Road cycling involves riding a road bike on paved streets. Road bikes typically have smooth, narrow tires for increased speed and comfort, and drop handlebars which allow for multiple hand positions on long rides (plus the ability to get low and aerodynamic.)
Scroll down this page for links to my articles about road cycling basics, group ride etiquette, racing advice, and everything you ever wanted to know about leg shaving!
Or jump to basic skills, cycling gear, cycling tips, weather, leg shaving, or road bike racing.
Road Cycling Basic Skills
These articles cover basic biking skills, such as riding technique and how to shift gears, and also things everyone needs to know, like what chamois cream is.
7 Parking Lot Bike Handling Drills
Bike handling is very important. Better bike handling means less chance of crashing. And therefore, more chance of winning races! Here's how to practice your Read more.
How to Shift Shimano STI Levers
Not sure how to shift the Shimano STI integrated brake and shift levers on your road bike? No problem. It looks complicated, but once you Read more.
How to Look Behind You and Still Ride In a Straight Line
Beginning riders may have difficulty riding in a straight line, maintaining pace, and looking back (to check traffic, other racers, etc.) at the same time. Read more.
How to Stretch While Riding
Sometimes your body seizes up when hunched over for hours on end, and some stretches make you feel a ton better. I don't like to Read more.
5 Universal Hand Signals For Group Bike Rides
Most riders know that they should learn how to ride in a paceline before joining a group ride, but is that all? Nope. There is Read more.
5 Rules to Riding a Paceline
While a flowing paceline looks like a lot of fun, you can't just jump in and go for it. Riding in a paceline successfully requires Read more.
How to Get Dropped – With Style!
Not too long ago, I wrote about how to conserve energy so you could ride in a fast group and not get dropped. But what Read more.
How To Ride In The Fast Group – Without Getting Dropped!
So you want to ride with the A group, but afraid you'll get dropped? You certainly need a good level of fitness to ride with Read more.
A Complete Idiot’s Guide to Bicycle Gears & Shifting
Moving from a one speed bicycle to one with multiple gears is a big step. Not only do you have to learn how to shift Read more.
Bike and Gear Buying Advice
These articles cover purchasing a bike, making sure you choose the right bike, and useful parts upgrades. Whether you want the best gear or the best value for your money, you’ll find the answers you need here.
Base Layers: What, When, and Why
Everyone is talking about base layers. But what exactly is a base layer? And when do you wear one? Find out here... Read more.
Why Your Clothes Stink – And What to Do About It
Do you ever dread group rides because you know at least one person is going to stink? Or worse - do you ever dread putting Read more.
Ask Levi: Can I Use a Hydration Pack for Road Cycling?
The reason you're seeing hydration packs designed for mountain bikers is because mountain bikers are the ones wearing hydration packs. Most road cyclists simply use Read more.
Ask Levi: Will Upgrading Tires Actually Make a Difference?
Upgrading tires on your road bike makes a big performance difference for a low price. Here is why... Read more.
Ask Levi: What Is The Best Road Bike Saddle?
How to choose the best road bike saddle for you that will be comfortable based on your anatomy. Try out multiple saddles before you buy... Read more.
How to Upgrade Your New Road Bike
If you get a new road bike for around one thousand dollars, it will be a good bike, but you will probably want to upgrade Read more.
Cycling Shorts: Regular vs Bibs
Most cyclists will start out with regular cycling shorts because they are cheaper and look normal. But eventually they will consider bib shorts. Here are Read more.
Ask Levi: Should I Buy a Road or Cyclo-cross Bike?
Debating over the speed of a road bike or the versatility of a cyclo-cross bike? Here are my reasons why you may or may not Read more.
The Best Cycling Shorts for Riders Of All Shapes & Sizes
Ever buy a pair of cycling shorts and the chamois does not agree with you? Here is what to do when you go shopping for Read more.
Where to Stock Up on Wool Cycling Clothing (Socks, Jerseys, and More)
With temperatures dropping around the country, it's a good time to make sure you have everything you need to stay warm. And a sure-fire bet Read more.
How to Get a Complete, Comfortable Cycling Outfit for Under $300
As if getting a $1000 bike isn't bad enough, you then have to buy clothing and accessories! A cool jersey to keep you comfortable? Just Read more.
