| 1. There are many types of bike available today, | | | | expended on reaching your |
| roadbikes, mountain bikes, | | | | target. Is that really what you want?6. Pedalling after |
| hybrids, BMXs and superficially, many of each type | | | | a puncture is brutally hard work and destroys your |
| look equal:In everything, be able to see beyond the | | | | tires.Know when stopping to take stock and make |
| paintwork and recognise | | | | repairs if necessary will |
| quality.2. Recognise the type of bike which meets | | | | enable you to reach your life's goal faster.7. Carry a |
| your needs and match the | | | | puncture repair kit or spare inner tube and be aware |
| characteristics and quality to your planned riding | | | | that both |
| environment:Every job is easier and can be done | | | | are useless without a bicycle pump or air supply.Be |
| faster or better when you have the | | | | aware of the critical dependencies in your life and |
| right tools.3. If the size of the bike you choose is | | | | work and ensure |
| inappropriate you will never be | | | | none are overlooked.8. Minimise your air resistance |
| able ride efficiently or in comfort. Regardless of | | | | except when the wind is behind you.Know when to sit |
| whether the saddle is too | | | | tall and make yourself like a sail to be swept along |
| high or low, it still make your eyes water!Even quality | | | | effortlessly. Know when to hunker down into the |
| equipment is useless unless it fits well!4. Having bought | | | | most aerodynamic position |
| the right sized bike, know how to set the saddle and | | | | you can find to pierce that headwind.9. In my teens |
| handlebar position, up or down, forward or back, to fit | | | | our rides always took us to where the hills were |
| your limb length for | | | | steepest. Once climbing there was only one socially |
| maximum power and riding comfort.Leverage the | | | | acceptable way to |
| power of quality equipment by learning how to use it | | | | dismount: fall-off when it became impossible to turn |
| for | | | | the pedals anymore!Which of your ingrained customs |
| maximum effectiveness.5. Do you really need 27 gear | | | | or beliefs is it time to review and |
| ratios? Did anyone ever mention simplicity?The more | | | | shed?10. All your equipment is useless without the |
| you have, the more time is spent on repairs and | | | | muscle to push it.Be prepared for your journey in |
| maintenance, | | | | terms of nutrition of the mind and the |
| the more weight you carry and the more energy is | | | | body and the conditioning of both. |