Bicycle driving technique “Start and stop. How to ride faster and further You need to make the bike go faster

If you're looking for ways to stop driving slow and start driving fast, we've put together 10 recommendations for what to do first.

1. Quit smoking

In the 1920s, it was widely believed among professional cyclists that smoking increased lung capacity and endurance. Since then, numerous studies have left no stone unturned in this idea. Tar in the lungs is the first thing that will make itself known when you try to increase speed. Therefore, giving up this bad habit has become a leader in our hit parade.

2. Start training

This means not only admiring the surroundings, but also giving yourself physical activity during trips.

To improve your shape and general physical fitness (and this will make it possible to ride faster), any load will be good.

If you are looking for significant growth and the ability to compete in races, then long-term loads (from 2 hours) of low intensity are what you need for beginners. Athletes call this “volume”. And this is the first step to adapting the lungs, muscles and cardiovascular system to intense competitive loads.

3. Take up cycling

A fast bike will add efficiency and speed to you. Careful operation and high-quality maintenance will give more profit than exclusivity and top-end components. not at all suitable for trying to ride them fast. It’s better to get rid of this and take it. But it’s not at all necessary to chase the top model in the line, sacrificing vacations and birthday gifts for your wife and children.

To begin with, it is worth eliminating excess friction where it can arise - and the carriage. And also at the points of contact between the brake pads and the rim or disc.

7. Watch how the pros do it

Watching competition broadcasts is an effective way of passive learning. People have learned a lot from watching animals. You can learn a lot more by watching other people. Especially when they are real professionals who have eaten more than one dog, increasing their own efficiency and speed. It is not at all necessary to peer and focus on details; it is enough to simply observe, enjoying the spectacle. Let your brain work without your active participation.

8. Take part in training camps

If you already feel confident in the saddle, have traveled all over the area and want something else, it’s time to join up with your comrades and go to a cycling pioneer camp. Eat, sleep, ride and think about good things. New routes and experiences. This practice will allow you to become faster, catching up with stronger participants in the training camp. There you can get valuable information on any questions from fellow hobbyists and recharge yourself with the desire to continue actively skating.

9. Continue training

If you've already ordered super-light wheels online and watched the entire Tour de France over the past ten years, don't forget to get outside to practice it all. It’s better to do this regularly, because your body’s capabilities are the main component of the skill of driving fast.

10. Another way

The shortest way to speed is to climb the mountain and slide down! But this is a completely different story :)

There is an opinion that anyone who can ride a couple of laps around the yard without falling is already a master of a bicycle and knows everything about riding techniques. However, as with all activities, there are levels of skill, and a cyclist who has learned the correct technique and practiced it enough will ride safer and more efficiently.

Start

Many seasoned cyclists struggle to take the time to learn how to properly get on and off a bike, and their bad habits serve them poorly in traffic or when climbing hills.

One of the basic skills of cycling is to ride in a straight line, without jerking from side to side. Most are unable to straighten out their trajectory until they reach a certain minimum speed, usually around 8-13 km/h. Learning proper starting technique will allow you to reach that critical maneuver speed faster, and the bike will be partially out of your control less of the time.

Some errors

The cowboy jump into the saddle is popular among cyclists who have learned to ride bikes that are too large. Indeed, this is the only way to ride a bicycle whose frame is very high for the rider. This dubious and unsafe technique works like this: you stand next to the bike, put your foot on the pedal, then push off with the other leg and throw it over the saddle of the already moving bike.
In a cowboy jump, the rider's weight is transferred to the bike while it is tilted at a significant angle. Because of this, damage to the frame and wheels is possible in the future. Bicycle wheels in particular are not designed to withstand severe lateral forces, and this poor jumping technique places a heavy load on the wheels.

A “shuffle jump” looks like this: you stand with one foot on the pedal and try to accelerate the bike by pushing off the ground with the other foot... you cannot effectively control the bike, and thus you cannot start moving uphill.

