Whether you are a pro or a beginner, a long bike ride always brings a sense of accomplishment, and everyone needs to prepare for a bike ride whether it is their first or their hundredth. Successful bikes rides often come down to strategy and planning, not just on your fitness.
You want to make sure that your bike will last as long as you will on the ride. Make sure you have efficient pedaling gear so it isn’t too hard and your legs won’t get too tired to even walk back to the car. You should take your bike to a shop to make sure you are able to maintain a cadence that will give your body a break when it needs it.
For your fitness, make sure you have ridden your bike around some neighborhood and flat streets before taking on a big trip. You can look up real estate for sale in Whistler and find safe neighborhoods to get your feet used to the pedals again.
When you visit your local bike store for your tune-up, you will want to make sure certain things are checked and maintained before your ride. Check your tire pressure before each ride, see if you need to properly torque it, check your tire bead for debris and make sure your brakes are working properly. Proper maintenance is key to a safe ride and if your bike doesn’t feel comfortable talk to your bike shop about something like a new seat or hand grips.
You should also make sure you wash your bike regularly. You want to make sure the winter salt, dirt, sand and other debris is washed away. Just a regular garden hose will work perfectly and you must make sure that you lubricate your chain after the wash.
You also want to make sure that before you go out on a long ride that your nutrition and hydration are on point. You need to pack snacks and beverages as well. It is recommended to drink at least one bottle of water or hydrating drink per hour, depending on the heat and exertion level of the ride. The snacks you can bring are protein bars or fruit that is easy to pack or something like nuts or trail mix. You want to make sure you are consistent in your snacking especially if you plan for a longer ride.
Along with packing snacks, make sure you have prepared for the worst. Your day may start out with sunshine and a breeze and end with a thunderstorm and torrential downpour. You should always carry gear to fix two flats, a mini tool kit, your cell phone that is fully charged, your ID and some cash along with layers that can be shed or put on during your journey.
When you are all packed for your ride you also want to make sure that you know the rules of the road as a cyclist. You must know that you have the same rights and duties on the road as a driver of a vehicle. You should ride as close to the curb as possible if you are riding in the street and be aware of parked cars suddenly opening their doors as you are approaching their space.
If you follow these tips and others, you will be ready to take on the open ride and have some great adventures on your bike.
