7 Tips To Take You From Amateur To Accomplished Cyclist

Do you want to take your cycling to the next level? Well, there are a few mistakes that you might not realise you're making that if you fix them, will take you from amateur to pro cyclist! Hank and Conor are here to share 7 of them so that you can master your cycling!
0:00 - Intro
0:31 - Changing gears uphill
1:10 - Stopping on a climb
2:15 - Working with the wind
3:01 - Braking on corners
3:53 - Getting out of the saddle
4:37 - Using momentum
5:37 - Riding too hard
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[@gcn]

What cycling tips would you like to hear from u next? 🤔

[@upendrakaranth4101]

We need saddle height tip😢

[@douglasbooth6836]

If our by yourself push into the wind. Great way to train. Don’t use your front brake in a corner.

[@Nearly-at-the-top]

‘Breaking on corners’? 😂

[@erwinhuerto4148]

How an average cyclist or beginner cyclist can improve his cycling ability without hooking those expensive bike and technology. Thanks.

[@youtuli4]

How to Climb a Hill on a Fixed Gear Bike?

[@vaaggasje]

As a Dutchman, that tip about the wind direction was already passed on to me in the womb.

[@WtRigger100]

Yep, soms denk ik nog van ik ga eens eerst wind mee 50km. Zodra je dan een heerlijke 50km gehad hebt valt het allllltijd tegen om weer 50km wind in te fietsen:)

[@jasonfenech5347]

😂😂😂😂 good one 😂😂😂

[@dh7314]

😂

[@adamgriss2025]

I too was surprised to learn many years ago that Holland had mountains that literally hits you in your face for half your ride.

[@prestachuck2867]

You cannot outrun your genes. 😂

[@TwiinStar1224]

Best tip: just keep riding. No matter how many tips and tricks you learn, the only way to get better is to put the work in and ride.

[@gcn]

Very true, there is no better thing to do but get out and ride. That said, it is possible to over do it! 👀

[@theyorkshirewheeler]

Well said!

[@scotth3354]

I avoid breaking in corners, and even in the straights. Now, braking, that's a whole 'nuther thing.

[@Outsideville]

Oh geeze. I didn't even notice. 😂

[@SebMercier]

I find that mistake increasingly common, unfortunately... Imagine if Breaking Bad was actually Braking Bad. That would be an entirely different story.

[@tonyebozimo1820]

Maybe they meant breaking down 😂😂😂. Come on GCN!!!

[@jonmcgoey1772]

In that case,we'd be complaining about Braking Bad versus Braking Badly!

[@Outsideville]

@@jonmcgoey1772 we are a picky bunch aren't we.

[@stevek8829]

Yes, definitely avoid breaking in corners, or elsewhere. It's painful.

[@mecoollearoyd]

I'm still wondering what he broke!

[@durden.tyler537]

At my age breaking is always painful. But yes, avoid doing so in the corners. Much worse.

[@grahamaustin9085]

Or even braking

[@aching4382]

I like the unspoken 8th tip (during tip #2) of how to properly go over a bump in the road at speed - both hands on the bars, slight pull up on the bars, and the slight lift of legs to reduce downforce on back wheel, all done as one smooth action - Well done 👍🏻

[@bencobbold832]

Really useful video, i hadn't thought about the effect of pushing the bike backward to stand!

[@gcn]

It's one to keep in mind during the group ride!

[@viffer94]

Additionally when it comes to momentum I will often accelerate hard at the bottom of rollers or shorter climbs because I find I can maintain my pace throughout the uphill portion without blowing myself up. It’s the most efficient way up.

[@julianulrich1500]

Totaly true!

[@gcn]

Using momentum is super important! Manon and Hank did a great video on the best way to tackle hills 👉kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipa3qouid7dqaZY

[@David-nx2vm]

I’m in south Texas, where it has been bone dry and over 100 every day for more than a month. If I don’t set off by 8am, I’m heat-stroked by the time I get home. I would love to see some rain and anything green growing outside.

[@timyaiser]

I hear you brother. From Tucson.

