What do I need to ride?

Ready to start cycling but don't know what you need?  Don’t ride frequently or have never tried biking at all?  No need to worry...everyone starts at the same place, and below are some basic tips to help get you ready for your first bike ride.

The Bike
What kind of bike do I need to get started?  Do I have to purchase a new bike?  NO, NOT AT ALL!  Whatever bicycle you can get your hands on is a great place to start!  If you have a bike in your garage, or you know someone who has a bike not being used…take a Saturday afternoon to visit your local bicycle retailer to have the bike looked over by a professional bike technician.  What should you expect?  If the bike has been sitting in a garage, it will probably need new tubes and possibly new tires.  Ask the bike technician to do a "Basic Tune-up". This will ensure key parts of the bike like the brakes, hubs, headset, gears, chain, derailleurs, bottom bracket, etc., are checked and the bike is safe to ride.  Most "Basic Tune-ups" cost about $60 and they are well worth it!

If you do not have a bike and want to purchase something new or used, a good starter bike costs approximately $500.  Of course, there are bikes that cost five times this, but it is not necessary to purchase one of these "Hi-tech" machines in order to enjoy the sport!  Once you have started riding routinely and are sure cycling is an activity you are going to enjoy long term, then it might be time to look into a better bike.  For more information about specific bike models available, visit the Official Bicycle supplier to the TX TOUGH Sponsored Athletes at: www.scottusa.com


Start slowly
There is no need to kill yourself when you first get started.  Even if you are in good shape, cycling uses muscles differently than other forms of exercise, like running or swimming, and your body needs time to adjust to the movement and stress.  Start out easy, enjoy yourself, and progress gradually.  Riding 10–15 minutes a couple of times a week is a good starting point.  Have fun!

Be safe
Like many other outdoor activities, cycling can be dangerous, especially when you are sharing roads with traffic.  To avoid unnecessary accidents, try to ride during daylight hours, use bike trails or bike lanes when possible, obey traffic laws, always yield right of way to other vehicles, when possible wear bright colored clothing or reflective clothing to help motorists see you, and wear a helmet.

Basic Equipment

Like golf or tennis, cycling has specialty equipment that can make your experience more comfortable and fun!  You do not need a lot of gear to get started, but there are some key items that are musts and will ensure your safety.  What is the minimum gear needed?  Here’s our list:

Helmet - Helmets are the single most important piece of basic cycling equipment.  You should never ride without a helmet and cannot ride in the TX TOUGH Bike Stage without one.  A helmet can mean the difference between simply getting up after a small fall or suffering a fatal injury.  You can purchase a safe, good-fitting helmet for approximately $35-$45.  There are a range of colors and styles from which to choose, so find a helmet that fits your budget and appeals to you.  Brighter colors are nice since they are cooler in the sun and increase visibility.

Most of today's helmets have adjustable sizing mechanisms allowing quick and easy changes to the helmet's headband.  (Use diagram as guide for the instructions below.)

To fit the helmet
 - Open the sizing band all the way.
 - Place the helmet level on your head.
 - Slowly tighten the headband until it is snug but comfortable.
 - Adjust the straps so they meet just below your ear.
 - Tighten the front strap if the helmet is tilted too far back.  Tighten the rear strap if it is tilted too far forward.
 - Once the side straps are adjusted properly, tighten the chin strap to be comfortably snug.

An important note...when finished, the helmet should not move more than 3/4 of an inch in any direction and be impossible to remove from your head without unbuckling the strap.  For more information or help finding a helmet that is right for you, visit the Official Helmet supplier of the TX Tough Sponsored Athletes at:  www.giro.com

Water bottle or Hydration Pack - Even on cool days, drinking fluids during your ride is one of the most important things you do.  Properly hydrating will make every ride easier and allow for quicker recovery.  As a basic guideline, it is recommended that you drink about 20oz. of water or a sports drink-type liquid per hour you are riding.  Your personal physiology or the temperatures may require more fluid, and you should consult your family physician if you have specific medical conditions or needs.  The easiest way to ensure you have plenty of fluids with you during your ride is to attach a water bottle cage to your bicycle.  Bottle cages usually attach to specific mounting points on your bicycles frame with two (2) bolts.  We recommend you get at least one cage for your bike.  The other alternative is a hydration backpack.

Hydration Packs are backpack-like devices with bladders designed to be filled with liquid that fits into the pack and contains a drinking tube for the rider.  The drinking tube has a special valve on the end allowing water to flow when you have the valve in your month, but not leak water when it is hanging over your shoulder.  Hydration Packs range in size from 50oz-100oz.  Selecting a pack depends on how much water you want to carry, along with the number of pockets designed into the pack for tools, repair kits, extra clothing, or personal items you may want to bring on your ride.  Regardless of what type of hydration system you choose to use, it is important that you plan to carry fluid for your rides.

