{"id":62848,"date":"2024-04-26T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-26T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/7f4f6e5d-60e7-4801-afd6-9659fbeadafe"},"modified":"2024-04-26T15:59:49","modified_gmt":"2024-04-26T13:59:49","slug":"how-to-plan-your-first-road-bike-ride","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/how-to-plan-your-first-road-bike-ride\/","title":{"rendered":"How to plan your first road bike ride"},"content":{"rendered":"

Everything you need for an enjoyable introduction to road cycling <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Friday, 26 April 2024 at 13:00 PM<\/p>

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Setting out on your first road ride can be a daunting proposition. <\/p>

You have to consider where to go and how long for. You also have to ensure you and your bike are ready for what’s to come. <\/p>

But don’t let that put you off. In this guide to planning your first road ride, we’ll explain the six things you need to do to make your maiden voyage a success.<\/p>

1. Be realistic<\/h2>
Focus on enjoying yourself on your first few rides \u2013 there’s no need to be a hero. – Russell Burton \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Just how fit are you? Can you run for the bus without breaking a sweat or does a single flight of stairs leave you panting and out of breath? There\u2019s no need for heroics here, and we\u2019d suggest keeping your first outing short and sweet.<\/p>

If you\u2019re moderately active already, make your first ride 15km and aim to complete it in an hour to an hour and a half.<\/p>

If you\u2019re less confident about your fitness, try to plan a route with a stop at 10km that gives you the option of adding distance if you\u2019re feeling good, or heading home if you\u2019re not. <\/p>

2. Wear the right kit<\/h2>
\"Fox
How to wear a helmet correctly. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The most important thing you will need is a road bike helmet.<\/p>

While here in the UK a helmet is not mandatory by law, it is advisable to wear a helmet to help minimise the risk of serious head injuries.<\/p>

Many of the best road bike helmets<\/a> will be lightweight, breathable and focus on ensuring comfort for long days out.<\/p>

A growing trend in road bike helmets is technology that will protect your head against rotational impacts. A popular option used by brands is the third-party technology MIPS<\/a>, but other brands have their own version, such as Lazer\u2019s KinetiCore<\/a>.<\/p>

Wearing a helmet is important for safety, but how you wear a helmet<\/a> is equally important, because without the correct fit, a helmet’s protection can be compromised.<\/p>

Shoes<\/h3>
\"Specialized
Specific cycling shoes are lighter, cooler and more efficient than trainers. – Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

While you can use your normal shoes to go for a road bike ride, the best road bike shoes<\/a> will often be lighter, more ventilated and stiffer for greater pedalling efficiency (although, whether cycling shoe stiffness actually matters<\/a> is a subject of some debate).<\/p>

They will often be slimmer than day-to-day shoes, more aerodynamic and with closing systems that won\u2019t get caught in your bike.<\/p>

It\u2019s worth taking the time to find the right shoes for you, because the fit of cycling shoes can vary greatly and can be as personal a choice as the best bike saddles<\/a>.<\/p>

Road cycling shoes will often come with mounts for three-bolt cleats, which are compatible with road bike pedals. Others will come with holes for two-bolt cleats, which are compatible with mountain-bike style pedals. Some may even come with mounts for both types of cleats.<\/p>

Pedals<\/h3>
\"Best
Road bike pedals tend to provide a wide pedalling platform, creating a direct feel with the bike. – David Caudery \/ Immediate Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The best road bike pedals<\/a> tend to be one-sided, clipless pedals, compatible with three-bolt cleats (though, as always, there are exceptions such as Wahoo’s Speedplay Zero<\/a> range).<\/p>

While many people will start out using flat pedals<\/a>, road cyclists tend to like cycling with cleats<\/a> because they provide a firm and secure connection between the foot and the bike.<\/p>

Some road cyclists opt for mountain bike pedals that are compatible with two-bolt cleats, because these enable them to use shoes with treads for walking. These systems are also typically easier to clip into and often offer a dual-sided platform, making them more beginner-friendly.<\/p>

You can read our guide on SPD vs SPD-SL<\/a> pedals to find out whether a three-bolt or two-bolt cleat system is best for you.<\/p>

Cycling kit<\/h3>
\"Dhb
A cycling rain jacket is a wise investment. – Sam Voaden \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Just as there\u2019s no reason to stop you from riding your road bike with normal shoes, there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t head out in your normal clothes either.<\/p>

But there is a whole world of cycling kit \u2013 from socks to headbands \u2013 tailored to the specific demands of cycling.<\/p>

One of the most valuable pieces of cycling-specific clothing to consider is a pair of the best bib shorts<\/a> or best women\u2019s bib shorts<\/a>. These are close-fitting Lycra bottoms with pads designed to keep your bottom comfortable on long rides.<\/p>

\"Universal
Comfy, padded cycling shorts are near-essential for long rides. – Sam Voaden \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Many cyclists will opt for a cycling jersey<\/a> because these will help wick sweat away and have pockets on the back to carry supplies.<\/p>

Wearing form-fitting clothing is also an easy way to make yourself faster on the bike, if that interests you, because it’s more aerodynamic than baggy clothing.<\/p>

For colder weather, cycling tights<\/a> will offer the same advantages as cycling shorts but provide extra warmth. The best cycling gloves<\/a> and the best overshoes<\/a> will help keep you warm, too.<\/p>

As with virtually any outdoor activity, it\u2019s worth investing in a good waterproof jacket<\/a>.<\/p>

3. Bring the right kit<\/h2>
\"Topeak
Pack spares in your saddle bag or pockets. – Katherine Moore \/ Immediate Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

One of the great things about road bikes is they enable you to cover great distances with ease, but this means being prepared to fix a flat tyre<\/a> is wise because you don\u2019t want to end up stranded.<\/p>

In order to fix a flat tyre, you will need tyre levers<\/a> and a pump<\/a>. You can fix a small hole in an inner tube<\/a> with a puncture repair kit<\/a>, but many riders opt to carry a spare inner tube to make for a quick repair.<\/p>

If your bike has tubeless tyres<\/a>, you will need to take a tubeless tyre repair kit<\/a>. These contain plugs that help the tubeless sealant<\/a> within the tyre seal the hole back up, so you can re-inflate the tyre using a mini bike pump<\/a> and carry on riding.<\/p>

It may also be worth having a CO2 inflator<\/a> with you on your rides. This will supply enough pressure to seat the tyre beads back on the rim, if you’ve had to remove them to carry out a repair.<\/p>

Alternatively, a spare inner tube can be fitted to a tubeless tyre with a puncture that can’t be fixed with plugs and sealant alone.<\/p>