Bike Skills – Twelve Tips
1. Learn to Ride in a Straight Line
Being able to ride smoothly and predictably is one of the most useful cycling skills. Look ahead rather than constantly watching your front wheel, relax your shoulders and keep a light grip on the handlebars. Try to maintain a steady line while pedalling smoothly. Avoid sudden movements unless you need to avoid a hazard. Practising on a quiet, flat road or traffic-free path can help you build confidence. Once you are comfortable riding straight, many other cycling skills become much easier.
2. Learn How to Use Your Brakes
Good braking is about being smooth and controlled rather than simply grabbing the levers. Use both brakes together, applying pressure progressively. The front brake provides much of your stopping power, but avoid squeezing it suddenly, particularly when cornering or riding on loose or slippery surfaces. Keep your hands ready on the brake levers when descending or approaching hazards. Practise stopping smoothly on a quiet, level surface so you become familiar with how your particular bike responds.
3. Learn How and When to Change Gears
Gears help you keep pedalling comfortably as the road changes. Use an easier gear before reaching a steep hill rather than waiting until your legs are struggling. On descents and faster sections, a harder gear may help you maintain control and a comfortable cadence. Try to change gear while pedalling gently rather than pushing hard on the pedals. With practice, you will begin to anticipate hills and changes in the road rather than reacting to them. Rides who experience difficultly changing gears often don't depress the lever deep enough or hold the depressed lever until the shift has completed.
4. Keep Your Chain On – And Get It Back
A dropped chain can be inconvenient, but it doesn't need to end your ride. Avoid changing gear under heavy pressure, particularly when climbing. Try to select an appropriate gear before a hill becomes steep. If the chain comes off, stop somewhere safe and avoid continuing to pedal. Depending on where it has fallen, you can often guide it back onto the top of chainring while gently turning the pedals in the normal direction. Get a friend to hold the bike with the rear wheel lifted while you do this. Use an Allen key - or similar - to hook the chain back on or carry gloves and some wipes!
5. Learn to Mount and Dismount Safely
Mounting and dismounting can feel surprisingly awkward when learning or returning to cycling. Find a safe, level place to practise without traffic around you. YouTube has plenty of videos including this one from bicycleplanet.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=R0CJk5UpY4w&pp=ygUdaG93IHRvIHN0YXJ0IGFuZCBzdG9wIGJpY3ljbGU%3D
The Sheldon Brown archive is excellent though navigating the site is a skill in itself.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/starting.html
6. Practise Riding One-Handed Safely
Being able to ride - even briefly - with one hand is useful for signalling, drinking water or making a small adjustment. Practise first somewhere quiet and traffic-free. Keep your riding line steady, look ahead and relax your shoulders. Take one hand away smoothly rather than suddenly. You should never feel obliged to ride one-handed if the surface, traffic or your balance makes it unsafe. The important skill is knowing when you can do it confidently – and when it is better to keep both hands on the handlebars. Remember that your bike's position on the road is an indication of your plan to turn right.
7. Learn How to Climb Steep Hills Safely
Steep hills are easier when you prepare before the gradient increases. Change to an easier gear early, settle into a comfortable rhythm and try to maintain a steady cadence. Staying seated usually gives good traction and helps conserve energy, although standing briefly can sometimes be useful to change the muscles that are engaged. Don't worry about being slow – climbing is about managing your effort. If the hill becomes too much, there is nothing wrong with warning the rider behind then stopping somewhere safe, taking a breather and trying again.
8. Descend Rough Ground With Control
Rough surfaces require a little more care. Reduce your speed before reaching the roughest section and keep your eyes looking ahead for the best line. Relax your arms rather than gripping the handlebars tightly, and allow the bike to move naturally beneath you. Keep your weight balanced - pedals level and more weight on the pedals - and avoid sudden braking or steering movements. On particularly rough or unfamiliar ground, walking may be the safest option. Confidence comes from gradually experiencing different surfaces rather than trying to tackle everything at speed.
9. Take Downhill Corners Safely
Good cornering starts well before the corner. Reduce your speed while you are still travelling straight, then look through the bend towards where you want to go. Keep your movements smooth and avoid heavy braking or sudden steering while leaning. Generally, keep the outside pedal down - with more weight on that pedal - and your inside pedal up as you corner. Give yourself plenty of room and don't feel pressured to match another rider's speed. A slower, controlled corner is much better than discovering that you have entered it too quickly.
10. Know When to Use the Primary Position
The primary position means riding towards the centre of your lane rather than close to the edge. It can be appropriate when you need to be more visible, particularly approaching junctions, where the road narrows or where a car passing you would be unsafe. It isn't about blocking traffic; it is about positioning yourself where you can ride safely and predictably. Choose your road position according to the situation, traffic and road conditions. If you are unsure, practising with an experienced rider can be very helpful.
11. Learn How to Look Behind Safely
Looking behind without accidentally changing direction is an important skill. Start by practising on a quiet, straight road with no traffic nearby. Keep a steady line, relax your arms and turn your head briefly to check behind you. Avoid staring backwards for too long. Before moving out, changing position or turning, make sure you have checked that it is safe. A quick, controlled look becomes much easier with practice. When you feel confident you can also learn to use a shoulder check - put your hand on the shoulder of a rider to your right to add stability - without allowing your bike to drift sideways.
12. Find Your Correct Saddle Height
Correct saddle height can make cycling more comfortable and efficient. When the pedal is at its lowest point when pedalling, your leg should be almost straight with a small amount of bend remaining in your knee. You should not have to rock your hips from side to side to reach the pedals. Nor should you feel cramped when pedalling. Make small - say 3mm - adjustments and try the bike after each one. If you're unsure, an experienced cycle instructor or bike shop can help you find a comfortable position.