Pre Ride Checklist:

•  Pump up your tires. Most road bikes require 110-120 PSI. Your tires require daily pumping!

•  Make sure you have water.

•  Take along some sort of energy bar and drink.

•  Carry your cell phone in case of an emergency. However, please have the phone turned off during the ride.

•  Make sure you have a spare tube in case of a flat.

•  Wear gloves to help eliminate road vibrations and for protection in a fall.

•  Keep your chain clean. Prep your chain with a “Bike Specific” lubricant.

•  Make sure your brakes are properly aligned.

•  Keep your rims clean.

Eating Properly and Learn About Fuel:

Your car requires fuel to run correctly. When you ride a bike on an empty stomach, it is like going on a trip in your car with the gas gauge on empty.

During the day of your ride, try and drink up to a gallon of water. If you do not hydrate before a ride, it will be difficult to make up the 1 to 2 quarts of water you can perspire during the ride. During the ride, try an energy drink to help replenish electrolytes and the nutrients lost during sweating.

The same goes for food. Riding without stored energy will cause the ever famous “Bonk” or feeling like you just hit the wall. You need calories to fuel you through any bike ride. Eat properly before the ride. During the ride, store some food in your jersey pockets. We highly recommend a Cliff Bar, or the newest craze Shock Blocks by the Cliff Bar Company.