New to cycling or want to take it up but have no idea where to start? Don’t worry, here at The Cycle Jersey, we have put our collective minds together to create our list of top tips! Say goodbye to those first day fears and say hello to your new favourite hobby!

There are so many benefits to riding a bike, not all of them are physical either. Obviously cycling burns calories and fat due to the large amounts of resistance but it is also incredibly good for building muscle. It’s a great way to maintain a healthy weight and reduce the chance of illness and injury. Exercise releases endorphins too and works as a great stress reliever which is ultimately going to make us all more happy!

First off, Don’t stress about the gear…

Of course, you will need a bike and a helmet to get you started but don’t get too hung up on all the fancy gear. You don’t need the fancy clothes, shoes and bike to get out on your bike and call yourself a cyclist. Yes, all these fancy gadgets and accessories can be a lot of fun but don’t feel like you have to fork out a fortune to get out there and ride.

Ease Yourself into It…

Start off small with your mileage and slowly build it up. Jumping straight in at the deep end by cycling a massive route will only cause injury and hold you back from training. You will need to give your body time to adjust to the new distances and slowly add miles on as you get better. This rule also applies to speed. Starting off too fast brings with it the risk of burn out or fatigue so start off slow and build your speed up so that by the end of your ride you can give your all.

A Bike Fit is a Must…

When shopping for your bike make sure and take it for a test ride to double check it’s the right size for you. If this is wrong then we can guarantee you are not going to spend much time in the saddle because it’s going to be painful and not anywhere near as enjoyable as it should be. When your foot is at the bottom of the pedal stroke you should have a slight bend in your knee. If this isn’t the case then you need to adjust your seat height. For proper reach your arms and torso should make a 45-degree angle over the bike. If the reach is too long then you will feel it in your back and too short your knees will be too close to your arms.

Refuel…

If you are planning on riding for longer than an hour then take snacks with you. We recommend refuelling around an hour into your ride and then snacking pretty regularly after that to keep your body going. If you don’t eat while riding these longer rides then you will definitely not finish strong if at all.  

If you need some refuelling inspiration then check out our Fit Fuel Pinterest board. There are so many recipes on there you are certain to find something you like.  

Get To Know Your Gears...

They might be difficult to suss out but we can guarantee that taking the time to figure them out will be completely worth its weight in gold. Your gears will be your best friend on those hilly climbs and help you to gain speed on long straight flats. Work out when the best time to move up and down gears is and you will enjoy those rides even more.