Perfect Your Posture
Proper posture ensures comfort and stability on the bike, lowering your risk of injury and improving endurance. “Your position should be more upright than you might think,” says Arien. Sit squarely in the saddle and relax your shoulders. Keep a slight bend in your elbows and a light grip on the handlebars.
Every DuVine guest completes a profile to help us size their bike, with the option to submit a Bike Fit Form for further customization. At the start of your tour, guides conduct a bike fitting to fine-tune for optimal alignment, positioning, and performance. If something doesn’t feel right, just ask: “DuVine guides are committed to making sure you are comfortable and well-fitted to your bike,” says Arien.
Pedal Physiology and Clipping in With Confidence
The key to efficient pedaling is to keep even pressure on both pedals through the full rotation of your pedal stroke. “If you push down too much with your quads when pedaling, it can lead to knee pain” says Arien. “Instead, imagine that you’re scraping something off the bottom of your shoe, pulling up with your hamstrings and your glutes.”
Cycling with clip-in pedals—the kind that attach to your cycling shoes via a special cleat—takes practice. To start riding, position your clipped-in foot at the top of the pedal stroke and clip in the other as it comes around. When stopping, choose the foot you naturally put down first and stick with it, unclipping before you stop completely. If you don’t ride with clip-in pedals at home, a bike tour isn’t the time to start. “You should already feel comfortable with clip-in pedals before using them on tour,” says Arien.
Get Into Gearing
Using your gears consistently and correctly will reduce your overall effort and give you greater control of the bike. Shift just before the terrain changes—especially approaching climbs—and listen to your body: if you feel like you’re pedaling fast and loose or pushing hard for very little payoff, that’s your cue to switch gears.
“I recommend that people keep a song in their heads and try to pedal to the beat,” Arien says. “If your legs start to slow down, shift into an easier gear to keep the rhythm. If you’re spinning too fast, shift into a harder gear. Staying with that beat helps you keep your cadence steady.” When slowing or stopping, shift into an easier gear so it’s easier to get moving again.