Spare Tube and Pump - Carrying a spare tube and pump can help avoid situations where you are stranded while on your ride and forced to walk your bike.  Bikes have varying tube and tire sizes so there is no guarantee that if someone were to stop and help, they would be carrying the tube you need.  Carrying a spare tube that is the size your bike needs, which will more than likely be small enough to fit in a jersey pocket or pack, ensures you have what you need in case of a flat.  Carrying a portable pump or inflate device allows you to fix the puncture on the spot.  Most of these pumps are also small enough to carry in a jersey pocket or be attached to the bike.  A spare tube and pump will run less than $40 are definitely worth the investment.


Extra Equipment Items (Items listed are not necessary but can enhance experience)


Gloves - Some people might argue that gloves are a bare essential.  The biggest benefit to wearing gloves is they can aide in absorbing road vibrations transferred by handlebars when riding.  Gloves also provide protection if you were to suddenly crash while riding.  They are not an expensive item and prices range from $25-$45.   

Bike computer or "Motivator" - Bike computers, which are also called "MOTIVATORS" by one of the most successful bicycle retail owners in the industry, are a nice equipment add-on.  They attach to the handlebar of your bike and generally include functions that tell you how far you have ridden (miles or kilometers), how fast you are going (current speed), how fast you are pedaling (pedal revolutions per minute), and current time or date.  Cycling computers, like other technology, can range in price from $39-$300, depending on how sophisticated a product you want.  With a range of options, you can decide what makes the most sense for you.  They are not an absolute must, but something you definitely want to put on your "Wish List".

Gel-padded seat - Unfortunately, there is not a magic formula or solution to finding the right bike seat.  Selecting the right bike seat is similar to finding the right pair of shoes.  You have to select the shoe that is right for your foot and right for whatever activity you plan to do.  You may need to choose your cycling seat the same way.  If you are just starting to ride, a “traditional” cycling seat may be uncomfortable and difficult to overcome.  It is important you find the seat that suits you and your riding style.  Moreover, male and female differences in anatomy mean what is right for one may not be right for the other.  Gel seats are one good solution.  These are a specific type of seat that has "Gel" material constructed into the seat.  They are designed to dampen road vibrations, ultimately providing more comfort while riding.  There are several brands and models from which to choose, so find the one that you think will best suit you.  Remember, there is not a right answer, so do not let yourself get hung up on finding the “perfect” fit the first time out.

Glasses - Protecting your eyes is important.  While riding, wind and/or vehicle traffic can cause debris or dust to blow into the air and into your eyes.  Individuals wearing contacts will want to more seriously consider wearing some sort of cycling-specific eyewear. Cycling-specific eyewear has several key, sport-specific characteristics that distinguishes it from the general lifestyle sunglass products:

- Frames have some sort of critical degree of flexibility allowing them to absorb impact without injuring your face.
- Comfort is optimized using lightweight materials so they do not bother you while you are riding.
- Optical alignment for sharp, accurate vision is paramount and allows for extended peripheral vision.
- Frames and lens are designed cohesively to provide maximum eye coverage, preventing elements from irritating or obstructing vision while riding.

While cycling-specific eyewear is not a must have, it is certainly something you want to consider as you start riding more often and your ride length increases.  There are a lot of options, so find what works best of you.  If you wear contacts, many companies offer prescription programs that would probably suit you best.  For more information about cycling-specific eyewear or help finding the eyewear that is right for you, including designing your own custom sunglasses, visit the Official eyewear supplier of the TX TOUGH Sponsored Athletes at:  www.oakley.com

Cycling Shoes – Cycling shoes are definitely something you want to consider as you begin riding more often, but are not required immediately to get started.  There are a variety of shoes designed specifically for cycling activities.  Before focusing on what type of shoe you want, first decide what you are willing to spend.  This will help you narrow your choices and keep you from being overwhelmed with the options technology available in many of the shoes.  You do not need to spend more than what you think you can afford, and a good measuring stick is to consider the amount of riding you are actually doing.  A good pair of cycling shoes can be purchased for just under $100, and, of course, you can spend a lot more than that.

Why purchase a pair of cycling-specific shoes?  Cycling shoes help with pedaling.  They are constructed with stiffer soles than regular athletic or running shoes, keeping your feet from flexing while pushing downward on the pedals.  This ensures each foot has a firm platform to press against and ultimately makes longer rides more comfortable.  When your feet are allowed to flex while pedaling, it can create discomfort in your arches or in the fore foot areas.  If you are not using cycling shoes, you will generally not experience any discomfort on rides lasting less than 60 minutes.  However, as you begin to riding longer and maybe even a little more aggressively, you may develop soreness in your arches or in the fore foot, which is a direct result of the flexing in your shoes.