7 tips for beginner cyclists

[@GrahamWP58]

Great advice for beginners Amy, your confidence is infectious and i'm sure you will inspire more people to get back on the bike

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

Thank you!

[@daveanderson70]

Fantastic tips. The best water proofs you can afford you can some good quality second hand stuff.

[@fredsmith601]

Excellent info Amy. Very insightful for any cyclist. I look forward to the next one.

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

Thank you Fred!

[@ceftx2375]

Another excellent video. You pegged me on #1. I get totally wrapped around the axel when it comes to numbers; pace, avg mph, fast mph, moving time, etc etc. I need to make a concerted effort to just sit back and enjoy the ride.

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

Thank you for watching! And I’m like that too, I have to remind myself to enjoy it and not worry about speed :D

[@markrushton1516]

How long is the ride? How much time have you got? Be realistic. If your average is 10mph it will be 10 hours for 100 miles. Turn the data off. All you really need ( or I need) is speed, time, distance travelled, gradient and temperature. Last two make a real difference to me.

[@ravennexusmh]

fab video, but on cleats if someone just doesn't want it it's also ok, cleats have been shown to add little to no benifit to someones power except in very high power sprinting situations by pros. so it's perfectly ok to slap on some spiky mtb pedals and good shoes (don't use toe straps ever) (yes i've ridden cleats for 20 years, but currently back on flats on both my bikes)

[@GadgetDaveVlogs]

I just know this is going to be an epic video before watching it. Keep up the great work, Amy xx

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

Ah thank you!!

[@CastleKnight7]

Not sure if it’s because I’m getting older, but during the Winter I don’t drink much water before the ride, otherwise after about ten minutes out on the bike all I can think about is where the next toilet stop is. I like to enjoy the ride, not suffer. 😅 I find it better to drink during the ride. Also, I carry a spare inner tube and repair the punctured one when I get home. Much less faffin’ about that way. Last tip about unclipping. I clip out of my right side, so that if I did happen to lose my balance I’d fall to my left onto the verge and not the right onto the road.

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

Ahh that’s a great tip about unclipping to the left! Thanks!

[@CastleKnight7]

@@amy.cycling.adventuresYou’re welcome!

[@brianwarner1761]

Comfort has been my aim for a while now as I get older (coming on 69) I find 50 miles on our roads is about it , I just feel about beaten up by then. But at the end of last summer I decided on a titanium bike with 32mm tyres and that was pretty good and in the winter I got a pair of gravel kings sk 43mm and now I found my comfort that I've been seeking. Yes it do feel a bit slower but at my age do it matter I just want to ride further and enjoy the ride and I always got other faster bikes for when I want a bit more speed.

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

Sounds great!! Happy to hear you’re enjoying cycling, the main thing is that you have a good time and do what works for you I think :)

[@Noddingdog63]

I use SPD pedals with the recessed cleats because watching people with road cleats juggle coffee and cake is bloody funny...like watching Mick Jagger chew a toffee with his bottom.

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

Haha that’s a good tip…would probably be easier to top of the hill dance in too 😂

[@CastleKnight7]

Same here. I can walk normally on recessed SPD cleats. You can get road shoes with SPD cleats, not only MTB shoes. 👍

[@Noddingdog63]

@@CastleKnight7 Good to know.

[@marky1974]

SPD cleats are waaay easier to clip in and out of..with Shimano multidirectional cleats you can pull your feet out in an emergency ..which is reassuring..

[@simonhodgetts6530]

I really need to sort my pedals out - I have Look Keos, which are awkward - difficult to clip in sometimes, because they only clip in one way, and sometimes difficult to unclip, so I fall off! Also, because I’m not the greatest climber, the ‘walk of shame’ can be rather difficult on the cleats…..maybe I need to loosen my ‘no Shimano’ rule and get some SPDs - unless anyone can recommend any other uni-directional cleats?

[@grahamriley8124]

My best decision was getting a sports watch as I know how hard I have worked and follow the guidance on recovery. Really cut down on the niggles and injuries.

