Cycling Skills: Handling Skill

Handling Skill
Riding long distance with load and in foreign soil is definitely not going to be 'a walk in the park'. After researching what other adventure riders do for their preparation, I set about designing my own handling skill program and work slowly from there and time to time adjusting my riding style. Below are some of the basic handling skills  I started with and it is my pleasure to share it with everyone that is thinking to start riding a bike or thinking to do a small adventure riding of their own.
Selecting the right gearWhat gear to use and what gear is better to climb a hill and less straining to the knees are all the questions I ask myself before I started my training. I found out for handling skills, it is faster to learn in low and easy gear where my legs can rotate quickly. Fast leg rotation provides better balancing too, less fatique and gives me more speed.

 

Shifting gear
The basic rules for gear use are:

• shift into low gear / easy gear before you stop
• use low / easy gear before going uphills.
• Shift to lower gear before you work to hard
• shift to higher gear when you start bouncing on the seat pedaling to fast
• use a gear that give you fast, easy leg spin. bout 70-100rpm
• avoid pedaling slowly and pushing hard in your highest gears.

Straight line riding

Riding in straight line is vital in the city and on congested roads. Straight line riding can be practice on a quiet road and riding on the while line. Do not move your upper body, just your legs to pedal your bike and look far (also observe your surrounding for hazars by glancing)

 

Shoulder Checking (Blind spot)

Shoulder checking or checking your blindspot is an action where you look over your shoulder to check what is coming behind of you. This action is vital before changing lane or making a turns in heavy traffic. Practice riding on a straight line while checking over your shoulder. Make it your second nature.

 

Signalling (Communicating with other road users)
I found this to be very helpful when riding on the roads. I used hand signals to say 'thank you', "I am slowing down", "I am turning left", "I am turning right" and I use hand signal to even make myself visible. The downside of this sort of communication is that I will need to ride my bike with only one hand. Practice signalling when riding on a straight line and both hands back to the handlebar when making a turn or cornering. Only use hand signal when you think it is safe to do so.

 

Sequence Practice
Before making a turn, practice checking blindspot and signal. if it safe, make the turn.
Checking blindspot is a good practice everytime you're on the road before making a turn or changing lane. Keep practising until it became second nature.

 

Emergency Handling skills
The first step in preventing accident is to be alert and scanning ahead (and around you) when you're riding for potential hazards and obstructions. It is common sense for us to ride away from debris, holes and learns to anticipate error from other motorists, pedestrain and other cyclist. Never assume other motorists can see you. No matter how skill, experienced and careful rider you are, you will encouter hazards that will leave you little time to react.

 

Braking
There this one time I crashed by applying the front brake when my rear brake cable burst. I was riding with my buddy along the park connector when I see him 'flying' in front of me. The next thing I did was to jam my rear brake, it burst and I applied the front. I slammed it too hard and I flew forward - but avoiding my buddy. Immediate reaction can be crucial in an emergency. However, caution is required when applying the emergency brake. It was unfortunate for my rear brake cable to burst and putting the front brake too hard put me over the handlebar.

 

Now when riding in group, I have a buffer space for the rider in front and to the side and at the same time reminding them to give space. This is to ensure everyone has time to react accordingly in time of emergency. I also learned from experience that in wet weather, we will need longer braking distance so give more space when riding in the rain.

 

Above are just some of the basics handling skills that I used to get myself familiar with my bike and the capability and weakness in time of emergency. Of course as I went further into my training, the ride get more intense and my traveling load got heavier, my handling skills training become more difficult. If you're interested to give it a try of the 'Basic Handling Skills', do drop me an email: fluidrider@gmail.com

Cycling Skills: Safety Check

To me, one basic aspect of adventure cycling long distance is to know every parts of my bicycle. When I was young riding the bicycle, the only thing I knew was to ride the bike, turn left, turn right and stop. Now taking riding seriously again, riding it for training and riding on the road daily, I need to know when is my bicycle is unsafe to ride, if it needs thorough inspection and parts replacement. So even if you're riding it recreationally, it is good to know the basic parts of your bicycle. On this segment, I write about bicycle basic safety checklist. This is basing from my experience, of course there are other factors too which I believe some other experiece riders have shared.

Bolt and quick release levers
I will check to make sure it is tight enough, not overly tighthen.
Usually I will check the quick release lever on the seat, seat post, handlebar stem and axles are tight.

Headset
Make sure it can turns freely and no sound coming out from it. You can check by holding your front brake and move your bike forward slowly.

Brakes
First check the nuts holding the brakes pads are tight. I will also check that my brake pads is not touching the rims unless during braking. When your brake (front or rear) is applied, make sure the lever is about 2.5cm away from your handle bar.