[@SkyhawkSteve]

In addition to finding the best draft position as the wind changes, it's also nice to shift left or right to avoid the spray coming off of the wheel in front of you!

[@ElastoING]

Absolutely fantastic video! 🚴‍♂ These 7 tips are pure gold for anyone looking to up their cycling game. As an amateur cyclist myself, I found your insights incredibly helpful and practical. Looking forward to more content like this. Keep pedaling strong! 💪🚴‍♀. Greetings from Germany !

[@gcn]

Great to hear that you recognised a few of these tips! Are there any that you would add on for newer riders? 👀

[@richcampbell3502]

Riding in a group you should always signal when standing out of the saddle. Point up, double elbow flick and/or just call out "standing". Then time it to stand on full pedal crank to be able to push bike forward, etc.

[@gcn]

Learning the tricks and rules of your group ride are super important! Don't be afraid to ask 🙌

[@shepshape2585]

Great weather. Can't wait to come to England for all that sunshine.

[@davidbraxton5110]

All these tips were excellent and inspiring, Thank you.

[@JohnBatty]

Personally, I try to avoid "breaking" at all times! 😂

[@DanTuber]

Hats off to the boys doing a video in the rain. 🎩

[@IamMathenge]

i did 140 kms on sunday on my retro giant GSX 100 XC. the hills in Kenya are not a joke. having bingend on your past videos, my perfomance suprised everyone. the gear changing and cadence maintainance can literally take you to the top of a mountain. cycling is logistics. it is a science. saving for a roadbike for a 170 km next.

[@ProfRCook]

You can feel it when you're in the right place behind a rider. The wind will buffet (not be smooth). So try left and right until you feel that.

[@user-dz1xz1vb9d]

Thanks for the tips ❤️

[@dallboy04]

When I started the best advice given to me was how to descend bigger hills/Mountains by getting my butt off the saddle and doing more of a head down butt up while clamping the seat or top tube with my thighs. This helped me get way more confident going 40+mph without the speed wobbles.

[@gcn]

You don't want to clamp too hard on that saddle, keeping things loose and free will help when the situation gets sticky 👀

[@michaelconlee3925]

Hank and Connor are arguably GCNs two best presenters.

[@DevonBarrett]

Bloody British weather... Boys still showed up! Cheers 🍻

[@joystation1]

As the guys say, don't brake in corners and it might help to remember the phrase, slow in fast out, however, you can sometimes go into a corner you're not familiar with too fast and have to scrub off a bit of speed in which case lightly use the rear brake only, losing your rear wheel is not as catastrophic as losing your front.

[@gcn]

Great tip! But emphasis on the lightly, feathering the brake rather than squeezing it hard is a good thing to keep in mind.

[@texasflood1295]

There is something very satisfying about taking a corner with perfect technique.

[@gcn]

In that moment there is nobody that looks as cool as you! 👀

[@stevenbird1431]

Great Tips!! That looked like a wet ride☔️ keep up the great work guys👍

[@gcn]

We don't get much of a summer here in Bath 😔

[@johnflynn4923]

Simplest one of the lot: winter miles = summer smiles. There's no avoiding putting in the leg work if you want to get better.

[@gcn]

Putting in the work is key. That said winter miles can be full of smiles too 🙌

[@andrewmcalister3462]

​@@gcnThere is so much joy to be had on a sunny winter ride. 🥰

[@grahamjones8441]

Great tip I was given. If your about to crash or think you are. Smile, it relaxes you. This may help get out of crash but will also help if you do.

[@dceperley]

Pedal the downhills: you can add this to Using momentum. I see lots of people coasting downhill. If you pedal the downhills, you can get a lot of speed for very little effort. Plus, your momentum will carry you further after the downhill whether it is flat or uphill.

[@ProfRCook]

But your power is a smaller fraction of the work happening to give you speed. You get the most out of your energy at slow speeds... Going up hill. It's often better to stop pedaling on the downhill and go into your most aero tuck instead.

[@kokonanana1]

@@ProfRCookOnly if you’re spun out! Otherwise, keep pedaling!

