Whether you are cycling newbie or seasoned pro we all make mistakes and
while we learn best from the errors we make, at the time
it never quite feels like that So to save you the time, hassle and embarrassment of
making silly cycling mistakes we've gone to the effort of making them for you
Here's our top cycling mistakes to avoid
We'll forgive you for this one because it's an easy and common mistake to make
Positioning your saddle too high or too low could lead to a loss of power as well as injury
While bike fit is unique to each rider there are some guides to
follow when it comes down to saddle height. As a guide ride along with your
heel on the pedal and when your leg is at the very bottom of the pedal stroke
it should be almost fully extended but not quite... if this doesn't feel quite right
feel free to change it slightly until you are comfortable
Hitting the wall or "bonking", as it's commonly referred to among cyclists, is
when the body quite simply runs out of fuel. In most cases you come to an almost
grinding halt and things will only get worse until you refuel. It's an error
everybody has made but it can easily be avoided – before each ride make sure you
are sufficiently fueled. In other words, have something to eat – porridge and
bananas or toast with honey are great to help fuel the body over a few hours
Out on your ride take more than enough food
A few gels or bars and a couple of bottles – heck, even a sandwich will all
provide energy and keep your tank topped up. Trust us – you'd much rather have too
much food in your jersey pocket then not enough
There's no mechanic van coming and for most of us mere mortals we've got to be
self-sufficient because not everyone's gonna stop and help... clearly
So to get yourself up and running back on the road quickly after a puncture or a double puncture
you'll need at least two spare inner tubes, a mini pump or gas canisters
and to make your life easier pack a couple of tyre levers and a multi-tool into your saddle pack
In colder conditions it's always better to slightly
overdress than underdress and remember you can always take the layers off
But even in warmer climes never leave the house without a rain cape or a
gillet because it could really cause your body temperature to plummet if
there's a sudden downpour
If you're heading out up hilly terrain remember – the higher you go the colder it will become
Wearing a windproof cape will prevent wind chill and keep in body heat
Get into the habit of regularly checking and keeping your bike well-maintained
Not only will this make it perform better but it will be nicer, easier, and
safer to ride too. Pay special attention to the brakes, gears and tires, and make
sure that you're regularly moving and cleaning your chain to prolong the life
of that too. Now, if you're not confident doing all this by yourself at home then
most bike shops do offer servicing now so make sure you're taking it in every now and again
We've all done it – the adrenaline is coursing throughout our
veins and we just can't help ourselves from firing out the gates
Cycling is a tough sport at the best of times and while there's nothing wrong in wanting
to go faster than ever or beating a PB, it's important that you know your limits
and ride within them. Going too hard too soon could ruin your ride, not to mention your morale
It's common for those of you who are new to cycling to rely on your
brakes too much. When needing to slow down it can be tempting to grab the
brakes hard but braking must be done in a controlled manner
Braking extremely hard could lead to a loss of control and stability and in extreme cases could see
you flying directly over the handlebars – not to mention it doesn't do any favours
to your mates behind. Instead keep your eyes on the road ahead, anticipate, and
brake gradually using a combination of front and rear
Your gears are there for a reason: to allow you to ride comfortably over a
range of terrains. They're there to make your life on the bike easier and more enjoyable
There's no need to grind a hard gear at 40rpm – all you're likely to
do is injure your knees. Likewise there's very little point spinning 140rpm in
easy gears all the time – you'll just make yourself dizzy
Lastly make sure you know which part the lever moves the gear in the directions you want
There's nothing worse than grinding up a steep hill only to make matters worse by shifting into a harder gear
No one likes a visible panty line not least cyclists
The chamois in your cycling shorts is designed to be worn directly against your skin and it
will make things much comfier too