If you are thinking of buying a bicycle for any reason, you need to consider how you are going to be riding it. If you are not used to riding a bike, you have to look at some tips to ensure that you are riding correctly. These tips will ensure that you are safe and that you get the most out of your bicycle.

Protect Your Head

When it comes to serious injury and death of cyclists, around 60% in the US are caused by head injuries. There are a lot of these deaths that could be prevented if everyone wore a helmet while riding their bike. There are times where wearing a helmet is not required and many states do not have any laws regarding this.

However, there are some states that do have bike helmet laws. These laws state that you have to wear a helmet whenever you are on your bike. This is something that you should do at all times because it will protect you should you fall or be in an accident.

Do Not Use High Gears For Extended Periods

If you have a bike with a number of gears, it can be tempting to stay in a high gear for prolonged periods. This is actually something that you will want to avoid. High gears put additional strain on the legs and knees when you use them for too long.

This is due to the fact that you want to keep your pedaling at 70 to 90 rpm. This is the ideal speed when you are cycling for a prolonged period as it does not cause a lot of strain. When you are in a high gear, it is harder to maintain this speed which results in additional strain on the knees.

Make Use Of Your Gears

While you do not want to cycle in a high gear for prolonged periods of time, this does not mean that you should be avoiding your gears completely. The gears are there to make your ride a lot easier and you need to use them. If you don’t, you could find yourself struggling and this will make you less likely to continue cycling.

It is recommended that you use your gears when climbing a hill to keep the speed that you want. You will also be able to pedal with greater ease when you are in the right gear for the terrain. Using your gears will also reduce the pain and soreness that you feel after a long and hard ride.

Have The Right Bike

If you are serious about riding, you should not pick up any old bike that you find. You need to get one that fits your body and riding style. You do not want a bike that is too big because it will be hard to pedal, but a bike that is too small will force you into an uncomfortable riding position. You also want to get the right type of bike because mountain bikes will handle differently to road bikes.

When choosing a bike, you have to consider the size of the frame and ensure that it is the right size for you. To do this, you can use the manufacturer sizing guide which links your height to the frame size that you should be getting. If you are still unsure about the size you need, you should ask your local bicycle store to help you find the right size.

Get The Right Saddle

If you are going to be on your bike for a prolonged period of time, you need to have the right saddle. The right saddle can make a lot of difference when you are riding and could be the difference between enjoying your ride and not. A mistake that many people make when choosing a saddle is to get the thickest padding they can find.

This is done because people assume this will be the most comfortable for them. The truth is that a longer seat that has a cutout will often be the best one to get. If you are able to go to a bike store, you should be able to test some of the saddles before you buy to ensure that you are getting the right one.

Change Position While Riding

A lot of people make the mistake of staying in one position once they are on their bike. This is a problem if you are riding for a prolonged period because parts of the body will become sore and numb. This is why you should shift your hands and your position in the saddle.

When you move while riding, you will stop your arms, hands, and rear from going numb. When these parts of the body go numb, you will have issues when you get off your bike. You may also have problems properly controlling your bike.

Know The Rules

This might seem like common sense, but you need to know what the rules of cycling are. You have to ride with the traffic and obey all of the road signs. You also need to ensure that you watch the cars and bicycles in front of you to anticipate where they are going. You also need to know where and when you will be able to ride on the sidewalk, if this is at all possible.

There are a lot of tips that you can use when it comes to riding a bike. These tips will ensure that you are safe and comfortable when you use your bike for prolonged periods of time.