[@valerian_rides]

"weather rider" 😃 Thats me! Oh no, now I feel ashamed that there is actually a name for it 😂 Happy riding!

[@chrisstrider]

Great advice with longer days and better weather ahead

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

Yes bring on the summer!! Thanks for watching 🫶

[@thecampingastronomer8554]

Great tips Amy. 40 miles takes me a about 3 hours plus a coffee and cake stop, so it counts as a longish ride for me 🤣. I have just got a Mason Bokeh and am loving riding it. Roll on the spring 😊

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

That’s great!! We all have different versions of long rides ☺️ I wish I’d had a coffee stop on this ride but I didn’t have time, I’m looking forward to spring too :D

[@richardm9688]

Great video and tips! What lovely country lanes you have to ride along.

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

Thank you! Yes I’m so grateful 🫶🚴‍♀️

[@110markb]

I would add consider a gravel bike over a road bike. More comfortable, wider tyres as British roads around me are unbelievably awful and the option to ride off road away from traffic all adds to the enjoyment and adventure. SPD pedals and shoes are dual purpose, on and off road, and hence saves money on equipment. Keep up the great channel Amy.

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

Great advice 🙌🙌 thank you for watching Mark, stay safe on your rides!

[@doctormarazanvose4373]

If you go back 25 years, the roads in Cornwall were beautiful - now they are complete trash. Road resurfacing and repairs by the lowest bidder possible and it shows :(

[@andychallenor4585]

Greetings from Sydney Down Under..Another great video Amy well done 👍 Gotta ask what Fizik seat you had on that bike?

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

Thank you!! Glad you like it ☺️ it’s a Fizik Terra Argo X5

[@andychallenor4585]

@@amy.cycling.adventures Thanks heaps Amy, I thought it looked like an Argo X5, got one a few weeks ago and it's super comfy 😊

[@Grabme777]

I'm not in much of a hurry when I ride. I just want to travel on bike as much as I can.

[@Naomi_Boyd]

Cleats make it feel easier to get up those climbs, but they actually burn more matches than flat pedals do. You are using less efficient muscle groups to share a load that they are not designed to carry, so you end up burning more energy over the same distance. Furthermore, those inefficient muscle groups get over developed, so when you do try to use flats, your feet keep flying off the pedals. Cleats do have their place. They are excellent for recumbents and good for long distance, endurance races when your legs get so tired that you find it hard to keep your feet on the pedals, but for the average rider, cleats are only good at making you bad. Oh, and toe clips have their place too, right at the bottom of the bin.

[@mracer8]

I have no idea what are you talking about

[@Naomi_Boyd]

@@mracer8 I'm talking about the prissy shoes that cyclists wear so they can pull up with their back foot while pedaling. The science shows that doing that is less efficient. Legs aren't made to work that way. They are also the leading cause of hip, knee, and ankle injuries in the sport, and they greatly increase your chances of being severely injured in a crash. They are just bad all around except for on recumbent trikes and quadracycles. With those, they keep you from running over your own leg. It's the only thing they are good for, well that and funny videos on KZbin where people fall over on their bikes. That always makes me laugh.

[@paulbruin3244]

Hi Amy I'm new to long distance cycling what advice can you give

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

Hiya Paul! Awesome that you’re trying long distance, main thing for me is pacing myself so I’ve still got energy to finish the ride and lots of snacks little and often works for me :) building the distance up over time too ☺️ oh and always have spares and tools :) enjoy it!!

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

@@paulbruin3244 that’s awesome! Good luck and hope you enjoy it :D

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Don’t worry - I’m a bit of a newbie to long rides - most I’ve managed was a 100 mile Sportive in the peaks - but that was brutal! I’m more comfortable with 50-60 mile rides, and if I’m riding solo, or just getting miles in, 20-25 milers. If you can, buddy up with someone - the camaraderie and company will spur you on. Don’t be afraid to take stops - for a bite to eat, admire the scenery, take a selfie, anything - cycling’s to be enjoyed, not endured (unless you ride for team Sky!) You’ll soon find that you rack up the miles, and get more adventurous. The other tip I have is to invest in a Garmin - you can use it to navigate, but the real encouragement is knowing that you’ve tackled a steeper gradient, or ridden a faster average speed - I underestimated how useful one would be (mine’s only the very, very basic model, but it does stats and navigation), and I wouldn’t be without one now! Enjoy!!!!

