Cycling is a healthy and economic way of sports. Persisting in cycling benefits us a lot: exercises our heart and lungs, regulates the nerve endings, and loses weight. It’s also a great experience when balancing on two wheels while wind brushes through the hair and cheek and heart races with adventure. However, how many of us can really ride a bicycle and at the same time master the precautions or skills of long-distance cycling? This blog helps you get the most of yourself out!

Before cycling

Pump your tyres to a proper pressure

The proper tyre pressure is written on the sidewall of your types, take a look at the recommended range rather than an absolute pressure and adjust the tyre pressure according to the conditions. For example, if you are going to somewhere damp and slippy, avoid pumping your tyres too hard. While to ride efficiently, fill the tyres up.

Adjust the saddle height and riding position right

If the saddle is too high, it will get you strained and injured; if too low, it will constrain the pedalling range and the leg power. The ideal saddle height should make your knees kink slightly and your foot at the bottom of the pedal stroke.

To adjust the riding position right, make sure to let the handlebar obscure your view of the front wheel hub when sitting in your usual riding posture. Or, you can go to your local bike shop to get the riding position adjusted if you gradually develop backache or other ailments.

Dress properly

Weather changes quickly. So, it’s necessary to layer your clothes when you get hot or cold during cycling. Besides, you should also wear a cycling helmet, a pair of sunglasses, a padded cycling short, a decent pair of gloves and knee pads, and a dazzling range of affordable cycling clothing is out there.

What to Take

Water and food

There is no more dreadful thing on a bike than energy depletion and dehydration. Thus, you can take some water and snacks with you to refuel yourself and avoid cramp halfway, such as a banana, an apple, jellies, flapjack, electrolyte drinks, protein bars, etc.

A lock and lights

Remember to mount a set of lights on your bike in case you might be delayed coming back after dusk. Also, bring a lock will be handy for any unexpected corner-shop visits or cafe stops. Never leave your bike unlocked even if you just go away for a while.

A safe box with tools, spares, and cash

A multi-tool with a range of kits inside a safe box or backpack helps you cope with mechanical components during cycling; a chain tool helps you put back the broken chain together; and tyre levers, a mini pump, a puncture repair kit, and a spare are also needed during a long-distance cycling. Moreover, some cash, a card, and a cellphone are also necessary, too.

Above all, you can put all these things inside a Biometric Privacy Safe and secure it onto the handlebar or under the saddle of your bike. You can even contract the steel security cable to an appropriate length that won’t impede your cycling. Except for the above items, the Biometric Privacy Safe is also ideal to store valuables and other private items during cycling or other scenarios, such as a power bank, keys, jewelry, wireless Bluetooth earphones, wallets, watch, USB sticks, snacks, perfume, etc. It also comes in different colors that cater for your preferences: white, blue, purple, and chartreuse.

If you are interested in this amazing Biometric Privacy Safe, learn more from here.

What to do

Use your gears

When approaching a hill, you can use the front gears located near your right pedal to make the biggest shifts quickly. If you have two or three chain rings to choose from, you can use the smallest ring to make the easiest turnover. And these gears are controlled by the shift mechanism on the left side of your handlebars.

Then, use the back gears on the cogset near the rear wheel, which are controlled by the shift mechanism on the right side of your handlebars, to increase pace or step the pedal easier.

Pedal at a steady rhythm

When cycling, you may not want to spin your legs or push the pedal like billy-o. Preferably, a pedalling speed at about 70-90 revolutions per minute will be ideal to work your cardiovascular and aerobic system and improve your endurance and all-round health. But you will need to practice what 70-90 rpm pedalling feels like and maintain it with your gears.

Three pedal choices are here for your consideration: platforms, top clips, and clipless pedals. Platform pedals don’t allow you to maximize your stroke but to push down since you cannot fix your feet onto them. Toe clip pedals enable you to use the stroke as many as possible, but they are difficult to cease from fast strokes. Clipless pedals, attached directly to the cleat of the bottom of your shoes, are easy to get in and out quickly and reap the maximum benefits after hard practices.

Corner properly

How to avoid hitting the ground when leaning into the corner? You can lift the inside pedal to make it at the top of your pedal stroke.

Watch out other road users

It’s worth noting that pedestrians, other cyclists, and drivers may make mistakes on the road. Hence, remember not to take anything for granted even if you think a pedestrian or driver see you.

Don’t hang another helmet or belt on your handlebar

Never ride with a helmet hanging on your handlebar because it’s extremely dangerous if the straps get stuck in the front wheel. However, if you do need to bring some essential items with you, like cellphone, snacks, lights, or anything else, you can use the Biometric Privacy Safe mentioned above to collect those items and fasten it onto a proper position on your bike.

Stay confident on the way

It’s wrong to keep as far away as possible from the side of the road near the kerb, since other drivers or pedestrians may not see you or squash in a small space to surpass you. Be confident. Ride one meter away from the kerb and exercise the right to use the carriageway.

Explore the lane bravely

Assume you are riding a mountain bike which can traverse through multiple terrains. You can go anywhere you want. If you see a lane not taken before, ride down the path to find out where it leads. You may end up with a surprise open field or a wonderland of peace.

What to learn

Practice fixing a puncture

Modern bicycles have fantastic puncture and wear resistant tyres, but what if you have an old bicycle used for a certain number of years? Therefore, it’s necessary to practice changing the inner tube in case you have to fix a puncture tyre by the side of the road someday.

Do remember to inspect and remove whatever caused the puncture before changing the tyre, or it will penetrate the inner tube, too.

Learn to brake

The primary principle to brake is using both brakes evenly, especially when you have to stop suddenly. Since the front brake on the left side offers more stopping power, you must avoid using it abruptly, otherwise, you will get catapulted over the fence. Also, over-gripping the rear brake will reduce the stopping power and lead to back tyre skid.

A safe brake requires adding pressure gradually to both brakes until you slow down or come to a complete stop. Besides, always gaze ahead and moderate your speed ahead of time.