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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 05-23-22, 02:55 AM
  #26  
delbiker1 
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"Watch where you're going!"
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Old 05-23-22, 06:45 AM
  #27  
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ROUTINE maintenance should be that.
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Old 05-23-22, 06:47 AM
  #28  
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Keep the rubber side down.
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Old 05-23-22, 07:24 AM
  #29  
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I guess it was more implied than said. Several very close friends of mine rode from Los Angeles / Portland / New York back in 1974. One of them maintained his love of cycling and has put on more miles than I can count. We still go out on 25 miles rides about twice a week. Whenever I get into "gearhead" mode and start talking about my carbon bike or my new cycling computer that does this and that... he just gives me a friendly subliminal nod that says "you know you don't really need all that".

It always makes me stop and think about what cycling is really all about.
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Old 05-23-22, 07:40 AM
  #30  
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I give this advice freely since there seems to be mounting bike in the woods -"Do not eat yellow snow!"
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Old 05-23-22, 07:44 AM
  #31  
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Don't overdress in colder weather. Dress for how you will feel after warming up 10-12 minutes into the ride. Especially below 32F.
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Old 05-23-22, 07:45 AM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by CAT7RDR
I give this advice freely since there seems to be mounting bike in the woods -"Do not eat yellow snow!"
Freely, indeed! I believe it was Dr. I.P Freely that originally gave that advice.
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Old 05-23-22, 07:50 AM
  #33  
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Check tire pressure before every ride and fill accordingly.
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Old 05-23-22, 08:01 AM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by CheGiantForLife
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.

I don't know about anyone else, but I "unlearned" riding the way I'm looking down many years ago. That's because there's often times that the low to the ground "obstacle" to be avoided is actually a moving being or thing, like a child or a dog. When I'm passing them, I need to keep a close eye on them in case they change course unexpectedly,
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Old 05-23-22, 08:13 AM
  #35  
indyfabz
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Originally Posted by BobbyG
Don't overdress in colder weather. Dress for how you will feel after warming up 10-12 minutes into the ride. Especially below 32F.
+1. I used to lead club rides. On cooler mornings people would dress to be warm in the parking lot while waiting for the ride to start. I took to walking around telling people things like "You are not going to need that jacket. We are going to start climbing after the first 2 miles and it's going to warm up not that long from now." Sometimes there would be people who wouldn't listen. 20 minutes into the ride they are needing to stop, shed layers and figure out how to carry them.
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Old 05-23-22, 08:18 AM
  #36  
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In the cold, windy winter months, start your ride into the wind and bring it home downwind.
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Old 05-23-22, 10:22 AM
  #37  
livedarklions
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Inflate the tube slightly before you put it in the tire. Avoids pinching it between the tire and the rim.
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Old 05-23-22, 12:03 PM
  #38  
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“When you come to a fork in the road, take it!”
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Old 05-23-22, 02:26 PM
  #39  
LeeG
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Originally Posted by smd4
Keep the rubber side down.

That and hygeine.
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Old 05-23-22, 02:48 PM
  #40  
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"Pedal as if the bike has no chain"
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Old 05-23-22, 05:33 PM
  #41  
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[QUOTE=A350driver;22516059]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![/QUOTE

Was thinking along the same lines. When I was looking to get faster, someone on this forum said the obvious " If you want to be faster , then ride faster" Sometimes there's a simple truth.
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Old 05-23-22, 05:36 PM
  #42  
PeteHski
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Originally Posted by CheGiantForLife
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.
I agree, this is a great tip. Works for skiing too.
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Old 05-23-22, 05:37 PM
  #43  
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Here’s another thing I’ve learned re. getting faster, going further, if you’re the fastest guy in the group, find a new group!
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Old 05-23-22, 05:42 PM
  #44  
PeteHski
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Don't put your saddle way too high and slam your stem just because you think it looks pro. Unless you are actually a pro. In which case why would you be reading this *****?
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Old 05-23-22, 06:37 PM
  #45  
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Originally Posted by LeeG
That and hygeine.
Keep your hygiene down?
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Old 05-23-22, 06:47 PM
  #46  
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Originally Posted by CheGiantForLife
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.
It's a life lesson, not just a cycling tip. Look at the solution, not the problem.

After a multi day ride spread out all your gear. Throw away anything you didn't use. Drill holes is what you did use.
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Old 05-23-22, 07:10 PM
  #47  
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Shift down to a Lower gear as you approach a Stop Light, easier to accelerate from stabdstill when the light turns green.
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Old 05-23-22, 07:32 PM
  #48  
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Don't believe half the **** you read on a forum...
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Old 05-23-22, 07:39 PM
  #49  
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When in doubt....gas it.
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Old 05-23-22, 07:44 PM
  #50  
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Lots of good comments above for a beginning rider as well as reminders for the more experienced.

Ride defensively. Don’t assume you are seen.

And you CAN believe this statement. I only believe half, or less, of what was written directly above me.
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