Manon, your videos are so much fun to watch and you've really grown in you comfort in front of the camera. Nice work! Your whole GCN team just keeps getting and better.
For drafting, unless you're riding in a very familiar group who are all used to it, it's best to be slightly to the side (but don't overlap the wheels!) rather than directly behind the person in front so you can see what's coming ahead. You might not get 100% of the benefit of drafting but it's far safer to be able to see a big drain/pothole coming up or a car etc that might be slowing down in front. Don't always assume the person in front will be able to give you good notice of what's coming up. Stay aware.
I am.a bigger rider (heavier) so its hard for me to get balance to stand up and pedal..that is what I am working on currently..meanwhile I am riding up ALOT of hills mainly in the saddle😢...happily 😊 Progressing.
Stellar content again gcn and Manon! My tip is to find a moderate hill, without too many cars and practice shifting going uphill and then downhill, until you can do it smoothly, without looking down, entirely by feel. This practice will give your body an intuitive feel of how the gears work. After mastering that, try a slightly steeper hill and repeat. You will be soon shifting like a pro! Great helpful content! Looking forward to more tips and tricks!
Something i always try to keep in mind. Just don't stop pedaling :D I'm still a beginner and thats the thing that happens to me quite often when i reach a speed that seems good enough for me. And i always listen to music on my rides, got a playlist that has the same bpm in every song to remind me of staying close to the candence i'm aiming at and remind me when im slacking or when i should switch gears. currently just listening to 160bpm stuff always and try to pedal to the rhythm. makes me change gears when im too slow or it's getting too easy.
Some of your advice certainly has a bearing on comfort and speed, and secondary on motivation, by looking and feeling the part, while working on stamina and strength. Personally, I don't mind if I look like a noob, as long as I feel my legs, lungs and heart working nicely. Feeling fit, and experiencing quickened recovery both on the ride and between, is the real motivation for me! Always saving a bit energy, especially on climbs feels good, having power left to pick up speed when the terrain flattens out. As to the optics, obviously feeling well will contribute to looking effortless.
1, Ride your bike a lot and you'll start to feel and look natural on it. 2, Wear what feels comfortable and is affordable. 3, Never worry about what others think of your bike or clothes
@@richardhaselwood9478for you. Not everyone is into the look or the feel of that kind of kit. People should wear whatever makes them ride more. And experienced cyclists should stop sneering and pointing at people for wearing ankle socks, baggy clothes, flat bottomed shoes or whatever else someone is wearing.
@@danielakerman8241 No-one is sneering here. People absolutely should wear what feels comfortable. I still wear ankle socks. But the thing is, well fitted gear *IS* more comfortable. This is speaking as someone who's progressed from baggy tee shirts to club fit jerseys to race fit gear.
I'm usually on my bike in my jeans, helmet off centre and loose, changing gear 5 minutes too late, and therefore way too far behind to be drafting, and the only time the hands come off the bike is when I do. I got some work to do 🙃
My tip is to join the governing body. When I lived in the UK we had the BCF and if you were a member you would get a 10% discount in most cycling shops and you would also get third party insurance, and you would get cheap sports coachs listed in the back of the BCF handbook. And a few other benefits. Now here in Germany the national governing body has a funny name is 4 letters, they also have breakdown cover and other benefits. It's really worth being a member.
I’m all about the clash. Hi viz yellow helmet blue white and pink jersey and bright orange shoes. No matchy matchy here. And it doesn’t seem to effect my average speed 😊
Know the person in front of you when drafting. I know some group members that tend to throw their bike backwards when getting out of the saddle, so behind them I keep my distance.
Style.. I look sooo good in jeans and t shirt and leather jacket and guitar slung on my shoulder. However, on a bike I look like a sack of spuds:) Tip, take your hands off the bars, but never ever cross them. I'd never do that, erm never have cause I'm not stupid! OK OK I did it once and it ended badly.. very badly:) Love the vid too..
good content on appearances aka form over substance. I would also recommend you cover how to make your movements on the bike more graceful, rhythmic, smooth and powerful. Covering things like seat position, core strength, cadence, etc. there is definitely an art to it all. at the end of the day being smooth and powerful is also much more efficient and faster.
