No matter what, keep at it! Keep riding and you will improve and have more fun on each ride!
I watch a lot of professional mountain bikers on YouTube. When the Tour de France was on TV last year, it was on my TV from 7am-12pm every morning. Watching pros and riding for 30+ years myself, I’ve learned a thing or two about how to ride, how to avoid crashing, and what to do when you feel there’s no other option but to bail. Any tips that can save you time and pain are worth it. You will enjoy your riding and adventures even more with knowledge from colorado.bike! Conduct a pre-ride bike check with tips found here. At the end of this page, read the Colorado Department of Transportation’s guidelines for bicycling in Colorado. Also, view a statewide bicycling map provided by CDOT.
Riding Position
colorado.bike recommends having your bike professionally fitted for you. An experienced bicycling coach can measure and adjust things like seating position/height, handlebars, and brake lever positioning to optimize your efficiency and fun on the bicycle.
Wear good shoes. Closed toe shoes. Boots, sneakers, something that won’t slip off the pedals. Grip the handlebars loosely and try to feel where the bike wants to go. The harder you grip and force the bike to go where you think it should, the tougher the time you’re going to have. This doesn’t mean let the bike fly wherever it wants. Be the gentle guide and a lot of times you’ll surprise yourself with how much faster you can go!
I often challenge myself to complete sections of the trails I ride without touching my brakes. Of course, every rider isn’t trying to be fast or break records. But without worrying about slowing or stopping, you’ll learn to use balance and positioning on the bike and pedals to pick up speed and fun!
Strategy
Plan ahead! Don’t look at the trail or road right in front of your tire. Much like driving, scan the path ahead and make mental notes of where you should aim your bike. Don’t worry too much if this is a tough habit to form; it comes with miles and years behind the handlebars.
If you cannot avoid a fall, try not to lead with your hands or head. Avoid landing on your back if possible. If I am going over the handlebars, I aim to land on my feet running, but of course that isn’t always possible. Slide or land on your hips or shoulders before head, neck, wrist, or knees.
If you are new to cycling or travel with children on your rides, plan frequent breaks along your ride to rest, enjoy the views, or allow the group to re-group! Keep children directly in front of you while bicycling along roadways and within eyesight while riding off-road trails away from cars.
Focus
colorado.bike does not recommend headphones or other audio emitting devices during your ride. You want to be able to hear the terrain or riding surface under your tires! Sometimes you can hear the squeak of sand or the swoosh of pine needles and know instinctively you should slow down or drop a foot for balance. Please stay safe and don’t use alcohol or marijuana before or during your rides!
Stay hydrated with a backpack water storage system. Popular and durable brands include CamelBak and Platypus. I’m currently using anywhere from 2 to 3 Platypus 3 L Big Zip and Hoser bladders on long rides and they work impeccably without imparting taste on the water or leaking! Water bottles on a frame mount are great for shorter rides, but long rides will find you getting tired of reaching for bottles. Having a hosed water pack on your back is quite an upgrade for serious riders!
In case you get lost or stuck outside while riding, carry a small snack while traveling on your bike.
Let’s learn to ride better together!
colorado.bike can train you in bike skills wherever you may be in the lower 48 US states. We come to you, or if you prefer, you can meet us anywhere of your choosing. Our most popular riding and training locations include Colorado, Georgia, Florida, Michigan, and Maine! Our rates are reasonable and you can use your bike or one of ours.
Let us know your bicycling skill level and goals and we can customize a training session to help you achieve your riding dreams!
Rates start at $100 for a morning training session on your own bike within Colorado and can reach $1,000 for days or weekends training on one of our rental bikes in a state outside of Colorado. We accept payment through our website, PayPal, CashApp, and Zelle in USD ($) and CAD (Canadian Dollar).
colorado.bike 