Cycling - The Racing Post

Cycle Logic - Diana’s Cycling Tips

By Diana North

It must have something to do with the fact that I am both a bookworm and a cyclist, but I’ve noticed that every time I read anything about cycling I get a little more confused. Cycling advice is kind of like the latest news on fashion or health trends; it changes by the week. The last book I read actually included training and dietary tips by a whole host of experts, which I found interesting and helpful. I learned I wasn’t the only one confused because most of them disagreed with each other.

So after many years of deep thought and countless hours of reading and study, interviews and conversations with anyone who appears to know anything about how to ride a bike better, faster and braver, I have decided to jump on the bandwagon and create my own cycling tips.

I bring years of absolutely no credentials whatsoever besides the ones I have earned through sweat, pain, hours in the saddle and an almost annoying curiosity about anything cycling related.

I figure that makes me about as qualified as my Aunt Edna, who I don’t believe owns a bicycle right now.

So here goes.

First, women cyclists have special dietary needs. Tour de France winner Floyd Landis may eat hamburgers, but women require fine quality chocolate before and after rides at more than 80 percent max heart rate. To be safe, rides under 80 percent max heart rate might feel like slacking, so chocolate doesn’t hurt then, either.

Second, it really is about the bike, according to my cycling psychotherapist friend, Nancy. Better, more expensive bikes equal higher sprint speeds, better performance and more looks of admiration. I figure if you can’t be faster and better you might as well be noticed.

Third, training is crucial. I have to agree with the experts on this one. There is just no way around the training part, so go out and do it because I said so. To this I would add, I find it helpful to detest those rare individuals who manage to ride strong no matter how little time they spend logging sweaty hours in the saddle.

Regarding training, it’s good to know that group rides are one of the cheapest and most effective ways to improve performance. Use them, because group rides are like free motivational lectures only better. They provide both the “carrot” and the “stick” of serious training. The strongest cyclists are the annoying, enviable carrots and the stick is the pit-of-your-stomach misery of being dropped.

I am never able to get as annoyed riding alone as I can in a group. And if annoyed is good, really angry is even better. There is nothing quite like rage, seasoned by under-my-breath swear words, to make me work harder. Of course the payoff for all that hard work is the satisfaction that eventually comes when I can finally drop the people who once made me cry to my mommy.

While in training it helps to carefully cultivate training buddies, friends and potential mates. This is a big one. Having a relationship with someone who doesn't understand and support a cycling addiction can be hazardous to your health. I know this from experience.

When selecting friends or mates, watch for signs such as glazed-over eyes and fidgeting while you share the finer points of your latest ride. Reserve fidgeters for parties with plenty of alcohol or movies where you don’t talk. True friends and potential mates want to hear about your rides, want to join you on them and want to tell everyone within earshot how awesome you are on a bike.

Training buddies are an asset, but again, choose them wisely. Never put yourself in a situation where you get lapped by your neighbor riding a bike with a wicker basket attached to the handlebars. And doing interval workouts with the perpetual time-trial guy will only get you down.

In some states, riding with headphones is illegal or immoral or something. My advice is to disregard all that; it does not apply to cyclists in training. As long as you don’t wear headphones in the pace line, all is well. Music makes a great training aid, when chosen with care. The type of music should match the type of cycling workout, like matching socks to a jersey. For time-trial practice and intervals, heavy metal, hard rock or grunge head-banger stuff is just the thing. Whatever stokes those personal fires of rage will do.

On the other hand, for smoother pedal strokes, classic or alternative rock is perfect. Songs with a steady four-beat rhythm make it easier to get stubborn legs to cooperate while doing high cadence spins and one-legged pedaling. Recovery rides call for ballads, jazz, classical or new age. For those who notice I’ve left out country music, that’s because I’m having a hard time envisioning it anywhere but a rodeo. If you simply must hear it, you can always play it in your car on the way to a ride as long as you keep your windows closed.

Finally, since looks definitely count in cycling, the right apparel is crucial. I personally think that a lovely, eye-catching kit is a cyclist’s best weapon. First, it signals a shameless slavery to cycling fashion, which is somehow linked to being more visible to cars. Second it sends a message to other riders that you are not afraid to spend money on yourself, which makes you a force to be reckoned with.

In the looks department it is also important to impress while actually riding the bike. Looking stylish helps but if you can’t unclip gracefully from your pedals, you won’t fool anyone but yourself. Good form on a bike is visual poetry. Good fit on a bike means you care about the finer and faster things.

Gracious cycling etiquette speaks volumes about your character. Smooth, effortless pedal strokes are just plain pretty. However, my alternate theory is—pretty is nice but effective is better. If flailing around in a sprint is what works for you, by all means do it with style. And make it a point to drop anyone who criticizes you.