Читать книгу The Lancashire Cycleway. The tour and 17 day rides онлайн

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One other thing: traditional ‘ladies’ frame designs have little to recommend them, unless you actually plan to go riding wearing a long skirt. It’s unlikely you’ll want to do this on the Lancashire Cycleway, but if you’re using the same bike for riding to work, then lots of bikes, including many contemporary road bikes, have a sloping top tube (‘crossbar’).

Correct riding position

Whether you’re on a brand new bike or you’ve dusted off an old one, a vital and yet frequently neglected issue is getting the riding position right. Cycling might require effort at times – all exercise does – but it shouldn’t be continuously uncomfortable, and there’s no need to make it harder than it has to be. All too many give up after a few outings because their knees or back always hurt. It’s simply tragic that so many people have never experienced the pleasure and sense of ‘rightness’ of a bike that’s set up correctly for their individual dimensions.

A decent bike shop will be able to help you: in fact, if they don’t take the time to fit your new bike to you, they aren’t a decent bike shop. A real bike shop will also help you check your position on your existing bike. A basic assessment can be done in five minutes, and many bike shops will give you a quick once-over for no charge, especially if you’re buying new tyres or other bits and pieces. However, if you’re planning on riding far, or fast, or both, then the finer points of your riding position assume greater importance.