I started riding more. While I wouldn't consider myself an expert rider by any means, continuing to pile on the miles definitely made things easier. My number one tip for getting comfortable on the bike? You gotta put in some miles. Yeah, it might be scary but it gets easier. Trust me. I learned to ride as a kid but I wasn't one of those "ride my bike all over town kids". In fact, I don't remember riding all that much which is probably why it seemed so hard to take it up again as an adult.
Once you start putting in miles, your death grip on the bars begins to release. This is great because now you can drink and eat on the bike. I invested in a little $5 bento box to attach to my handlebars. It holds enough fig newtons for a ride and is easy access for a map as well.
Speaking of maps, how in the world do you go on long rides with many turns if you are unable to read a map while riding? Well, you follow someone who knows where they are going... Seriously though, in the beginning when I was in the death grip phase I wrote directions on the inside of my arm with a sharpie. If the ride was super long, sometimes the directions continued onto my legs. My riding partner used to laugh at me but we never got lost. ...and it should be noted, she always followed me because I knew where we were going. :) Some people clip or tape cue sheets to their handlebars. Once your death grip relaxes, you can store the cue sheets/map in your bento or in your jersey pocket and pull them out to see the next turn.
If you are new to biking, I know it seems like it might never become easier but it truly does. The more you ride, the easier it gets. There really is no magic formula. As for getting faster, well... I am still trying to figure that one out. Let me know if you have the magic trick for that one!
8 comments:
Bento box for a bike! What a great idea. I will have to look for one as I want to add more biking as my cross training.
HA! My aero bars get used more for cue sheets than for being in the aero position. They are covered with tape from about 100 previous rides.
I totally agree...the more you're in the saddle, the more comfortable you feel.
I still need to get a bento box!
I was like you during the spring. I hated biking and I was so scared when I got my clip shoes. But after many months of riding, it's fun. Even though I still feel like I might die from time to time.
Brand new to cycling myself, I understand! I laughed too at you writing on your LEGS! (I often write on my arm tho!) You're right, you just have to RIDE to get more comfortable. I've found that riding withan understanding, experienced rider helps too. Glad you are loving the bike.
Hope you're enjoying your taper - good luck this weekend!!!
I love putting in the miles. I love love love my Bento box. I think it must be much easier on a Hybrid with regular pedals as I haven't had to do the death grip but my friends who ride road bikes have talked about it.
You are 100% right, miles on the bike make all the difference. I put in a ton more miles this year than last and hope to put in even more next year. I just transitioned to clipless pedals this year and it was the scariest thing in the world now it ALMOST feels natural. I'm getting there.
Awesome post. As I am still stuck on a stationary bike until I can afford to get an outside bike I don't get lost, but I know I will at some point!
I still death grip until my arms go numb. No Bento box either. But I'm riding and that's what counts right?
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