Ten common mistakes every new cyclist makes

Speaking to a local shop owner, who runs a bike-fitting service, he’s able to improve the comfort of a large proportion of beginners he comes across simply by giving them some simple dressing advice.

Underwear under bib shorts? No. Just no.

Sure, as a new cyclist it can feel weird to pull on a pair of bib shorts without underwear, but, ultimately, it’s the only way. Bib shorts are made to be worn without underwear, which can otherwise bunch up and quickly chafe. And you don’t want to go there.

So you have your bike ready, the sun’s poking through and it’s time to clock some miles and work on those tan lines.

Except you didn’t check the weather forecast, and, in true British style, the sun turns to dark clouds and rain and you’re about to get drenched miles from home.

The experienced – or the well-prepared, at least – can pull out a lightweight jacket and at least protect themselves from the worst of the weather.

And yet for every well-prepared cyclist, there will be plenty who learn the lesson the hard way as they trudge back up the driveway after a thoroughly miserable end to the ride.

Punctures are, unfortunately, part and parcel of cycling, meaning that at some point you’ll need to fix a roadside flat. Time to call your tyre levers, spare inner tube and mini-pump into action. 

You do have them, right? Yes, it was only a short ride but you’re now stuck at the roadside and they’re not much use in the garage or the boot of the car, are they?

You should never leave home without the means to fix a puncture – the one time you do will, inevitably, be the time you here that dreaded hiss of air from your tyre.

The inconvenience of carrying spares in your jersey pockets or saddlebag is far less than being stuck at the roadside cursing your luck – as long as you know how to use them…

OK, so you’re going to make a proper fist of this cycling malarkey – you’ve done your research, bought everything you need and never go out for a right without the right tools.

Puncture? No problem, you’re fully tooled up to deal with this. Except that, while you have everything you need to change a tube, knowing how to actually do it is another matter entirely. Doh! You really should have watched that YouTube tutorial.

And even worse than that, you’re brand spanking new multi-tool doesn’t seem to have the right bits for your bike. A ten-in-one multi-tool might sound good, but if it doesn’t have the right bit to adjust your saddle height or shift your slipped handlebar then it is, quite literally, a waste of space.

In all fairness, this one’s not exclusively for newbies. Even the pros get it wrong, with Richie Porte fetching an emergency energy gel for Chris Froome on the climb of Alpe d’Huez at the 2013 Tour de France. 

But it’s certainly a mistake many new cyclists will make early on in their cycling career, be it from going out with enough food to see them through a ride, or just simply forgetting to eat and drink.

One minute you’re flying, the next it feels like your cycling through treacle and every pedal stroke becomes a monumental effort. Five minutes later you’ve stopped at the village shop with a slice of cake in one hand and a bottle of Coca Cola in the other, desperately trying to get your energy reserves back in the black.

There’s a balancing act between over-loading and beating the bonk, but anybody who has felt their legs turn to jelly and the finish of a ride suddenly appear to be in a different time zone will attest to the fact that it pays to stay well-fuelled.

This cycling lark’s easy, right? You’ve got a great looking bike, brand new kit and, frankly, you look like you could be a pro – apart from the greasy imprint of your chain ring on the inside of your leg.

The ‘fourth cat tat’ has, bizarrely, become a badge of honour to some riders, who have gone to the trouble of getting it inked permanently on their legs.

But even the accidental stamp of the rookie can be easily avoided – keep your chain clean and know where to put your feet when you come to a stop…

Now this is one we can all attest to, right?

Using clipless pedals is a landmark for all new cyclists, but riding with your feet seemingly locked in takes some getting used to, even if it makes your pedaling more efficient.

And it’s easy to forget you’re still attached to the bike as you approach traffic lights or a junction, or just simply a stopping point in your ride.

Cue a sudden panic, an ungainly fall and (well-meaning) sniggers from any riders who might have spotted you. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there!

You’re feeling great, and this climb is ready to be conquered. Your mates have slowed down? Pah, watch this. Eat my dust…

This is steeper than I thought! How far to the top? Really? But I’ve been climbing for ages? Oh no, it’s getting steeper. I might have to stop and unclip…

What’s that noise behind? Ah! It’s your fellow riders coming past and leaving you trailing in their wake as they roll up at a steady speed. Why didn’t you think of that?

If you’re going to attack to show off your new-found fitness, make sure you have a chance of making it stick for more than a few seconds…

It’s not just on climbs where rookies reveal themselves, but on the way down too – overcooking it, picking a bad line or, worse, totally misjudging the speed of a descent.

Reluctantly I have to admit I’m guilty as charged on this front. A fast descent, low aero position, and a tight corner and a metal gate at the bottom. You can guess the rest.

Yes, it is great to go fast and if you’ve earned the descent then you want to take advantage of it, right?

But descending is a fine art so take time to build up your confidence and skill level to ensure you don’t come a cropper.

So you’ve started cycling and you want to push yourself from the off. That Mark Cavendish bloke can go fast, how does he do it? Look at how his bike is setup – low and long – that must be the way to do it, right?

Except Mark Cavendish is a professional cyclist, who has honed his position on the bike over the course of hundreds of thousands of miles in the saddle.

He has the flexibility and strength to hold that position in comfort, so just because a pro can get low and long, it doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. Besides, one of the best ways to ride fast is to make sure you’re comfortable in the first place.

You’ve entered your first race, signed on and have been given a race number. Exciting hey! When you are in the midst of battle at the end of the race, and you make your final effort for the line – you want your effort to count for something, right? You want to ensure the judge gets your number to identify you. It is for this reason, your number needs to be over your jersey pockets, visible on your lower back.

If your number is half way up your back, when your on your drops, your number will only be visible from above – ideal if the judge is flying in a drone, however more likely they are stood a the side where your number will be missed.

Pin your number over your pockets on your lower back, where it can be seen!