Cycling – Before You Go – Advice and Guidance
It is important to ensure you are properly prepared for your ride and your bike is in good working order.
Clothing
Make sure you are dressed appropriately for the weather conditions and remember that cycling increases any wind chill, on the other hand it also reduces the temperature when its sunny so use sun cream on sunny days.
Helmets – Although not compulsory for cyclists, if you do decide to wear one make sure it is correctly fitted and the straps tight enough to stop it from moving when cycling.
Loose clothing – Make sure you do not have any loose clothing, if you do it may get caught up in the bikes mechanism or caught by bushes/tress etc. as you pass by.
Cycling equipment and security
Bike Lock – take a good quality lock with you to ensure the bike can be securely locked to a suitable bike stand etc.
Bell – make sure your bike has a bell, and use it especially when cycling along shared routes with pedestrians. One ring is sufficient to tell others you are approaching (and don’t forget to slow down)
Pump, tyre leavers and spare inner tube – bikes get punctures, it’s a fact of cycling. Take a spare tube, pump and tyre leavers to be able to fix your puncture.
Cycle tool kit – It’s also worth while taking a cycle multi-tool kit to be able to adjust anything which may go wrong.
Lights – if cycling in poor weather or in the dark make sure you have a working white front light and a rear red light. The bike should also be fitted with reflectors at the front, rear and on the pedals. Don’t forget spare batteries.
Check the bike before starting off
There is a full eleven point check list for a bike which should be done regularly called the “M”-Check. Of these you should make sure you check the following before each ride.
Saddle – Make sure it is at the correct height if you are borrowing or hiring a bike. When sitting on the saddle you should just be able to reach the floor with the balls of each of your feet at the same time. As the bike is a hire bike the saddle may have been changed by the previous rider and not at the correct height for you. If you are tall make sure that you have a large bike and that the saddle does not extend past the limit which will be marked on the tube.
Tyres – Make sure the tyres are pumped up
Brakes – Check both the front and back brakes.
Wheels – make sure that the rear and front wheel are securely fastened and rotate smoothly.
Pedals – Make sure the pedals and chain rotate smoothly.
Lights – switch them on and make sure they work if its getting dark.
For full details on the “M” Check click HERE.