10 Easy Tips for Succeeding in Your Bike Event!

When it's time for the bike portion of your triathlon, here are some great tips to help you succeed! -If you are a beginner bike racer, stay to the right. If you're more experienced you can begin passing to stagger yourself from the pack. -Be alert and aware of rough or patchy road surfaces. -Let bikers know when you plan to pass them, and when you pass do so on the outside. -Drink some water throughout the course. This is a great time to rehydrate. -Try your best to relax your shoulders and your jaw, and use your core muscles to propel yourself forward. Try not to put a heavy grip on your handlebars, and let the blood flow though your hands. -Try and stay as aerodynamic as possible by keeping your elbows and knees tucked in with your head down (but still looking at the road, of course). If you are sitting tall with your head up and your arms and legs bowed out, you'll act like a sail and catch all of the wind. -Remember that drafting is against the rules and will get you disqualified or penalized. Drafting is when you ride too close to the person in front of you and you gain an advantage from them breaking the wind. It is dangerous and against the rules! -When you are approaching the end of the bike course, there will be a race official waving at you to slow down and prepare to dismount. Follow the instructions and remember that you are never allowed to ride the bike within the transition areas at any time. -If you are wearing clip-in cycling shoes, start taking your feet out of the shoes while you are still riding the bike (be sure to practice this before race day to avoid a crash)!