Relax for a better ride

A friend in her early 40s is learning to ride a long board. After the first “lesson” she complained that she felt like she’d been hit by a bus. True, she fell off a couple of times, but the real problem was that she was tense and tentative.

In order to skate without falling and without aching muscles she has to learn to relax. It’s the same on a bike.

Are you being seen?

“If you can’t see my mirrors then I can’t see you.” It’s a warning you’re probably familiar with on the back of trucks. You’d think cars are big enough not to be missed but those signs seem to indicate otherwise. How much more vulnerable are cyclists?

We need to be forever conscious of where and how we place ourselves in the line of sight of other road users.

Keep your mind on the job for improved performance

I was once privileged to be a support driver for the Herald Sun Tour. On one of the rest days I had a long chat with a “retired” cyclist who had competed at a very high level in Europe. He had not been able to afford a TV or other entertainment so he went and joined the local library.

The more he read the better he rode. He put it down to being able to sustain an intense level of concentration for long periods. It seemed that the greater comprehension he gained, the better he performed at all levels.

Take off the training wheels for a fast start

Forget the training wheels on those new bikes. Children (and adults!) can learn to ride faster without them. A simple three step method develops confidence with balance before the new rider has to worry about pedalling.

Remove the training wheels if fitted. Now take off the pedals and lower the seat so the child can sit on it with both feet flat on the ground.