Things no one tells you before you start cycling

Congratulations! You've finally got yourself a bike along with some decent kit. That's probably the biggest hurdle you'll encounter when becoming a cyclists right? Getting the bike? Well, this article might, unfortunately, crush any dreams you may have of riding down the Champs Ellise in that yellow jersey one day. Here is my list of top 5 things people don't tell you before you start cycling.

It's hard
In most sports, professionals always make everything seem way easier than they actually are. Cycling is, unfotunately, no exception. From climbing a mountain to going on the attack, 100+ kilometer Tour de France stages to the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix, it always seems so effortless on the TV. That is, until you actually try it out for yourself. Chances are, if you're getting into cycling without a decent background in some other physical sport, you're thighs and back will be killing you within 5km from home. Plus, if you've never ridden a bike before, you'll most probably be unfamiliar with bicycle gears or how to use them, causing you to be shifting late and stalling up a long climb.

Not only that, once you've built up a little more stamina, figured out how your gears work and generally feel a little better about yourself, enter group rides. The challenge of balancing your composure so as to ride predictably in the group while still pedaling your heart out and cursing under your breath to keep up with the wheel in front of you is perhaps a quirk exclusively found in cycling. And depsite all that effort and suffering, it'll be all the more disheartening when you get dropped, a.k.a the group is just too fast for you and you get left behind.

It's pricey
I've met my fair share of riders who've forked out bigs sums of cash or have taken out loans to pay for their high-end road stallions so as to own the latest and greatest the bicycle market has to offer. Unfortunately, in all that haste, they didn't stop to consider the long-term financial commitments that come with cycling. Owning a bike is, in many ways, similar to owning a car; you can suffer from punctures, it gets damaged in crashes, it requires regular sevicing, wear-and-tear affects the drive-train (gears and chain) and it can get stolen. And of course, as with a car, the pricier your bike is, the higher the cost to maintain it.

In my post on how to buy your first bike, I touched briefly on the different kinds of bicycle frames and groupsets out there. A groupset consists of the parts on your bike other than the frame, wheels, seat and seat post, handle bar and the handle bar stem. In other words, the gears, shifters, brakes, deraileurs and cranks. And as with a high-performance car engine, the higher end your groupset is, the more it's going to cost you to replace those parts once they've worn out. Not only that, most pro-team mechanics recommend changing your chain more frequently if you run a higher end groupset as it's far cheaper to change a chain than it is to change sprockets or the entire cassette once it's worn out. More frequent chain changes will allow your cassette to last longer, sometimes up through 5 chains. The frequency by which you should replace your chain with a new one has been widely debated by many in the cycling community. A consensus that comes up frequently on the internet is after 2000 miles (3200 kilometers) or so, even sooner if you're a little on the heavy side or if you do a lot of climbs. 

Apart from that, those who choose to go down the carbon route had best try to avoid crashes as best as they can. I mean sure, it goes without saying that no one wants to crash. But in the event lady luck took the day off and you do end up eating asphault, chances are you'll probably fare far better than your carbon companion. Carbon bikes are infamously known for their low levels of durability in the event of a major crash. Even if your frame doesn't snap in half, any cracks that form may result in your bike being too dangerous to ride. So, assuming all your groupset components are fine (less than likely), you'll have to get a completely new frame.

There's a lot to learn

Up until this point in the article, if you're even a little bit overwhelmed by the all information, don't worry, most beginners usually are. Wait until you realise what else you don't yet know. 

As with the components that make up a bicycle, from the ball bearings in your head tube down to the rubber that grips the road, there are so many things to learn about cycling. Regardless of how deep your pockets are, not all the problems you encounter can be solved by dropping by your local bike store and handing your bike over to the mechanic who'll be all too happy to see you. A road side mechanical will creep up on you and pounce one day, maybe not today, probably not tomorrow, but one day. And when that day comes, you had best hope you how how to solve your little conundrum, especially if you forgot to bring a phone and are miles away from home. (FYI, here's a list of things I recommend every cyclist carry with him/her when on a long ride). Being able to remedy a flat tyre and fix a broken chain are 2 skills every cyclist should have in his or her repertoir. 

Apart from emergencies, knowing how to perform a basic bike service ( ie replacing a worn out chain, regreasing your head tube and bottom bracket, degreasing and relubing your chain, indexing your gears, etc) will greatly help your wallet out in the long run and is a mark of a seasoned cyclist.

It's not going to get you a 'superhero' body

Unlike most other sports, professional cyclists aren't too well known for having Henry Cavill's Superman-esque body. Instead, our bodies are more akin to that of a T-Rex, big girthy thighs with toned calves while having little going on in the upper limbs. And trust me when I say, after awhile, you'll start to find your favourite pair of jeans or shorts just not fitting you right.