How to Select The Proper Sunglass Lens Color for Your Riding Conditions
When it comes to sunglasses for cycling, you have a seemingly endless array of options. Sunglass frames in colors to match your bike, lenses for Read more.
The Pros and Cons of $5 Tires
Last winter I picked up a few sets of Hutchinson Flash tires. For $5 each, I couldn't resist! I just needed them for indoor training. Read more.
Road Cycling Advice About Every Possible Topic
Here is some miscellaneous advice for all road cyclists – we’re talking important debates like regular or bib shorts, important tips like how to keep clean and comfortable, and important maneuvers like getting a dropped chain back onto the chainrings without stopping.
How to Fix a Dropped Chain – Without Stopping!
If you drop the chain onto the bottom bracket shell or off the big ring, or maybe you get chainsuck, here is how to take Read more.
The Dreaded Dropped Chain – And How To Prevent It!
A dropped chain poses serious problems for all cyclists. Not only is it annoying, dropping a chain can damage your frame, especially if it is Read more.
How to Wash, Re-lube, and Polish Your Bike
Every so often, you take your road bike out in wet, dirty conditions. And it needs cleaned. Here is how to clean, degrease, lube, and Read more.
How to Wash Your Bike In 5 Minutes
If you were just out for a dirty or dusty ride, it's a good idea to give your bike a quick wash before you put Read more.
High Cadence vs Low Cadence Cycling
A smooth, fluid pedal stroke combined with a good cadence is an integral part of riding fast and efficiently. Here is everything you need to Read more.
Chamois Butter Exposed! Common Myths, Folk Lore, and Reality
Almost as mysterious and magical as shaved legs is this substance known as chamois butter, or chamois cream. From the name you can figure out Read more.
How to Count Your Cadence
One fundamental aspect of cycling is pedaling. But there's more than pedaling than just pedaling - you need to pedal correctly, at the correct speed. Read more.
How to Keep Sweat Out of Your Eyes
The days are hot, you sweat, and the sweat drips into your eyes. It stings your eyes and smears on your glasses. Helmet pads just Read more.
Dealing With the Weather
Even on smooth pavement, you’re bound to get caught in some nasty weather at some point. You might even want to go out in the snow for fun. Here’s how to handle these cold and wet weather conditions.
10 Tips To Ride In The Rain Without Ruining Your Bike
Riding in the rain can be fun, but replacing parts because they rusted thanks to your riding in the rain is not so fun. Here Read more.
8 Safety Tips For Riding In The Rain
If you plan to venture out in the rain or on wet roads, on your road or mountain bikes, here are some tips to keep Read more.
Tested: SealSkinz Waterproof Socks
If you've done any bike rides in cold weather, you know that keeping your feet warm is very difficult, yet extremely important. While searching for Read more.
Home-Made, Pogie-Replacing Hand Warmers
Want to keep your hands warm and toasty but can’t find or afford proper pogies? Then break out some plastic jugs and duct tape and Read more.
7 Things You Must Know Before Your First Ride In The Cold!
(This article was originally published on BloomBikeShop.com, but I’m republishing it here because the advice is still useful!) It’s inevitable. At some point in the Read more.
Road Racing
Advice for those of you entering road bike races.
The Art of The Perfect Pre-Race Warm-Up
So much attention is paid to proper training strategies and racing tactics, while pre-race warm ups are often taken for granted. It’s like good nutrition Read more.
Book Review: Racing Tactics for Cyclists by Thomas Prehn
When it comes to road racing, being in great shape is only half the battle. You need to be able to race hard and race Read more.
How to Pin Your Number Down For a Bike Race
While your training plan and racing tactics are extremely important, you can't forget the little things that can make or break a race. One of Read more.
How to Eat During a Road Bike Race
Have you ever been too scared to eat and drink during a road bike race? It can be intimidating with riders on all sides of Read more.
Packing for a Road Bike Race: The Road Race Equipment Checklist
As if it wasn't hard enough to train for a race, drive there, and keep your mind focused on race strategy, there's another obstacle thrown Read more.
Leg Shaving – Yeah, Men Shave!
Here’s everything you need to know about shaving your legs, including the what, why, how, when, and where.
Sick of Shaving Your Legs? Here Are 7 Leg Shaving Alternatives to Consider!
There are many reasons to consider alternatives to shaving. Maybe you don’t like the stubble growing back sharp and prickly. Maybe you don’t want to Read more.
