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The single best biking tip you ever got?

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The single best biking tip you ever got?

Old 05-22-22, 05:24 PM
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CheGiantForLife
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The single best biking tip you ever got?

Years ago, I got into mounting biking in the woods.
My friend told me if there is an object you want to avoid, do not look at it.

Look where you want the front tire to go, not at the obstacle you're trying to avoid.
You ride directly towards whatever you're looking down at.

I still use this tip decades later, while avoiding potholes, for example.

Last edited by CheGiantForLife; 05-22-22 at 05:45 PM.
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Old 05-22-22, 05:33 PM
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Iride01 
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"Try it and see how it works. Don't listen to what others say."
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Old 05-22-22, 05:44 PM
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DeadGrandpa
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Thirty years ago I asked my LBS owner for any advice on how to get in better riding condition. He asked if I'd heard of Eddy Merckx, and I nodded yes. "Eddy Merckx said to 'Ride Lots'."

That was the best advice I ever heard.
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Old 05-22-22, 05:50 PM
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tomato coupe
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Old 05-22-22, 06:36 PM
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”Quit Strava.”
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Old 05-22-22, 06:41 PM
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Keep pedaling.
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Old 05-22-22, 06:56 PM
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kfried
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When I was just starting to do upgrades to my first bike and was learning as I went, a friend warned me to never assume that parts would be compatible. Triple check everything and in detail. That advice has saved me a lot of money and frustration.
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Old 05-22-22, 07:09 PM
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Polaris OBark
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Ride up grades, don't buy upgrades.
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Old 05-22-22, 07:15 PM
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Barry2 
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Get a bike fit.

Best money I’ve spent

Barry
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Old 05-22-22, 07:17 PM
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indyfabz
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Bring a good flashlight and a warm hat on your cross country tour.
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Old 05-22-22, 07:20 PM
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rumrunn6
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don't always try to go the cheap route using regular stuff. as-in cycling specific stuff is usually worth the expense for the features & benefits you'll enjoy. like windproof pants w/ leg bottoms or mountain bike shorts
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Old 05-22-22, 07:22 PM
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rumrunn6
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Originally Posted by CheGiantForLife
Look where you want the front tire to go, not at the obstacle you're trying to avoid.
You ride directly towards whatever you're looking down at.
yes works w/ road bikes too. I've experimented riding white fog lines that way
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Old 05-22-22, 07:24 PM
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Chuck M 
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Don't buy the same bike your buddy has based on him telling you that is what you should get. He may just want you to make the same mistake he made.

And this advice works for things other than bikes too.
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Old 05-22-22, 07:30 PM
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Find the Pyramid of Humanity and place in on your wall in a prominent location. Interactions with other humans will be in accordance with their status in within this chart.
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Old 05-22-22, 08:29 PM
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My first year of racing "set your second bike up fix gear to learn to pedal properly".
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Old 05-22-22, 08:38 PM
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Don't ride in lightning storms.
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Old 05-22-22, 09:10 PM
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Buy a repair stand.
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Old 05-22-22, 09:24 PM
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roadcrankr
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You can tell your tire's air pressure by pinching a properly-inflated one with your thumb & finger. - my brother
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Old 05-22-22, 09:46 PM
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When I transitioned from running to riding 40 years ago, I once said to a coach, “I just don’t feel like I’m working as hard on the bike as when I’m running….”

He said, “Pedal harder!”

Yup, it’s amazing the workout you can get if you just pedal harder!
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Old 05-22-22, 10:09 PM
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Old 05-22-22, 10:54 PM
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Originally Posted by CheGiantForLife
Years ago, I got into mounting biking in the woods....
"Wear Protection"
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Old 05-22-22, 11:00 PM
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70sSanO
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I rolled my Sears Free Spirit into a bike shop and asked what I could do to make it a better and lighter bike.

The owner looked at me and said, don’t waste your money, there is nothing you can do to turn that bike into a good bike.

He was right, I bought a good bike, sold the Free Spirit at a garage sale, and never looked back.

John
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Old 05-22-22, 11:02 PM
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SurferRosa
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Buy the tools and do it yourself.
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Old 05-22-22, 11:22 PM
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Life is short, have fun.
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Old 05-23-22, 02:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Chuck M
Don't buy the same bike your buddy has based on him telling you that is what you should get. He may just want you to make the same mistake he made.

And this advice works for things other than bikes too.
If your buddy does this, he's not your buddy
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