a woman riding a bicycle

Urban Cycling: Everything You Need to Know

Basically, urban cycling refers to biking through a city, which may scare a lot of people. Perhaps it’s the idea of cars whizzing by and crushing you into pulp. Well, urban cycling sounds terrifying, but it’s not as dangerous or complicated as it sounds.

Here, we discuss everything you need to know to ensure you’re keeping yourself safe during urban cycling!

  1. If someone says a mid-ride coffee stop is a cherished tradition during urban cycling, believe them because there’s big scientific reasoning behind it: it’s found that caffeine measurably improves your endurance on the bike.
  2. A recovery drink along with some rest will help your body repair from a hard, long ride. The important part is protein. So, aim to consume approximately 15-20g within half an hour of finishing urban cycling if possible. There are various pre-mixed recovery drinks on the market, or make some yourself and have fun. Our current go-to is some honey, a tablespoon of peanut butter, one banana, and milk; all whizzed up in a blender. Yum!

a person riding a bicycle on a street

  1. When you start doing urban cycling longer or harder than your body is used to, cramping will become a common complaint. So, ensure you replace the electrolytes lost through sweating, either by making your own (it’s just salt, a little sugar, water, and fruit juice) or drinking specially formulated sports drinks. While no one knows exactly why cramps occur, this can help.
  2. Prevent your body from running out of fuel – it can grind you to a painful halt. Before your body needs replenishing, it can carry around 90 minutes worth of glycogen for tasks requiring big efforts. Otherwise, it’ll start burning fat. But there’s a problem with burning fat – it wouldn’t be possible for you to work at the same intensity level. Our recommendation is, keep consuming 100-250 calories every half an hour, whether it’s a banana, cereal bars, or energy gels – it could be a carrot cake too!
  3. Always stay hydrated. Whether you prefer a hydration backpack or a water bottle, ensure you pack some fluid whenever you’re going out for urban cycling. While most coffee shops are happy to oblige without charging anything, you’ll still be able to find somewhere to refill along the way if they don’t.
  4. Always carry a repair kit (including pump, new inner tube, patches, and tire levers) and learn how to fix a puncture. When you’re out doing urban cycling and suddenly hear that hissing sound, you won’t be overwhelmed because you’ve already learned to fix it yourself.
  5. Clean your bike frequently. While a sponge along with hot soapy water will do the job for most parts, you’ll have to invest in some cleaning sprays if the grime is caked on. Use a specialist degreaser for the drivetrain (crankset, chain, cassette, and so on). Then use a silicone aerosol to spray your gleaming bike all over.
  6. Fit fenders or mudguards in wet conditions. Anyone riding behind will thank you, your washing machine will thank you, and your back will thank you too. Yes, some will argue that they’ll ruin the clean lines of a fancy road bike, but who really cares in the mire of winter?
  7. Check your tire pressure. While the sidewall of your tires will indicate the recommended levels, the right pressure for you personally is subject to a range of factors. A floor pump is a decent investment because it will feature a handy pressure gauge and requires less effort to get to the recommended pressure.

women riding bikes

  1. Oil your chain regularly, especially if you’ll be doing urban cycling in bad weather. With this, more expensive parts like chainrings won’t wear out as quickly, and you’ll eliminate the dreaded ‘creak’ that cyclists hate.
  2. Buy some cycling sunglasses. They don’t need to make you look stupid or burn a hole in your pocket, but they’ll keep your eyes protected from rain, sun, stones, and bugs. Certain versions come with interchangeable lenses. So, if possible, get one lens for wet, dull days and one for bright conditions.
  3. If you’re a mountain biker, get protection, especially if you’re a beginner and learning new skills. You’ll appreciate those decent pair of knee pads and gloves. If you’re learning hardcore downhill trails or big jumps, consider back protectors and elbow pads as well – it’s better to be safe than sorry!
  4. Clipless pedals are definitely the way forward. The binding can be made to come away easily, allowing you to learn how to unclip – they’ll make a huge difference to your pedaling efficiency.
  5. You should always wear a cycling helmet. We understand that legislating helmets is very contentious, but a good lid might save your life – and nowadays, finding one that’s affordable, light, and comfy isn’t difficult. Plus, you don’t need to buy the most expensive model because every helmet conforms to current safety standards.
  6. Certain padded cycling shorts (or padded bib shorts) will stop your backside from hurting too much. Trust us, massively padded saddles won’t help you on longer rides. So, how do you stay comfortable in the saddle? Simple; wear padded shorts, fit an appropriate saddle, and ride until you get used to it.

a parked ebike

Rent electric bicycles in Fort Myers with SWFL Golf Carts

Whether you’re cruising around campus or on the beach, SWFL Golf Carts’ electric bicycles for rent in Naples won’t disappoint you.

Get in touch with us for more information; our electric bicycles for rent in Fort Myers come with many standard features!

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