Beginner-Intermediate Cycling Lessons

Oh, How far you'll go!

What we cover in a Beginner-Intermediate lesson! Here are the highlights:

• Basics of Bike Parts
  
• ABC(D) Quickcheck before going on a ride
  
• Basic Bike Gear
  
• Safety Skills & Handling
  
• Your Rights as a Cyclist
  
• Additional notes​!

Art Credit: Aaron Kuehn. Click image for artist info and his cools stuff :) This image was a fun part of the education program I used to run for a nonprofit in ATX.

Basics of Bike Parts:

• Brake Levers
• Drop bars v straight bars
• Front fork
• Wheel
  • Caliper / rim brakes v disc brakes
  • Tire
  • Tube (v tubeless)
  • Schrader valve v presta valve
  • Spokes
  • Rim
• Top tube
• Down tube
• Saddle
• Seat stay
• Gear changers
• Drivetrain
  • Chain ring (front)
    • Is it a 1X? 2X? Etc.
  • Cassette & cogs (rear)
  • Chain
  • Derailures (could be front and rear or just rear… or none if single speed!)
  • Crank arm
  • Pedals

ABC(D) Quickcheck before going on a ride:

• A- Air
• B- Brakes
• C- Chain, crank, cassette (I HAVE seen someone’s crank arm fall off DURING a ride!!! :) )
• D- Drop
• Click here for ABC Quickcheck handout!​

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Some Basic Bike Gear:

• Lights
• Reflective gear
• Racks (could be front or rear)
• Panniers (bags to carry things)
• Helmet
  • Cap or ear covers that fit under helmet (for cold weather)
  • MTB  / Road helmet (different for different purposes)
• Flat tire kit
  • Tube (if tube v tubeless)
  • Pump (be sure it’s compatible!)
  • Tire levers
  • Optional multi-tool
  • Patch kit
  • 15mm wrench, especially if no quick release (if you do get bikes with quick releases, be sure to get on guard or ones that lock)

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• Riding rain coat
• Windbreaker
• Cycling specific gloves, windproof/ waterproof
• Eyeprotection

Safety Skills & Handling:

• Turning
• Weaving
• Rock avoidance
• Arm signalling (arms straight out!)
• Be Big! Be Visible!

• Verbal signals
  • Left turn
  • Right turn
  • Stopping
  • Slowing
  • Hole!
  • Car left / right
  • Gravel
  • Water
• Riding out of the saddle
• Look behind you/ check traffic without swerving
• Balance
• Riding with one hand
• Riding on gravel, grass, and onto/ off of curbs (hint: 90 degree angle)
• Right bark v Left brake (US v Europe)

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Your Rights as a Cyclist (with the caveat that motorists DON’T always have awareness!):

• You can take the lane
• You are a vehicle when both feet are off the ground
• Cars should give you 3’ safety space (trucks and buses would give you 6’)

Additional notes:

• ​Communication is key - signal and communicate your intentions
• Obeying traffic laws as if you were a vehicle
  • What is the Idaho stop?
  • Be aware not all traffic lights can feel your weight and may not change
• Courtesy and cycling etiquette goes a long way - Do your best :)
• And - in case you're traveling to Belgium - How to say Watch Ou! in Flemmish and other references!
  • kijk uit! (please tell me if you know how to pronounce that!)
• Go à Bloc: A Guide to Foreign-Language Cycling Terms
  bicycling.com
• When to visit
  cyclinginflanders.cc
• Lastly, be sure you ENJOY riding your bike!!! Have fun! I want to hear all about your adventures.

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