1) Wear a protective helmet. Cycling is beautiful but also dangerous. The first piece of advice a neophyte should dare is to buy a helmet. They exist from all prices. It starts at $ 15 and goes up to more than $ 200. Wearing a helmet is the first habit to learn when starting to ride a bike, it will save your life.
2) Don't wear underpants under your cycling shorts. It may seem strange, but it is essential that you do not put your underwear under your shorts. It may seem strange to you, but it will save you from major skin irritations. The shorts are specially designed to adhere perfectly to the perineum, to ensure comfort and breathability to one of the stressed areas of the human body during a bike ride.
3) Buy a saddle adapted to your physical conformation. Every body is different, every body needs a precise saddle, otherwise you can suffer a lot of pain during and after your rides. Come and choose it? There are many tutorials on the internet, it is the cheapest way to learn how to measure yourself and to choose what we need. Otherwise you have to get checked out by specialists, it will cost some money, but it will be well spent. Your health is important, take care of it.
4) Cycling shorts not bought by the negligible cost. If you have little money on hand, save it for the rest but not for the shorts. Having good padding is very important, you will stay on your bike, your private parts will not suffer and you will be happy.
5) Always wear glasses. Not wearing them is a mistake that even the most experienced cyclists often make but it can be dangerous. Imagine having a gnat in one eye while you are downhill at more than 60 km / h. It is not a pleasant experience. So wear them even if it's not sunny outside, use a transparent lens, but always protect your eyes.
6) Don't be afraid to use automatic pedals. Beginners are afraid of falling, getting hooked on the bike and falling from stationary. Know that even if it happens you will not hurt yourself. It has happened to everyone at least once in our life, but we are very happy to use automatic pedals. Why do we need to use them? You will cut the fatigue in half and your limbs and tendons will benefit. Maybe, if you are afraid, start with weaker hooks and gradually increase the reduction.
7) Always clean your bike. A clean bike means less effort and less money spent. The dirtier your bike, the more you will wear the components. Cleaning it is really simple: get a toothbrush to clean the chain and sprockets, while a simple soap will help you clean the frame.
8) Clean your chain but above all use chain lube. Lubricating the chain will avoid annoying noises and will mainly slide your bike.
9) Check the condition of your tires. Especially if your first bike is second hand, beware of clinchers. It is a good habit to know the mileage covered on your wheels, and above all to inflate them to the right pressure.
10) Here, then, is the tenth piece of advice: buy a pump that measures pressure. The pressure of the tires changes from situation to situation, so at each exit check them and change the inflation.
11) Always carry a Repair kit. Drilling is easy and if you are away from home it can become a problem. Get an inner tube and a small pump. If you have space you can also take with you Allen screws or chain pullers that you might need in case your chain breaks but it happens very rarely.
12) Always bring a water bottle and something to eat. Hydration and nutrition are really essential. Remember that the human body cannot function without water and sugar. Drink every 20-30 minutes and eat before you are hungry. Even a simple one-hour outing could be dangerous if you don't eat properly. Going into a crisis of hunger or fluids is terrible and happens more frequently than you might think, especially for beginners.
13) Put a light on your bike. Even if it's sunny, always have a small light at the front and rear of your bike, especially in the winter months when the sun sets early.
14) Always remember that the front brake is what stops you, the rear one only serves as an aid. For those who have never got on a two-wheeled vehicle it will seem strange, but know that the most powerful brake is the front one. Learn to manage it, brake before entering the curve, with the bike straight, release it and go through the curve.
15) Plan your itineraries well. Do not improvise, you are not one so dose every effort well and decide first which way to go. Being away from home without energy is terrible
16) Go out with friends. Having a training partner will help you a lot. Being two is safer and sharing the road helps to feel less fatigue.
17) Choose a bike that suits you. Don't improvise measurements, go to a good mechanic and let him measure your body and set your bike.
18) Have your bike fully inspected every year. Numerous merchants make special prices for those who want to make a complete service. Ask your dealer, he could help you.
19) Dress in layers. In winter it is very important to dress appropriately. In cycling more than in any other sport, dressing in layers is essential. Uphill it is always hot, even in winter and the desire to open the zip is great. You can do it, but make sure that there is another shirt under the jacket before you get to the sweat-soaked material otherwise you will get sick. Once you have reached the top, what should you do? Close everything, put on a tight kway and get off. Being well dressed downhill will help you not to suffer from the cold, which has always been a great enemy of our favorite sport.
