Cycling is and will always be one of the most popular sports in the whole world. It is a fun and healthy exercise, and you get to meet a lot of like-minded people in your journey. However, if not done the right way, cycling can be a bit of a dangerous sport. You need to have enough knowledge about riding a bike before actually joining a cycling marathon, and this is for your and everyone’s safety.
Here, we will discuss a few tips for you to follow when preparing for your Liege Bastogne Liege cycling marathon.
Get Used to Group Riding
Before joining the marathon, make sure to enrol yourself in a cycling class or join a group of cyclists. This will help you get accustomed to riding in large groups, which will be the case when joining a cycling marathon.
Good group riding clubs can help you understand about drafting benefits, plus they can let you in on some of the most important cycling etiquettes that you would have to get used to when cycling.
Take a Look at the Course
Before signing up for a cycling event, make sure to check out the draft of the course. Most cycling event organizers will give their cyclists a map of the whole route, so they can plan ahead of time.
Plan your route and make sure that you can handle it to be certain that you will not get into any type of trouble during the event itself. You might also want to take a look at the uphill and downhill routes, so you can prepare for both before the big event comes.
Have Your Bike Checked
One of the most important things to do is to have your bike checked before the big event. You would not want to get into any type of accident or trouble during the big day, which is why it is important to get it checked or do it yourself weeks or even months before the cycling event.
Make sure that everything is in order and that nothing is loose. Check your shifting and brakes, and make sure that they are both working properly. Clean and lubricate your chain and drivetrain and check your tyres for cuts or holes.
Create a Checklist
Create a checklist of everything that you might need during the race and pack it at least a day before the big event. You would not want to cram and panic during the big day, as this will stress you out.
Include the most important things in your checklist, such as a cycling top, shoes, socks, bib shorts, gloves, helmets, capes, jackets, and overshoes. You should also bring some food and water with you just to be sure.
Cycling marathons can be a little bit difficult and should be taken seriously. Prepare and train for it months before so you can be sure that you can take on the routes that will be presented to you during the event. Lastly, do not forget to enjoy and make lots of friends along the way!