[@Isaiiahii]

I always push hard downhill just to see how fast I can go. I love speed, and getting over 40mph on a bike is quite fun. :D

[@watcher24601]

I have to pedal on downhills to keep up with the bigger freewheeling riders

[@edwardwilson5338]

Avoid breaking yes. What about braking 😂

[@bingobango6412]

The week this came out I’d just signed up/applied to join a provincial to national level race team! Here’s hoping I get put on the squad to and accomplish even more in cycling!

[@DB-sj8km]

I’ve found that having a power meter/head unit has diminished how hard I push in many situations because I don’t want to blow up. In the past, blowing up meant I occasionally pushed to my limit, but worked hard and got fitter. Given I can only ride once or twice a week most weeks, I felt that it did help me in an odd way.

[@AntonioDiaz]

Great tips!!

[@Redmire44]

Got some good points there - stopping on hils nice

[@global_nomad.]

I think i'm pretty accomplished, certainly familiar with your points, but i've always struggled to lean the bike over in corners as much as others, which means my line is less tight...part fear/trust in the grip levels...

[@gcn]

Cornering can be a tricky art to master! Luckly enough we can a great film about it 👉kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIizdJecZpiSsKc

[@xchopp]

Also: Avoid BRAKING in corners. Of course, it's bad to BREAK in corners too.

[@hackfabrication139]

Really banging weather you picked for this video. Might I add tip 8: Stay in the cafe (or pub), until the weather lessens.

[@Garfie1d73]

2:20 Why I love fenders on my bike ... and the guy behind me even more ... 😁

[@mlafleurhua]

Conor, your current bike really looks sharp in the XL size you use. Often times bikes in such large sizes do not have the most elegant of proportions. I must say the one you have been using for the past few videos looks sharp.

[@gcn]

Conor always looks sharp! It's in his contract 😂

[@MrJpauwels]

I absolutely agree, larger bikes do not always look great. @GCN Maybe Conor could do a video especially for the larger rider, about bikes, position, specific tips etc.

[@erwinhuerto4148]

Thanks GCN. Well done. This kind of content viewer like most. Good job.

[@gcn]

Glad we could help! 🙌

[@johndoiron9615]

I've been cycling for more than 50 years, yet sometimes I still feel like a beginner.

[@gcn]

We all have these moments! Great to hear you've been riding for so long 🙌

[@rahastings1066]

Great tips, thanks…apart from the one about stopping for a wee break on a hill. This doesn’t save time (you don’t wee any faster on a hill, right?!). But it does save distance as the rest of the group will be travelling at a slower speed during the same amount of time (which I guess is psychologically harder to catch up).

[@andrewmcalister3462]

I think the point is that it takes a lot longer to slow to a stop and then reaccelerate to 30mph/50kph on a descent, than it does from 6mph/10 kph on a climb. This is not just psychological.

[@andymow21]

Another tip to move from amateur to pro is to learn the difference between break and brake.

[@endcensorship874]

Judging wind can be tough. The best thing to do is look around you, see how trees and grass and banners are blowing.

[@lightningll2991]

The best way to find the best draft is to listen to the air flow when it's at the quietest point that's your sweet spot.

[@hvallejog]

Great video. How about signaling to riders behind by moving your elbows, for example, that you are going to get out of the saddle (hopefully in a safe manner), so you don't catch them off guard? And in general, signaling to the riders behind with enough time, when there are obstacles in the road ahead.

[@gcn]

That is a great point! Every group ride will use a variety of different hand signals, it'll be worth asking before the ride.

[@dalglish72p]

Spend some time on a solo ride mastering, removing food from pockets and eating, bottles from cage to mouth to cage whilst keeping eyes on the road, layering up or down (rain jackets out of jersey and on and reversed) best if possible on/in local park road

[@TheGazavman]

High candency is good but if you want to evolve you have to lower a gear sometimes. Front break will make you go straight, rear brake will make you turn more.

