For anyone who is currently unaware, Spring is here! Well, at least it’s becoming more clear in NY this week. While I’m coming out of winters resting period, I’m also excited for this time of renewal and pedaling. To welcome showers, flowers and everything in between, I thought I’d do a little digging in the archive to help build up your dream rides with some tips for cycling into Spring. While your filling your days aching for warmer weather and bicycle adventures from picnics to climbing rolling hills, dust off your bicycles and get ready to head out with a little spring in your pedal with these tips.
Get Your Bike Ready
Clean and tune up your bike. If you’re not familiar with how to do so, go to your nearest bike shop to ensure that the job will be done right. It’s important to make sure your tires, brakes, gears, and chains are cleaned and well lubed for your adventures ahead. For all seasons, adorn your ride with a bike bell and some lights.
Get Fit
If you haven’t been riding as much, you’re going to need to work harder to get fit to cycle. Never force yourself to cycle when you don’t feel like. If you’re just starting back, it’s not a good idea to plan long uphill cycles, instead, build your stamina and muscles. If you find yourself at the gym, try doing a couple of these stationary bike workouts. Be careful though, Spring knee is real and the results from increasing too many miles too quickly is sharp pain across the top of the kneecap, painful.
Layer Up
Spring is full of unpredictable weather and the worst is getting caught in rain without proper wear. The most crucial items to own are arm warmers, leg warmers, and a packable waterproof jacket. A good base layer is also good in keeping out moisture when you start warming up and sweating. Either way, best to play it safe when the weather is still cool but not warm enough.
Set Goals
If you have not cycled for a while start off by doing a few laps of your local park then graduate to routes that you know, to shops, the gym, a local café, to work, then maybe weekend warrior it up with some serious miles when you’re feeling good about your abilities. You can set yourself a goal in kilometers (or miles) a week and work your way up using Strava while measuring your progress.
Map Your Ride
When you feel ready to cycle all the way to work or to a night out, check your route. Use Google Maps or Map My Ride, select the cycling option and type in your starting point and destination and it will recommend a route on quieter, more cycle friendly roads. You should also check the weather so you’re not surprised by Spring showers, nothing’s worse than arriving to your destination soaked.
image @wiggle