Ask Levi: What’s the Best Cartridge Razor?
Today’s question is about finding the best cartridge razor out there, both for best shave and best value… Hi Levi. You seem to know razors Read more.
Tested: Dollar Shave Club
When you’re shaving your humungous, chiseled quadriceps, does the thought of how much you’re spending on razor blades ever cross your mind? The monetary concern Read more.
How to Shave Your Legs with a Double Edge Safety Razor
There’s a trend right now where men who grew up with cartridge razors are going old school and turning to traditional safety razors for their Read more.
Ask Levi: How to Deal With Bullying at School After Shaving My Legs?
Today’s question is from a high school boy who shaved his legs for swimming, and things aren’t going so well now… Ethan writes: I have Read more.
Tested: Exfoliating Shaving Cream from Day Away
Looking for a smooth shave? Then you might want to look at a premium shaving cream. Here is my review of Day Away exfoliating shaving Read more.
Ask Levi: What’s With These Little Red Bumps After Shaving?
So you shaved your legs, but now they are covered in these little red bumps? That is called razorburn. Here is how to prevent it Read more.
Ask Levi: How Long Should It Take a Guy to Shave His Legs?
If you take the plunge and decide to trade your hairy, manly legs for silky smooth cyclist or swimmer legs, many questions will arise. But Read more.
5 Real Reasons Why You Should Shave Your Legs (That Have Nothing To Do With Aerodynamics)
I have been shaving my legs for so long that I don't even remember why I do it. It's just instinct. Kind of like putting Read more.
Ask Levi: Will My Hair Grow Back Thicker and Darker?
Ever thought about shaving your legs, but you're worried about what will happen when the hair grows back? Will it be thick and dark? Read Read more.
How To Shave Your Legs: A Guide for First Timers
There comes a time in every cyclist's life where you're going to think about shaving your legs. Even if you don't plan to actually shave Read more.
FREE 5-Day Nutrition Coaching Course
I highly recommend enrolling in this totally FREE 5-part video series from Dr. John Berardi, one of the sharpest minds in sports nutrition and fat loss. You'll discover how to create a nutrition plan and follow through on it!
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Recent articles
Hand Pain and Numbness When Cycling: Why It Happens and What You Can Do About It!
Today's question is about your fingers on the brake levers getting numb while road cycling... Read more.
When You Should Stand and Pedal (and When to Stay Seated)
Today's question is about the proper time to stand when riding your bike... Read more.
Ask Levi: Which Bike Do I Need for Riding Road and Rail Trails?
Today's question is about choosing between a cyclocross bike and a hybrid for rail trails and road riding... Read more.
Ask Levi: What Sunglasses Keep Wind Out of My Eyes? Are There Wind Blocking Sunglasses?
Today's question is about finding sunglasses that keep wind out of your eyes when riding your bike... Read more.
Sick of Shaving Your Legs? Here Are 7 Leg Shaving Alternatives to Consider!
There are many reasons to consider alternatives to shaving. Maybe you don’t like the stubble growing back sharp and prickly. Maybe you don’t want to Read more.
7 Parking Lot Bike Handling Drills
Bike handling is very important. Better bike handling means less chance of crashing. And therefore, more chance of winning races! Here's how to practice your Read more.
5 Easy Ways to Wreck When Riding a Paceline
Most riders choose to ride in a paceline to share the work and achieve a faster overall speed. But it seems some sadistic riders only Read more.
Why A Geared Bike Makes For Better Training Than a Fixed Gear
Every time I talk about using fixed gear track bikes for training purposes (and why it's pointless,) I am met with more and more arguments Read more.
How to Fix a Dropped Chain – Without Stopping!
If you drop the chain onto the bottom bracket shell or off the big ring, or maybe you get chainsuck, here is how to take Read more.
Ask Levi: What Are The Best Carbon Water Bottle Cages for Road Bikes?
Today's question is about finding a good carbon water bottle holder that holds the bottle well and isn't too flimsy... Read more.
9 Christmas Gift Ideas for The Cyclist on Your List
Got a bicyclist on your holiday shopping list and not sure what to get for him or her? Just check out this list of gift Read more.
The Endurance Athlete’s Guide to Power Meters
For the serious cyclist, the power meter is the tool of choice. They’ve become the standard, and prices are gradually coming down, making them accessible Read more.