I wear ankle socks mountain biking! Weird tan lines are for the birds! Everything else applies. 😊 And Manon needs a pay raise! Honestly, my wife will only watch Manon based videos. She says she's "real" and she's right.
I know what you mean. I can do it, but it seems scary, so I don’t do it often. If I do, it’s only under optimal conditions (smooth road, no traffic, etc.) I’m 71 years old.
Dont think that others are thinking about you because they propably arent and if they are it mostly only for a few seconds so who cares they got their lifes and you got yours just go out and have fun
Exactly. I've been riding a bike since i was like 5. And the way i dress while riding hasn't changed much. You couldn't pay me to ride around looking like a "pro".
Even tho lanky I do get the occasional comment about looking solid and relaxed on the bike even when my legs are falling off and I put this down to time spent riding fixed wheel through hilly terrain which requires and thus develops a smooth pedal stroke. It really disguises quite how bad I am sometimes!
Some great tips. I'd love to be able to ride hands-free but I just haven't quite got there yet - it's a confidence thing! I can do it no trouble on my mountain bike but not yet on my road bike! My road bike is a lot more expensive to fall off than the other so maybe that explains it!
I use a cycling cap usually and for me socks MUST have characters or a theme. Sushi rolls, cookie monster, outer space, fruit are just a few of the themes I use. Makes you stand out in a crowd and easily recognized by other regional cyclists on the road.
You draft 90% of the time 🫣 - think you need to take a bit more of a turn at the front Manon. 🤣 Seriously I quite liked this video, especially the bit about gears - I think it's also important to tell people not to freewheel when in a tight group
Comment against the (sensible, admittedly) mainstream: smooth cyclotourist mode will, if done properly (easy), make you look so confident. But more to the point, even on sporty rides I do my best NOT to look like a (would-be) pro cyclist: motorists hate them.I'm back in Italy after years in the UK - it was much better in this respect, but let's be honest: the more 'out-sider' - eccentric you look, the safer. Wear some hi-viz which just reminds closely street maintenance or ambulance staff, cars will think twice before runnig you over. But this is just the look. (And, not if you're riding in a serious roadie group, ok.) Lael Wilcox, footwear and all, paved our relaxed looking way lol. All the rest is very good and thanks for the tips!!
First time i tried no hands as a teenager, i fell off and one of the brakes went into my leg - every time i do it now, thats still in the back of my mind 😂
I agree with alot of what you say.But cycling effortlessly with confidence and being comfortable on a bike does not necessarily mean wearing lycra. Also, it doesn't matter what type of bike you are on.
If you ride in hot weather in cycling shorts, you can shave off the hair on your shins knee-high. If you fall, the wound on your leg will be easier to treat.
I'm far from being a pro, but I don't think it's safe to thread ponytail through the internal construction of a helmet with a MIPS. It prevents the top from sliding freely in case of an accident. The upper shell will rub against the ponytail.
Get decent looking water bottles. Most look ok nowadays but there are still a few types out there that look horrible on every bike. Often they are those you get for free.
Bike handling skills, such as the ability to ride and pedal smoothly, and the ability to put the bike where you want it to be are key. Spend time on rollers to develop a smooth spin and the ability to ride in a straight line. It also helps minimize upper body movement while riding. Once you can ride rollers no-hands, you'll have the confidence to ride smoothly on the road.
Could you add ‘how to wear a helmet properly’? I see too many people with helmets way back on their heads - will only provide protect in the unlikely event of falling off backwards!
The first bit of this felt more like elitist gatekeeping with the clothes bit, and feels like it sends the wrong message. To fit in buy fancy biking clothes, especially the socks. Stil love GCN and will watch all the videos.GCN can do better.