[@hectoribarra3124]

Hello , I’m from Boston and I’d like to know how to keep my bicycling form during the winter months, thank you

[@elizabethpoley6882]

Yeah, you definitely DON'T want to break in the corners! The Woodland Hills side of Topanga Canyon Blvd is a downhill bunch of switchbacks...and lots of sandy grit has gathered in the corners. If you break and hit that dirt at 40 mph, you'll get free flying lessons! My brother did that in Virginia. He wiped out, ended up on his left side on the ground, and would've lost his left ear if not for his helmet. He didn't have to catch up w/his group. They ended up helping him get himself together to make it home. And, he never breaked in a corner again!

[@BigBailBikesandBeer]

Use the speed from the down hills to get up the next climb... Loads of riders don't use this to the max effect having to essentially peddle up the climb because they were either to tentative on the down hill or freewheeling down then up the hill.. This usually results in forcing a massive attempt to change into an appropriate gear half way up the hill

[@gcn]

Momentum is everything 🙌

[@walterbostwick4618]

I liked the bit about shifting uphill, but hoped for a bit more detail, i.e. when should you drop the front derailleur etc.

[@Ma660t5andw1ch]

In my experience it depends on your gearing. You may be able to stay in the big ring longer than me, yet we’re both riding with the same momentum. Also, different bikes have different gear ranges in the cassette. Get to know your bike and what upshifting will do for you.

[@tootles74]

what's up with Hanks chain at 4.57?

[@leonschweigkofler969]

As someone who always goes all out, I did skip the last tip...😂😂

[@Esperluet]

1:10 nice one, thanks 👍

[@ProfRCook]

In a tight group, just before doing so, warn people by loudly saying "standing!". The bike will always shift back because physics... Your center of gravity holds the momentum... You move forward relative to the bike when standing, so the bike shifts backwards.

[@kokonanana1]

It’s kinda like a bike throw at the finish line, but standing rather than sitting!

[@watcher24601]

Momentum: carry any speed you have on to a climb and select an appropriate gear to PEDAL with it. Every club rider I met just freewheels until all speed is lost before considering a change of gear. Its like the hill just appeared from nowhere and surprised them. No anticipation!

[@davidhenry5925]

Great video! But, I would avoid "breaking" anywhere, not jus in corners...;)

[@LLroomtempJ]

the typo at 2:59 absolutely killed me. like i am dead right now. the people executing my estate are writing this comment

[@ruinman8722]

this video looks like those days in the office when you don't have enough things to do but your boss is still in the office and you need to pretend work.

[@jenspetersimonsen4235]

Nice tips, TY - but what's it with that Hambini-bloke that keeps flaming you? Envy?

[@David-qx8jm]

Starting out as a beginner you have to learn all that stuff.. i started out as a pro. didn't have to learn all that beginner stuff. Keepemcoming

[@haydnevans2978]

Just making videos for the sake of ad revenue. Money for old rope.

[@iann23]

Haha. My local cycling hero might be a legend and have 15 KOM's on the nearby hills. What a boss. But has he ridden through the Alps? Has he ridden through the Pyrenees? They're easy. Has he ridden through the Andes? Has he ridden through South West China, Malawai or Hokkaido? An accomplished rider is a very different meaning for many people.

[@markhamilton3700]

Hi GCN, When I cycle up hills I’m generally always seated. But when I’ve tried getting out the saddle I find my cadence speeds up too quickly because of the extra power generated by standing. How can I ease the transition from seated to standing whilst maintaining my speed? Thanks

[@dpsbean]

This is something I've been working on. At the moment I'm changing up just one gear then getting out of the saddle as I push to keep the momentum. You push harder out of the saddle, so you need a bigger gear to compensate. Hope that helps 🙂

[@beeds6]

Agree with the above, go into a bigger gear whilst still seated and then stand up to maintain speed and cadence

[@iwontreplybacklol7481]

That XL framed bike has a crazy high headtube o_O

[@GentlemanJamesWin]

You could show the advantages of stopping on a climb better with an animated graphic.

