Its Friday and you’re going on a weekend ride. What do you need to do in order to make sure your bike and you are ready to roll as soon as the sun comes out on Saturday?
Here’s a few tips, feel free to comment and leave your own suggestions.
1. Air up the tires-bring your tubes and pump
2. Clean your drive train. I usually degrease, and reapply lube.
3. Check your shifting. If needed make some adjustments to your derailleurs.
4. Check your brakes. Adjust them if needed, if the pads need to be replaced, you may have some time to go to the shop and pick up some replacements.
5. Get your hydration pack filled. Don’t forget to bring bars, gels, and tools.
6. It’s a good idea to bring a small first aid kit. Keep some items in your pack, and the bigger kit in your car.
7. Check your suspension air pressure. Get that all dialed in the night before so you’re not spending time working on your bike at the trail head.
8. Verify that all your riding buddies are still game for tomorrows ride.
9. If you’re driving to the trail head, fill up on gas the night before.
10. Set your automatic coffee maker to brew when you’re supposed to get up, that beautiful smell helps wake your butt up.
11. Get all your gear in one place, that includes your helmet, shoes, sunglasses, clothes, hydration pack, and cell phone. I normally have them by the door so I don’t forget anything.
12. Last but not least, get plenty of rest. Try not to drink alcohol the night before, it makes for dead legs the next morning.
Again, feel free to let us know of some useful tips that you currently do before a ride.
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Don’t forget your Multi Tool and some tie wraps. They can fix just about anything on the trail! A nice gear duffle bag helps to keep all your gear in one place and is quick to grab on the way out the door! A small bag mixed with granola and dried fruit in your pack is good for those long rides. Last but not least make sure you have a lighter or matches in your pack…you never know!
I have to check my work schedule but is anyone riding Fontana on Sunday?
try to eat before you ride, something small, boonanas are good, or a plain bagel.
Bagel with almond butter is really good also before a ride a natural way to get extra energy is eating an apple.
10a. Give yourself time after your coffee for the morning “coffee dump”. Or bring toilet paper for the trailhead.
Kim, what do you use a lighter/matches for? Pre-ride smokes?
Smokes,
Great tip on the dump. I gotta remember that I need to take one before hitting the trails.
I always do a post-ride inspection of my bike/s before I put them away. That way if there is something that needs fixin’ I have the whole week to get it done before the actual ride. The morning of the ride I do a quick once-over before loading it on my rack including a quick spin up and down the block to make sure everything is in order.
I also wipe down the bike (I dont always wash the bike after a ride) with a wet rag after the ride. That gives me the chance to inspect the frame for any dings or cracks.
All my gear are usually together but I dont put them all in one bag or crate. You dont put all you eggs in one basket. A thief can easily pick up said gear bag and now ALL your riding gear is gone.
And Smokes right there is right. I always take a long good poop before I leave. I’d rather be late to the meet-up rather than having to go in the middle of the ride.