Nichola Roberts’s top tips

Adapt to the new position over time: allow at least three weeks — with recommended exercises completed — before an event to let the body adapt. When travelling with your bike, take a careful note of your measurements or mark your bike, and ensure the position is correct. If using a hire bike, carefully match measurements and where possible take your own saddle. If you notice a niggle while riding, avoid making an adjustment yourself. Seek professional advice to get to the root cause of the problem, be it the body or the bike, before it becomes an injury and a bigger issue to solve.