4ucycling

In light of this upcoming long-weekend ride, I present my top 11 tips for improving your cycling technique: Pedal with flat feet: Some people think of keeping their heels down, and some point their toes towards the sky. A couple of analogies we use are to picture the linkage on an old steam engine and visualize your foot as the linkage come up and staying flat throughout the revolution of the wheels. The other is to picture an equestrian rider, riding a horse with heels down, while toes are in the stirrups. Toes down is a no, no in my book, and you'll see why in the next two tips, as they all go together. Get on the pedals early: This means you start pushing forward on the pedals before they reach the top of the arc or 12 o'clock. With your feet flat to slightly toed up/heeled down you'll be able to increase your power band from two to three hours if you look at the face of a clock. With left foot, start pushing at 10 o'clock instead of one o'clock. With toes down...

There are many, many good reasons for bicycle commuting, recreational bicycling and creating a strong bike culture in general.  Hopefully a couple with resonate with everyone and motivate more bicycling. On-going use of a bicycle has virtually NO carbon footprint. You will be a leader in your community. Bicycles increase mobility for those who don't have access to motor transport. Bikes increase mobility for those who don't qualify to drive a car. Bicycles increase mobility for those who can't afford motor transport. Bikes increase mobility for those who don't want to drive motor vehicles. Bicycles increase mobility for some people with arthritis, back problems and other mobility issues. Bicycling can be faster than walking, transit or motor vehicles. Bicycling is the most energy efficient form of transportation ever invented. You get healthy exercise from bicycling . Bicycling also can help you meet different people with the same hobby as you.

The Best Mountain Bikes of 2017 If you’re in the market for a new — or another — mountain bike, we’ve got you covered. From high-end, full-suspension bikes built for racing to the latest affordable 650b Plus rigs, these bikes are the some of the best around. ENTRY LEVEL ($1,500 AND UNDER) 1. NORCO FLUID 2 HT $1,299 Somewhere between a fat bike and a more traditional mountain bike, 650b Plus bikes are perfect for beginners. They’ll roll over just about anything, handle well and are faster than you might think. While it won’t break any speed records, the Fluid 2 HT from Norco is plenty capable of riding just about any trail — from loose technical climbs to rocky descents. The one-by drivetrain also makes shifting simple and regular maintenance as easy as it’s going to get. 2. SURLY KARATE MONKEY 27.5+ $1,399 Known for its affordable and well-built bikes, Surly has a small but loyal following. The solid steel-frame Karate Monkey is a bike that’s been around for a while, and w...

In the followings are 10 telltale signs that you’re officially a cyclist (congratulations) 1. You can’t recognize your biking friends when they aren’t wearing Lycra. And you haven’t known whether to be flattered or offended when one of them has seen you in your street clothes and said something like, “Wow! You look really good!” 2. There’s never room on the top shelf of the dishwasher for anything other than water bottles — and no matter how many times you’ve scrubbed them, they still look dirty. 3. You’ve tried every energy bar, gel and powdered electrolyte mix on the market and have homed in on the exact right combo to keep you from bonking on long rides. 4. The “check engine” light in your car has been on for months, but the most minor mechanical issue on your bike is resolved immediately… 5. …that might be because your new bike is worth more than your car. 6. And that bike has a nickname. 7. You have at least one Facebook profile shot of you posing on or next to your ...

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...

If you’ve already decided to join a cycling club, you’ll need to find the right club to fit your individual needs. Here are a few of the factors you should consider when choosing a cycling club: Goals: Some clubs steer more toward racing, while others focus more on touring the area at a slower pace. Speed: Most cycling clubs post the average mile per hour you should be comfortable with for weekend rides. Make sure your ability as a cyclist matches those of the group you’re riding with so you won’t be left behind. Age: Some groups are for cyclists of certain ages, focusing on either racing or leisurely cycling to stay fit and lose weight. Schedule: Cycling groups and clubs often meet at certain times during the week. Make sure your schedule fits with the club you’re looking to join. Price point: While some cycling clubs are free, though most have an annual fee and require you to purchase a cycling kit from the club. Check the costs before you decide to join and then choose the mos...

Being a popular sport, cycling  has become a fashion for people in different ages. Cyclists form actual cycling clubs and spend years of their lives working to become great cyclists. It's as serious as online football betting to those who are betting on the outcomes! And with Lance Armstrong managing to win the Tour de France so many times, it brought a little bit of glory the sport for people in the United States. However, it doesn't mean that there aren't teams that seem to take the sport a little less seriously. Over the years there have been some truly hilarious names that cycling teams have given themselves. Pedalphiles : The Pedalphiles are a group of dedicated cyclists that reside in the Klang Valley region of Malaysia. Despite their definitely questionable name, the group holds the record for long distance outstation rides in Malaysia and they attend cycling events all over the world. Suck It Up Buttercup: There is also a group that calls itself "Suck It Up Bu...