You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy a road bike, which is pretty close. Road bikers seek wild adventure and get great exercise while also remaining environmentally conscious. Bikers can take to the pavement in any small town or big city for a real thrill that’s sure to create memories. You really can’t go wrong by adopting this activity into your everyday routine.
Check out our beginner’s guide so you can road bike with confidence.
Choosing the right road bike
Finding a size frame that fits you properly is crucial to riding your road bike comfortably. Talk to your bike shop professional to understand your measurements and learn how to fit yourself for a frame.
Additionally, you will have a variety of options to choose from when it comes to frame materials, tire sizes, and brakes. What you choose will ultimately depend on your needs and your budget. Choose wisely depending on whether you will primarily use the bike for commuting, performance, or casual riding.
Finding the right gear
A helmet is obviously a must-have, but you should also consider cycling-specific shoes, shorts, and gloves to optimize your performance. Start thinking about certain accessories and bike repair tools such as a water bottle and tire air pump. Depending on when and where you plan to ride, additional accessories like lights, reflectors, or mirrors may help you ride more safely.
How to ride a road bike
Most road bikes have several gears to cycle through depending on the terrain and the cadence of your pedaling. Get familiar with the specific gear ratios on your model so you are not expending unnecessary energy out on a ride. Road bikes commonly feature a left brake lever that controls the front wheel and a right brake lever that controls the rear. As you learn to ride, it’s best to alternate light pressure on and off both brakes until you get more experience.
What to eat on your ride
Riding a road bike is a fantastic way to get fit while enjoying the great outdoors, but it’s vital to keep your energy up on the way, especially for longer rides. Ensure your glycogen levels remain adequate by packing items such as sports drinks, energy bars, and fruit snacks.
Safety tips and etiquette
Review and follow all traffic laws while you’re on the road. Use hand signals to notify motorists and pedestrians of your intentions. Move into appropriate turning lanes when you intend to turn, otherwise, stay as far right as possible without endangering yourself by getting too close to potholes or obstructions.
Your road biking journey is made easy with this beginner’s guide and other velofix services. Your velofix Northeast Florida Mobile Bike Shop is here to save you time so you can ride more. Book your service today.