Cycling kit in itself won't make you look effortless whatsoever, if you are visibly slow/struggling, it will have the exact opposite effect, but whatever. The only actually valid point in this video is hands-off the bars. If you really wanna look effortless, then learn to pedal at 80+ rpm on the flats, and stop moving your upper- body around every pedal stroke (and don't look like Van Vleuten when you stand out of the saddle). Everything else is just the cherry on top, or entirely unnecessary (in what way does a cycling casket makes you look "effortless"???)
What are your tips on looking more pro on the bike? 😎
Stopping to offer help to anybody who looks like they are struggling
NEVER look down on your rear cassette to see which gear you are in. You have to be one with your bice.
Shoulders down. Upper body as still as possible. When drafting, don't look at the wheel - look at the rider.
Not falling off unclipping
Practice hands off bars with bum off saddle.
Drop a few gears before you stop at the lights. Helps significantly when the lights turn green.
Going for a wee whilst still rolling has got to be the ultimate pro move. Slightly inappropriate on a morning commute perhaps 😂
Found the triathlete
Just saw that on last years tour de france
catheta tube into the waterbottle ??
Does wonders for people in Audis who cut you up and close pass 😅 🚿
Pidcock dat u?
Manon, your videos are so much fun to watch and you've really grown in you comfort in front of the camera. Nice work! Your whole GCN team just keeps getting and better.
For drafting, unless you're riding in a very familiar group who are all used to it, it's best to be slightly to the side (but don't overlap the wheels!) rather than directly behind the person in front so you can see what's coming ahead. You might not get 100% of the benefit of drafting but it's far safer to be able to see a big drain/pothole coming up or a car etc that might be slowing down in front. Don't always assume the person in front will be able to give you good notice of what's coming up. Stay aware.
Yeah I personally struggle with hand signals as I don't have enough time to do it and need both my hands on bar to steer out of the pot hole
I am.a bigger rider (heavier) so its hard for me to get balance to stand up and pedal..that is what I am working on currently..meanwhile I am riding up ALOT of hills mainly in the saddle😢...happily 😊 Progressing.
I bought my first set of padded bike shorts on sale at sportcheck for $24.99 CAD plus tax… made this season much better then last absolutely love em
Stellar content again gcn and Manon! My tip is to find a moderate hill, without too many cars and practice shifting going uphill and then downhill, until you can do it smoothly, without looking down, entirely by feel. This practice will give your body an intuitive feel of how the gears work. After mastering that, try a slightly steeper hill and repeat. You will be soon shifting like a pro! Great helpful content! Looking forward to more tips and tricks!
Something i always try to keep in mind. Just don't stop pedaling :D I'm still a beginner and thats the thing that happens to me quite often when i reach a speed that seems good enough for me. And i always listen to music on my rides, got a playlist that has the same bpm in every song to remind me of staying close to the candence i'm aiming at and remind me when im slacking or when i should switch gears. currently just listening to 160bpm stuff always and try to pedal to the rhythm. makes me change gears when im too slow or it's getting too easy.
Manon drafting behind Conor... that should be called giraffting.
Some of your advice certainly has a bearing on comfort and speed, and secondary on motivation, by looking and feeling the part, while working on stamina and strength.
Personally, I don't mind if I look like a noob, as long as I feel my legs, lungs and heart working nicely. Feeling fit, and experiencing quickened recovery both on the ride and between, is the real motivation for me!
Always saving a bit energy, especially on climbs feels good, having power left to pick up speed when the terrain flattens out. As to the optics, obviously feeling well will contribute to looking effortless.
1, Ride your bike a lot and you'll start to feel and look natural on it.
2, Wear what feels comfortable and is affordable.
3, Never worry about what others think of your bike or clothes
Thanks. I prefer cargo shorts and stretch tees, and don't buy 100usd helmets.
I swear these channels turn riding a bike into rocket science.