[@dukehong7491]

Corners. On a motorcycle, I typically lean my body more than the bike, on a bicycle the reverse for some reason. Also on a motorcycle, I accelerate in the corner. Does anyone do that on your bicycle? I tent to at the very end of a corner.

[@stevocanuck]

does riding disc brake bikes in the rain cause it to squeek?

[@janverbanck]

Not that I'm aware of...no 🤔

[@ashford1000]

Im a total beginner. in my area all the uphills follow a descent. I never know how to work the gears and be ready for the climb.

[@jennifercash1093]

Breaking? surely none of us want to break... but braking in corners is perhaps what you mean :D

[@_bennie_26]

I'm very interested in starting my career as a cyclist but I don't know where to start .. I'm in Kenya

[@kyua3363]

Will go all out until I got that segment KOMed, no?

[@WarHammerWH]

Not sure if this is a tip or not, but how about showing how to ride hands free. It can be so useful, but never learned to do it and a bit reluctant to try…

[@kiocpm22]

They already have a video on this, look it up

[@tommoritz6659]

When you talk about avoiding breaking in corners, are you talking mechanical, physical, or mental breakdowns?

[@gcn]

It's Conor and Hank it could be all three 😉

[@woodee8948]

I think they could advise on cadence and say if you really don't want to be a novice .. get a power meter

[@marvmininger1835]

Braking incorrectly can lead to body parts breaking. :)

[@MrLuigi-oi7gm]

Best tip. Do what Hank does. Draft a giant.

[@slowcyclist4324]

Best tip: Be a dentist or lawyer. An amateur trains like a madman just to hopefully get sponsored one day. The pro dentist throws money at the shop to sponsor himself with whatever bike that he wants.

[@umarjanbhat3819]

Sometimes go against the wind. It will build your leg muscles.

[@redpandamaniacal]

I can hit a cadence of 30 or so on my best climbing gear (34/32) while climbing, so the real limitation is probably my fitness. Just have to find the time to train.

[@gcn]

Not much can replace time spent in the saddle we're afraid! Luckly it's our favourite place to be 🙌

[@lordyay]

"do you think you're a beginner cyclist?" Trust me, I KNOW I'm a beginner. Sprained my ankle a month ago after about 2 weeks of having my new bike LOL

[@Patrik6606]

Any tips on how to avoid or stop a possible crash in rolling gravel. I had a rather bad crash recently with a concussion and some stiches on my cheek as a result

[@ProfRCook]

Be smooth as possible. Pretend you're on ice. Avoid using your front brakes. Take wide turns.

[@Patrik6606]

@@ProfRCook Thanks. I should have been clearer. What I mean is what to do when you already started sliding so to speak 😊

[@kokonanana1]

@@Patrik6606Go with the slide. Don’t try to steer the bike. Just relax, stay centered and slide. Light grip on the bars. Find an area with a small stretch of gravel to practice on. Practice til you feel comfortable.

[@sedotable]

​@@kokonanana1light grip on the bars helps a lot!

[@watcher24601]

Working with the wind, I thought you were going to say "stop cowering at the back like an amateur, ride on the front and use the wind to build fitness"

[@richardhayward4537]

Braking on a corner or as risky as you can easily come off especially in the wet.

[@ProfRCook]

Smooth is fast. It's also safer for everyone. Be predictable!

[@lesmerritt7976]

Ride a heavy bike and you'll get plenty of momentum even at slower speeds. Momentum = mass x velocity.

[@lenwilkinson8541]

At 1:18+: Best to stop on a climb rather than a descent? A thirty-second stop loses the same thirty seconds whether climbing or descending. And as it is harder to get up to speed on a climb rather than a descent, logic tells me you will lose more distance on a climb than a descent. Perhaps I'm missing something here. Maybe Dr. Bridgewood can apply his brilliant, nerdy, and analytical mind to provide a better explanation.

[@Outsideville]

They did mention the time you spend slowing down. Like folks saying Tadej only lost 12 seconds to change bikes. No, it was more because of time spent slowing down. I guess it depends on the slope.

[@ProfRCook]

Also, you get far more drafting benefit on the downhill. So it's that much more difficult to get back to the group on the downhill.

