Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Safety Tips for Cyclists

Always wear a helmet when riding
Obey traffic rules & regulations - to ensure other cyclists safety as well as yours
Be aware of fellow cyclists when riding in a group - keep an eye out for each other’s hand signals
Signal your intentions early and assertively to indicate your direction and if you are about to stop
Be on the lookout for other cyclists and approaching vehicles - check the rear before changing lanes
Be cautious and leave a sufficient distance when riding next to other cyclists or stationary vehicles





Safety Tips for Drivers

Drive carefully & slowly - give enough distance between your vehicle and cyclists; respect their rights on the road
Signal your intentions early and assertively - do not try to weave or change lanes to overtake cyclists
Keep an eye out for cyclists and be sure to also check your vehicle’s blind spots
Treat a large group of cyclists as another vehicle - these groups range from being closely packed or spread out; be cautious when driving pass any large group and do not drive through the cyclists
Do not tailgate - be patient and allow the cyclists to signal his intentions
Be aware of cyclists approaching from the rear - lookout before opening car doors or exiting the vehicle

Nutrition Tips

During training, it is important to make lifestyle changes about what you eat & drink; consuming the right kinds of food and beverages can improve your performance
Eating the right kinds of food leading up to and during the race will affect your performance on race day. Certain foods after race day will help ensure you recover properly
It is important to stay away unhealthy options like fast food, junk food or fried foods
Try to eat a mix of whole wheat carbohydrates, protein and vegetables




Before Your Ride:

Do not ride on an empty stomach - it is important to get your blood sugar up and take in calories your body can use as fuel
1 to 2 hours before you ride, eat a light meal made up of carbohydrates. Some good options are whole wheat toast with peanut butter, yogurt, a banana or whole wheat cereal

During Your Ride:

If your ride is longer than 2 hours, you will need to consume some calories, carbohydrates and electrolytes
Sports drinks, a banana and energy bars are suitable options to drink or eat during the race. Aim to drink something every 15 minutes and have a few bites of food every 45 minutes
If your ride is shorter than 2 hours, water is enough; however, it is ok to drink a sports drink in addition to water


After Your Ride:

Refuel your body as soon as possible - this will help alleviate muscle soreness and fatigue
For a post race meal, mix carbohydrates and protein. For example, eat eggs and whole wheat toast, protein shakes, fruit smoothies or a turkey sandwich



Hydration Tips:
It is important to be well-hydrated when training for the ride, as dehydration can affect your performance.

Dehydration leads to poorer muscle endurance and weaker mental strength, resulting in fatigue and poor coordination. You should keep yourself hydrated during exercise to achieve the best results.

It is recommended to drink plenty of fluids before, during and after the ride to prevent any signs of dehydration or heat stroke.

Before Your Ride:

On race day, drink at regular intervals. It is important to not drink only when you are thirsty because you might already be dehydrated by then
Hydrate with about 300ml to 400ml just before the ride

During Your Ride:

Aim to frequently drink small amounts of fluids during the ride
An endurance athlete may typically drink between 400ml to 1000ml per hour (100ml to 250ml every 15 minutes); you can use this as a guide. The most important thing is to listen to your body as you ride




After Your Ride:

Once you have finished the ride, continue drinking for 2 to 4 hours after your ride to fully re-hydrate



Drink the right fluids
Caffeine-containing drinks such as sodas, tea and coffee as well as alcoholic beverages are not considered beneficial rehydration choices.

Opt for drinking sports drinks in addition to water; they can fulfill your fluids and carbohydrate needs after the ride.