There are of course, exceptions to this law of cycling nature. Track cyclists like 6 time Olympic gold medalist Sir Chris Hoy and our very own Bronze medalist Azizul Awang for instance, both have quite muscular builds, full of the fast white-twitch muscle fibers needed to put out all those watts. But such bodies weren't built on bikes alone, track cyclist spend almost as many hours in the gym as they do out on the track. And before you ask, yes, professional road cyclists do spend some time in the gym as well, but the exercises they do aren't so much to turn them into sprinters but to complement the levels of fitness they achieve on their bikes. In fact, most amateur level riders are capable of putting out the same amount of maximum power of that of a professional. What sets the pros apart is their ability to sustain a higher than normal average power for a longer than normal period of time. So, in the event you think cycling's going to get you a spot in the next Avengers movie, it'd be best to consider a different sport altogether. Plus, our tan lines aren't exactly swimsuit magazine cover material.

It's rewarding

Despite all the obstacles and challenges you'll face as a cyclist, both on and off the road, there's no denying the high that it rewards us with as well as the addiction we so lovingly suffer from. Riding an hour continuously for the first time, finishing that first century ride, conquering that once unconquerable hill, your first race, your first duathlon or triathlon even, a ride across the country or even the world! Some of the many milestones a cyclist goes through, each worthy of celebration in our own small ways as well as acting as a marker for what we've already achieved and a reminder of everything else that we've yet to do.

And then theres its effect on our bodies. Health is not something that can be stolen, created or bought, it has to be earned. Being able to shred up the side of a mountain without slowing down but instead going "I've got this, gimme another gear" or hold the line at the front of a peloton while your mates rest their worn out asses behind you. Being less than 10% body fat or having a resting heartrate under 60 beats per minute, are goals that money can't buy and are in fact status symbols that we as cyclists strive for.

Our tan lines are our badges of honor, signs that we are warriors of the road who have suffered and fought through poor road conditions, ass-hat drivers and the unforgiving heat and should not be hidden but instead displayed proudly, within the confines of our homes.

In short/TL;DR : It's harder than it looks, it's expensive, there's a lot you don't yet know, you're not gonna get buff through cycling and it'll all be worth it at the end.

Annnnnddddd that's about it for this post. Do you agree with all my points? Were there things I missed out? Please do let me know in the comment section down below and tell me what you think. As always, I appreciate any and all feedback, comments and questions and will try my best to get back to you. Until next time, thanks for reading!

Shop Tour- USJ Cycles (USJ9)

Nestled in one of Subang Jaya's busier areas, USJ Cycles is located in USJ 9, which is less than a 5 minute walk from the Taipan LRT station and just across the road from Taipan itself. The bike shop has been in business for about 13 years now and was originally located in USJ 4 before moving to it's current location about 4 years ago. 

They began their operation in 2003 and are managed by an ​experienced team that's lead by Mr Jeff Siow, all the while with a raw passion in cycling. Jeff, who was very welcoming, chatted with me a bit regarding the store, business as well as the current state of cycling among the local Subang Jaya folk. Due to their well established rapport, the shop is well known by Subangites, both cyclists and non-cyclists alike. Here's a link to their Facebook page, Instagram page and website. Here's their location on Google Maps.

The outside of the store

You can't miss it, just look out for the fancy wall deco

The store is located along the same row as shops as the famous Super Kitchen Chili Pan Mee and a Domino's Pizza. Previously, their business only occupied one shop lot until about 4 months ago when they expanded to the include the one next door.

Upon entering the store, you're greeted by a large array of bikes of various shapes and sizes, each with their one unique set of qualities. From folders to commuters, e-bikes to fixies, road bikes and mountain bikes. There's even a tandem bike too!

General view of the store as you enter

Dahon folding bikes

Lovely commuter that greets you as you enter

They offer an extensive range of bikes for both men and women and ​they also have a selection of kids bikes in store. ​They have a carefully selected range ​​of bikes in store so as to maintain high levels of quality as well as to cater for riders of all skill levels and budget. Essentially, if you're looking to get your first bike, looking to buy your kid a bike of their own or are looking to upgrade to something a little more serious, chances are, the store has got you covered. After a little snooping around, I also found child bicycle seats and a bicycle stroller for toddlers. So it's definitely got something for the whole family.

Child bike seats

The fastest stroller in town

​The are the authorised dealer for some major global bike brands, specifically ​Specialized, CUBE, Dahon, Fuji, Kona and more, all with a wide range of prices. They also have a couple from XDS and Raleigh. You'll find more info on their full line of mountain bikes here.

Cube mountain bikes....