[@malcolmgraham9462]

03:14 - Breaking in corners is a crash! Braking in corners might cause one ....

[@cdcdcd6777]

does it rain ALLLLLL the time in UK? I dread wet shoes, so I never ride in rain. How do you guys cope with it at GCN? HAAAAAAAAAAANK!

[@johnsassoon7115]

I’m in Scotland, that wasn’t even raining

[@ethannestlen1343]

as a track bike cyclist i have to do all these things to just keep up on the streets 😂

[@whatwelearned]

A time machine might help a lot of us

[@jwicher68]

Move to a country that is not always raining- Australia maybe

[@secretagent86]

Once i started riding with a heart rate monitor i realized my easy rides were still far too hard. Now i also have a single sided power meter, but i focus more on heart rate. (Age 66)

[@sakttan]

Avoid "Breaking" in Corners? Sound advice!

[@deadenear]

get that speed higher ? I see it all the time.Blowing through lights and stop signs. Terrorizing walkers etc.

[@MaxZappa1]

I'm a beginner, I went out for a 35 mile ride a few days ago, my longest yet. I couldn't climb a hill, so dismounted and pushed. Someone tell me it gets easier with practise.

[@kokonanana1]

Check your gearing. Ride appropriate gears for the terrain.

[@sedotable]

It gets easier with practice!!! 1000 percent.

[@emmabird9745]

Hi Guys, Two things spring to mind. First cornering. Sight lines matter and you must consider what might be just round that blind bend. For instance, in the UK at least, pedestrians are supposed to walk on the right (ie against the traffic). How well can you stop instantly if you both arrive together, particularly if the other coincidence of a car comming towards you too limitting your swerve space. Don't be a star of "helicopter 999"! The second is that your tips are all about group rides. A lot of us don't do groups, do your tips are unfortunately irrelevant. How do those of us who can't keep up with a group of hardened chargers improve? That might make a better instructional video.

[@feedbackzaloop]

That's all cool and all, but the real difference between a pro and an amateur is whether they made riding their primary source of income.

[@daredemontriple6]

Riding hands-free is one of those weird techniques like track-standing that seems to just require a lot of practice to get right, but also some other arcane knowledge that never seems to be spoken about. I used to be able to comfortably ride miles at a time hands free if I really dared, but that was when I was riding a flat-bar bike with at least 40mm tyres. Now, on my road bike with 28mm tyres, I can just about manage a second or two before needing to grab the bars again, but even then I have to be going a good 15mph to do it, any slower and the bars are too twitchy and I don't feel safe sitting up to ride no-hands. Track stands are in the same vein for me. I'm an experienced cyclist, I feel like I've got good balance on the bike and can make tight turns at very slow speeds easy enough. And yet I cannot for the life of me track stand unless I'm constantly creeping forwards.

[@feedbackzaloop]

@@daredemontriple6 you know frame geometry affects balance and therefore ease of track standing and hands-free riding, right? Bet that 40mm tyre bike is an old city cruiser with exremely slack seatpost

[@daredemontriple6]

@feedbackzaloop of course I know that, that's why I mentioned the fact the bikes are different. You would be wrong though, it was a hybrid bike. Geometry is not all that dissimilar from my current bike. In any case, it seems ludicrous to go from basically perfect balance to barely balanced at all just because of a 12mm tyre difference and slight difference in geometry. Alas that is the reality it seems, as I can't balance at all like I used to be able

[@feedbackzaloop]

@@daredemontriple6 OK, hybrid is still far enough from a road bike. Anyway, geo has more effect than tyre size. And weight distribution: lean forward far enough and you won't keep balance even with hands on the bars. Also, check how stable you are on the saddle, with some I can't balance at all unless pinch them with hips, for example.

[@user-ig5jk7wj9j]

Braking

[@davidburch3863]

2:21 “beginner”? Is this video for amateurs or beginners or do you think those are the same thing? Title says amateurs.

[@kevin._.farren]

As always, bring enough food and drink for the ride.