i know i'm new to the bike scene, as i just purchased mine a week ago, though i don't think you need to be a super experienced rider to grasp the important factors of riding a bike. aside from wearing a helmet, because that's just a common sense requirement.
top ten things i learned this week, while riding:
1. you are 97% of the time the windshield, not the bug. they'll hit and splatter on you.
for this reason, you must always wear eye protection. getting bugs and other debris in your eyes is by far the most miserable experience while on a bike.
2. good shorts are a must. yeah, you look a little ridiculous and feel like you're all but wearing a diaper, but after 30 or 40 miles, your sit bones and other parts will surely thank you for the extra protection. the saddle's pretty small compared to my butt, that's all i'm sayin'.
3. people will think it's funny to drive too close to you. if you're smart and can hear them coming, you can move as far to the right as possible. it's better though just to stay as far to the right as possible anyways. drivers aren't courteous to bikers, and you're definitely the smaller of the two. in a fight, i'm putting money on the car.
4. utilize the water bottle cages. you're exerting yourself physically, so drink the water you're losing by sweating. yeah, the wind you create does wonders to keep you dry, but if you don't drink enough water, you'll be in a world of pain the next day when your muscles dry out and seize up.
5. as you drive through neighborhoods or whatever, people are going to stare. just give 'em a silly grin and a wave. they probably won't return it, but it always makes me smile a little bigger.
6. relax your grip on the handlebars. you aren't going to fall off just because you loosen your death grip. if you move your hands a lot, you'll be way less prone to get tendonitis in those brave, little hands. not to mention relaxing your hands makes you relax your shoulders a little.
7. take a spin class from Tammie. she'll teach you all sorts of little stretches you can do on a bike to loosen up your shoulders. i was stretching my quads mid-ride today as i passed a runner. i'm 70% sure he thought i was going to crash at any second because my balance was off, but if you know your yoga, you got it goin' on.
8. your bike playlist needs to have plenty of fast, pump-you-up songs, but a few relaxed songs. i've found i naturally perform to the beat of whatever song is playing, so i've got a blend of fast and slow songs so i don't work too hard or on the contrary, not hard enough.
my current playlist includes, but is not limited to:
burn it down. awolnation.
(if you're wonder if i want you to) i want you to. weezer.
girlfriend feat. lil' mama. avril lavigne.
i'm gone, i'm going. lesley roy.
mamma mia. a*teens.
monkey wrench. foo fighters.
rehab feat. jay-z. amy winehouse.
take me out. franz ferdinand.
thunderstruck. ACDC.
sofi needs a ladder. deadmau5/sofi.
bleeding love. leona lewis.
let it go. cavo.
end of the road. boyz II men.
blow AND tik tok. ke$ha.
kiss it all better. he is we.
never say never feat. jaden smith. justin beiber.
someone like you. safety suit.
9. buy a pedometer. it doesn't seem like a big deal, but i ALWAYS want to know just how far and long i've been riding. it's oddly satisifying to discover you just rocked out 20 miles in an hour.
10. have fun. ride hard. ride in the rain. ride in the sun. ride when it's hot. and ride when it's not. dark. light. it doesn't matter. there's just something about connecting with the world while you ride that's truly incredible. i'll be honest. i'm 104% sure i'll never stop riding. if it's a disease, i've got the bug...and it's not going away!
yes, those are fivefingers...barefoot bike riding. i may be a little bit insane.
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