Getting better, isn’t that something we all want? Getting better at anything usually includes a few things, from self-evaluation, to see where you are, to defining what you need to achieve, to determining the way of achieving the said goals.
A similar principle can be applied to anything where you want to get better, but in this case, we are interested in cycling. Becoming a better cyclist is a different path for everyone, though some general advice can be helpful to all cyclists, other than the professionals, who are often in the know in regards to what needs to be done in order to get better.
Here are some general tips on how to be a better cyclist.
Increase Your Cadence
Cadence is an often overlooked factor in cycling, even though you will run into it on every cycling-related blog or YouTube channel. Cadence is how many rotations of the pedals you can do in a minute. There are cheap and precise tools which can be used to measure cadence. Some smartphones are able to measure cadence with the appropriate sensor.
Increasing your cadence will not make you a better cyclist, but it will challenge you. This means more work to achieve the same power, meaning a lower gear. This should be a good exercise for one’s endurance as well as coordination.
Try Harder!
People often get out and exercise, but they don’t put in the effort. Sure, everyone sweats on a hot day and it is difficult to climb a couple of miles. However, does that mean that you really applied yourself? Following a schedule is important, but it is difficult to advance in anything if you’re not trying.
Take note, this doesn’t mean that you should train until you cannot sit on your bicycle anymore. This would be a good way to get injured and stop training for a while. This means that you should plan and execute your exercises so that you are sufficiently tired enough for your body to adapt and become stronger. The key is in finding the balance between effort and recovery, which can take a lot of time to get to the right spot.
Go Outside Your Comfort Zone
Road cyclists might want to go off-road, maybe do a bit of cross country, while regular mountain bikers should try a longer road biking tour. Both challenge the body and the mind in different ways. Be sure to start lighter, so as not to find yourself deep in a situation which could leave you very tired or stranded in a forest.
Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting progress, especially without applying sufficient effort, is not going to work. Try different things and see whether they cannot help you go past that plateau.
There isn’t a single way that you can get better at cycling, especially a universal one, which covers all levels of cyclists. These tips are mainly aimed at amateur cyclists who want to get better, but are somewhat stuck. Try them out and see if they work for you.