From racing cars to riding bikes
My cousin got me into cycling. He proposed that we make it a goal to bike to Baguio. At first, I thought it was impossible but then, he started to give examples of the people who have done it on YouTube and that it’s a goal of every cyclist. We would then need to train for a year first and do shorter rides before we could go for Baguio bike ride.
To start training, I would first need a bike. So, I turned to YouTube to do my own research on road bikes. I tried the local reviews but got very disappointed on the lack of professionalism and quality.
Eventually, I found a cycling channel
I liked in the UK based Global Cycling Network. There, I found in one of many reviews that the rider should not feel any discomfort or pain from a road bike if the bike has been properly fitted. Pains and discomforts are the results of poor fitted bikes. I also discovered riding techniques and maintenance guide on the network. One of the featured episodes was even a comparison test between a midrange bike and a super bike. Surprisingly, the tested midrange bike did well compared to a super bike.
I got particularly interested in Canyon bikes. It was the first time I heard of it. It’s a manufacturer in Germany that sells directly to end consumer, bypassing distributors and stores which makes it a great value-for-money.
About a month after purchasing online, the bike arrived from Germany in a big box. Excited as I was, I loaded the box in my van and immediately drove to Pampanga where I had checked in a hotel. Inside the hotel, I opened the box and there, I easily assembled the bike which only took me less than an hour. From unpacking, reading instructions, assembling and bike-fitting it — it was that simple. It’s actually better that you personally assemble it because it makes yourself familiar with it — hence, making you more comfortable in fixing and adjusting it.
The next morning at 5 a.m., I woke up and tested the bike. Even though I have not ridden a bike since elementary, I was surprised by how light it felt. The weight of my pedaling is heavier than that of the bike. It was so responsive. I felt nothing like that before. However — it was a bit scary too since it was so quick and responsive. To add fuel to the fire, I have not even exercised for about a year because of the pandemic. So, I was out of shape.
Still — despite everything — I was able to cruise at 20 kilometer per hour (kph) on my first ride because of the superb dynamics of the bike. I tried to do a maximum speed during that 40-km ride and was able to reach about 37 kph. I was not comfortable with cleats and even fell three times while trying to unclip which injured my left arm and knocked the energy out of me.
Because of it, I was unable to ride my bike for two weeks because of my numb left arm. During that short hiatus, I tried to learn as much as I can through YouTube videos.
Soon — when my left arm was already 40-percent functional — I immediately straddled back to riding. I rode upright on the top bar and only used the rear brakes which was actually better when taking a corner. At first, my goal was to only ride 20 kilometers (kms). But eventually I found myself gradually increasing it to 25 kms two days later — then 30kms after another two days. During that course, I was only averaging 20 kph and the 30kph wherein the ride would take me an hour and a half.
Applying lessons from circuit car racing
I applied what I learned from circuit racing cars to cycling like how in a car one shifts gears and ease off pedal to make a smooth transition. I would apply the same when shifting gears on the bike. I would then ease on the pedal pressure when shifting gears and reapply pressure once the shift has been completed.
Proper use of gears is also the same on a car and on a bike. You start the car in first gear which is the easiest gear — but is the slowest. You also start on an easy gear when on the bike. Braking for a turn and taking a turn also have similarities. When turning and you want to make the turn tighter, you brake the rear to make the car or bike swing around. A car’s racing line through a turn is also applicable in a bike. You also brake on the outside while on a straight line as you approach a turn while on a bike — just like in a car. The tail would also sometimes twitch at the exit of turns just like in a car. Upshifting when you have reached the potential of the gear and downshifting when you are not meeting the potential of the gear — again, just like in a car.
I have been cycling for about two months now and I say I got addicted to cycling because — for me — the bike is an extension of you. Every adjustment and improvement you make on the bike is directed to you. Unlike in a car, when you upgrade it, you upgrade the car. But when you upgrade a bike — you upgrade yourself. Plus, cycling is a fun and immersive way to get fit.
I was not comfortable with cleats and even fell three times while trying to unclip which injured my left arm and knocked the energy out of me.