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Cycling for leisure is a lot different than cycling for a triathlon. Cycling during a triathlon is intense and can really wear you down if you’re not properly prepared. You’ll be so close to other cyclists during the race that you will be forced to adjust to their speed. That’s why it’s important to spend plenty of time practicing for the cycling portion of the race.

Ride on Hills

If you’re used to cycling on flat surfaces, the idea of riding your bike up and down hills may be pretty intimidating. Riding on hills is definitely more challenging, but it’s necessary when you’re training for the triathlon. You will likely ride up and down plenty of hills on race day, and you want to be as prepared as possible. That’s why you should ride on hills at least once or twice a week. As you ride uphill, keep your black flat and your elbows bent to lower your center of gravity.

Practice in the Winter

When the temperatures dip below freezing, you probably aren’t looking forward to riding your bike. That’s understandable. However, in order to get better and avoid losing your strength, you still have to practice throughout the winter. When the roads are clear and it’s snowing hard, try to get out there bike. If the weather is stopping you from biking outdoors, you can always cycle indoors in a gym.

Avoid Riding on Your Tippy-Toes

A common mistake beginner triathletes make is riding on their bikes on their tippy-toes. This isn’t a good idea and can slow you down. Be sure to keep your heels level with your toes as that can engage your glute muscles and give you more strength.

Be Consistent With Your Training

As with anything else in life, you have to be consistent in order to get better at cycling. Aim to ride your bike at least twice a week. One of the rides should be a longer one at a steady pace and the other ride should be a shorter ride in which you push yourself as hard as you can.

Ride With Triathletes Who Are Faster Than You

If you decide to practice cycling with others, try to go with triathletes who are faster than you. Practicing with faster triathletes may seem a little intimidating at first, they can help you make improvements. When the other people are riding fast, you will have to ride your best to avoid falling behind. The will force you to get out of your comfort zone and get better at cycling. Before you know it, you will be faster at biking and ready for the race.

However, it’s incredibly important for you to prioritize your safety while pushing yourself — especially if training on the streets of a city or town. Car accidents happen all too often, and can completely demolish all of your training progress. If you have been hit, it’s important to treat your injuries immediately, and potentially discuss with a bike accident lawyer your options for compensation.

Getting better on the bike definitely takes time, but it can be done. If you follow these tips, you can improve your cycling and feel ready for the triathlon. If you need some help training for the triathlon, you should consider working with a professional triathlon coach relies on.