The "fly jump" is a lesser-known but equally vicious technique that involves the cyclist running alongside the bike and then jumping onto the saddle. Racers sometimes do this, but it is dangerous and ugly.

Correct starting technique

1.Stand over the frame with both feet on the ground. Most people throw their leg over the saddle before doing this, but if you have a low handlebar, you can also swing your leg over the handlebar. If your bike has a women's frame or a generally low frame, you may end up putting your foot right over the frame. Sometimes you need to tilt the bike first.

2.Don't try to sit in the saddle when the bike is stationary, this is often impossible if your saddle is properly aligned.

3.Twist the pedals so that the pedal on the side of your weak leg is turned at an angle of 45 degrees upward.

4.Place your foot on this pedal and press it firmly.

The following will happen at the same time:

- you can use this pedal as a step to climb up and sit on the saddle;

- the force transferred to the chain drive will begin to accelerate the bike.

If you haven't learned this yet, take the time to practice. It may look complicated, but in reality everything is much easier. Once you get used to doing the above, it will become second nature. You'll ride better and safer because you can get your bike up to speed quickly and confidently.

Stop

Stopping isn't that difficult for most cyclists, but there are bad habits to break and good techniques to learn.

Downshift first

If your bike has a standard gear system, it only works when moving. It's important to get into the habit of shifting to the nearest lower gear before braking so you'll have a good gear selection when you get going again. Typically the rear derailleur is set to the largest sprocket and the front derailleur to the second largest. Naturally, in an emergency you only brake and don't worry about gears, but in a normal, controlled stop you can learn to change gears automatically.

When your feet touch the ground

Perhaps out of a desire to compensate for poor brakes with the soles of their shoes, some cyclists put their feet down too quickly, which can be painful.

When stopping, you need to transfer your weight to one pedal (which should be in the down position if the bike is equipped with a freewheel). The other foot should not touch the ground until the bike has almost stopped.

If you put your foot on the ground while the bike is still moving, the following will happen. You already stop with the help of the brakes, and these same brakes affect the entire “bike + cyclist” system. If you put your foot down, your weight is transferred to it, and the brakes now only affect the bike, which is much lighter than you are. The braking force, which only smoothly stopped the bike along with the rider at a controlled speed, will be quite sufficient for the bike to instantly stop on its own. Meanwhile, the moment of inertia keeps you on the trajectory until your private parts hit the stem of your suddenly stopped bike... oh!

How do I get to Carnegie Hall?

If you are one of the many cyclists who, despite years of practice, have not overcome bad habits associated with starting and stopping, then it is never too late to improve your technique. These recommendations may seem funny at first, but as soon as you use them at least once, you will see that life has become better, life has become more fun... Practice! Train! Train!

Often when buying the most common mountain bike, a person wonders whether this bike exactly meets all his requirements. As you know, mountain bikes are not famous for their aerodynamics and rolling, because they are needed for riding on rough terrain, and not on flat roads. If you have already bought a mountain bike instead of a road bike for riding around the city, then it doesn’t matter! Making a bike faster is quite possible, that’s what we’ll talk about.

Wheels

To increase the speed of your bike, you must know that the most important thing is the tires. Mountain bikes come standard with . It is extremely inappropriate in an urban environment. Rubber with an aggressive tread has a smaller area of adhesion to the road surface, and therefore the bike’s roll is dampened.

If you only drive on roads, then slick tires will be ideal for you. They have a smooth surface, which gives the bike maximum inertia. Slicks only have drainage grooves, which are needed to prevent you from being slippery on a wet surface.

It is contraindicated to use “bald” tires instead of slicks! It has a rough surface, which increases the friction force of the tire on the asphalt, unlike slicks. It is also dangerous to drive on bald tires in the rain: water will not be drained outside the tire, so the wheel will slide on the water. Also, the rubber layer of a bald tire is thinner, so it is more susceptible to punctures.

These anti-puncture slicks perform very well in urban conditions.

