came first the expert or the beginner?
If you have even an inkling of an interest in road biking or
What is this road bike you speak of?
Simply put a road bike is a bicycle intended to be ridden on paved roads.
A road bike is a tool. It is the machine that carries you from point A to B. I say carry because this machine is manually operated. Your speed is directly proportional to your strength.
Much like a car, you can make modifications to your bike but it is the cyclist (the engine) that makes the car run. Similar to a car you don’t need the most expensive road bike to get started.
Focus less on the lightest carbon fiber frame or the newest bike computer. You don’t even need to purchase a new bike.
Road bikes typically feature drop handlebars which offers you the ability to hold yourself in a more aerodynamic position to minimize wind resistance. Simultaneously road bikes feature a higher gear set (11-speed is common) which offers smoother shifting and pedal control when facing ascents and descents.
You can experience the joy road biking through recreation, your daily commutes, or by getting involved in racing. The possibilities are endless.
Are road bikes harder to ride?
Road bikes benefit riders by offering a more aggressive riding position. Many riders are get used to this position over time and others avoid this positioning all together.
Another common complaint is around the size and stiffness of the saddle. Road bikes are known for being light and aerodynamic but this can come at a cost. If you find yourself experiencing discomfort consider looking into some other saddles.
Does this mean they are harder to ride? I’ll leave that decision up to you as it depends on the road cyclist and how comfortable they are with road biking. A great way to avoid the initial discomfort and ensure a proper fit is to visit your local bike shop for a bike fitting.
How do you start road cycling ?
Get comfortable looking silly. You can find dozens of YouTube videos of professional cyclists crashing. The videos speak for themselves. No matter how experienced riders are, mistakes will be made and s*%t will happen. Don’t let fear of failure deter you. Persistence is key on your journey as a cyclist.
Getting used to the feeling of pumping your legs for an entire workout or commute takes time. When you start riding I recommended shooting for a training time between 30-60 minutes with an average cadence between 85-95 RPMs (rotations per minute).
You don’t need a bike computer to measure cadence. Simply count your pedal rotations for 15 seconds and then multiple that number by 4.
Start slowly and build up stamina and power with 30-60 mins 2-4 days each week. Keep your breath in check. Listen to your body and begin to increase time as the effort gets easier.
Top things to look for in your first road bike
A few elements to consider when choosing your bike include:
frame material – the lighter the bike the more expensive it will be
frame size – never buy a bike before testing it out
riding position – does your riding position align to your use case
brakes – disc brakes are more expensive but its hard to put a price on safety
tire size – start with wider tires and narrow as you get more experience
What should every cyclist carry?
Snacks of course! My stomach has entered the chat. Ok but seriously you don’t need much.
My current road biking kit includes:
handheld bike pump – ideally the pump supports Presta & Schrader valves (most common)
tire levers – good luck changing a tire without a pair of these
spare tube – for longer rider carry a couple spare tubes depending on road conditions
tire patches – prefer to avoid the added weight of carrying spare tires
Allen wretch – great for quick seat post and component adjustments
There’s nothing worse than ending a ride due to a flat tire. Pack the essential and save yourself the pain of having to call an Uber home. Okay my stomach is back.
For a bike ride I typically pack the following:
Water bottle (22oz) – staying hydrated is a must
Banana – great source of clean carbohydrates
PB&J – another great source of energy on longer rides
Clif Bloks – these are my fail safe and I usually have a pack or two in my jersey at all times
Don’t take my nutrition at face value as I an a big proponent of experimenting when it comes to nutrition. Some road cyclists prefer energy bars and carb drinks while others stick to more natural foods.
There’s no right or wrong as everyones’ stomachs and metabolisms differ. The main point is that equipping yourself properly before any road biking excursion is key to making it home safely.
Road Bike Shoes and Clipless Pedals
If you’re just getting started I would skip clipless pedals and
*Read on if curious.
Ironically named. Clipless pedals are special road bike
Without clipless pedals you might notice a lost of power at the top of your rotation as the pedal comes back up and your knee comes toward your chest. Clipless pedals solve this powerless issues by enabling a more controlled and consistent motion when pedaling.
The motion becomes even more mechanistic without being able to free yourself from the machine.
Road Bike Helmets
I don’t take safety lightly when road biking. The road bike is a tool and like any tool if used improperly or recklessly you can get hurt.
I wouldn’t being doing you justice as a reference if I didn’t highly recommend that you wear a helmet at all times. No head has ever beat the concrete.
Wear a helmet or take a chance at becoming a statistic.
Hit the local bike shop
If you prefer to have someone walk you through maintenance repairs or your first road bike purchase your local bike shop is a great place to start.
At a bike shop you’ll often find experts on bikes (duh) and bike mechanics. The experts are there to help find you the best road bike based on your personal preferences and performance expectations.
No need to be shy. It was years before I learned how to fix flat tires on my own. There’s no better time to start learning than today!
The bike shop shop is a great place to meet other riders. I highly encourage beginner riders to join a group ride after getting comfortable riding alone.
Your local bike shop will usually host a group ride every week or month where fellow riders can meet and enjoy a ride safely together. The bike shop often will group riders based on ability and average speed preference.
Before joining a group talk with someone in the
Tips for Riding Safely on the Road
You Got a Light?
The bike is one of the best tools for exploring the world, getting in shape, or enjoying time with friends. Yet with freedom comes responsibility.
It is important to make yourself as visible as possible whether you are riding during the day or night.
Most road bikes do not come equip with a bike light but I highly recommend purchasing one for the front and rear of your bike.
Know When to Walk Away
The two types of weather beginner riders should avoid is wet weather and bad weather. They may sound the same but they’re not.
For example the tropics are known for having rain year around even during the most beautiful times of the year. That doesn’t mean you should test your luck riding in the rain.
Bad weather is anything from windy weather to low visibility and anything in between. These conditions may not completely impair your ability to ride but could impact your ability to react to certain situations.
Road Riding
Traffic and road
Cyclists often get a bad rap for being reckless or thinking that traffic laws do not apply.
I don’t believe that is the case the more I become immersed in the sport recreational and competitively. As with any high powered machine we must operate it with caution and awareness.
I do not mean to live in fear but instead to have respect for the speed and power that your bike is capable of.
Alongside this when you are making moves through traffic on your bike ensure you are communicating what you are going to do before you do it.
Closing
I will be updating this article regularly with links to more extensive and detail articles on some of theses topics around road biking.
Comment your suggestions below for topics you’d like to see covered in the future.
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