Beginner Tips

• Make sure your bike fits. A professional fitting at a bike shop will position your handlebars and saddle correctly to protect your knees.
• To avoid saddle soreness, get the right seat. Hard narrow racing seats can be uncomfortable for women, who tend to have more widely spaced sit bones.
• Change your hand and body position frequently.
• Don't stay in the racing "drop" position for long stretches.
• Check your tire pressure before each ride.
• Unless you're experienced, avoid aerodynamic handlebars.
• After a long uphill, don't coast downhill without pedaling.
• Keep your shoulders and arms relaxed. Don't lock your elbows.
• Wear proper cycling shorts if you ride frequently.
• Don't wear headphones.
• Ride with traffic, obey all signs, and yield to cars.
• Use hand signals to alert drivers to your intentions.
• Try to make eye contact with drivers at intersections.
• Don't ride side by side unless the road is wide enough and it's safe.
• In heavy traffic or on narrow/winding roads, ride in the lane with cars — you're more visible there.

Download full Beginner Tips PDF

Traffic Laws for Bicyclists

• You must wear a helmet to ride with PV Bike Chicks. California law requires helmets for riders under 18. LA DOT Bicycle Laws
• Ride on the right side of the road, with the flow of traffic.
• Obey all traffic signs and signals.
• No bicycles are allowed on freeways.
• No hitching rides on moving vehicles.
• Form a single line in heavy traffic.
• Keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.
• Bikes operated at night must have a white front light visible from 500 feet, and a red rear reflector.

Group Riding Techniques & Etiquette

• Be courteous and yield to motorized traffic.
• Form a single line in heavy traffic and when vehicles approach from behind.
• Be smooth and predictable.
• Communicate verbally and with clear hand signals.
• Be considerate of other riders in the group.
• Let other riders know when you are passing them.
• Watch out for unpredictable riders and increase your following distance.
• On hills:
  • The front rider should keep pedaling on downhills — otherwise everyone behind catches up too fast.
  • The group may need to slow after uphills to let slower riders catch up.
  • Be careful standing to climb in a group — it can jerk your wheel back into the rider behind you.

Download full Group Riding PDF

Cycling Shoes — Should I or Shouldn't I?

Cycling shoes are designed specifically for the cyclist, much like a ski boot for a skier. Their stiff soles provide more efficient energy transfer as you pedal, protect your feet, and support the full length of your foot to reduce cramping and fatigue. They also clip to the pedals, letting you apply pressure throughout the entire pedal stroke — which really helps on hills.

Read about the importance of checking your cleats regularly

Dressing for Cold Weather

Everyone says it — dress in layers. Here's why it works:

• Base layer — keeps your skin dry by wicking sweat away (e.g. a dri-fit tank or shirt).
• Insulating layer — traps warm air close to your body.
• Shell — blocks wind and moisture.

You should feel slightly chilled when you start — if you start cold you'll never warm up; if you're comfortable at the start you'll overheat. Shoe covers, gloves, tights, leg warmers, and jackets all help. A good cycling shop can guide you to the right gear.

Braking Safely

For a quick or downhill stop, press both brakes firmly and evenly while sliding your weight to the back of the saddle. This keeps the rear wheel down so you don't flip over the handlebars.

On long downhills, don't ride the brakes continuously — this can overheat the rim and cause a blowout. Instead, "feather brake": apply intermittent, even pressure with both hands.

Hill Climbing Tips

• Stay seated as much as possible. Standing generates more power but uses 10–12% more energy, since your core and back have to work harder. Seated climbing is more efficient overall.
• Body position. On flat ground, the drop position is most aerodynamic — but on hills, aerodynamics matter less. Sitting up tall actually gives you more power on a climb.
• Breathing. If your breathing becomes irregular, take a deep breath and hold it for a few pedal strokes. Try syncing your breath to your pedal stroke — one breath per stroke, then every 1.5, then every 2. Controlled breathing delivers more oxygen than irregular gasping.
• Group strategy. Weaker climbers: move near the front at the start of a climb and let others pass as you go. You'll be near the back at the top but won't get dropped.

Download full Hill Climbing Tips PDF

Lactic Acid

After a long climb, don't coast downhill without pedaling. Lactic acid builds up in your muscles during the ascent and contributes to soreness. Pedaling lightly but continuously on the descent — even with little resistance — helps flush it out.

Basic Maintenance

How often should you tune up your bike? How often should you lube or clean the chain? The answers depend on how often and where you ride. Riding near the beach means cleaning your chain more frequently — sand accelerates wear. Ask at your local bike shop for a maintenance schedule tailored to your riding habits.