One of the most widespread comments we receive halfway through the adjustment process at Cyclistlab, when the cyclist begins to understand what are the factors that will relieve their discomfort, improve their comfort or efficiency when pedaling, and begin to be aware that the solutions They also question their technique, it's “Víctor, I thought I was coming for you to adjust my bike, and I'm learning to ride a bike again”.
We cannot pretend to solve biomechanical problems from the outside, without taking into account who is pedaling. The cyclist is the one who governs, organizes and coordinates the movement, the 'fitter' advises. The cyclist is part of the solution. From riding a bike to pedaling well there is a world.
We are familiar with ski schools, swimming schools or musical instrument teachers who teach us the technique to balance biomechanics, so that the final result is better. However, we learn to ride a bike when we are little, with the support of someone who helps us maintain our balance and thus avoid the dreaded falls.
In the same way that knowing how to hold a violin or put on skis does not imply that you know how to play the instrument or can automatically slide down the mountains, turn the cranks of your bicycle to maintain balance (great technique is required to maintain balance). on the bike without turning the cranks), is far from ensuring that the organization of your movement is right for you. Yes, the technique when pedaling is personalized.
This technique is marked by the balance in the resulting muscular/biomechanical response, taking into account two essential factors:
The adjustment measures of the bicycle, the 'bikefitting' orders the relationship between the joints (ankle, knee, hip, shoulders) and therefore affects the muscular response.
The direction in which you push, when you push, the posture you adopt, or the ability to control stability also affect muscle response. The intention varies the biomechanics.
Let's not get confused... The balance of external and internal factors finally leaves behind the biomechanical advice only restricted for high cycling competition. The technique is at our service, and depends on the specific context of the cyclist. It is applicable to any context. Also the cyclist.
It is curious to think that no one would think of driving their motorcycle through the city as if they were on a competition circuit. The technique in a circuit will be different than in the city. Everybody understands it. This does not mean, at all, that those of us who do not participate in competition driving on the circuit should be prohibited from integrating technical factors according to our scenario. You cannot apply competition techniques if you are in the city or on the highway. But specific driving techniques can be applied to circulate in each context.
It is a mistake to link the adjustments of the cycling technique or the measurements of the bicycle only to high competition. As if these specific settings could not be customized for the general public. Nothing is further from reality.
The benefits for the general public are enormous. The use of the bicycle is constantly increasing, whether for sports, competitive, recreational or urban use. It is already one of the most practiced sports in this country. His practice continues to grow and also, with the fierce entry of electric bicycles, the life of the cyclist is lengthening.
Learning to pedal in a personalized way to the characteristics of the cyclist is considered a necessity with great collective benefits for the future: maintaining a healthy life and habits in the long term, guaranteeing cycling practice, improving joint and muscle health, stimulating cardiovascular activity , fighting obesity or promoting people's independence are milestones that are among the collective objectives for the 2030 agenda.
Once the challenge of maintaining balance has been overcome, the next step is to “learn to pedal”.
