Livingit a platform for passions hosted a Passion Talk on Cycling for beginners! This presentation was prepared for the talk which can be viewed here - http://www.livingit.in/cycling/passiontalk-cyclist-divya-tate/ Part 1 - Getting started cycling What you need to have – Equipment, Accessories, tools and spares – Choosing them wisely! What you need to know – Bike maintenance, Basics on staying safe, fit and injury free! Part 2 – A glimpse at the world of Cycling Different strokes for different folks - Introduction to the full Spectrum of all kinds of Cycling. Deciding what is right for you.

1. Introduction to Cycling by
GETTING STARTED CYCLING

2. Introduction to Cycling by
From Passion Talk on LIVINGIT
Presented by Divya Tate India’s first woman Super Randonneur as well as India’s first woman to ever qualify
for the 1200 km ride “Paris-Brest-Paris” in 2011. Divya Tate cycles for fitness, environmental and social
causes, commuting as well as personal fulfillment. Working within a newly developing ecosystem of Cycling
as a sport in India she has seen an exponential growth of cycling in India and is happy to help others get
started! She spends her time expanding her passion for long distance cycling, organizing and romoting her
own Ultra cycling events like the Spice Route and Deccan Cliffhanger through her company ‘Inspire India’.

3. BENEFITS OF CYCLING
Introduction to Cycling by

4. Bike Shopping
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Equipment – The bike - Choose wisely!
Consider renting to start with, many rentals also arrange group rides, which is good way to
begin the activity.
Buying - Huge variety, understand the topic before you go shopping. Most importantly,
decide a budget and think about what kind of riding you plan to do.
Find the closest store to you – LBS (Local Bike Shop) which will be important
to sustain your activity!
And don’t worry about the brand!

5. Basic Parts of a Bicycle
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Important things to understand –
Bike types

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Important things to understand –
Left - Handle Bars, Below– Frame
Suspension/Rigid
MTB
Road Bike

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Important things to understand –
Left – Brakes, Below - Gears

9. Finally…. Choose by Look and Feel of
your Bike!
Introduction to Cycling by

10. Accessories
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Essentials and then some
Essential – Helmet, Gloves, Reflective vest and lights if you plan to ride in the twilight or night
time. You can also add a bike lock, whistle to your kit. As you do more regularly, you may want to
get more gear like padded shorts or tights, jerseys, sipper bottle, small seat or handle bar bag.

11. Tools and Spares
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The Basics- Spare tube, Bike Tool, Puncture repair kit and pump.

12. Maintenance - What you need to know to sustain your cycling
Introduction to Cycling by

13. It is not Rocket
Science!
Introduction to Cycling by
Bike maintenance – Is about building a
relationship with your bike!
Basic maintenance is necessary to remain
safe and to sustain your cycling. Doing a
quick check saves time on the road –
Check tires for foreign particles, check
brakes for wear and tear, check that rims
are clean. Cleaning your bike, especially in
the monsoon, clean chain, oil it, clean
brake pads and rims. Learn how to replace
a tube, adjust brakes, seat position to
begin with.

14. Heightened Awareness
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Essential to staying safe, fit and injury free
Most people who cycle, enter a whole new level of awareness. This happens quite naturally as
you engage with your surrounding and yourself in a completely new way. And this is essential
to sustenance and safety.

15. Cycling and Brain function
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16. Inner Awareness
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Learn to observe and listen to your body, and learn how to
address these.
Satisfy your body’s basic needs like hydration and nutrition
to take into account the new activity and the demands you
make on it.
Start stretching and strengthening once you start cycling
for an hour or more. Yoga, core strengthening. Chronic
pain, aches, stiffness are usually indications that something
is not quite right. Investigate it, like one trouble shoots. It
could be an issue with the bike fit or an indication that you
need to work on something with yourself.

17. Outer Awareness
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Your rising awareness will be essential on the road, looking at traffic, becoming aware of all the
activity on our roads and their potential to affect you. Be aware and anticipate People,
vehicles, dogs, obstacles, every little thing.
Cyclists are all the
more aware of the
importance of traffic
rules and how they
are broken. For your
own safety follow
the rules absolutely!
And that includes
giving signals.

18. Introduction to Cycling by

19. Divya Tate - Cycling for
25 years! For fun,
adventure and fitness
for 18 years &
as an endurance sport
for 7!
Introduction to Cycling by

20. A glimpse at the world of Cycling -
Different strokes for different folks
Introduction to Cycling by
There are a lot of different paths to choose within cycling itself.
Deciding what is right for you, will depend on your other activities,
interests, time constraints and convenience. And most importantly
on your motive for cycling.
People ride for many reasons, each personal. Leisure, enjoyment
and basic fitness are the most common. Then commuting and
environment reasons, and finally touring. Only a small number of
cyclists pursue it as a sport.

21. Cycling for
Adventure, Leisure
or Environment
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Leisure – Low intensity, low investment, no agenda,
no specific equipment requirement.
Commuting – any bike will do, depending on distance,
perhaps a foldie or event the ordinary ghoda which a
large no. of people use to work and for load bearing.
Maintenance is important, and some planning at
workplace.
Touring – solo or with a group, self planned or
supported by an operator. You need some training,
carry loads, learn more about repairing the bike, learn
about equipment, efficiency and packing!

22. Road Racing
Long Distance
Mountain Biking
Track Racing
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Cycling as a Sport

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Connect with the community
Across the city, the country and internationally, cyclists form
communities and are happy to assist new entrants! You will need
to find support, guidance and the right equipment. You will need
to seek Input of tracks, routes, events, how to train at basic level,
improve performance. Depending on what specifically you
choose to do, the equipment begins to get specialized and more
expensive. It is a good idea to understand what is right before
making purchases. Finding Support groups and events, through
your local bike shop, group rides, social media like facebook and
platforms like Livingit will help you make progress.

24. Introduction to Cycling by
Set a Goal and Start Training
Training – If you decide to participate in sports events, you will
want to start training. Set a target, or a goal, personal or an event
towards which you focus. Again solo or in a group, you will need
to understand the basics of Hydration, Nutrition and Training.
Once you have engaged with cycling as a sport, to improve and
maximize your performance in your specific sport, you should
consider coaching.

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No Looking back! 