Just Riding Along: Starting, Stopping

Just Riding Along: Starting, Stopping

AT ITS MOST BASIC, THE BIKE IS DESIGNED TO DO TWO THINGS: go and stop. One will get you rolling, the other will save your life. Both are pretty important to having a good time on the road. There are many little pieces involved in getting going, staying rolling, and using your bike to the best of your body’s ability.
From pushing off to get started to clipping in and out of your pedals to holding your line before you stop and clip out, there are many tips and tricks that can make being on your bike more enjoyable. We’ll get you up to speed and riding like a pro in no time.
Shifting is a mystery to most people, something riders either just kind of “feel” their way through, or try not to do at all. This is bad for you and your bike, so it’s important to break down what your shifting does and how to best use it to your advantage. Cadence is how fast your pedals rotate—which is directly related to what gear you’ve shifted into. Because the terrain beneath you is ever changing, you’ll be shifting so your pedals can remain at the same tempo no matter what the circumstances.
To most new riders, the assumption is that turning a corner is like driving a car—you turn the wheels. When you’re on a two-wheeled vehicle, everything changes. Your steering comes from your weight distribution, body placement, and leaning your bike. A similar approach will be applied to climbing and descending.
In no time at all, these will become second nature to you, and these skills will give you a huge advantage over riders who may have inadvertently picked up bad form when learning, then turned it into a bad habit. These cyclists have to work harder later to make their technique smooth, while you’ll make owning the ribbon of road before you look effortless.

Starting and Stopping 

Much as it is with our hands, most of us have one foot that is dominant. We’ll call this the power leg. It often will follow your handedness. The other is your helper, the balance leg. Although it has less power, it has the more important job—to keep you stable when you’re stopped on the bike. To figure out which is which, balance on each leg while holding the other off the ground. Generally, your dominant side will not be as stable as your balance side.
To mount, grab the hoods of the handlebars and hold the brakes. This will keep the bike stable while you move around on it. Stand on your balance side about a foot away from the bicycle with your body facing forward. Lean the bike toward you (which will naturally lower the seat) and swing your power leg over the back end of the saddle from the rear of the bike, landing your dominant foot on the opposite side pedal. You should end up with your power foot solidly on the pedal (if you’re riding clipless, you should be clipped into the pedal) with the saddle resting against the inner thigh of your balance leg, continuing to hold a firm grip on the brakes. You’re almost ready to roll.