» Cycling Skills http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog Welcome to Women’s Cycling.ca, your cycling resource for: cycling news, training tips, fitness facts, sports nutrition, cycling skills and techniques, bike maintenance and more. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:39:48 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Pedal Choices – Part two http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/cycling-skills/pedal-choices-%e2%80%93-part-two/ http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/cycling-skills/pedal-choices-%e2%80%93-part-two/#comments Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:20:29 +0000 LS http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/?p=5163 By Mary Paterson

MOUNTAIN BIKE PEDALS

Shimano Pedal M324

With many different models, Shimano SPD pedals are one of the most popular pedal choices today. They have between 5 and 6 degrees of float, are dual-sided and are easy to get in and out of.  But beware! do not buy imitation SPD pedals.

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]]> http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/cycling-skills/pedal-choices-%e2%80%93-part-two/feed/ 2 Pedal Choice: Clipless Pedals? http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/cycling-skills/pedal-choice-clipless-pedals/ http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/cycling-skills/pedal-choice-clipless-pedals/#comments Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:20:45 +0000 LS http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/?p=5049 By Mary Paterson

What Are Clipless Pedals?

Choosing pedals can be overwhelming and confusing. The purpose of any pedal is to transfer power to the bike. Should I try clipless pedals and if so which type? To start with, the name “clipless” pedals makes no sense at all because we ARE clipped into

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]]> http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/cycling-skills/pedal-choice-clipless-pedals/feed/ 3 Cycling Shouldn’t be a Pain in the Neck—or Shoulders http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/cycling-skills/cycling-shouldn%e2%80%99t-be-a-pain-in-the-neck%e2%80%94or-shoulders/ http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/cycling-skills/cycling-shouldn%e2%80%99t-be-a-pain-in-the-neck%e2%80%94or-shoulders/#comments Tue, 31 May 2011 18:05:03 +0000 LS http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/?p=4339 By Laurel-Lea Shannon

If after cycling 50 km (30 miles) your shoulders and neck start to stiffen up and hurt, and by 70 km (40 miles) you’re screaming “uncle,” it’s a sign that something is wrong. A long bike ride shouldn’t be an ordeal. Here’s how to get comfortable:

Make

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]]> http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/cycling-skills/cycling-shouldn%e2%80%99t-be-a-pain-in-the-neck%e2%80%94or-shoulders/feed/ 1 Try a Rotating Pace Line http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/cycling-skills/try-a-rotating-pace-line/ http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/cycling-skills/try-a-rotating-pace-line/#comments Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:09:41 +0000 LS http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/?p=3909 By Laurel-Lea Shannon

If you’re planning any long rides or charity tours this spring, learning to ride in a pace line will save you a lot of energy. [If you’re not familiar with pace lines, read this article first.] Drafting behind another cyclist can reduce your effort by as

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]]> http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/cycling-skills/try-a-rotating-pace-line/feed/ 0 Cycling in a Pace Line http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/cycling-skills/cycling-in-a-pace-line/ http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/cycling-skills/cycling-in-a-pace-line/#comments Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:50:58 +0000 LS http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/?p=2287 By Laurel-Lea Shannon

While cycling in a group is fun, it can also be challenging. Earlier this summer, a group I ride with had a close call because of one rider, new to the sport, who was cycling in a pace line for the first time. His erratic speed—shooting out in front of the

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]]> http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/cycling-skills/cycling-in-a-pace-line/feed/ 0 Banishing White-Knuckle Cycling http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/cycling-skills/banishing-white-knuckle-cycling/ http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/cycling-skills/banishing-white-knuckle-cycling/#comments Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:49:51 +0000 LS http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/?p=2172 By Sheila Ascroft

For the first few years of cycling, fear sat on the nape of my neck. I hated the noise of cars whizzing by and tensed up every time a driver zoomed passed me. It wasn’t that I was afraid of falling off my bike; it was that something might knock me

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]]> http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/cycling-skills/banishing-white-knuckle-cycling/feed/ 2 Five Steps to Pedal Power http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/cycling-skills/five-steps-to-pedal-power/ http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/cycling-skills/five-steps-to-pedal-power/#comments Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:54:30 +0000 LS http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/?p=2239 By Laurel-Lea Shannon

Most of us learn how to pedal a bike when we’re tots, but the up and down strokes that work on a tricycle won’t cut it on a road bike. To maximize your pedal efficiency, think circles and clocks, not pistons.

Pedal Through the Dead Spots (These instructions are for

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