4ucycling

Many amateur cyclists dream of taking their passion to the next level and joining a bike racing team. But before this can be done there are some very important considerations that must understood first. Here is what you need to know before joining a bike racing team. Riding a bike for pleasure and biking as a member of a competitive team are very different. Once a person joins a team there is an important commitment that is made where other team members will depend on you. It is important to be prepared to fulfill this commitment responsibly. Participating on a competitive team also takes a lot out of the individual both physically and mentally. The stress of the race, inclement weather conditions and the physical hardships all compound to make bike racing challenging enough. There are certain things which you must be aware of before embarking on a professional journey. Here is a quick checklist of what you should know before joining a bike racing team. The first prerequisite bef...

Go somewhere you’ve never been before. Do you ever crave that sense of adventure? Get out your map (or GPS) and pick out somewhere exciting that’s within cycling distance. The only catch is that it must be somewhere you’ve never been before. You’ll see and experience new things – both during your journey and once you’ Take part in a race. It may be you need more of a challenge to shake things up a little, so why not consider a race? You’ll be able to try out a fun route against like-minded individuals as you race from A to B. It doesn’t matter if you win or lose. What is important is that you had fun taking part! Don’t be afraid to go off track. If you’re sticking to the same old routes and roads, that’s probably why you’re finding yourself a little bored with your cycling routine. Don’t be afraid to take a new path, head down an alley, bike over a dusty dirt path or take the long way to your destination. You’ll see new things and learn more about your area, giving you a...

Not progressing your training As you get closer and closer to the first events of the season, whether it’s a sportive or road race, then your training needs to adapt. If you carry on doing what you have for the last two months then you won’t be stretching yourself in training. As you approach the season your rides need to become more and more specific. For example, if you are a sportive rider targeting a major European event then you should start to incorporate more sweetspot work into your training order to replicate the effort required on climbs. Doing too much, too soon The principles of training are simple: train hard, recover to allow your body to adapt to that training, and then train hard again. The key is to allow your body to recover in between hard blocks of training and then make the next block slightly harder than the one you have just completed in order to encourage consistent and sustainable progression. Not getting enough recovery Without adequate recovery, your...

What can I do to improve my bike handling skills? So you want to improve your bike handling skills? Here are six tips to make you feel more comfortable and controlled when out on the bike. 1. Practice makes perfect Needless to say, one of the best ways to improve bike handling is to actually get out and ride your bike – the more often you do, the more natural it will become. However, if bike handling is a particular issue for you then having a quiet space to practice troublesome skills on your own is a great way to do improve your skill on the bike. 2. Think ahead The key to being able to react to obstacles and hazards in good time is to think – and look – ahead. It’s so easy to ‘chew your stem’ when working hard at the front of a group or grinding up a climb and miss important and potentially dangerous hazards. 3. Watch others They say one of the best ways to learn is by watching others. Not just anyone, however – you need to watch those who are well-versed in goo...

Take it easy The faster and harder you ride in hot weather, the harder on your body it’s going to be. Obviously such riding can’t be avoided in a race but if you’re out in the country on an all-day ride, keep the pace steady and try to keep your energy expenditure low. Take it slow, don’t charge up all the hills. Regular breaks in the shade (or pub/café if you prefer) are a good tip too. Wear lightweight clothing to help keep cool – and don’t go charging up every hill Wear lightweight clothing Wear technical clothing with high sweat wicking properties and which offer plenty of ventilation; mesh panels (don’t forget to apply sunscreen underneath…) full-length zips and the like, so you can get as much cooling air over your body as possible. A wicking base layer will also help remove sweat and keep you drier. Don’t neglect your feet either; thin socks and well vented shoes will keep your toes from getting clammy. Some brands now offer clothing which is super-light (and sometimes wit...

4. Use your gears and switch them before you get on the hill and have all the tension on the chain and cogs: All that popping and grinding and inability to shift gears under load is normal. You wouldn't shift your manual transmission car without putting the clutch in, so why would you shift a bike without letting up on the pedals a bit? And that goes for shifting in and out of the front chain rings as well as changing cogs on the rear cassette. 3. Keep your head up, and relax your elbows, shoulders, and hands slightly: Keeping your head up too high, with all the tension in your hands, neck, arms, and shoulders, will give you some aches and pains that are unnecessary and put you at risk for erratic handling of the bicycle in adverse conditions. Being loose allows your bike to respond just the right amount to stones, gravel, or wind. Looking where you are going is pretty obvious. After all, you wouldn't walk down the street in NYC looking at the sidewalk just in front of your fe...

If you don't want to cut out solo riding entirely, joining a cycling club is good way to improve your skills on the bike and take your fitness to the next level. Use this guide to find out how joining a cycling club benefits you as a cyclist and where to find a like-minded cycling group near you. 1. LEARN BETTER BIKE-HANDLING Whether you’re interested in racing or not, improving your bike-handling makes you a safer cyclist on the road. By joining a cycling group and getting involved in weekend club rides, you’ll learn useful skills you might not be exposed to riding solo. Drafting, bike control, hand signals and pacing are just a few of the basics you’ll grow accustomed to when you practice riding in close proximity to others. READ MORE > 10 CYCLING HAND SIGNALS YOU NEED TO KNOW 2. DEVELOP CAMARADERIE If you ride lots of miles alone, motivation can become an issue. Joining a cycling club with other like-minded cyclists helps you mix up your training regimen and have m...