.... and more Cubes

Behind the main counter, you'll find all the cycling-specific tools and accessories you'll probably ever need. From cycling computers, lights, pedals, multitools, CO2 pumps, normal mini-pumps, bells, saddle bags, bottle cages, tyre levers, bike locks and so on. The list goes on. Know a cyclist who's birthday is coming up soon? You might wanna stop by the store then. Or visit their website by clicking here.

A closer look

Fizik bar tape

Multi-tools

Bottle cages

Saddle bags

Stand pumps

Lights and some cycling computers

Jeff himself attending to a customer

As you move towards the back of the store, you'll find their range of saddles and tyres as well as their work/bike fitting area. They offer bike servicing as well as bike-fit services. Find out more on their website by clicking here for repairs and services and here for bike-fits.

The work area

As you turn into the newer part of the store, the one occupying the shoplot they expanded to, you'll come across some cycling apparel, bags, panniers as well as bike storage and transporting equipment. They have an array of car racks for bikes, some bike stands for home use as well as a travel bag for your bike in the event you want to fly with your bike somewhere.

Their wall of shoes, mountain and road. 

A couple of my more favorite shoes :

Garments

Panniers, for that epic across-the-country ride you're planning

Some of their car bike mounts

A bike bag for that overseas bike holiday

As you move closer to what was essentially the entrance of the newly acquired lot, you'll come across the road bikes as well as some higher end toys. Carbon frames, carbon aero wheels, S-Works shoes and some nice helmets to name a few. Being a Specialized distributor, you'll mainly come across some Tarmacs, Venges, an Allez, and a couple of other models as well as some Fujis (the Transonic) and Cubes, all of which are available on their website.

A set of Rovals

S-Works Preveil

S-Works Evade, a dream helmet of mine, along with the Bontrager Ballista

A view of the newer section of the shop

That tandem bike I mentioned!

The Fuji Transonic

And that's about it. A rather short post with tons of pictures. The shop is generally quite nice and inviting. If you're looking at getting your first bike or upgrading from a rather basic bike and stay within Subang Jaya, I'd highly recommend giving the store a visit. That's it for now, thanks again for reading. As always, leave any and all comments you may have in the comment section down below and I will try my best to get back to you.

Top 5 Most Important Equipment to Have When Cycling

It doesn't matter if you're new to cycling or a full-time professional, accidents can happen to us at any time when we're out on the roads regardless of our respective skill levels. This is especially more apparent here in Malaysia with our relatively sub-par road conditions and driving ethics in comparison to our more developed neighbors across the pond. The risk is only amplified the further we cycle from home on our occasional solo weekend epic century rides. Whether the fault falls on us, an errant driver. a sneaky pothole or mother nature herself, the best kinds of accidents are the ones we can walk away from in one piece without too much of a hassle. Even though there's no such thing as being too safe, one can still be prepared for the worst. With that in mind, here are my top 5 essential items to always carry without when you're out for a ride (helmets go without saying, duh!).

Identification
In the event something does happen to you *touch wood* and you end up lying by the side of the road, unconscious, it would be best if you carry with a decent amount of information about yourself. Things like your IC (Identification Card), a card with your blood type and other medical ailments such as known allergies and chronic conditions like diabetes mellitus, emergency contact numbers and anything else which you may think is relevant in the unfortunate circumstance you need emergency treatment. This will alert the relevant medical personnel regarding any significant medical history as well as allow them to contact your family or friends and update them on your condition. Most cycling jerseys have 3 pockets at the back, anyone of which would be more than sufficient to hold all your necessary info cards. I'd recommend keeping them in a waterproof ziplock bag or just a plain plastic bag so as long as it's intact.

IC, Blood group card, Organ donor card

Phone
Nowadays, it's hard to imagine being able to get through a day without our phones. They've become such integral part of our day to day dealings. From doing online shopping to GPS navigation (thank you Waze and Google Maps) to mapping our rides on Strava and snapping high-res pictures of our beautiful bikes and posting them on Instagram, all while being portable enough to fit into our pockets. In fact, some would even argue that living without a phone is an entire way of life on it's own. With it's multitude of functions, is it any wonder that a phone is on this list? In the event the explorer in you takes your ride a little too far and you get lost with day light fading away or you've suffered an irreparable mechanical problem, a friend or family member is just a call away or, at the very least, a taxi or an Uber (I'd go with the Uber). As with you're relevant info documents, you can stow your phone away in a ziplock bag into one of your back pockets. Alternatively, you could carry it in a saddle bag or a top tube bag that's not to crammed and cluttered with spare tubes and tyre levers, which brings us to the next item.

Emergency repair kit

A handful of more seasoned riders would say you've not riden you're bike enough if you've never had a puncture before. Regardless if that statement holds any weight at all, being able to mend a simple puncture or replace an inner tube should be within a cyclist's repertoire. After all, wouldn't it be embarrassing to be riding that expensive S-Works but not have a clue about basic bicycle care? If you don't already know how, then fret not for there are thousands upon thousands of tutorials on the mighty interweb, just take a little time and go do some research.