Another suitable tire option for MTB, which is designed to improve rolling, is a semi-slick. This is a hybrid between mountain tires and slicks. If you at least occasionally drive off the road, it is better to buy a semi-slick tire. There are spikes along the edges of the tire, and a smooth surface in the middle. That is, the semi-slick stabilizes the bike well when cornering when the spikes begin to touch the road.

Semi-slick combines good rolling and grip on dirt roads

Width matters a lot. The narrower the tires, the more rolling they are. Road bikes are equipped with the narrowest possible tires. It is impossible to install such narrow tires on a mountain bike due to the greater thickness of the rim. Therefore, choose tires that will suit you not only in terms of tread type, but also in terms of rim size.

Often a knobby or semi-slick tire is placed on the front wheel, and a slick on the rear wheel. Thanks to this, your rolling will improve and your grip on the dirt road will be at an acceptable level.

It’s worth mentioning about the pressure in the chambers: the higher it is, the better the roll-up. The tires must have the maximum possible pressure for that tire written on them. Inflate the tires almost to maximum.

Depreciation

If you have a hardtail, things aren't so bad. The suspension fork sways when riding, thereby dampening the cyclist's efforts. The rear shock absorber, if equipped, rocks the bike even worse and also adds weight to the bike.

To make a hardtail ride faster, it is better to install a rigid fork. It weighs little, especially carbon fiber, and greatly increases the inertia of the bike. Moreover, carbon fiber, with all its advantages, will also slightly cushion due to the fact that the material has good elasticity. Aluminum is heavier and cheaper than carbon, and very rigid (not elastic).

The size of the rigid fork must be selected exactly to the geometry of the frame so that the angle of the steering column remains the same as it was.

Also, almost all soft forks have a lockout switch. Locking will make your suspension fork stiff. If you often ride not only on asphalt, but also on rough terrain, then a locking fork will be very useful. One caveat: the locking must be turned off when driving over bumps, otherwise you risk damaging the fork.

Transmission

The larger (in size) the stars in the system, the greater the maximum speed of the bike. This is due to the fact that the gear ratio increases. The larger it is, the more effort you need to put in to.

On singlespeed, a large sprocket is installed at the front so that the maximum speed of the bike is high.

Landing

The low and narrow riding position reduces wind resistance. Thanks to this, the speed of the bike increases. To make your riding position more aerodynamic, try buying a long one and positioning it as low as possible if there are spacers on the fork steerer.

Special sun loungers are also sold that are installed on the handlebars close to the stem. With a lounger, your hands will be close to each other, and also low: approximately at the level of the saddle (if the bike fits you well in size). Thanks to the armrests that are included in the design of the lounger, you will be less tired.

You can cut the steering wheel with your own hands to fit the width of your shoulders. This will worsen the bike's handling, but improve its aerodynamics.

Also make sure the saddle is set to the correct height. To do this, sit on the bike and turn the pedal to the down position. In this case, the corresponding leg should be practically straightened. If you ride with your legs bent all the time, your pedaling efficiency will drop significantly. In addition, it can cause joint problems.

Pedals

Have you ever thought that you are essentially pedaling with only one foot? One foot presses on the pedal, while the other rests at this time. This applies only to ordinary pedals, or, as they are also called, “stompers”.

To improve pedaling performance, engineers have invented clipless pedals that are securely attached to the cleats on the sole of special cycling shoes. The trick is that on the contacts you can not only press on the pedal, but also pull it up with your other foot. Maximum efficiency is achieved if you have trained yourself to describe a circle with your feet, that is, to make circular movements instead of pressing the pedal.

Contact pedals are available with and without a platform; This photo shows the pedal without a platform.

A cheaper and outdated option is pedals with toe clips. Toe clips are straps that hold your foot on the pedal. Their disadvantage, unlike contacts, is that toe clips are more difficult to unfasten and they do not hold the leg well enough. But with toe clips you can ride in any shoes, not necessarily cycling shoes.

You can make toe clips yourself. To do this, take a suitable thin strap and attach it to the pedal like this:

On the right is a diagram of how to fit into these homemade toe clips.

