CALIFORNIA BICYCLE NEWS AND CYCLING SAFETY TIPS BLOG

4 Secrets for Great Cycling Climbs

Cycling climbs are known to be one of the toughest aspects of the sport. Even some advanced riders struggle with performing well on their climbs. Of course, the best thing that anyone can do to improve is regular and diligent training, but there are a few quick tips that might make that training go a little further on your next big ride. 4 Secrets for Great Cycling Climbs Relax your upper body: The more you tighten your upper body the less energy you will have for your climb. Tension in the chest will also make it tougher to get those large breaths you’ll need to keep your blood pumping. It’s a natural tendency to put tension in your upper body when you are struggling, but make an effort to keep your shoulders and chest relaxed. Poop… seriously: No, this isn’t a joke. Using the restroom before a tough ride will…
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Why Do You Keep Getting Back Pain from Cycling?

Many cyclists, especially those who are over 40, experience regular back pain from cycling. Sometimes this problem can even grow so common that you start avoiding rides altogether. The truth is that back pain often has simple causes. Here’s a look at some common reasons why you might be hurting. Common Causes of Back Pain from Cycling: Your core needs work: Most cyclists have strong legs from regular rides, but many don’t have the core strength to match. Over time, the force of regular riding can put strain on your torso. This can cause you to ride in a way that causes back pain, especially at the end of your workouts, when you are most tired. If cycling is your only form of exercise, you are probably not building the core strength you need. Consider adding some basic core exercises to your workout routine. You don’t stretch or warm up:…
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Why Do Some People Think Cyclists Need License Plates?

If you ask most cyclists, they’ll probably tell you they shouldn’t need a license or plates to ride a bike, but there are some cities that are now requiring registration for bicycles. The basic concept is that riders should have to pay a fee for the right to ride on public streets. A recent article in Bicycle Magazine explained why it thought these laws were misguided, but first, let’s just look at the basic rationale of those who advocate for cycling licenses. Arguments for Required Registration for Bicycles: If you use the road you should pay. Some advocates of the plates think that cyclists are using the roads without paying to maintain them. They believe that a license fee could force them to pay their share of maintenance costs. In response, some cyclists complain that most of them already pay these fees for their cars, and that bikes cause very…
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