People entirely missing the point here. Super snug gear makes riding much more comfortable.
@@richardhaselwood9478for you. Not everyone is into the look or the feel of that kind of kit. People should wear whatever makes them ride more. And experienced cyclists should stop sneering and pointing at people for wearing ankle socks, baggy clothes, flat bottomed shoes or whatever else someone is wearing.
@@danielakerman8241 No-one is sneering here. People absolutely should wear what feels comfortable. I still wear ankle socks. But the thing is, well fitted gear *IS* more comfortable.
This is speaking as someone who's progressed from baggy tee shirts to club fit jerseys to race fit gear.
great content, Manon! congratulations and best wishes!
I'm usually on my bike in my jeans, helmet off centre and loose, changing gear 5 minutes too late, and therefore way too far behind to be drafting, and the only time the hands come off the bike is when I do. I got some work to do 🙃
My wife and I love Meadville! We live in Texas but we come that way once a year to visit family.
I want Harriet back! Make a non-pro look like a pro!
I felt so much more confident after getting my helmet squared away as you suggested. Thanks for the pro tips Manon!
My tip is to join the governing body.
When I lived in the UK we had the BCF and if you were a member you would get a 10% discount in most cycling shops and you would also get third party insurance, and you would get cheap sports coachs listed in the back of the BCF handbook. And a few other benefits.
Now here in Germany the national governing body has a funny name is 4 letters, they also have breakdown cover and other benefits. It's really worth being a member.
I like all the videos with Manon
I’m all about the clash. Hi viz yellow helmet blue white and pink jersey and bright orange shoes.
No matchy matchy here. And it doesn’t seem to effect my average speed 😊
And I wear running socks 😋🙂
affect
Know the person in front of you when drafting. I know some group members that tend to throw their bike backwards when getting out of the saddle, so behind them I keep my distance.
Yes! To draft close to someone’s wheel you need confidence in your ability _and_ theirs.
What does it mean to throw a bike backwards
@@jason200912 When someone gets out of the saddle and pulls the handlebars, the bike goes back a bit (relative to yours).
Thank you. You given us priceless information
Great vid Manon! You are so comfortable talking to the camera!
Style.. I look sooo good in jeans and t shirt and leather jacket and guitar slung on my shoulder. However, on a bike I look like a sack of spuds:)
Tip, take your hands off the bars, but never ever cross them. I'd never do that, erm never have cause I'm not stupid! OK OK I did it once and it ended badly.. very badly:)
Love the vid too..
good content on appearances aka form over substance. I would also recommend you cover how to make your movements on the bike more graceful, rhythmic, smooth and powerful. Covering things like seat position, core strength, cadence, etc. there is definitely an art to it all. at the end of the day being smooth and powerful is also much more efficient and faster.
I thought this was going to be another Harriet video, it was not. We want more Harriet!
I wear ankle socks mountain biking! Weird tan lines are for the birds! Everything else applies. 😊
And Manon needs a pay raise! Honestly, my wife will only watch Manon based videos. She says she's "real" and she's right.
Not gonna lie, seeing Harriett in the thumbnail got me excited. Had to squash my disappointment
Don't EVER be afraid of looking goofy.
It's part of the process.
Bait and Switch. It looked like a new video with Manon and Harriet, but all we got was Manon.
I'm 65, got back into cycling about 3 years ago. I used to be able to ride hands-free without giving it any thought, but I can't do it now!
I know what you mean. I can do it, but it seems scary, so I don’t do it often. If I do, it’s only under optimal conditions (smooth road, no traffic, etc.) I’m 71 years old.
FWIW, even a tiny bit of headset drag can really mess up no-hand riding. Sometimes the bearings will develop a 'notch' in the straight ahead position.
love the clips in Vancouver! 7:23
Manon, you really make my day, here in P.Q. Canada🌞
love manon shes relayed!
