Frustration comes in many forms, but it generally stems from something being off, wrong or missing.  If you are having trouble on the bike and feel that something is awry, check these possible causes, they may be holding you back from smooth sailing... or rather, cycling.  If you want to be faster and more confident on your bike, it's not just a matter of putting the miles in and getting fitter. You also need to think about good technique and preparation.  Simple mistakes gobble up time/effort on the road/trail, but these can be easily corrected, resulting in more confidence, less energy consumption and higher speeds.

Poor cornering technique

Smooth cornering is essential to riding.  Not all paths are the straight and narrow, or rather, all the fun ones have curves, so adjust your speed as you approach the turn and avoid the brakes while cornering.

Make sure your inside pedal is up and press down on the outside pedal. Lean the bike, as opposed to steering it, keeping your body weight centered over the bike and look ahead to where you are going because turns can hide blind spots for other riders and cars on the road.  Be safe out there.

Sharp braking on descents

Light, gradual, simultaneous pressure on both brakes is more effective than sharp braking.  Abrupt braking can lead to a loss of control on a descent, and above all else, you want full control when you're on a ride.

Try the on/off technique to prevent brakes overheating. On the road, try sitting up instead of braking, as this increases wind resistance and will slow you down.

Practice on hills you’re familiar with,each time applying the brakes a little less. Also practice with experienced riders and try to follow their line of travel.

Wrong gears on climbs

Climbs can intimidate, you want to adjust in time so that you not making a drastic switch too late. If you have to switch from a high gear to a low one once you start climbing then you risk dropping the chain.  Cycling up a hill in a high gear means your muscles recruit more fast-twitch muscle fibers. Fast-twitch fibers fatigue quickly and take a long time to recover. If you change to an easier gear and higher cadence, you conserve energy and save your fast-twitch fibers for later.

Saddle too high or too low

Seat/saddle height is crucial. You risk injury if it’s too high or too low, and reduce the power you can generate. Here’s a simple test: sit on the bike, and at the bottom of the pedal-stroke the leg should be almost straight but the heel should stay on the pedal without stretching.

Bike isn't prepared or maintained

You have your body conditioned and your techniques refined, but you've neglected your bikes needs.  How selfish.  Ensure you’ve checked your bike over – that all bolts are tight and pedals are secure, chain is oiled and saddle is at correct angle.

Make sure your tires are free from cuts and properly inflated and memorize how to make that quick tire change should you encounter a blow-out.   Ensure brakes are not touching the wheel and that it spins freely. Check that brake pads/blocks aren't worn. Finally, the caliper brakes found on road bikes can get knocked in transport, so check before setting off.