PRACTICAL CYCLING & SAFETY - Copyright Dave Mann, 2011 URL: http://home.comcast.net/~pinnah/dirtbag-bikes/rants/practical-cycling.txt =============================================================================== #1 RULE OF SAFETY - HAVE FUN! ----------------------------- * Goof around on your bike every day. Ride for 10 minutes, just for fun. * Get a quart of milk. Inspect the neighbors' gardens. Ride around the block. * The more you ride, the better rider you become. GETTING THE BIKE READY ---------------------- * STORAGE: Make room for your bike. Make room for cycling. + Easy to get to, just like your car, but secure from weather and theft. * DON'T SUFFER ON A HURTFUL BIKE: You are safer when you're comfortable + Saddles and handlebars can be adjusted: height, tilt and type. + Don't extend posts and stems beyond minimum insertion line. * KEEP YOUR TIRES INFLATED: This prevents flats and expensive wheel damage + Buy a dual head floor pump and store it next to your bike (TopPeak Joe Blow) + Road bikes & hybrids (700c or 27" wheels): 80 psi + Mountain bikes (26" wheels): 60 psi + If you weigh over 200, inflate to max pressure printed on tire + Good Tires: Panaracer Pasela (fast) or Pasela Tourguard (flat protection) - MTB: 26"x1.75"; Hybrid: 700Cx35mm; Road bike: 700Cx32mm or 27"x1 1/4" * THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE OIL: Keep oil & rag next to bike + Good lubes: 3 in 1, Tri-flow (recommended). No WD-40: it's mostly solvent. + Apply to: brake pivots, gear pivots, brake levers, shift levers, chain + Wipe off excess, which attracts dirt, especially from chain. * CARRYING THINGS: Changes the bike to viable transportation + NEVER TIE OR HANG GROCERY BAGS FROM YOUR HANDLEBARS!!! + Currier bags (I don't like them), Backpacks, Baskets, Panniers, Handlebar bags, Saddle bags, Rack trunks * LOCKS: You need these where we live. + Helmet "lock", Retractables, Coil locks (best all around), U locks (secure). * LIGHTS: Front & rear; To be seen, not to see. * PRE-RIDE CHECKLIST: (Suggested by Jimmy Livingood) + Wheels spin freely, without hitting brakes. + Quick-release levers are tight and wheels properly seated. + Tire pressure (thumb test is fine). + Brake levers don't go all the way to the bar. + Brake pads aren't hitting tires. + Pick bike up and drop it from 4" or so. Listen for noises and rattles. GETTING YOURSELF READY ---------------------- * WEAR GLASSES: Keep the bugs out of your eyes * USE A MIRROR: Eye glass or handlebar * HELMETS: Look for ANSI or Snell certifications. + Under $50 is fine (Bell is trusted brand). + Store on or next to your bike. * PANT CLIPS/CHAIN GUARDS: Cuffs get caught in front gears. + Metal clip, Velcro strap (recommended), chain guards * TUCK IN RIGHT SHOE LACES: They can get caught in front gears. * WEAR NORMAL CLOTHING: Normal clothes work fine... until they don't. + Cycling caps keep sweat out of your eyes and don't blow off. + Cycling gloves help prevent numb hands and protect in crashes. + Shirts: cotton/polyester blends, 100% polyester, wool all reduce sweat. + Underwear: Some prefer polyester or wool, to reduce sweat and chaffing. + Touring/MTB shorts: Have built in padding but look normal. - Meant to be worn like underwear or swimsuit; Reduces chaffing. + Lycra cycling shorts: Best for long rides. - These *are* underwear and can be worn under other shorts. RIDING SAFELY ------------- * HAIKU: Wheels roll on pavement Pedals push against my feet Death rides on my left * PRACTICE USING THE FRONT BRAKE: Stops much faster. + Fun thing to practice in parking lots. * USE CAUTION ON SIDEWALKS: It is illegal in some places. + Don't ride faster than you're willing to hit a pedestrian. * USE CAUTION ON HAZARDS THAT CAN CAUSE FRONT WHEEL WASH-OUTS: + Painted lines, pot holes, man hole covers, rail road crossings, metal plates, wet roads. * RIDE ON THE RIGHT, WITH TRAFFIC: Drivers will not see you on left. * STAY AS FAR TO THE RIGHT AS IS SAFE, BUT... * RIDE TO THE LEFT OF: + THE EDGE: e.g. the curb, gutter or drop off. - Keep "the edge" outside of field of view of hands. + THE DEBRIS PATH: This caused by car "wind". - Contains glass (flats) and sand/gravel (crash). + LARGE OBSTACLES: e.g. Potholes, Parked cars, Large debris + DRAIN GRATES: Especially square ones with straight bars that eat front wheels! * REVIEW 10 COMMON WAYS TO GET HIT BY A CAR - http://bicyclesafe.com/ * OTHER RESOURCES: + http://bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/index.htm + http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=RrzKj&doc_id=5105&v=10 + http://www.be-safe.org/css_com/bicycle/ + http://london.ca/Transportation/PDFs/Cycling_in_Traffic_Tips_8x11.pdf + http://london.ca/Transportation/PDFs/Cycling_Safety_Tips_8x11.pdf + http://www.bikeleague.org/resources/better/ BIKE MAINTENANCE ----------------- * LEVEL 1 - SELF-SUFFICIENCY ON THE ROAD: + On long rides someone should be able to: Remove wheels; Change tires; Fix flats; Put chain on; Recenter brakes; Adjust saddle + Things to carry on bike: Pump, Tube, Tire levers, Screw driver, Metric allen wrenches, Cell phone, Identification, Money * LEVEL 2 - DO IT YOURSELF TYPES: + Adjust brakes; Adjust gears; Replace cables; Rewrap handlebars + Useful do-it-yourself resources: - http://www.parktool.com/ - http://www.sheldonbrown.com/ * LEVEL 3 - THINGS TO LEAVE TO PROS + Truing wheels (adjusting spokes); Bearings + Have your bike tuned up yearly TRANSPORTING BIKES ------------------ * OPTIONS - Roof racks, Trunk racks, Inside cars + Usually requires that the front wheel is removed. + Allen trunk racks are inexpensive.