Perfect sports performance can only be achieved through the perfect combination of mind, skills and body. Once physical fitness is well developed, the next task is to improve the technical level. The two must be trained to complement each other in order to maximize one's own advantages. As for how to evolve from an amateur muscle monster to an expert professional knight? First of all, you need to practice the basic " braking ", "turning" and "following" skills to perfection. Only in this way can you help you ride faster, better and farther!
Table of contents
- 4 braking tips to ensure your riding safety
- 5 ways to corner : maintain speed and tear through the curve
- 5 tips for following a car to reduce wind resistance and save effort
4 braking tips to ensure your riding safety
Mastering emergency braking techniques can protect you from injury at critical moments, and even save your life and get you home safely. Here are some practical tips to help you control your vehicle accurately in an emergency and avoid skidding:
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Shifting the center of gravity backward
When you see danger ahead, immediately move your hips back over the seat and keep a low posture. This can lower the center of gravity, increase rear wheel grip and reduce the chance of the vehicle skidding.
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Keep the pedal level
Keep the pedals on both sides at the same height so that the center of gravity will not shift. Even if the vehicle falls to one side, the pedals will not touch the ground to avoid loss of control and rollover.
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The force is heavy at the front and light at the back
Press the front brake hard and lightly press the rear brake at the same time. The ideal braking golden ratio is <7 for front wheels : 3 for rear wheels > . If it is raining, the front and rear brakes should be half and half respectively. The feel of the brakes requires repeated practice. The car may slip a few times during the process, but once you are familiar with it, your control over the vehicle will improve, ensuring that you can stop the car stably in an emergency.
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Finding a way out
The direction of the bicycle will be guided by the rider's eyes, so you should focus on the direction that can avoid danger and not focus your eyes on obstacles. This way you will have a chance to find a way to escape.
5 ways to corner: maintain speed and tear through the curve
Good cornering skills allow you to ride faster with less effort, and also make it less likely that you will fall off, increasing your chances of returning home safely. The following basic techniques will help you turn more confidently and steadily:
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Move your hips back
Sit slightly behind the seat with your buttocks and your back flat and parallel to the top tube of the bike. This lowers the center of gravity and increases stability.
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Inside pedal on top
When turning right, lift the right pedal to the 12 o'clock position and straighten the left pedal to the 6 o'clock position. When turning at high speed, the right shoulder, right knee and head should all lean to the right, and the center of gravity of the body should be lowered as much as possible to improve stability .
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Keep your finger on the brake lever
Keep one finger on the brake lever at all times, ready to apply the brakes slightly, but don't hold it so hard that you might slip.
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Outside-in, inside-out
You should adjust your speed 3 meters before the curve, ride to the outside of the straight lane before entering the curve, and then cut into the apex of the curve in an arc. The cornering process should be - outside, inside, and then outside again, rather than simply turning along the curve. Adjust your center of gravity and lean your knees slightly toward the direction of the turn to create a smooth and crisp turning arc.
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Press the outer pedal
By pressing your foot hard on the pedal on the outside of the curve, you can increase friction. At this time, use your body weight to press on the outer pedal, and the car body will firmly grip the road surface, just like double-sided tape.
5 tips for following a car to reduce wind resistance and save effort
Following is a technique that uses the rider in front of you to avoid wind resistance. This not only saves up to 40% of your energy, but also makes it easier for you to ride in headwinds. Whether you're riding for fun or competing, mastering these tips can make your riding experience smoother. The following are the detailed steps for following a car: ride behind someone else, with your front wheel following the other person's rear wheel, which is called following a car, to avoid wind resistance . Such "tailgating" techniques are part of the sport, whether it is recreational riding or competition. Some people say that following a car can save up to 40% of your energy, especially when encountering headwinds. You can follow the car like this:
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Actively follow the convoy
Don't hesitate, follow the convoy bravely. This not only reduces wind resistance with the help of collective strength, but also improves the sense of security and avoids interference from vehicles coming from behind.
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Accurately select your target
Choose a rider in the team who rides steadily and moves smoothly as your goal. Follow him silently, observe and learn his movements, and see how long you can follow him without being noticed.
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Keep a reasonable distance
Initially, keep a safe distance of about one meter, and gradually close it as your proficiency improves. Using the brakes to fine-tune your speed, rather than simply reducing pedaling force or standing up straight to increase wind resistance, allows you to more accurately control the distance between you and the car you are following.
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Maintain a steady speed
It is very important to maintain a steady speed when following a vehicle. For beginners, 30 kilometers per hour is a good goal. Don't be too aggressive at the beginning, so as not to exhaust your physical strength too early and become distracted during the ride.
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Adjust position according to wind direction
In a headwind, it’s best to ride directly behind your fellow riders to minimize wind resistance. If you encounter a crosswind, you should lean slightly to the side of your fellow riders and use their bodies to help block the wind.
How to use Bryton computer to assist riding
Whether you are following a car, turning or going downhill, the Bryton bike watch can be your reliable assistant! When following a vehicle, the real-time speed display on the car's odometer helps you maintain a stable distance and avoid accidental rear-end collisions or being left behind. When approaching a curve or a steep slope, the map navigation and slope information on the car's dashboard can warn you of road conditions in advance, allowing you to adjust your speed and braking force more calmly, reduce the risks brought by emergencies, and complete the challenge safely!
Mastering the braking, cornering and following techniques while riding can help you drive your vehicle more confidently. By constantly practicing and applying these techniques, you will eventually find that your cycling performance will become better and better. The fun and sense of accomplishment brought by every pedal stroke will make you fall in love with this sport from the bottom of your heart.