Cycling Suggestions

Early Season Riding Tips

It’s early spring and the snow has finally given way to a little bit of sun. That means that die hard riders will soon be joined by throngs of fair weather cyclists. If you hung your bike up for the winter and are now ready to venture out on the road for the first time this year there are some important things that you should keep in mind.

It’s spring, enjoy getting outside but remember you have a long season ahead of you so take it easy. Spring rides tend to be a bit slower and focus more on building endurance. Don’t head out ready to hammer the competition into oblivion. Odds are you will just irritate your riding buddies and could risk injury. Pulling a muscle or developing a nagging overuse injury early in the season could ruin your entire year so go slow and ease into riding. Be sure you know your limits and ride to your ability. You will have plenty of time later in the year to really push yourself so even if you have been riding on a trainer all winter use this time to adjust to being outside again and enjoy the scenery.

Beware of the weather. After a winter of snow and cold mid-fifties will feel like summer. Don’t be fooled. If you go out without enough clothing on you can cause a lot of damage to your joints or worse, get sick before the season even starts. Be smart and be prepared. That doesn’t mean you should throw on every piece of clothing in your closet. You can wear too much. Instead, dress in layers and put just enough clothes on that you take the chill off. Finding the right combination is a personal thing. But, one good rule of thumb is that you should be a little cool when you are standing around waiting to ride. If you are toasty warm standing in the parking lot before the ride, odds are you have too many clothes on. As you ride, your muscles will produce heat and finding the balance between self generated warmth and clothing is the trick. It’s always a good idea to dress in layers. This way you can peel clothes off and put them in a jersey pocket as you get warm and then put them back on as you cool down.

Pay particular attention to your legs and other extremities if it is cool out. As you ride, the air is going to get even colder because of the wind. Thin gloves, shoe covers, arm/leg warmers and ear protection are all good things to have. They don’t have to be the big bulky winter clothes, just enough to protect against the cold air. A good rule of thumb for your legs is that if it is below 60 degrees outside be sure that your knees are covered. This will significantly decrease the potential for damage to your knees and can be achieved by wearing tights, knickers, leg warmers or even knee warmers.

Weather changes a lot in the spring. March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, but after that you will have April showers before you can enjoy those May flowers. Yes, I know it is corny but needless to say, it is not uncommon in the early spring to leave for a ride in the morning and by mid-day see the weather turn from sunny and warm to cloudy and cold. The bottom line is that you need to be sure that you go out prepared for the elements. Check the weather, dress appropriately, and don’t be afraid to take some extra clothes along if you think it could get bad out. Invariably, if you choose to take them along you will not need them, but if you leave them behind, the weather will take a turn for the worse and you will be stuck freezing your butt off. Having a thin wind shell or vest tucked in your pocket during the spring is a great way to ensure you are prepared and doesn’t add more than a few extra ounces of weight.

Salt residue, sand, pebbles, broken chunks of blacktop and various bits and pieces from cars litter the roads in the spring. Each of these items can cause you problems when you are riding. It is important to be aware of what is out there and know how to avoid obstacles in a safe manner. The grit that is left on the road from salt and sand used by road crews to provide traction in the winter can make road surfaces slippery and hazardous. Fine layers of these materials take time to be washed off by early season rains and it can take several hard downpours to completely clean this stuff off the roadway. If you see a white hue from salt be a little more cautious as it can be slippery.

Once the rains do come, these materials often build up on the edges of the road and at intersections. For cyclists this means that riding to the right of the white line in the spring can become dangerous. If there is a lot of debris in this area, don’t ride there. You also need to keep your eyes peeled when you make turns. Often, piles of sand and dirt accumulate right in spot where cyclists turn. This stuff can be deep at times and if you hit it the wrong way it will cause your wheels to go right out from underneath you. If you do hit loose material in a turn, don’t stop pedaling. Instead, pedal through the turn and do your best to keep your bike in an upright position.

Road damage from snow removal and the freeze and thaw cycle can be widespread, especially on country roads that may not be as well maintained as main thruways. Pay attention to the condition of roads that you may not have ridden on since last summer as it will take time for road crews to get out and repair damage that occurred over the winter. When you ride in a group be sure to relay information back to others in the group about the poor condition of the road. Also, take some time to practice avoiding obstacles and always have an escape plan in mind in case an obstacle appears out of nowhere.

Be aware of your fitness level on early season rides. If you make your first ride of the year a century, that might not be such a good idea. Even if you have been riding inside, it isn’t the same as being out on the road. Trainers, spin bikes and other exercise equipment just isn’t the same as riding outside. Take it slow at first and build up to longer rides. Even though the weather may be great, don’t be tempted to push too hard too soon. This can lead to serious injury and potentially ruin your whole season. If you have been doing a lot of indoor training or even outdoor riding over the winter you will progress quickly and before you know it you will be racking up some serious miles. For others, progress will be a lot slower, but don’t worry about it. The key is to know your body and know your limits. If you ride within yourself and gradually progress you will have much better results than if you simply throw down the gauntlet from the get go. Smart cycling is always the best course to take and will lead to sustainable, long term results.

Spring can be one of the best times of the year to ride but you need to take a few minutes before you rush out to hit the streets to prepare. When you get out there, pay attention to your surroundings, have fun, and then take your training to the next level.

Alan Martin is a USA Cycling Level 2 Certified Coach and owner of Central Ohio Velosport, LLC (www.cohvelosport.com) a bicycle coaching business that trains cyclists to become better riders and competitors. Read more about Alan in our Coach’s Corner section.