THINGS TO CARRY

1001 CYCLING TIPS – CYCLING LIFE [314–443]

take off your jersey and drop your shorts. I timed a wee once to check this – two minutes. If I’m riding my bike for an hour or more, I’d rate the comfort of the shorts over the convenience of a quicker pee-stop. OK, rant over.

334. Male riders – if you ride in a mixed group, please be patient and wait for female riders if they need to stop. While you just whip it out, we have to go on a cross-country hike to find a convenient bush, so it takes longer.

335. When racing in the rain it is sometimes quicker and easier just to go in your shorts. I know a lot of racers who have done this, myself included. Always make sure that the rain is sufficient that the wet patch won’t show. Only do this in extremis as your saddle and shorts will never recover from the experience.

336. On a night ride, if you go off to find a convenient bush remember to switch your helmet light off. I once made a spectacle of myself by effectively spotlighting myself while going for a wee.

337. Male riders – if you have a helmet mounted GoPro please switch it off before going for a wee, otherwise we will all be treated to 30 seconds of you looking down at your hand as you hold your member. (This really happened. Even worse, the guy in question had hooked his camera up to a TV screen in a bar so we could all watch it with our post-ride beers.)

338. Number twos are sometimes needed mid ride, often a long way from a toilet. If you have to go, you have to go. But please be discreet and move away from anywhere it might be found or trodden in. If you can, dig a hole and bury it or at least cover it. 339. In the absence of toilet roll don’t use the Buff your girlfriend loaned to you. It’s 20 years ago and I’m still bitter about it.

340. Never pick up a cycling cap found by the side of the road after a pro race; it is likely to have a little present in it.

341. A Mooncup – or another similar product – is a really good way of handling a period on long rides. You can keep them in longer than a tampon and they are much less likely to flood-out. Also, they’re good if you’re cycle touring or wild camping, as there is no waste to dispose of.

342. Lots of female riders notice points in their cycle where they feel strong and points in their cycle where they feel less skilful on their bikes. It’s always been anecdotal, but there is beginning to be more research into the effects of hormone changes on female athletes. If you are a menstruating athlete, record the information in your training diary to spot trends. You can use this knowledge to improve training plans and even plan performance peaks.

343. Cycling through pregnancy is really just about how comfortable you feel. Unless you have complications, most midwives are supportive of cycling during pregnancy and advise you to ‘listen to your body’ and ‘stick to what you are used to’. Recommendations for exercise suggest keeping to a low effort level, hydrating well and not overheating.

344. In pregnancy, I found men’s bib shorts gave good bump coverage and allowed me to cycle in padded Lycra shorts all the way through.