Hai tay đua xe đạp chuyên nghiệp, Orla Walsh và Isabelle Beckers, chia sẻ cách kết hợp di chuyển bằng ô tô và xe đạp, vận chuyển xe an toàn và áp dụng kinh nghiệm đua vào lái xe và đạp xe hàng ngày.
Họ đề cập các lựa chọn giá chở xe, kỹ thuật xếp đồ và mẹo an toàn thiết thực cho cả người đi xe đạp lẫn lái xe, dựa trên kinh nghiệm cá nhân và chiến dịch Skoda “Why We Ride”.
Orla Walsh (sinh năm 1989) là một vận động viên đua xe đạp người Ireland, từng giành chức vô địch quốc gia và lập kỷ lục chạy nước rút 500m tại Ireland. Cô thi đấu cá nhân và đại diện Ireland tại Đại hội Thể thao châu Âu 2019, đồng thời chia sẻ những kiến thức thực tiễn về an toàn.
Isabelle Beckers (sinh năm 1983) là VĐV người Bỉ chuyên nghiệp từng thi đấu cho Bigla và đội IBCT Continental. Cô từng có mặt trên bục podium ở các cuộc đua tính giờ quốc gia Bỉ và chia sẻ nhiều kinh nghiệm từ sự nghiệp đua xe của mình.
Các tay đua hướng dẫn cách gắn xe đạp lên giá nóc và giá sau, mẹo chất nhanh gọn, an toàn và cách cốp rộng hay móc kéo hỗ trợ khi đi cùng xe đạp.
What could be better than cycling through stunning landscapes while breathing fresh air? Today, cycling is no longer just a way to get around streets—it has become an exciting sport that trains your physique and lets you enjoy life. Two professional cyclists will give you tips on how to combine cycling experiences with driving.
Profiles of the two riders
Cyclist Orla Walsh: Orla Walsh, born in 1989, is Irish and has won countless medals and national championships. She competed individually in the women’s scratch event and as part of the Irish team at the 2019 European Games in the team event. As of August 2020, she held the Irish record for the 500m time trial with a time of 36.220 seconds.
Cyclist Isabelle Beckers: Isabelle Beckers, born in 1983, is Belgian. She currently rides for the IBCT Women’s Continental Team of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). She finished third in the 2016 Belgian national time trial championships and was runner-up in 2017. Prior to that, she rode for the professional team Bigla.
Orla Walsh and Isabelle Beckers took part in Škoda’s “Why We Ride” campaign for cyclists. Alongside motivational videos, the campaign gives you a chance to connect with the riders and hear their tips and stories.
Combining cars and bicycles
Do you have trouble transporting your bike when travelling or heading out of town? These two cyclists will show you the best ways to attach it to different racks, whether mounted at the rear or on the roof, and how to fix it quickly and safely.
You don’t need to worry about loading your bike onto the roof, because it can be done easily with the right tools and techniques. With a spacious boot like the one on the Škoda Kodiaq, you can even carry your child’s bike thanks to the tow hooks on either side of the trunk.
Having been involved in this sport for many years, both have accumulated plenty of experience in speed and safety. Both women also drive cars, so the main discussion points focus on how cycling experiences influence their behaviour behind the wheel and vice versa, as well as how cars and bicycles can perfectly complement each other.
Reporter: First of all, when did you start cycling? What was your initial motivation?
Isabelle: I bought my first bike in 2009. At that time I was a track and field athlete struggling with a chronic injury. Cycling became my alternative training and I started loving it. After taking part in the Tour of Flanders cycling event, I was completely convinced and decided to continue cycling. In the following two years, I started competing in triathlons (half-distance and 111 races). After a while, it became clear that I was much stronger when cycling. So I decided to start bike racing in 2013.
Orla: I started cycling because I needed a convenient way to get to work and university. Driving in Dublin city is chaotic with the traffic and the local public transport system still having many improvements to make. Cycling only took me 20 minutes to get home.
Reporter: Do you feel that driving affects how you experience cycling and how you behave when riding?
Isabelle: Not everyone always pays attention to a cyclist on the road. So knowing this, for example, you as a cyclist need to be extra careful when crossing the road. I just never want to take any risks. And I always make sure that drivers see me before I reverse. Being a cyclist helps me take corners better when driving and keeps me steady on slippery surfaces.
Orla: I suppose driving makes me more aware of situations that can be dangerous for cyclists, such as not checking mirrors or blind spots before turning. I pay attention to cyclists when I’m behind the wheel, but I understand that not everyone is as observant. Also, I’m very happy to be driving the car passed down from my parents—it’s a Škoda.
Reporter: Is the car a frequent companion in your cycling career? Do you use it to get to race courses or to reach more exciting routes?
Isabelle: I live in a very flat area. However, to train on climbs I need to travel to the Ardennes or Holland. It is great to explore different areas and enjoy different scenery. This gives new experiences to cycling. Also, when I do the kermesse races in Belgium, I need to take my training bike in the car. A car is essential if you are a competitive cyclist keen to improve your performance. A blanket to cover the dirty bike, bike tools and a foot pump are also kept as standard in my car.
Orla: I would only drive my car with my bike for a specific event, like a race or sporting occasion away from where I live.
Reporter: Last question, do you have any safety tips or other tricks when cycling, especially in traffic?
Isabelle: Always make sure that drivers have noticed you and can “read” what you are doing (for example, with hand signals). It’s never worth taking the risk, so if possible, wait a few extra seconds. A bicycle bell is quite handy. And being polite in traffic is something we should all do.
Orla: The best tip for cyclists is to always expect drivers not to see you on the road. Be careful when cycling beside parked cars or in traffic, as doors can suddenly open! For drivers, always check your rearview mirror, side mirrors and blind spots before turning at an intersection. Also, make sure to leave at least 1-1/2 metres of space for cyclists when overtaking.