Saddle bag

In the even you're already well versed in the art of the punctured tyre, knowing how to solve your problem won't do you any good if you don't have the necessary tools with you at the time of the emergency. A couple of Allen keys, 2 spare inner tubes, 3 tyre levers and a mini-pump that's mounted onto my bike are what I carry with me all the time, just enough to get me back on 2 wheels and ride home. You may also consider picking up some tyre patches although I personally favour replacing a damaged tube immediately rather than mending it, purely for peace of mind so I don't have to worry about it acting up later on down the road. A CO2 (carbon dioxide) pump with a couple of CO2 canisters are the choice of some riders I know but I'm more traditional. Plus, in the event you don't securely attach the pump to the tyre valve, you may release all that CO2 into the air, wasting an entire canister. In the long run, a mini-pump is more economical. However, if you choose to go the CO2 pump way, make sure you know how to use it first.

Mini pump

3 generic tyre levers and 2 inner tubes = RM50

Apart from tyre complications, there is also the troublesome albeit uncommon issue of chain failure. In the even that does happen, having a chain-breaker along with a couple of emergency links with you will most definitely come in handy. You might not be able to shift through all your gears with the newly shortened chain, but it should at the very least get you home safely, following which you may look into installing a new chain. As I've already mentioned, having your chain snap on you is quite a rare phenomenon and I myself have had mine snap maybe twice throughout all my 12 odd years as a cyclist and because of this as well as for the sake of saving space in your saddle bag or bag pocket, I'd recommend getting a multi-tool with an integrated chain-breaker if you happen to be in the market for one. Even though it will get the job done significantly slower than a dedicated chain breaker, the way I see it, I am more than likely to not have my chain snap on me before it comes time for me to replace it due to wear and bike maintenance. So, I would prioritise portability over saving the additional few minutes in comparison to a dedicated chain-breaker.

My trusty Crankbrothers m17 multitool with chain-breaker 

Lights
In the event you commute to work regularly or enjoy going on night rights, chances are, visibility will become an issue, even on the most well lit of streets. Regardless of how much we spend on our bikes, kit or gear, none of that matters against a 2 ton lorry coming at us at upwards of 90km/h. Now, I understand that there is no guarantee lights are going to prevent us from getting hit by other road users or vice versa, but they will certainly reduce the risk, and as the saying goes, there's no such thing as being too safe. Investing in a decent front bicycle lamp that shines standard bright white light will illuminate your path ahead, allowing you to keep an eye out for potholes and other potential obstacles, enabling you to make the necessary steering corrections in time while a back lamp with a standard red light will warn motorists behind you of your presence. A fluorescent jacket or vest wouldn't be too bad as well, styling issues aside.

Cash
That epic ride: You set out before sunrise, route already pre-planned or programmed into your Garmin or smart phone, energy bars and gels fill up your back pockets, saddle bags packed with the necessary tools, bike in tip top shape and you're wearing your best kit. Two hours in, you're out of water, starving, you've eaten your last bar, you're not even half way done but you're miles from home. It's happened to me before and I'm sure I'm not the only one out there. Being a little overambitious isn't necessarily a bad thing when you're out on a ride as it is ambition that pushes us further and allows us to climb higher, so as long as you have a right resources should you need them. In this case, carrying a little cash with you while on the road will allow you to purchase extra food and drink and, in the event it's absolutely necessary, hail a cab to get you home or stay at a hotel for the night. I plan my rides a little better nowadays but I still do carry a small amount of cash with me in the event of an emergency and if I want to stop and get a small snack along the way, local homemade kuih (traditional cakes) and goreng pisang (banana fritters) can be quite appetising after a long ride, with a nice coconut to wash it all down!

A cool little trick that some cyclists do is remove the cap at the ends of your handle bars, roll up some cash tightly, then slot them into your handle bar. Replace the cap afterwards. This is a nifty little trick if you don't like carry cash on you in fear of being mugged. At least this way, once you've emptied your pockets and the douche that robs you leaves, you've still got some cash with you. If he does decide to take off with your bike though, well, that just can't be helped.

Remove the handlebar cap

Roll up some cash

Insert cash into handle bar

Replace cap

There you have it, my top 5 most essential items to have with you when you're out riding. Now, I will admit I took a little leeway with some of the points, so they're not exactly five, but I deem them all to be important nonetheless. Did I miss anything or do you think there are other things that more important than any of the 5 I've mentioned? Do let me know and leave any questions or comments you have in the comment section down below and I will try my best to reply. Thanks for reading!