Prepare for a Biking Trip
Biking should be fun, but also safe. It is essential to prepare both yourself and your bicycle prior to departing on a holiday or a short 'jaunt'. If you take note of the following tips and advice, your trip should be safe, comfortable and enjoyable.
Steps
- Check that your bicycle is in good working condition. Check tyre pressure and condition. Ensure lights, reflectors, gears and brakes are in working order.
- Check steering for looseness, and adjust if necessary.
- Spin your pedals, they should spin freely. If they do not, look at the axles, as they may be loose.
- Ensure your saddle and handlebars are at the correct height for you.
- Make sure the seat bolt is tight.
- Look closely at your helmet, if there are any 'fractures' visible discard it and invest in a new one. Never buy a second-hand helmet. The previous owner may have a crash wearing it, and there may be undetected cracks, and may not give you that vital protection if you have a crash.
- Choose your clothing carefully. Plenty of layers will give you the opportunity to adjust to different temperatures.A rule of thumb is 3 layers: a tight layer, a fleece and an outer layer. Cotton is not recommended as it has high absorbency rate, and if it gets wet, it stays so for a long time. In addition, it will lose its ability to breathe when wet.
- Wear cycle shorts, there are loose or Lycra, and are good to avoid discomfort on a long biking trip.
- Avoid wearing jeans or thick cotton.
- Wear gloves, they will protect against chafing and blistering.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Trainers are usually enough for short biking trips, but it is recommended to invest in special cycling shoes for longer trips.
Tips
- Take a basic first aid kit.
- Always carry plenty of water and a snack.
- Have a small maintenance kit.
- Plan your route carefully.
- Take an extra inner tube with you.
- Wear reflective clothing and arm bands.
- Read the highway code, it will give you lots of information, ensuring you do 'the right thing'.
- Make sure you have an ICE (in case of emergency) number entered into your cell phone. This can be a great help to paramedics if you're unconscious.
