Any tips on how to ride a bike properly?

Question

I know how to ride a bike [obviously]. But are there any ways to ride it well? Like should I pull in my abs or tighten my leg muscles? Anything like that?

Answer 1

Why not fit some aerobars? They automatically give you a good aerodynamic posture and they also bring the muscles in the lower back into use as well as the leg muscles.

Answer 2

When riding you should have your weight on the saddle. Use arms for balance (and on hills to brace), but basically you should be relaxed. Keep a more or less straight back. Now ... focus on "peddling in circles". This is only really possible with bike shoes / cleats or shoes and clipless peddles. The whole idea is to use all the muscles of the leg and ankle to push down, pull back, kick forward and pull up. You also want to spin at 70 - 90 rpm (lower puts strain on knees and much higher makes you breath harder than optimum.

Voila ... good riding form and fast travel.