Service

At least once a season, go through all the components of your bike. Without this, you will not even know that the bearings on your bike are worn out or any parts are damaged. An increase in the speed of a bicycle can occur when replacing it with new ones, cleaning and lubricating the chain and bulk bearings, replacing the last balls, and so on. Adjusting the brakes will also help if the pads touch the rotor or rim.

The tapers of the bushings and pedals on the embankment need to be well adjusted. It is better to go to a specialist if you are not sure that you can do it correctly.

Before lubricating the chain, clean the derailleur sprockets and rollers. Then wash the chain. It is not advisable to do this with water, as rust may form. Place the chain in a container with a lid, fill it with gasoline and shake the closed container. This way the chain can be washed well in all hard-to-reach places.

The chain must be lubricated with liquid lubricant. After lubrication, leave the bike alone for 15 minutes and then remove any excess lube from the chain. If this is not done, the dirt will easily stick, which is why the chain will have to be washed and re-lubricated.

The most convenient way to lubricate the chain is with an oil can.

Make sure the chain is not too stretched yet, otherwise it will kill the cassette and system. Instead of replacing the chain, you will have to replace the entire transmission later if you did not notice the wear in time.

Weight

It’s no wonder that road racers have light bikes, many of them weigh about 6-7 kg! On such a bike it is not at all difficult to accelerate quickly and then maintain the speed.

To make your bike lighter, you can replace heavy parts. Of course, as the weight of a part decreases, its cost increases. Therefore, the lightest carbon components are very expensive.

If you are very limited in funds, then you can at least buy only a frame, and not necessarily a carbon one. Nowadays, aluminum frames also have low weight due to butting and hydroforming technologies.

Speed depends not only on the bike. It is necessary to improve not only the bike, but also the pedaling technique, breathing and other things. Basically, the rider determines the speed of the ride, not the bike! Therefore, ride more, and over time, high riding speed will be available to you.

To make your bike ride safe and comfortable, you need to choose the right equipment.

Helmet. It will reduce the chance of injury if you fall. And it doesn’t matter how long your route is. Always wear a helmet. It should not squeeze the head or dangle loosely, rub or cause discomfort. Adjustment at the back of the head will adjust it exactly to your head volume.
Tight pants or leggings. Riding in wide-legged trousers is dangerous: they can get caught on the chain. As a last resort, tuck them into socks or grab them with special clips.
Cycling shorts. If you decide to travel long distances, they are indispensable. A soft “diaper” will make the trip much more comfortable. Your butt will hurt much less after a long bike ride.
Gloves. They will help avoid steering wheel calluses thanks to the gel pads on the palms. In hot weather, you can choose fingerless gloves. In cold weather - classic ones, covering the entire hand.
Glasses. They protect the eyes from the sun, wind, dust, and small stones.
Shoes with deep tread. It will provide better grip on the pedals and your feet will not slip off them. Advanced cyclists use clipless pedals with special cycling shoes. There is a cleat on the sole that is attached to the pedal and provides maximum support for the foot. But remember: the load on the legs in this case will be different, you will have to get used to it.
Bright T-shirt, sweatshirt, jacket. Ideally, with reflective stripes.
Backpack. It should fit comfortably against your back.

It's clear. Do I need to do something with the bike?

How should you behave on a long trip?

If possible, travel with a group. It's more fun and safer.

During the process, you will probably be hindered by a headwind. The best option is to sit behind a stronger cyclist and ride in his aerodynamic “bag”. But be sure to keep your distance so you have time to slow down.

Don't overload yourself. If you are tired, stop, rest, have a snack. Or just walk, holding your bike by the handlebars. Cycling is not about breaking records, but about having fun.

Avoid riding at night, even if you have a very bright headlight and a great bike.

Let driving in the dark be a rare exception, not the rule.

Don't take a heavy backpack with you. Limit yourself to the essentials. If there is somewhere to stock up on water along the way, do not take extra bottles with you.

Avoid cycling in extreme heat. The ideal weather for long trips is cloudy and cool.