Axles
Next I will check the rotation of my wheels and the axles. I will need to check for looseness by shaking it side to side. Also I will make sure my quick release levers are clamped tight but not overly tight

Shift Levers
Derailleur levers should be moved easily only when shifting. There is usually a screw or buttefly nut or similar device that lets you adjust the movement of sime types of shifter levers.

Derailleur Movement
Try shifting all your gears and make sure the chain is not thrown out of the sprockets when you're doing it.

Tires
Make sure it is inflate accordingly. Usually the specification is along side of the tire wall.

Spokes
Check for bent, loose or a spoke that looks like it is going to break anytime soon. Replace is soonest possible.

Wheels
Make sure it is aligned accordingly and not touching the brake pads.  Check your rim from side-to-side wobbles and up and down hops by watching the wheel spin past the brakes or frame. If the wobbling pass .5cm, it is good for you to be concerned.

Helmet
It is good to buy a helmet which is tested by relevant testing body and approved by a local 'safety authority'.

Those are the basics I will do for my pre-ride check. If you have any other inputs on Cycling Skills: Safety Check, please do not hesitate to drop me an email: fluidrider@gmail.com

Cycling Skills: Introduction and getting your first bike

I thought to share some of my cycling experience through my training and trips that I made so far.  The reason I write this is to let others know that not only cycling can be safe, it is also healthy and inexpensive to get around. Whether you're new to cycling or an experienced rider, what I am going to share (in the later part of Cycling Skills) contains tips and and techniques that I gathered and used it to for my training, ride in Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra mountainous region. I hope after reading it, you will be a safe and confident cyclist on the road.


Practising bike control and handling


I will start with Cycling Skills:  Introduction, this is for those who wanted to start to ride a bicycle or not very sure what type of bicycle to buy.

Finding the bike that suits youThere are all sorts of bike at your local bike shop. The question I usually ask myself is this, "what I am going to do with my bicycle? Commuting? Long distance touring? Riding with my friends in trails? Ride it to the Prata Shop? Ride for fun?"

I know what I wanted to do with my bike - All the above! But let us be honest, you cannot have everything in a bike. You need to give and take. Most importantly, the bike that you going to buy must suit you. Because that will make it easy for you to control your bike and make it really comfortable too.

My bike before- bought it at S$180.00 from Cash Converter

What is the right size?Not to make it complicated,  I will start with the frame size. You must be able to stand flat footed over your bike's frame and with at least some space (2-5cm). If you're a woman, your base of your saddle should be at least 5cm above the seat tube when the tips of your feet touches the ground

Seat and handlebar adjustment
Usually your local bike shop will help you with the adjustment. But if you willing to read, this is what you can do;

SeatThe height adjustment is very important in order for you to power your bike efficiently and to avoid straining your knees. To ensure your seat is at the correct height, take a sit on the saddle with the balls of your feet on the pedals. At the bottom of your pedal stroke, your legs should be almost straight with your knees slightly bent. (Go, give it a try. I am still here when you're done)

HandlebarsI changed as many as 4 handle bars to get the right posture. So what is the correct handlebar or correct riding position?

As I am going the distance, my normal riding position in order to be comfortable is that I wanted my weight to be balanced and allowing me to rest my hands lightly on the handlebars and at the same time to be able to control the bike. To be able to get this right, you might need to adjust the tilt of your seat and the height of your handlebars to achieve a good balance of weight.
It is important for your handlebar and your seatpost to be at least 5cm into the frame. If there should be no marker indicating the maximum point, quickly go get it mark now. If you need a long handlebar stem of seatpost, ask your friendly local bike shop.

Where do I go to get a bike?Now that you're thinking, "Hmmm, I am ready to get a bike and give it go...where do I go to get my first bike?"

There are loads of bicycle shop. Every corners in Singapore you'll see one. High end bicycle shop. Your friendly uncle bicycle shop, classic bicycle shop. As for me, I like a bicycle shop that I can rely on - after sales service and I am very fortunately to have Song Seng Chan as my supporters. I frequent Song Seng Chan frequently to learn bicycle maintenance and repair as I travel mostly on my own and this skills is essential to me. If you want to give it a try, the address is below;

My once a week training at Song Seng Chan bike shop

Song Seng Chan
434-436 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427648
Tel: 6344-0690 (Uncle Teck)

Now that you're serious on getting a bike, but before getting on the roads, make sure you are;
- Fully equipped (helmet, lights, visible vest) and your bicycle is road worthy (brakes working, tires in good condition
- Know rules of the road
- Observed your surrounding not only the front and look out for hazards ahead
- Ride responsibly

If you need someone / group to ride with, do look me up and I will point them to you. I can be contacted at
fluidrider@gmail.com

Ride safe!