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 Starting tomorrow, Sunday
April 25, there will be a weekly sport ride, beginning at the Cook Street Village Moka
House (345 Cook Street) at 10:00 a.m., sponsored by the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition.
This will continue every Sunday at the same time and place through the cycling season.
If enough riders participate there will be a relatively easy 20-30 kilometre ride, and a
faster ride of 50-70 kilometres. Today's recommended route map is suitable for the ride,
but the exact route will be determined by participants. Have fun!
If you are new to sport riding you may feel intimidated by serious cyclists. So, to help
you feel more comfortable, for the first time ever we reveal in print, THE TEN HABITS OF
HIGHLY EFFECTIVE CYCLISTS (or, CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL WITH CLIPLESS PEDALS).
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No Underwear. Real cycling shorts have soft chamois and no seams where you sit. Bike
shorts go right against your skin.
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Fix All. Learn to make minor adjustments and repairs to your bike. Take a small tool kit
when you ride. A small roll of electrical tape handy for emergency repairs.
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Get a Stable. There are different types of bikes for different types of riding. You can
develop a stable by buying slightly outdated used bikes. An old, inexpensive bike is
best for many uses, such as commuting and short errands.
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Don't Just Sit There! Regularly alternate your riding position, from sitting on the seat
to standing on the pedals, especially on hills. When you get to a really steep incline
get off your bike and walk. Walking takes less effort, uses different muscles, and is
good exercise, too.
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Get Out Of Town. Some of the best road riding is on low-traffic rural roads. Find routes
that are out of town, off the beaten path.
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Eat to Ride, Ride to Eat. You need motivation to ride hard. Focus, focus, focuson food.
As you cycle, meditate on that great cake you'll have at the next bakery. Plan your
routes for lunch at a restaurant. Most serious cyclists spend almost as much time
lounging at coffee shops as they do riding.
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Looky Here. Establish eye contact with other road users, particularly drivers who may
shift lanes or turn into your path.
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Lighten Up. Remove unnecessary weight from your bike. Rotating weight (weight on the
wheels) has the greatest effect on your bike's performance, so one of the best ways to
improve your speed and climbing ability is to use lighter tires and wheels.
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Space Age Wonder. To avoid flats, install tires with Kevlar fabric under the tread. This
prevents most punctures.
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Save $. Don't buy a new car. It's a waste of money, harmful to the environment, and will
tempt you to drive more. Instead, drive an old clunker and invest the savings in great
bikes, the latest cycling gear, and good food (see #6 above).
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