SPDs and Adidas Velosamba. Hot, heavy and slow but they look so damn good
LOL
I look like I'm riding to work in my work shorts and work shirt, which I'am.😆
Dont think that others are thinking about you because they propably arent and if they are it mostly only for a few seconds so who cares they got their lifes and you got yours just go out and have fun
Exactly. I've been riding a bike since i was like 5. And the way i dress while riding hasn't changed much. You couldn't pay me to ride around looking like a "pro".
Tell everyone on your group ride that it's your recovery day
The kit! That's the only thing about me that looks like I know what I'm doing. When drivers see me take off from the light, they probably laugh.
Even tho lanky I do get the occasional comment about looking solid and relaxed on the bike even when my legs are falling off and I put this down to time spent riding fixed wheel through hilly terrain which requires and thus develops a smooth pedal stroke. It really disguises quite how bad I am sometimes!
Some great tips. I'd love to be able to ride hands-free but I just haven't quite got there yet - it's a confidence thing! I can do it no trouble on my mountain bike but not yet on my road bike! My road bike is a lot more expensive to fall off than the other so maybe that explains it!
You need smooth flat ground too or it won't work
Manon is the best !!!!!!!
@5:20 "When I'm out riding with someone else I am 90% drafting". So the other rider is 90% in front doing the pulling????? Not exactly fair & even.
To appear effortless, a consistent cadence is key. Keep turning those cranks to look smooth.
Sometimes I ride with no hand just to relax my arm and to take advantage of the tail wind.
I use a cycling cap usually and for me socks MUST have characters or a theme. Sushi rolls, cookie monster, outer space, fruit are just a few of the themes I use. Makes you stand out in a crowd and easily recognized by other regional cyclists on the road.
No1 gives a damn you on the streets, wear whatever you want
Another awesome video, Manon! 🙂 Never heard of a Cycling cap called a 'casket' before!
It's a french word
"casquette"
@@jrmk.7829 Ahhh... Mercí! 🖖🙂
I feel attacked. I wear ankle socks on every ride unless it’s tights weather.
I wear Hilly ankle 'socklets' - anything else looks as goofy as socks and sandals whether 'Pro' or not!
Hilly ultra low 'Anklet' style socks all the way! 👍👍👍
You draft 90% of the time 🫣 - think you need to take a bit more of a turn at the front Manon. 🤣
Seriously I quite liked this video, especially the bit about gears - I think it's also important to tell people not to freewheel when in a tight group
A good bike fit makes it really easy to ride without hands. The proper weight distribution and pressure on the arms makes it a breeze to sit up
My fav presenter
Comment against the (sensible, admittedly) mainstream: smooth cyclotourist mode will, if done properly (easy), make you look so confident.
But more to the point, even on sporty rides I do my best NOT to look like a (would-be) pro cyclist: motorists hate them.I'm back in Italy after years in the UK - it was much better in this respect, but let's be honest: the more 'out-sider' - eccentric you look, the safer. Wear some hi-viz which just reminds closely street maintenance or ambulance staff, cars will think twice before runnig you over.
But this is just the look.
(And, not if you're riding in a serious roadie group, ok.)
Lael Wilcox, footwear and all, paved our relaxed looking way lol.
All the rest is very good and thanks for the tips!!
I don’t use clip ons so I’ll ever look pro 😄
Train until your thigh circumference is the same as your waist.
😂
Manon 🥰
Nice!
Very nice 😊
"It's not necessarily how lean they are, how fit and fast they are" - cut to Andrew Feather...
Off-topic, but joyeux mariage, Manon!
What is the benefit on wearing longer socks? Or more specifically why not ankle socks? Asking for a friend.
Wear what you want. This channel has to create content for clicks and likes daily. The result is what kind of socks you need to wear.
best tip would be to rock a badass braid like yours, THAT's how you look like you belong on the bike
Has GCN ever done a video on CAT 1 2 3 4 5 before? I didn't know they had cyclists levels!
