Road Cycling as a Beginner
Let’s talk about how you can get into the sport. How you can go from leisure riding to using a bike for a workout, adventure and a hobby.
Many of us have been riding bikes since we were kids. From roaming the neighbourhood to knowing where our friends were based on the bikes in the front yard. As we get older life tends to set in and the bike tends to get hung up, but many of us miss that great feeling of riding a bike, minus the odd scrapes and bruises that came with it.
Who knows there may be lots of you that still ride a bike, whether it is the odd commute or that quick ride to the bar (which isn’t always a good idea).
Anyway… although cycling is still riding a bike the word “cycling” or “cyclist” is overwhelming to a lot of people. often people think of cycling as a sport full of super-fit individuals, wearing super tight clothes, who shave their legs and hog the roads. Now in some cases, you’re not wrong but you have to remember even those cyclists started where you are… the beginning.
What you need to know about becoming a cyclist.
Don’t be afraid
Going back to the point about being overwhelmed. Just remember everyone starts as a beginner at some point. Cycling is a great way to see new places, stay fit and meet new people. The cycling community may just be one of the biggest on the planet. no matter the continent, country or city you will definitely find cyclists.
Ask a lot of questions
If there is one thing you don’t want to do, it’s starting your cycling journey with a bad experience. Cycling should be fun and rewarding at the same time. It shouldn’t be a chore. Making sure you have the right equipment, and enough knowledge to get you riding with a smile on your face is key. The best place to start is your LBS… oh I mean local bike shop; don’t worry you will learn all the bike industry lingo. Your local bike shop is the best place to start. They are there to help you get on the right bike, get you into the right equipment, and teach you about the sport. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions.
The Bike Shop will educate you on the different options; like what kind of riding you want to do. They will even teach you about the different bikes like endurance, gravel, aero and many more.
Join a community or find local riders
The community of cyclists is endless and there are so many options to finding other beginners to ride with or experienced people to help you along the way. A great place to start is of course asking your bike shop as they are usually invested in the local cycling community. they will tell you about the local events in the area and they may even have a cycling club that you can be a part of. Another great place to find local riders is Facebook groups. We all know there are Facebook groups for everything and that includes cycling. Simply search your local area and cycling, and you will usually find at least one. These groups are a great place to find locals to ride with, ask questions, and get into some great discussions about the sport.
Time to go riding
It may be overwhelming at the start but once you find your grove you won’t stop. Do your research, ask the questions, join the community, and get riding.
Stay tuned as we dive into new topics like: “What kind of bike should get?” where we talk about the variety of chooses out there. Or “What do I need to start riding?” where we talk about what accessories and equipment you should have to make riding even better.