[@E-ZeeRiders]

Keep up the good work Amy. Trying to make some videos myself with my mucker, its not easy. Remember the accent well from my days working in Derby. Eh up me duck!

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

Thank you!! Ahh nice good luck with the videos and haha that’s the one!

[@markaverill3779]

Good little video Amy 👍🏻👍🏻

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

Thank you!

[@mikegaffney8005]

how often do you ride to build up your endurance. I ride to work 2-3 times per week and then a longer ride at the weekend. I could ride everyday, but I think if I did I would soon love the enjoyment for cycling, any comments? cheers Mike NZ

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

Hiya Mike! I commute to work 4 times a week but it’s not too long luckily for me ☺️ (8ish miles each way) I do long rides every weekend and tend to do 2-3 rides week nights now that it’s light! But it changes each week depending how long the weekend ride is, main thing is to enjoy yourself so do what works for you :)

[@harryainsworth9204]

whats your opinion on the new cannondales, with the garmin lights and big box on the down tube? usefull?

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

I’ve not used it enough to have a proper opinion yet, it’s good to have the lights on but I need to test how long they last for then I’ll report back :D

[@josheehan6026]

Love the vides’s Amy! So funny and the content is very interesting and addictive! I’m a beginner cyclist and find my sit bones get so painful after a long ride, my BF assures me this will get better….its not my actual bum, its the bones 😮 I do wear really good padded leggings and have a good seat. Will it get better if I just do more? ❤❤❤

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

Thank you so much!! Ahh no I’m sorry to hear you’re not comfy, I had a bike fit & that helped me 🫶

[@melportillo2517]

Nice tips, watching from Philippines,❤️stay safe

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

Thanks for watching! Stay safe too ☺️

[@melportillo2517]

@@amy.cycling.adventures your welcome thank you too

[@ssmmy525]

I agree cycling is happiness, also it's a great stress reliever for me. I notice the difference the wind makes as I ride along the riverfront! Always a breeze it seems! Thanks for sharing your rides on here and Instagram! Love them! 👍👋👋🚴‍♀🚴‍♀

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

Glad to hear you love cycling too! Thanks for watching and following along :D

[@billys1997]

currys, roasts, HOMEMADE fishcakes, when are you starting Amy's cookery adventures 😂I'm all for it

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

Haha I might have to 😂😂

[@somethingwentwrong3298]

The 8th tip should be, don't forget to say yippee when going hammer time down hills. Your 40 mile short rides are my long ones 🤣.

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

Haha yes I missed that tip 😂😂

[@ianbarbar3869]

Magic top of the hill dance😂

[@MattBeeston91]

me and my mate always had this debate but I always think bike riding is better than horse riding but she says horse riding is better.

[@Stevehatesgravel]

And don’t forget to say hello and give a wave to other cyclists it seems to be going out of fashion for the men in black 🤣

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

Oh yes of course I’m always doing bud waves and smiles :D sometimes too enthusiastically 😂

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Oh yes - I always say hello to fellow cyclists - or at least nod an acknowledgment- if they don’t say anything back, then que sera!

[@TheCoopsvids]

👍🏻🚴

[@cliveelsmore]

Sorry Amy, I struggled to hear what you were saying at times. Could I suggest a wireless mic please? KZbinrs like Simon Willis (Always Another Adventure) and LeonardMLee, who have had lives in video production, will have suggestions. Otherwise great stuff :)

[@amy.cycling.adventures]

Thank you! Yes my microphone buff flew off so the last few videos the wind wasn’t ideal! But I’ll look into that :) thanks!

[@HoroshoArseny]

The video is awesome, but can you speak english please? =)