Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Tonka
Shoes & pedals..... i personalty can't imagine pedaling a bike on flats in sneakers. One of the underestimated benefits from clip pedals is that it keeps you're joints in the same place when pedaling. This can help keep your, knee, ankle and hips in line thus reducing chance of injury. Keep an open mind when it comes to pedals and shoes.
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Back to Gear: If you're going to be on a CX bike for 60 - 120 min at a time, a decent chamois short should be on your list. And so you don't have to ask, no undies with those shorts.
If you're riding on the streets with cars, a bright tail light is a must and a reasonable forward flashing head light is helpful. Being visible to the drivers is the goal.
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This shoe-pedal info is very important. It's also of note that you can suffer from arch damage is you don't use a shoe with a rigid sole. Bike shoes allow you to you drive into the pedals without stressing the foot arch.
Additionally, having clips allows you to use muscles through the full motion of the pedaling. This is not only more efficient, but it targets additional muscle groups. If you don't use clips or other pedal retention, you are focusing a majority of movement on your quads, with a little bit on the glutes. If you use clips, you can work the hams, calves and hips, thus getting you better results for conditioning.
Chammies are a must. Your balls and thighs will thank you.
If you want to track your progress or stay in a certain threshold, getting a fitness app that ties into a heart rate monitor (Polar, Garmin, etc) is ideal. A heart rate monitor by itself is still of significant benefit.
Visibility is important, and along with lighting comes bright or retro-reflective clothing. You want to be physically noticed. You also need to learn riding etiquette. As a bike you have to follow road driving laws, as well as be aware of bike etiquette with how you are supposed to be have around other people, bikes and cars. At the end of the day, remember that while you may have the right of way over a car, that doesn't mean you disregard common sense and safety. In a car vs bike, the car wins every time in a crash. Same as a motorcycle. It's other people's responsibility to see you, but it's your responsibility to be seen and not ride like a douche. Not that you would, I'm just saying..