Cycling Skills Checklist

So you think you can ride a bike? 

Sure, hop on, start pedaling, enter the Tour de France. Yep pretty easy. 

If only it were that true! Cycling involves highly technical skill that involve a human component and a mechanical component.   Human and machine must work together proficiently to generate high rates of speed and control. This is essential to prevent injury and damage. 

Coaching cyclists over the years, I have noticed that too much emphasis is placed on moving fast and not enough placed on control and handling.  I think it is very important to be able to ride fast and jump over a pothole. Have you seen the roads lately? How about stopping quickly without going into a skid?  Have you ever bumped somebodies wheel with your wheel? I have video proof of what can happen.  Yours truly went down in a bike crash but if you look at the video you can see who displayed good bike skills.  That is me in the orange helmet. 

I am including a free download of all the cycling skills that every bike rider should know. Please leave your comments if you can think of a few more. I will be practicing the bumping drills on my own :)

Bicycle Skills Checklist