How To Become A Better Cyclist - 6 Tips & Tricks

If you’re looking at how to become a better cyclist, then you’ve landed on the right page! Whether you’re improving for the purpose of safety or to brush up on your skills for a race, there’s always something to be learned when it comes to cycling.

There’s nothing more freeing than having the wind through your air, gliding down the road, and enjoying the world at a leisurely - or not so-leisurely - pace.

This guide will take a closer look at how to become a better cyclist, as well as tips and tricks for staying safe and getting the most out of this activity.

If you’re someone who is currently training as a cyclist, it’s often the case that your training might plateau at some point. In order to become a well-rounded cyclist, a few changes will make a big difference to your progress.

Being able to ride further without getting fatigued, to knowing your surroundings and terrain in order to stay staff. These are just a couple of ways in which you can improve your abilities when trying to figure out how to get better at biking.

In order to become a good cyclist, it’s important to know all of the tips and tricks that will help you get there. Whatever your goal might be as a cyclist, this guidance will help you figure it out and find your success.

Let’s break down what you need in order to become a good cyclist. From training with the right accessories to mastering your nutrition, here are a few things worth knowing. If you're coming back to cycling after a long break, you should take a look at our article on how to get back into cycling after long breaks first.

First and foremost, you should have a plan. 

What are you looking to achieve when training? Perhaps the end goal is to partake in a triathlon or a local cycling event. Whatever the occasion or reasoning for your need to improve, a training plan is essential.

A structured plan that is realistically tailored to your end goal is useful for its success. Find that sweet spot to ensure you get the most out of every ride and fulfill whatever goal you’re looking to achieve. With a plan in place, you’ll become a stronger cyclist as a result.

Nutrition is a key part of becoming a better cyclist - and in general when it comes to improving your health. Eating too late, or not eating at all, will not be useful when cycling. You need enough food to help power your body through any cycling you do, regardless of length.

For every hour you ride, you should be consuming around 60 to 90 grams of carbohydrates. This helps maintain performance and prevents you from falling flat. Ideally, you should eat this food around 30 minutes into the ride itself.

Experiment with food too, whether it be energy gels or nutritional energy bars.

In order to keep your focus on your ride, it’s important to have the right accessories - including a cycling backpack.

There are plenty of backpack options out there, so it’s worth knowing which ones are available depending on your needs. From small compact options to waterproof bags that will keep your belongings safe and dry at all times.

Set a budget for the bag and when it comes to being a better cyclist, it’s worth indulging in the bag you desire.

Hydration is critical because no matter how long the ride might be, it’s useful that you make it there and back without passing out!

If you don’t consume enough fluids, then you’ll be in trouble. By consuming the right volume of fluid per hour, you’ll help maximize the performance of your ride. It’s critical in all weather conditions - even more so when riding in the heat.

Hydrating before, during, and after cycling is paramount and will help ensure you stay hydrated throughout the ride. Electrolytes should also be consumed throughout the ride in order to keep your sugar levels up.

Not everyone realizes that cycling requires a lot of core strength. That’s why it’s encouraged to hit the gym when you can.

To become a better biker, you’ll want to assess your current core stability and find ways to improve it where you can. Without training your core, you’re likely to not deliver as much power when riding your bike.

It’s not only about speed but about fatigue too. With core strength, you will likely find you can not only ride harder but for longer too. Core training also helps reduce the risk of injury, as well as helping to align to various extremities you find yourself in when cycling.

Tackling a mix of terrains and inclines will certainly prepare you for the unexpected scenarios you’ll find yourself in when cycling. Riding more hills can be helpful, as well as tackling different inclines - and declines for that matter!

The more you ride, the more improved you’ll be when it comes to hitting those unexpected hills or inclines. You’ll also find you grimace less when faced with such a challenging route. Different terrains will also help you endure the more intense surfaces that you will find yourself when out cycling.

To help with all of the above, it’s worth making sure you have everything you need to make cycling easier for you. Here are a few basic purchases worth making if you’re starting out as a new cyclist on the road.

• A bike - obviously!

• Helmet

• Cycling shorts and leggings

• Sunglasses

• Lock for keeping your bike safe

• Bike boots

• Emergency first aid and a first aid kit for your bike

• Bike backpack

• Panniers for when you're carrying more stuff than a backpack can carry.

• Handlebar bags (checkout our top handlebar selections)

These are just a few suggestions but you can never have enough when it comes to cycling gear and accessories. Be sure to do your research on what you need