The potential to even the playing field with your competitors often happens in the bike leg of triathlon. Slow swimmers can make up some time. Slow runner? You can give yourself a head start. Here's a few tips to keep you moving.

- For your first race, keep things simple. Use the bike you have or borrowed.
- If you do not have clip-less pedals, choose a shoe to ride in that has stiff soles.
- Use the rear brakes for general braking.
- If a sudden stop is needed, shift your weight to the back of the saddle or even hang off the end slightly as you brake.
- When on a steep downhill, if needed, ride the rear brake, 'feather' (lightly tap) the front. Shift weight to the rear of the saddle if needed. Use this technique when hitting unexpected bumps/potholes to keep traction on your rear wheel.
- Do not over correct. For the most part, allowing the bike to 'correct itself' after side-swiping a cone/pothole etc. while maintaining proper weight balance is the best way out of the mess.
- Your right shifter is for the rear derailleur that moves the chain on your rear cassette on the hub of your rear wheel. Your left shifter is for shifting the chain at the chain rings at your pedals. You will do most of your shifting on the rear cassette.  
- Crash well. See below.
- ENDO (aka 'end over end', over the bars): Tuck your chin to your chest and roll if possible. Prepare to fend off your flying bike after landing.
- LOW SIDE (aka 'wash out', back or front tire or both slide and you hit the deck): As you go down, try to rotate to face the direction your bike is sliding. If there's time, tuck arms in and drop the shoulder closest to the ground, so the back of it takes most of the impact. You're going to slide; if you can, get your feet out in front of you and push the into the road surface to slow down. Otherwise, roll with it. Keep arms close to your body to minimize damage.
- HIGH SIDE (bike goes from sliding to suddenly gripping; you are ejected): Similar to endo but this time it's faster and sideways. Separate you and your bike asap; unclip, push away handlebars etc. Make every effort (this one is really hard to control) to avoid trees, walls, boulders, parked cars etc. Tuck your head to your chin and protect it with your arms. Go limp. Again, GO LIMP! Absorb impact, save your bones.
- STOP DROP (sack of potatoes, turkey tumble etc.): Forget to unclip at a light, or don't do it in time and a slow crash ensues. Tuck your body into a tight ball, drop your shoulder and wait for impact. Check YouTube for a replay. Search "local cyclist eats it".
- Soft pedaling while shifting will prevent “dropping your chain” (chain falls off rings).
- Unless you are on a steep climb or pushing a hard gear in a tail wind, you will generally want your chain to be in the middle range of cogs on the cassette.
- Learn to clip in and out with both feet at lights and stop signs.
- Use smooth concentric circles for efficient pedaling.
- Pay for a good bike fit.

- Try cyclocross in the off-season.
- Obey all traffic and road rules.
- When turning, look where you want to go, not immediately in front of the bike.
- Slow before turns if reduced speed is needed, then accelerate out. Slamming brakes while in the turn can lead to potential front tire 'wash out'. (see above)
- Draft in training only.
- Before riding in a peloton, learn the rules and etiquette. Look it up or ask someone on the ride to help you out. Educating yourself will keep you safe and your friends from changing plans for the next ride without telling you.
- Wear a helmet- always.
- Never ride a TT (time trial, triathlon) bike in a peloton.
- Learn to change a flat tire.
- Carry a repair kit.
- Anticipate shifting to avoid cadence interruption.
- If you're a triathlete, your cadence should be 80-90RPM. If you're a roadie, just practice your dirty looks and continue to do what you want.
- If your neck is sore from being in aero, it is most likely weak. Until it gets stronger, continue to ride in aero, but take breaks by dropping your forehead slightly to straighten the neck a bit and sight out the top of your sunglasses.
- Numbness in your hands can be lessened by wearing cycling gloves, using padded bar tape and changing positions frequently, although it usually goes away with time.
- Numbness in feet, is usually an issue with bike fit or proper shoe/cleat placing. Check with your local bike shop or fit professional.
- Numbness in your neck or arms should be checked by a doctor/chiropractor after proper bike fit is determined.
- For numbness in your groin, check the position and height of your saddle. Make sure the saddle is level. Check with your local bike shop or fit professional. If you decide to ignore it, get to know your local adoption coordinator.
- Keep your drive train and chain lubricated.
- Your back should be as flat as possible in aero position.
- For race day only, inflate tires to maximum recommended pressure. If it is raining or rained the night before, do not fill to maximum pressure.
- In transition before the race, check brakes to make sure they're not rubbing and derailleurs did not get bumped while en route.
- The bike leg is a great place to get re-hydrated and refueled; use this time to your advantage.
- Wear shorts with a chamois. Use a thick one in training, and a tri-specific in races.
- Do 'bricks' in training.
- Learn the race route and decide on a strategy.
- Use good common sense with speed. Consider your skill level. Even with a helmet, you are not invincible. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
- If you hear a crash or commotion behind you, keep your eyes on the road and pull over (if necessary) when it is safe. Rubbernecking is often why there is a second crash following the first.
- The more time you have in the saddle, the faster you'll get.
- Do your strength training.
- Train with people faster than you.
- Train for your distance. Generally, the shorter the race, the higher the intensity.