Professional cyclists master a host of essential skills. These are learned as they are practiced more frequently and some are very easy to follow.
If you are a novice rider, you should start by learning the basic movements you need to become a more experienced rider. In this way you will realize that riding a bicycle was much more than you really expected.
Discover what are the 9 skills that any cyclist must master . With the help of these tips you will improve in your next competitions.
9 skills a cyclist must master
1. Pedal without hooking on the pedals
To engage or disengage the pedals you must use your heels and not your toes. For example, if you want to grab your right foot first, move outward with the heel of your foot; this way you will unhook it from the pedal. Then prepare to stop by cutting back and letting your shoe rest on the pedal as you approach your stopping place.
To pedal without hooking on the pedals , start pedaling forward with your left foot to move the crank. Next, use the heel of your foot to find the edge of your right pedal. Lastly, position your heel to make the connection with the pedal.
It is advisable to practice this technique on the grass, since it is very likely that you will experience a fall.
2. Optimize pedaling cadence
An ideal cadence for cycling is approximately 90 revolutions per minute. To achieve this, you will have to change gears depending on the type of terrain you are on.
Try to think ahead, look at the type of terrain you are going to face, and shift to a higher gear before you start pedaling uphill on a hill.
On the other hand, try to pedal smoothly when shifting; while trying to maintain a light and fluid movement of the pedals.
3. Learn to turn
Like any professional cyclist, you have to train your skills a lot when making turns in very sharp curves. Therefore, it is advisable to brake before reaching the curve, not during or after exiting it.
When entering a corner at high speed, try to keep the internal pedal raised, while leaning all of your weight toward the outside of the bike. For this it is very important to control your body weight when performing the turn.
This is a skill that must be practiced fairly regularly to be perfected, consider performing these movements on grass as well to smooth out any falls.
4. Pedal uphill
This is perhaps one of the most difficult parts of riding a bike , as pedaling uphill , such as on a hill, can be very frustrating and exhausting.
The movements that you have to perform are the following:
- Try to sit as far back as you can in your chair and keep a loose grip on the steering wheel so you don’t put as much pressure on it.
- Then stand on the bike and pedal only if necessary, as this movement is not as efficient as pedaling sitting down.
When performing this movement try to stand lightly on the pedals, otherwise the climb can be made much more difficult.
5. Pedal downhill
Pedaling downhill is very different from riding uphill.
Pedaling uphill is much more complicated, since it requires more physical resistance and strength. For the descents you only have to relax in your chair and try to weight with your body on your seat.
Control your speed with the rear brake and be careful when braking with the front wheel, as if you do it abruptly you can end up falling seriously.
6. Riding in a group
Experienced riders often pedal one period of time behind others to gain an aerodynamic advantage. In this case, it is recommended to carefully observe the cyclist in front of you, in this way you can anticipate their movements. You also have to be aware of the safety distance, to be able to brake early and not cause an accident.
7. Make movements against the wind
Cyclists often use formations to keep the wind from “pushing” them, while shifting to a harder gear. To do this, you have to use the center of your body mass to keep you stabilized if the wind is very strong.
When cyclists train in groups, they perform a “V” -shaped movement, like that of birds in formation. With this type of movement it is very important to maintain communication with the other cyclists: this way you will know their movements better.
8. Riding a bike without hands
Riding a bicycle without hands can be dangerous for people who do not master this movement, so it is very important to practice it with one hand and on light surfaces to absorb any falls.
What is the use of riding a bicycle without hands ? It can be very useful when ingesting a snack or supplement during a competition, to adjust your clothes or for any other situation where you need the use of both hands.
9. Eat or drink while riding a bike
When you ride a bike for more than an hour, you need to drink water or eat a nutritious bar.
Start practicing by holding the bottle of water with your left hand, while with the right hand you slow down little by little, regulating your speed to a safer speed. In addition to braking, your hand will be in a good place if you need to change gears during the race.
These skills are necessary in order not to lose the rhythm of the race, therefore you will not be left behind.
conclusion
Professional riders master a skill set that sets them apart from novice riders. If you consider yourself a beginner cyclist, then you should put these 9 tips into practice. These movements will give you a safer, more comfortable and faster driving; without losing sight of the cyclist in front of you.
To learn each of them it is necessary that you practice them frequently, until the level of error is reduced by a large percentage.
References
- Greg, K. 10 Bike Skills Every Cyclist Should Master. For Active [Revised April 2019].