First time i tried no hands as a teenager, i fell off and one of the brakes went into my leg - every time i do it now, thats still in the back of my mind 😂
I agree with alot of what you say.But cycling effortlessly with confidence and being comfortable on a bike does not necessarily mean wearing lycra. Also, it doesn't matter what type of bike you are on.
Clearly you've been following me around for pointers. It's ok... at least you didn't make the mistake of following Lloydy. YIKES!
tt bars and aero helmet and road tires. boom. done. :D
But you better be moving fast...
@@stuartfreedman6854 nah. It makes surprisingly big difference even at average cycling speed.
Pretend to not look like you're dieing when going up a steep hill 😆
racing stripe :)
The thumbnail for this made me expect Harriet. I'm now disappointed.
help a "tiny wienie" bit? I feel attacked!! 😄😆
If you ride in hot weather in cycling shorts, you can shave off the hair on your shins knee-high. If you fall, the wound on your leg will be easier to treat.
Bring back Harriett for another video.
I'm far from being a pro, but I don't think it's safe to thread ponytail through the internal construction of a helmet with a MIPS. It prevents the top from sliding freely in case of an accident. The upper shell will rub against the ponytail.
The key is to be really fit. Then you can do anything and it looks good
I use ankle socks when cycling, just cause I'm a rebel.
I wear ankle socks and I don't care😎
False advertising.......I was expecting more Harriet in this video.😁😁
Get decent looking water bottles. Most look ok nowadays but there are still a few types out there that look horrible on every bike. Often they are those you get for free.
I defiantly do not dress like a pro. I normally do wear cycling shorts and shoes but I also wear a random T-shirt or if it cold a hoodie.
I refuse to wear cycling shorts without a pair of regular shorts over them lol.
"nice fitting cycling jersey" hmm, you don't want to see me in that. A bit baggy for me please 😁
Bike handling skills, such as the ability to ride and pedal smoothly, and the ability to put the bike where you want it to be are key. Spend time on rollers to develop a smooth spin and the ability to ride in a straight line. It also helps minimize upper body movement while riding. Once you can ride rollers no-hands, you'll have the confidence to ride smoothly on the road.
Could you add ‘how to wear a helmet properly’? I see too many people with helmets way back on their heads - will only provide protect in the unlikely event of falling off backwards!
Think less. Cycle more. Just put something on and go!
The cap is good for bald guys, that way you don’t get racing strips.
The title say how to feel comfortable on a bike, not how to look like a pro. That was Hanks video a few days ago.
so whats the deal with socks, what difference do they make? noob here
What's wrong with Olivia Newton-John leg warmers? ;)
I have a nice pair of gloves that fit me like a pair of cycling shorts. Does that count?
But do your shorts fit like a glove?
The first bit of this felt more like elitist gatekeeping with the clothes bit, and feels like it sends the wrong message. To fit in buy fancy biking clothes, especially the socks. Stil love GCN and will watch all the videos.GCN can do better.
Easy advice for those who get them for free
No way I'm wearing one of those nerdy 1960s looking ass hats lol.
Personally I couldn't think of anything worse to wear than a cap under your helmet.
Whatever happened to throwing on something comfortable and walking out the door to ride?
GCN socks 😂
Mano pony tail interfere with helmet 🙈
Who is girl in the thumbnail? Both manon? They looks kinda different?
Ankle socks are bad because ...?
Ultra low Hilly 'Anklet' style are better still
Cycling kit in itself won't make you look effortless whatsoever, if you are visibly slow/struggling, it will have the exact opposite effect, but whatever. The only actually valid point in this video is hands-off the bars. If you really wanna look effortless, then learn to pedal at 80+ rpm on the flats, and stop moving your upper- body around every pedal stroke (and don't look like Van Vleuten when you stand out of the saddle). Everything else is just the cherry on top, or entirely unnecessary (in what way does a cycling casket makes you look "effortless"???)
Manon..pls try to tri!
If it looks easy you aren't trying