We've all been there, we've all made these mistakes when we started cycling - here's our guide to avoiding the common mistakes.
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00:00Whether you're a cycling newbie or seasoned pro, we all make mistakes and while it is believed that we learn best from the errors we make, at the time it never quite feels like that.
00:17So to save you the time, hassle and embarrassment of making silly cycling mistakes, we've gone to the effort of making them for you.
00:26Here's our top cycling mistakes to avoid.
00:30We'll forgive you for this one because it's an easy and common mistake to make.
00:36Positioning your saddle too high or too low could lead to a loss of power as well as injury.
00:43While bike fit is unique to each rider, there are some guides to follow when it comes down to saddle height.
00:49As a guide, ride along with your heel on the pedal.
00:52When your leg is at the very bottom of the pedal stroke, it should be almost fully extended, but not quite.
00:58If this doesn't feel quite right, feel free to change it slightly until you are comfortable.
01:06Hitting the wall or bonking as it's commonly referred to among cyclists is when the body quite simply runs out of fuel.
01:12In most cases, you come to an almost grinding halt and things will only get worse until you refuel.
01:17It's an error everybody has made, but it can easily be avoided.
01:20Before each ride, make sure you are sufficiently fuelled. In other words, have something to eat.
01:25Porridge and bananas or toast with honey are great to help fuel the body over a few hours.
01:30Out on your ride, take with you more than enough food, a few gels or bars and a couple of bottles.
01:35Heck, even a sandwich will all provide energy and keep your tank topped up.
01:39Trust us, you'd much rather have too much food in your jersey pocket than not enough.
01:44Yeah, there's no mechanic van coming and for most of us, me immortals, we've got to be self-sufficient
01:54because not everyone's going to stop and help, clearly.
01:57So to get yourself up and running back on the road quickly after a puncture or a double puncture,
02:02you'll need at least two spare inner tubes, a mini pump or gas canisters.
02:07And to make your life easier, pack a couple of tyre levers and a multi-tool into your saddle pack.
02:14In colder conditions, it's always better to slightly overdress than underdress.
02:19And remember, you can always take layers off.
02:21But even in warmer climes, never leave the house without a rain cape or a gilet
02:25because it could really cause your body temperature to plummet if there's a sudden downpour.
02:32And if you're heading out up hilly terrain, remember, the higher you go, the colder it will become.
02:37Wearing a windproof cape will prevent windchill and keeping body heat.
02:45Get into the habit of regularly checking and keeping your bike well maintained.
02:49Not only will this make it perform better, but it will be nicer, easier and safer to ride too.
02:54Pay special attention to the brakes, gears and tyres and make sure that you're regularly lubing and cleaning your chain to prolong the life of that too.
03:02Now, if you're not confident doing all this by yourself at home, then most bike shops do offer servicing now.
03:07So make sure you're taking it in every now and again.
03:09We've all done it. The adrenaline is coursing throughout our veins and we just can't help ourselves from firing out the gates.
03:19Cycling is a tough sport at the best of times.
03:21And while there's nothing wrong in wanting to go faster than ever or beating a PB,
03:25it's important that you know your limits and ride within it.
03:28Going too hard too soon could ruin your ride, not to mention your morale too.
03:33It's common for those of you who are new to cycling to align your brakes too much.
03:40When needing to slow down, it can be tempting to grab the brakes hard, but braking must be done in a controlled manner.
03:46Braking extremely hard could lead to a loss of control and stability,
03:51and in extreme cases could see you flying directly over the handlebars.
03:55Not to mention, it doesn't do any favours to your mates behind.
03:58Instead, keep your eyes on the road ahead, anticipate and brake gradually using a combination of front and rear.
04:08Your gears are there for a reason, to allow you to ride comfortably over a range of terrains.
04:13They're there to make your life on the bike easier and more enjoyable.
04:17There's no need to grind a hard gear at 40 RPM.
04:20All you're likely to do is injure your knees.
04:22Likewise, there's very little point spinning 140 RPM in easy gears all the time.
04:28You'll just make yourself dizzy.
04:29Lastly, make sure you know which part of the lever moves the gear in the directions you want.
04:34There's nothing worse than grinding up a steep hill, only to make matters worse by shifting into a harder gear.
04:40No one likes a visible panty line, not least cyclists.
04:43The chamois in your cycling shorts is designed to be worn directly against your skin,
04:47and it will make things much comfier too.
04:49.