Categories
Education

How I became an overnight cycling sensation!

Dear BQ,

It feel like it’s been a very long time since I’ve spoken to you, so I thought I would reach out to say hi and see how you are doing with all that’s going on. As we’re all stuck inside and working from home I thought your team could laugh at my expense! haha!

So as you’re aware I am a bit of a social butterfly, so being cooped up inside has been a bit challenging. Needless to say, it’s been a bit of a struggle to not go out for dinner, drinks or just catch up with friends in general. However, I am very lucky that I do live with two of my closest friends though – so that’s a plus. We’re keeping each other sane, at this stage. 

Now that my wings are clipped and I am working from home rather than my usual 30-minute drive home to wind down, I have turned to a walk along the New Farm/ Teneriffe boardwalk.  However, I weighed up the risk vs reward and as I live with nurses, the risk outweighed the reward so I have decided to turn to an indoor bike training and joining Zwift! 

Indoor training is all great in theory, although I am a cycling noob and have little to no experience (herein lies the problem). So itching to do some exercise or something a little more productive than binge-watching something on the idiot box, I jumped on the internet to see what I could find. Needless to say, there was nothing because I am pretty sure that like myself everyone has decided to become an overnight cycling sensation. The Tour de France better watch out because the COVIDiots are on their way (when the borders open of course!). 

So here I am, Sunday afternoon a bottle of wine deep and myself and my housemates have just completed a 1000 piece puzzle, what could go wrong? I jump online once again in search of what seemed to be an endangered species, an indoor trainer and it turns out I’m in luck, I found a second-hand trainer online. A beginner trainer you ask? No, don’t be silly I bought a secondhand Taxc Flux. 

Anxiously awaiting my new (second-hand trainer) I jump online and start learning about the Tacx Flux and Zwift in preparation for my upcoming Tour de COVID. Thursday rolls around and it finally arrives and let me tell you I am raring to go because after a few GP Lama YouTube videos I am (obviously) now an expert. Funny thing is though, while I was preparing for my Tour de COVID I forgot to check if my Reid Urban XO would fit on a Direct Drive Trainer. The thing is my Flux was coming with a cassette, so what did I have to worry about? But, as I am sure you are aware, cassettes and freewheels are completely different and can’t be interchanged. 

So here I am, my Tour de COVID should’ve started by now, but I have a bike that won’t fit my trainer. What do I do, I contact Garmin Chat at 11:00pm to discuss my options, turns out my options are bleak! It’s either a new trainer or a new bike. I’ve somehow become very attached to my Tacx Flux, so it looks like I’m off to buy a new bike. Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated. 

So in the words of Shania Twain, “I’m all fired up with no where to burn” calories. 

I hope you get as much of a laugh out of this as I did living it. In times like these, it’s best to look on the bright side of life. I may be a COVIDiot, but I still have my health, a loving family and a job. 

I hope the BQ team are well. 

Warmest regards, 

Joseph x

Categories
Advice Education

Riding solo for the first time

Supporting your physical and mental wellbeing is very important during the COVID-19 outbreak, equally as important is stopping the spread of the virus. Cycling has seen a boost recently with people having more time and looking for a great way to get some fresh air and has minimal risk of infection. We continue to support riders and recommend they follow all government rules and guidelines regarding exercising outdoors and self-isolation.

Our current recommendations state that you should ride SOLO or with members of your own household, please refer to our Coronavirus update for Cyclists for more details. For many seasoned cyclists, riding solo is a given and half the fun is getting some time to yourself, for many others riding solo is a new experience so we have put together some tips and tricks for those about to adventure out on their own, perhaps for the first time.

1. Planning

When planning it is important to consider a few key factors; how far, how long, which route and what if I need help. We recommend writing down the answers to these questions and passing it on to a friend or family member who can track your progress.

  1. How long do you plan to ride for? 30mins, 1 hour, more?
  2. Does this match the distance and speed that you can perform? Be reasonable with your estimates and give yourself a little extra time. Don’t plan a 30km ride and think it will only take an hour if your max speed is 20km/h.
  3. Are you taking the safest route possible?
    1. Are there dangerous intersections that you could avoid?
    2. Are the roads and paths in good condition?
    3. Have you gone this way before? If it’s your first time solo, we don’t recommend exploring new routes as it is easy to get disorientated and distracted, increasing your risk.
    4. Is this a popular route? Other riders are a sign that this route is safe and if things do go wrong there will be someone around to help out.
  4. Can you adjust your timing?
    1. Try and ride during daylight to reduces risks. If you do ride during low-light conditions or night-time remember to have your lights on.
    2. Go for more short rides, this will keep you closer to home (more rides = more cardio increases and more kudos 🤩)
  5. What are your plans if you breakdown or crash?
    1. Can a family member pick you up?
    2. Is this a popular route will someone find you?
    3. Does the route have phone coverage.

2. Preparation

Now you have planned your ride, it is time to get prepared, this is similar to getting ready for a group ride, just remember you need all your own supplies.

  1. Have you checked your bike?
    1. When was the last time was the bike serviced?
    2. Have you checked your brakes?
    3. Is the chain lubricated? Is there rust on the chain?
    4. Are the tyres inflated to the correct pressure?
    5. Are your lights charged?
    6. Do the gears change freely?
  2. Have you spares, water and food?
    1. Have you packed enough water and food for your distance?
    2. Do you have own supplies; tube, pump, levers etc?
    3. The $5 note can be used as an emergency tyre repair material. It’s light weight, foldable and waterproof, and you can use it on the inside of your tyre to seal a cut.
    4. Going bush or an unpopular route, consider carrying a whistle. It carries further then a voice/cry for help and is less exhausting.
  3. Personally
    1. Are you wearing bright kit? Can you be seen?
    2. Is your phone charged?
    3. Are you mentally ready for time by yourself?
    4. Can you fix a flat/other breakdown?

3. Tracking                             

Do you have a phone or GPS that can be tracked? There are many services that offer location tracking and reporting. We recommend letting people know your plan and how they can access your location. Below are a few of the main trackers but do some research into which option works best for you and your tracker, we recommend testing your solution on a short walk or ride to make sure the service is fit for your needs.

  1. Apple devices have find.my installed by default https://www.apple.com/au/icloud/find-my/
  2. Android devices can use google find me device https://www.google.com/android/find
  3. Strava Summit (premium) offers Beacon that shares real-time location data.
  4. Garmin LiveTrack to Track Activities https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/fitness/use-garmin-livetrack-track-activities-real-time/
  5. Everyone should download the triple zero emergency app https://emergencyapp.triplezero.gov.au/

4. Check-ins

Now you are set you have your route planned, your bike is ready, and your tracker knows where you are. Make sure you keep your tracker informed on your plans.

  1. Are you on a long ride? A good idea would to be to check in halfway. Not only does your tracker know that you’re ok, but they can double the time for your return.
  2. Have you broken down, get a flat, stopped for a break or a cheeky photo (make sure you tag us if you do), check in with your tracker, they will see that you stopped moving and may get concerned, it will also have added time to your ride.
  3. Coffee time? With many cafés shut or only serving takeaway maybe have a coffee at home, if you arrange with a friend before time you could video call over a coffee to talk about your solo rides.

5. Stay connected and ride well

We hope you enjoy you continue to enjoy riding your bicycle! #ridewell

Remember to share and tag us in your solo ride photos on socials; Facebook @bicycle.qld, Instagram @bicycle_qld, Twitter @bicycleqld, and join the BQ strava group. BQ is riding with you!