Before going on a long bike ride, don’t forget:

Study the route, mark points where you can replenish water and food, and take into account difficult sections.
Check that the wheels are well inflated and are not flat.
Test the brakes.
Check for dirt and stones on the gear shifters and chain.

Since I'm driving out onto the road, should I remember the traffic rules?

Of course. According to , a cyclist can have two statuses.

1. Driver of a non-motorized vehicle. If you are riding a bike. Main rules Section 24 Traffic Regulations of the Russian Federation. Additional requirements for the movement of cyclists and moped drivers.:

Follow road signs, obey traffic lights and traffic controllers.
Give way to pedestrians at zebra crossings and passengers getting on or off the tram at a stop.
Inform other road users in a timely manner about turning left or right. To do this, extend the corresponding arm to the side. If you want to brake, raise your hand above your head.
Overtake other vehicles according to the same rules as motorists: only on the left, having given a signal in advance (with your left hand moved to the side).
Do not turn left on multi-lane roads or roads with a tram line. In this case, you need to dismount and cross the intersection using a pedestrian crossing.
Always hold the steering wheel with at least one hand.
Do not use your phone without a headset while driving.

2. A pedestrian. If you dismount and walk next to a bicycle. Main rules Section 4 of the Traffic Regulations of the Russian Federation. Responsibilities of pedestrians.:

Cross, but under no circumstances cross a pedestrian zebra crossing with your bicycle.
Outside populated areas, dismount from your bicycle and walk along the side of the road in the direction of traffic. Ordinary pedestrians walk towards cars.

Is it possible to ride a bicycle on sidewalks?

It is possible, but in extreme cases. Traffic rules determine the following priority for the movement of cyclists:

Bicycle or bicycle/pedestrian path.
The right edge of the roadway (no further than one meter from the edge) or the shoulder. This option should always be used by cyclists riding in a convoy.
Pedestrian zone and sidewalk - only if the first two options are not possible. In this case, pedestrians have priority: if a cyclist interferes with them, he must dismount.

If a cyclist is under 14 years of age, he can only ride on sidewalks, bicycle paths or bicycle/pedestrian paths. The same applies to those who transport or accompany a child under 7 years old in a bicycle seat.

But cyclists are strictly prohibited from riding on highways.

What happens if I break the rules?

For violation of traffic rules, the Code of Administrative Offenses provides for a fine - from 500 (if the cyclist dismounted) to 800 rubles (if riding a bicycle).

If a cyclist violates the rules while intoxicated, the fine increases to 1,000–1,500 rubles.

The more often you ride a bike, the more opportunities will open up for you. This type of transport is a great way to spend time pleasantly and usefully. The main thing is to remember safety.

Choose old clothes that you don't mind throwing away. Select a site. It is best if this is a place with loose soil, since the wheels will not get stuck in it.

First, ride without using pedals. You need to feel the balance. Place your left foot on the ground and your right foot on the bicycle pedal. Push off with the foot that is on the surface, and relax the other and use absolutely no effort. Try to drive as far as possible without leaning to the side. There is no need to turn the steering wheel. Balance is maintained by your body, not by this control.

Move on to the ride itself. When you get on a bike, the main thing is not to panic. Just relax your muscles. Distribute your body weight over four points - equally on your legs and arms. The movement of body parts should occur smoothly, without much jerking. The eyes play a very important role in maintaining balance. There is no need to look at your feet, look forward, only forward! The brain itself will regulate balance relative to other objects.

Learn to ride bicycle It is necessary only on a flat and straight surface. There is no need to turn the steering wheel. When you eat, do not tense your muscles. Relax, don't push the pedals as hard as you can, raise your head up, but hold the steering wheel firmly. If you are going to turn, do not jerk the steering wheel sharply. Turn the body and steering wheel slightly. And one more important fact: riding a bike too fast requires certain skills and knowledge, riding a bike too slow makes it difficult to maintain balance. You need to ride at an average pace.

