But peel back the layers of lycra and what you’ll find underneath isn’t just a chiseled calf—it’s a full-blown, borderline-magical belief system. Welcome to the wonderfully weird world of cycling superstitions, where carbon fibre meets crystal ball, and your ride depends not just on your watts, but whether you kissed your bike goodnight.
1. The sacred socks
Ask any seasoned cyclist and they’ll tell you: Not all socks are created equal.
Some swear their polka-dot pair from the 2018 Gran Fondo in Girona brings them luck on climbs. Others won’t dare race without the “compression-cursed” ones that definitely helped them beat Dave from accounting that one time. Dirty? Slightly. Washed? Rarely. Lucky? Always.
2. Mounting matters
You’d think which side you swing your leg over wouldn’t matter. Think again.
A surprising number of riders won’t mount from the left—“That’s the non-drive side, Greg, do you WANT a mechanical?”—and others do a quick two-pedal backspin before clipping in, just to “wake the drivetrain.” Science? No. Vibes? Impeccable.
3. Rain dances (that work too well)
Leave your rain jacket at home “just in case,” and you will summon a storm. Pack it, and the sun will beat down like you’re riding through the Sahara. Riders have developed complex systems of reverse psychology with their gear to control the weather. Meteorology be damned—if Dave brings arm warmers, it’s definitely going to rain.
4. The pre-ride ritual
Skipping your ritualistic espresso before a ride is not just risky—it’s downright blasphemous. You know that perfect crema depicting (or sort of depicting) a bicycle wheel is more than just caffeine—it’s pure cycling magic, warding off mechanical gremlins and summoning fair winds.
5. Never say “good legs”
Possibly the most sacred rule of them all. Saying “I’ve got good legs today” is tantamount to cursing yourself with bonking, cramping, and probably being chased by an aggressive goose. The only safe time to acknowledge your legs are firing is 48 hours later, while still in recovery socks, eating pasta directly from the pot.
6. The saddle adjustment dance
Admit it—you’ve fiddled with your saddle height and angle a thousand times, always ending up precisely where you started. But it’s part of the ritual. That tiny millimetre adjustment, even when imaginary, is the difference between comfort and chaos in your cycling universe.
7. Helmet taps & handlebar pats
You’re at the line, poised for the sprint or ready to tackle that steep descent. Your hand instinctively taps your helmet, then pats your handlebars. It’s subtle, maybe even subconscious, but every tap is your personal handshake with the cycling gods, securing their favour.
8. Post-ride tale-telling
Every ride concludes with an essential storytelling session. The headwinds were stronger, the hills steeper, and that dog chasing you? Practically a wolf. Embellishing these tales isn’t just fun—it’s a cyclist’s rite of passage, ensuring luck and favour for future adventures.
Embrace your quirks proudly, fellow rider. Remember, it feels right, therefore it’s definitely necessary. Ride on!
