Want to be a better cyclist? Just ride. Every time you turn the pedals, you naturally improve a little. But of course, we can all do with a little more help. Here is a generous helping of wisdom from the most skilled and knowledgeable coaches, physiologists, and cyclists in the world.
//Page 5 of 5

CRASH COURSE: Be extra vigilant during these traffic situations, which generate the three most common driver errors resulting in car-bike crashes

NO. 92 When an oncoming motorist turns right in front of you while you’re going straight through an intersection.

NO. 93 When a driver fails to obey a stop sign and pulls out in front of you.

NO. 94 When a vehicle passes you and immediately turns left, across your path.

NO. 95 After adjustments to your saddle position, handlebar height, stem length, or cleat placement, minor discomfort is normal as your body adapts to the changes. Resist the temptation to fiddle again after just one short ride.
NO. 96 peloton-ese vocabulary lesson
OTB is “off the back,” and means you’ve been dropped. OTF is “off the front,” and means you’ve attacked. OTR is “on the rivet,” which comes from riders’ tendency during all-out efforts to scoot forward on the saddle, where a rivet used to be. Tout adroit is “all to the right” in French. It means the chain is on the farthest-right cog and farthest-right chainring – the biggest gear combo. It’s another term for an extended, hard effort.

NO. 97
When climbing out of the saddle, if you feel your body bobbing too much, shift one gear harder. If you feel like you are excessively swinging your bike from side to side, shift one gear easier. These adjustments will give you an ideal balance of power and cadence.

NO. 98
To keep a bottle of water cool for longer, freeze it the night before.

NO. 99
Two easy (and most overlooked) ways to improve your bike’s performance: Inflate the tyres before every ride, and keep the chain lubed.

NO. 100
Every time you put a new tyre on your bike, take it as a signal to do an otherwise overlooked but important task: Grease the quick-release and mounting-bolt threads on your car rack to prevent corrosion.

NO. 101
Subscribe to the digital or print version of Bicycling and keep the wisdom coming all year round.

READ MORE ON: Skills training programmes