Sport of Cycling/Biking (01)

Improving Bicycling Speed
Improving pedaling form is the easiest way to improve cycling speed, according to the author of this article. Many cyclists pedal much harder with one leg than the other, or apply pressure unevenly throughout the stroke. These problems can be solved with a few simple pedaling drills. This will give you a faster speed without any extra effort. The next step to a faster time is to train very specifically for the event you plan to enter. An athlete planning on racing in a short style road race should train much differently than an athlete planning on doing the 180km of an Ironman. In general, the shorter the race, the higher the intensity. Training intensity should match race intensity, so the type of course you will race on needs to be considered.

Triathlon Biking Tips
This article from June 2005 discusses a triathlon in Philadelphia, and offers expert advice for improving cycling for triathlons, and in general. Cadence, the official coaching company for the USA Triathlon, offers a number of cycling tips. They include looking ahead and being aware of others around you, not overreacting to rough roads or close-by riders, keeping line and pace, and only braking when necessary, thinking ahead before turning a corner, cheating the wind by finding the least windy sections of road, and maintaining a comfortable pedal cadence in a gear that doesn't over-burden your legs or your aerobic system.

Proper Bike Helmet Fitting
There's no point in wearing a helmet if it doesn't fit right enough to ensure protection and comfort. This website includes tips to get a perfect helmet fit. A chart is available to troubleshoot your helmet issues. Tips for fitting a bike helmet include: putting the helmet on your head so it sits evenly between the ears and rests low on your forehead. The helmet should only be about 1-2 finger widths above your eyebrow. Put foam pads in the helmet for comfort and better fitting. Tighten the chin strap as snugly as possible. Adjust the junction of front and back straps just under the ears and secure back strap without putting pressure on the front strap. More tips are included to ensure a safe, comfy bike riding experience.

Indoor Biking and Training
When the weather gets chilly, or you just don't feel like going outside to train for a triathlon or improve your bicycling, cycling trainers, rollers, stationary bikes and spinning bikes are the perfect options. There are several pieces of equipment that will make your indoor riding experience enjoyable. The first is a trainer for your bike. Trainers are designed to hold your bike upright with the back wheel in contact with the trainer. The unit provides resistance while pedaling, and there are various types of trainers to choose from: stand-alone resistance trainers (air, magnetic or fluid) and high-tech units (such as a CompuTrainer). These trainers operate through a computer. Rollers are another good indoor bicycling option. They consist of a frame with three revolving drums on which a bicycle can be ridden. Learning to ride rollers takes a lot of practice and bravery, though, as the rider is not "attached" like the trainer, and needs to balance upright while pedaling.