Start road biking – Our advice
Do you want to take up road cycling, but aren’t sure where to start?
Rest assured, it’s perfectly normal. From the choice of bike and equipment, to the basics you need to know, and even the fear of riding in a group or on the road, there are plenty of questions to ask when you start out.
The good news is that you don’t need to be an expert, ride ultra-fast or have competition gear to enjoy yourself. The most important thing is to set off at your own pace, with the right information and a little self-confidence.
On this page, we share with you all the things we wish we’d known when we started out : practical advice, real-life experiences and feedback for women who want to take the plunge into road biking.
Our aim is to help you pedal with pleasure, progressing at your own pace and according to your own desires! We’re off!
Road bike tips
You don’t have to have the latest carbon bike with integrated sensors to enjoy yourself on the road. That said, ill-fitting equipment can also be a source of pain… And spoiler: road bike equipment (including the bikes themselves) is often not adapted to women’s morphology!
To avoid mistakes (and unnecessary purchases), we’re sharing with you our tips for getting the best road bike equipment, but also for feeling comfortable on your bike in general. Our aim? Find what really suits you, without breaking the bank, and ride with pleasure and serenity.
Automatic pedals are often a source of apprehension for beginner cyclists. Rest assured, we’ve all been there! We’ve put together a complete guide for you, to be discovered on video, with a short summary of the key points in the article. We’ll look at why auto pedals are useful, how to choose and adjust them, […]
Let’s start by busting a myth. No, a sore ass is not normal! Choosing the right saddle is a crucial part of any cyclist’s equipment, but it’s far from simple. A saddle is chosen according to your morphology (pelvis width), your riding style, your budget and, above all, the way you feel… Follow the guide, […]
Cycling shorts… If their half-sticky, half-diaper look is a bit of a deterrent at first, they’re still one of the must-have accessories when you’re cycling. The trick is knowing how to choose them when you’re a woman, so I give you my advice in this article! Men’s or women’s shorts? Not only are the cuts […]
Cycling in winter can be a real pleasure (yes, it can!), provided you’re well equipped to cope with the cold without sweating too much. The aim is to keep warm, while avoiding the dampness that can quickly become (very) uncomfortable. Here’s all the advice you need to choose the right outfit. Watch the video The […]
The weather’s nice, it’s warm, it’s not too windy – it’s the perfect day to saddle up. So you don’t have to spend too much time thinking about what to take, I’ve put together a checklist of the essentials for your bike outing. Clothing In case of cold or rain Nutrition and hydration Safety and […]
Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or new to the Little Queen, spending a few hours in the saddle can be hard on the body. In this article, before you get on your bike and after a ride, discover my tips on how to best prepare your body before you ride and then relax it post-ride. […]
mechanics
Bike mechanics are a real headache for many people… even when you’ve been riding for a while. But you don’t have to be an expert to have fun on your road bike.
On the other hand, mastering a few simple gestures, such as changing an inner tube, can really save you a lot of trouble on the road. These are the basics that reassure and enable you to remain autonomous on the road. And if you’re still not sure, don’t stress: Emma, our expert mechanic, has prepared clear, accessible step-by-step tutorials. So you can feel confident and ride with a clear head!
To really benefit from the autonomy of a bicycle, it’s best to be equipped to deal with a puncture: so a tool kit is essential. But what should you pack? In this article, I propose 4 lists of tools to carry, depending on your type of outing. Complete bike tool kit video 1. Small repair […]
Changing an inner tube is the first thing you need to learn if you want to cycle independently. On a mountain-bike tire, it’s pretty straightforward. On narrow road tires, there are a few tricks you need to know. Watch the beginner video tutorial The tools The base Extra tools Remove wheel Shoe brakes (where the […]
hardware testing
Here are all the road bike gear tests carried out by the La Sportive Outdoor team. They’ll give you ideas for new equipment and give you our opinion on specific items.
In this article, I present the Rapha Explore Bar Bag, which I use on my road bike. I give you my opinion on this small, lightweight pannier after a comprehensive test lasting several years. Test video summary My summary I liked I liked it less How do I use the Rapha Explore Bar Bag? The […]
The Restrap Stem Bag is a stem bag that attaches to the bike for quick access to your essentials: a water bottle, snacks or even a small camera. A handy little accessory! After numerous outings with it, here’s my detailed review. Test video summary My summary I liked I liked it less How do I […]
Having had the opportunity to preview the brand-new Coros Dura GPS, I was able to see the significant evolution of this device from its first iterations to its current version. Here’s my detailed review of this promising newcomer to the world of GPS computers for cyclists. Test video summary My summary I liked I liked […]
The Gorewear Endure jacket is a top-of-the-range cycling jacket designed to withstand the elements while remaining quite breathable and compact. It has become one of the must-have items I take with me on my cycling trips. Here’s my detailed review of this jacket, which in my opinion is one of the best waterproof bike jackets […]
After several months’ use of the Garmin Edge 1050, I’d like to share with you my detailed feedback on this top-of-the-range GPS computer. We’ll explore what makes the Garmin Edge 1050 one of the best GPS meters on the market, highlighting its strengths and innovations, as well as a few shortcomings that could be improved. […]
It’s time to tell you about the shorts that have been with me for a while now, Wilma’s Wild women’s shorts with removable chamois, for use during or outside your period! I give you my opinion and the results of a months-long test of these shorts in this blog post. Test video summary Opinion summary […]
Introducing the cycling shorts for women cyclists from French brand Reines, which are both technical and aesthetic, and can be worn on or off your period. Here’s my review after a full test. Test video summary My summary I liked I liked it less How do I use the Reines short cycling shorts? The Reines […]
Get inspired
Because sometimes, we need to be inspired, to dream and to listen to what women have to say… Here are some inspirations from women cyclists. Tales of sporting adventures or episodes of the Sportive Outdoor podcast in which inspiring women talk about road cycling… There’s plenty to inspire you!
Three years after taking my first steps on a road bike, it was time to embark on my first cycling trip. Living in Annecy, the Mont Blanc tour appealed to me because of its proximity and beauty. On the menu, 350km with 8,500m D+, a great outing that we decided to complete with a friend […]
In this interview, Nathalie Baillon, cycling adventurer, ultra-cyclist, multiple winner of ultra races and holder of the record for crossing Europe from south to north, talks about her extraordinary career. How did her passion for ultra-cycling come about? How does one become an adventurer on a bike? What’s her daily routine like? Watch the video […]
In this episode of the podcast, I welcome Claire Lafforgue, coach and sports director at Vélo club La Pomme in Marseille, who shares with us her background, her daily life as a road cycling coach and her training philosophy. Watch the video interview Listen to the podcast Summary At just 26, Claire Lafforgue is already […]
In June, I completed my first ultra road bike race: the Race Across France (RAF) 300. I’m taking you with me on this adventure between Malaucène and Mandelieu la Napoule, a 300 km bike ride with 6,000 m of ascent. Candice’s video interview Listen to the podcast interview Why RAF 300? The idea had been […]
A long weekend on the calendar, an ultra-cycling race to prepare, two friends with a thirst for adventure: all the ingredients for a great pannier bike ride. I’m taking you on board this journey between Annecy and Embrun, which took us up some of the Alps’ most emblematic mountain passes (it wasn’t easy!). D-1 – […]