Video on the topic

note

In order to learn how to ride a bicycle, you must first of all have good balance. The vestibular apparatus is responsible for a person’s sense of balance, a part of the inner ear that allows one to determine the position of the body in space at any time and make appropriate adjustments to the trajectory of movement.

Helpful advice

To learn how to ride a bicycle, start by mastering the ability to maintain balance. Since this will require the participation of almost all muscle groups, you must be in good physical shape before starting training. Learn to balance first without using pedals. Bring them to a horizontal position, place your pushing foot on one of them. Press the pedal and, having driven forward a little, place your other foot on the second one, pushing off the ground.

Sources:

learn to ride a bike

Cycling not only brings benefits and pleasure, but also improves health. After all, this is not only an excellent means of transportation, but also a trainer. And what joy cycling brings to children! Learning to ride it is quite simple. To do this, you just need to be patient and remember about safety.

Instructions

Now let's move on to the bike. It needs to be adjusted to suit you. Adjust the seat. Remember that when you are in the saddle, your feet should be on the ground. Over time, the saddle can be raised so that the toe of the foot touches the ground. This will be the optimal saddle height. It is also necessary to understand the structure of the brakes and steering wheel.

Try to maintain your balance while sitting in the saddle, while lifting your legs off the ground for a few seconds. This exercise will help you get a little feel for balance, equilibrium, comfort of the seat and steering wheel.

Now you can slowly start moving. Push off the ground with your feet without touching the pedals. It is best to do this from a slight slope. Don't forget about the brake, adjust the speed. You can point the bike in different directions - control it freely. Remember to look at the road, not at the pedals or feet. Otherwise, you will lose your balance. If necessary, touch your feet to the ground to support yourself.

If you feel like you are falling, first slow down and only then stand on the ground yourself. Now try driving while pedaling. Pick up a little speed. To begin with, drive short distances of 3-5 meters and only then, having fully mastered the pedaling technique, can you gradually increase the distance.

The next step is turns. Try turning left and right. Practice the movement in a circle in both directions.

Well, now try to combine all stages of training: try to drive 50 meters, brake, turn around and go back. As soon as you begin to do this without problems, then you have practically learned to ride.

Helpful advice

Always follow the traffic rules when driving on the road. Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle and keep your eyes on the road.

You've dreamed of owning a bicycle all your life, but you never managed to learn how to ride. It's OK. You can learn to ride at any age. The main desire.

Instructions

Learn to keep your balance. Balance exercises can be started long before you buy. And you can do this during the most ordinary walks. Walk around the puddle along the curb, trying not to step into it. Cross the stream on pebbles or a narrow log. Do this regularly.

Choose a flat area near your home. There should be no potholes or bumps. Try pushing off the ground with your feet and walking along the path for a few meters. Do this exercise until you can maintain your balance for 20-30 meters. Train like this for several days.

Raise the saddle slightly. You should be touching the ground with your toes. Continue your balance exercises.

Screw on the pedals and raise the saddle to normal level. Train on the same track. Master the brakes. Roll from one end of the track to the other several times, stopping at the end.

Learn to turn. Remember that you don’t need to pedal while turning, the speed is already high enough.

Start with short workouts. In the first days they should not exceed half an hour.

The "no pedal" stage should not last too long, otherwise it will be difficult to master the brakes later.

Before you start riding, you need to learn how to fall correctly.

Follow road safety rules. An inexperienced cyclist should not ride directly onto the roadway. If you have already learned how to keep your balance, use the brakes and pedal, ride on special paths for the first time.

Helpful advice

You can take a passenger if you are already quite comfortable on the road.

For a small child, make a special saddle in front of an adult. Do not place it on the trunk under any circumstances.

Get some cycling gear. In any case, a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads will not harm you.

For lovers of fast movement, the bicycle was invented. In addition to the fact that it can reach high speeds, it is also environmentally friendly. In addition, riding this vehicle strengthens the body, the muscular system of the back and legs, and also allows you to fight excess weight. You need to ride a bike in such a way as to get maximum benefit and pleasure.