Your First Ride
After the bike has been setup, there may be some anxiety in regards to your first ride. Never fear though, after a couple trips around the block, it will become second nature:
- Try the first ride in an area with little traffic and preferably on flatter terrain. Tell yourself to relax and get into the flow of the bike.
- You may want to try your first few pedal strokes without cycling shoes. That way, you will get the hang of getting the bike moving without that locked-in feeling.
- Always be thinking to yourself that you must pedal and not coast. You are cruising down the road, daydreaming about winning a stage of the Tour and something in your mind clicks, resulting in you trying to coast. The back wheel violently lifts off the ground, immediately resulting in a major rush of adrenaline! Needless to say, it snaps you back to reality and doesn't happen again for a very long time.
More: 3 Drills to Practice Pedal Efficiency
The best way to learn is to just get on one and start riding (maybe don't clip in for a while). Another tip would be to try it on a set of rollers to get comfortable before going out to fight traffic. Just remember, as in most new things we attempt, it may take some time to get used to the new setup.
No rocket science here. Riding a fixed gear is a great way to focus on something this winter which has direct benefits all season long. You can also continue to ride it in the summer to keep your pedaling supple and change up bikes. Another idea is to organize group rides on fixed gear bikes. It's difficult to be on a fixed and ride with a group of regular road bikes. By doing it with other riders with the same goal, it can be beneficial and, of course, a lot of fun.
More: Why Fast Pedaling Makes Cyclists More Efficient
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