Recreation – Cycle Safe Dubai

New CSD Team Kit

January 15, 2015
by Joanna

If you have been traveling over the festive season you may not have seen the all new Team Cycle Safe Dubai kit for 2015!

Pop in to check it out and see what benefits you buy into with this kit.

To name a few there are weekly rides and monthly meet-ups where cyclists can socialize on and off the saddle. We also encourage all our riders to contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of CSD.

Whether you’re a pro or a first timer CSD has something for you.

It’s only Dhs 500 per year to join Cycle Safe Dubai and enjoy riding in Dubai with all the benefits on offer.

Mountain Bike

Things I Wish I’d Known When I Started Cycling

November 10, 2014
by Joanna

There’s a reason the term “rookie mistakes” exists. Every beginner, regardless of the sport, is bound to make a few mistakes when they first get involved. However with some preparation, it’s possible to avoid some of the more common mistakes made by novice cyclists. To give you a head start, here’s a list of a few things many bikers wish they’d known before they hit the road.

1. Don’t leave the house without food and water.

Cycling uses up a lot of energy and the longer the ride, the more important it becomes to keep your body properly fuelled and hydrated. Because of this, the best policy is to always leave the house with two full water bottles and two snacks. Even if you’re just planning to take a short trip, it’s always best to be prepared. You never know when inspiration will strike and you’ll be tempted to extend your ride. When that happens, you don’t want to find yourself held back by poor planning, or worse, kilometres from home without the fuel you need for the long ride home.

2. Learn how to change a tyre.

No matter how many articles you read on the topic, you’ll never really know how to change a tyre until you’re forced to do it yourself. A fresh tube and a bike pump might already be a standard part of your emergency repair kit, but when you find yourself stranded by a puncture, with no mobile phone signal and no bike shop in sight, you’ll need to know how to actually use those tools.

3. Spend the extra money to get a bike fitted.

Bike shops will often throw in a bike fitting for free or a small additional fee when you purchase your bike. If you buy your bike second-hand or from a dealer that doesn’t offer this service, it’s possible to find a shop that will allow you to bring the bike in and get it fitted for about 350 Aed to 1000Aed. It may seem like a frivolous expense, but getting your bike custom-fitted will save you from the myriad aches and pains that come with riding an ill-fitting bike, and could help you avoid more serious injury in the long run. A proper bike fit will also put you in a position to get the maximum amount of power out of it along with being as aerodynamic as possible, in short bike fit = more comfortable = faster = better.

At a minimum do a basic bike fit, do not just get on the bike and assume it is right for you.

4. Feel which way the wind is blowing.

When you head out for a ride pedalling with the wind, it’s going to be an easy ride out BUT coming home will be a lot tougher. Keep in in mind on the distance that you ride out, as you’ll be riding against the wind on the way back, when you’re tired.

6. Take time off.

Spending time on the bike is a crucial part of training, but so is taking time off. Your body needs time to recover after an intense workout. Failure to give your body time to recuperate is a sure way to invite injury. Take days off between rides, and remember to incorporate stretching and cool-down routines into each ride.

7. Chafing is real.

Chafing is a common and annoying problem that many cyclists end up dealing with at one time or another. Chafing is painful and can keep you off the bike while you give yourself time to heal. There are steps you can take to avoid chafing, however, or at least minimize it. Wearing proper, well-fitting bike shorts is the most important thing you can do to avoid chafing. Also, make sure your seat is properly fitted and look into purchasing a preventative lotion like Chamois Butt’r

8. Cycling gloves will save your hands.

Bicycling gloves serve a very real purpose. Aside from providing you with a better grip, they protect your hands from calluses and blisters, and also from the impact caused by falls. They also provide a little warmth in the winter and moisture-wicking in the Dubai summer.

9. Learn the rules of group riding before you try a group ride.

Group rides are a great way to make new friends and spend some time with people who are as passionate about riding as you are. There are specific rules riders follow during a group ride, which are important to ensure that everybody stays safe. Although many rules are common to all riding groups, each group has its own unique calls or nuanced guidelines, so it’s a good idea to review the group’s etiquette. If this isn’t possible, try hanging toward the back until you get a sense of how the group works.

Recreation

4 Reasons Why Cyclists Shave Their Legs!

October 23, 2014
by admin

Just about every serious cyclist has been asked at some point, why do cyclist shave their legs? This question comes up all the time, from hanging around the water cooler at the office to a first date. The idea of a guy shaving their legs just seems to perplex people plus it is an easy conversation starter that generally leads to a fun discussion. Yet many bike riders don’t actually know the reason shaving your legs is a cycling thing.

Road Rash – This is far and away the biggest reason why serious racers shave their legs. If racing crashes happen, cleaning grit out of road rash without any hair tangled in there is unpleasant enough. Anyone that has scrubbed grit out of a hairy leg wound will become a devout leg shaver. However, most enthusiastic riders go years between major crashes so this really isn’t a justifiable reason why a lot of people shave their legs.
Massage – Getting a deep tissue massage with hairy legs sucks. It pulls on your hair and the oily hairy legs are a mess after. Professional riders get massages multiple times a week and most amateur racers, if they can afford it, have massages a few times a month. Massage helps with recovery and avoids injury. However, like road rash most enthusiast cyclists do not get massages frequent enough to justify shaving their grizzly sticks.
Aesthetics – Looking “Pro” – Honestly this is why I think most recreational cyclist shave their legs. They see guys on TV at the Tour and the racers at their local crit, everyone looks fast and everyone has shaved legs for the two reason above. For a cyclist that doesn’t race having shaved legs shows a level of commitment to the sport, gives a level of credibility with other riders, and makes you look a little more pro.
Aerodynamics – The first three reasons are definitely the most common ones. Aerodynamics is a bit of a stretch and some aerodynamically optimal level of stubble likely exists that is the most aerodynamic, because a textured surface is generally more aerodynamic than a smooth one. But if you have legs like Chewbacca then trimming that forest will definitely lower your drag coefficient.