- Early or late in the day, watch your shadow as you ride, checking for
flaws in position, form, or pedaling style.
- Use the whole saddle when you ride. Sit in the center for normal
pedaling, scoot forward to increase your spin, and slide back to power up a
hill.
- To smooth a jerky pedal stroke, practice spinning down a long, gradual
hill in a low gear without bouncing in the saddle.
- If you have difficulty riding along the roadside in an unwavering line,
try this:
- Focus your eyes 20 feet ahead when riding at 10 to 15 miles per hour and a
foot farther for every additional mph. Looking closer doesn't provide
enough time to make smooth corrections when you see things in your way.
- Practice on an empty parking lot or a deserted road by riding with your
wheels on the painted lines. After you can ride without wavering, try it when
you turn your head to look to the side or behind.
- When on trafficked roads, strive to ride an imaginary rail 6 inches to the
left of the white road-edge line.
- Reduce your need to brake on descents by sitting up to let your body catch
the wind. this can take 10 mph off your speed.
- When descending, your bike is more stable if you are pedaling, not
just coasting. Always descend in a high gear to retain the ability to
accelerate if the situation calls for it.
- Don't grasp the handlebar drops when climbing because it compresses the
diaphragm and inhibits breathing. Instead use the bar tops.
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