Conor Dunne: Even the most experienced cyclists amongst us make rookie mistakes from time
to time. They may not admit it but they definitely make a few errors every now and again. I myself
make mistakes all the time if I'm honest. Like right now, just punctured 100 meters
from home and forgotten my pump. Could be a long morning waiting to be collected. But
whilst I sit here, I'm thinking, what are those cycling mistakes that we've all made?
[music] James Lowsley Williams: Now, I have to say
this is especially annoying. When you want to go out on your bike, you get kitted up,
you get dressed, you put your helmet on. You go outside and you realize your battery's
low. Di2 batteries only last for so long, which is great until they run out. What you
want to do is make sure they're charged. Check it every so often, every few months and check
your levels. Why don't you just put it on for a night or two, that way you're not going
out and realizing your battery's low and then you're stuck in the granny ring. There is
literally nothing worse. I better go and charge mine.
Conor: Admit it, we've all done this one, a slow speed embarrassing crash. You've been
put turning around your driveway looking at your pedals or you've been fiddling around
with your head unit, getting the right display up. You thought you had a lot of space to
maneuver. Maybe I'll have five data fields, that'd be good. But then, suddenly next minute-
Whoah. -you've just gone into the back of a parked
car. I know, I've been there before, I've done it. I promise you, I've done it myself.
Whilst it doesn't hurt, normally you're not going to injure yourself, it is very embarrassing.
There's no real remedy for it other than to laugh it off, get up, shrug your shoulders
and get on with things. [music]
Manon Lloyd: Misjudging the weather. Here in the UK we are always optimistic about the
weather. Even when the sky is grey and there's lots of clouds, naively we think that the
sun might come out. I've done it loads of times, gone out on my bike. I don't need a
rain cape today. 30 minutes later, I'm still there, soaking wet in the freezing cold. Always
pack a rain cape, they always come in handy and they can be done up really small to fit
in your back pocket. [music]
James: Not topping up your sealant in your tubeless tires. I know, it's really easy to
forget when you're riding a bulletproof tubeless setup, but even these need some TLC. Is there
anything worse than bragging to your mate saying you never get a puncture, then you
head out on the bike only to get a puncture, to find you haven't got enough sealant in
your tires. What I would suggest is periodically check the sealant levels in your tubeless
tires, that way, you'll never come home stuck. Easy to forget, but we don't want to get punctures.
So top-up that sealant. [music]
Conor: I may as well take my helmet off when we're sitting here a while waiting to be collected.
I was thinking about another common mistake, coming into a corner too hot. Oh dear, that's
not a hairpin. Whoah. We've all done this one, definitely done this one. This is a hairpin.
Oh dear, whoah. You're coming into a corner and you think it's going to be a nice sweeping
bend, but really it's a really tight hairpin and, well, you've overcooked it. Whoah.
Best case scenario, a bit of lost traction in the reel wheel and your heart skips a beat.
Worst case though, it can be very dangerous, especially if you go onto the other side of
the road into oncoming traffic. Folks, just be careful out there. Ride within your limits
and always be prepared for the unknown, especially if you don't know the road. Don't go into
a corner super hot and risk it all. Stay within your side of the road. I always like to think
that the other side of the road is like a cliff drop, and under no matter and no circumstances
would I crossover. It's dangerous and you could really, really cause yourself some serious
harm. It pays to be careful, and try and avoid this common mistake if you can.
[music] You're going for it this time, your biggest
ride ever. Possibly a new distance record. Your friends are going to be jealous when
they hear about this one. You're at the mid-point of your ride, everything's going well, then
you reach into your pockets for a nice, delicious bar, but oh no. Oh no, how could you? How
could you do that? You've forgotten all your food. You left it on the kitchen table. This
isn't good. This isn't good. You're going to have to weave your way home now. You're
fighting the bonk, battling to survive and finish your ride but it's difficult now, you're
running low on energy. All of the bars and restaurants, they're smelling delicious but
you can't buy anything because you left your wallet on the kitchen table as well. We've
all been there and, to be honest, we'll probably all be there again. It's like a rite of passage
in cycling, forgetting your food and bonking all the way home. To be honest, I'm not going
to lie, I've done it right now, while I'm waiting to be collected for my puncture.
I thought I'd just sit here and have a nice little snack but no. Left it all on the kitchen
table. How could I? Why did you let me do it, Pinarello? Why didn't you tell me when
we were leaving the door, "Conor, remember your food"? You didn't, did you? You stayed
silent. Thought so. Always like this. [music]
Manon: Failing to master the track stand. Falling off at traffic lights while trying
to look cool. We recommend you spend a significant amount of time practicing the track stand
before you go out in public and try it, just to save you a bit of embarrassment. We've
all been there or witnessed one on a ride. Maybe your cleats are new and a bit tighter
than you're used to and then you just can't get your foot out quick enough and then it's
all too late. James: Getting lost abroad and ending up on
the motorway. I mean, picture the scene. The sun is on your back, you're riding the smooth
Majorcan tarmac and then a lorry flies by. Now I hope this hasn't happened to you, but
it's happened to me once. I've ended up on a motorway abroad due to a bit of bad luck
and poor route planning. Don't make the same mistake I did. Plan your route, do a bit of
research into where you're going. Also, a good trick is learn a bit of the signage.
That way, you'll never end up somewhere you probably shouldn't be.
Manon: Those are some of the most common cycling mistakes we've all made. What about you guys?
Let us know in the comments section below what are the worst cycling mistakes you've
made. I can't wait to read these comments. Conor: Strada Bianche. Strada Bianche. Strada
Bianche. I don't know how I messed it up the first time. Sorry. I'm really sorry, Pinarello.
I feel like I've let you down. I feel like I've let down your Italian heritage. I'm sorry
everyone else as well. I've got to keep practicing. Strada Bianche. Strada Bianche. Strada Bianche.
[00:07:50] [END OF AUDIO]