Hands up who has a cycle event over the next few months? We're guessing a lot of you. Whilst you've probably put in the hours training for the race or sportive, its just as important to make sure your equipment is on top form, to prevent injury and any disasters! In preparation for any long distance ride, Halfords share some last minute maintenance wisdom to help ensure cyclists have a mechanical free event.
- Get your bike professionally serviced: Pay particular attention to tyres, chains and brake pads and ensure that any parts that show signs of wear are changed. After the service, ensure you get plenty of miles in on the new parts to bed them in.
- Avoid making any last minute set up changes: Don’t be tempted to change your seat height or fit that longer handlebar stem the day before your event. If you feel the need to change things, do it in very small stages and well in advance.
- Practice a tube and tyre change at the roadside: It may sound silly but changing a tube or tyre at the roadside is completely different to the comfort of your garage. Remember that all important technique when re-fitting the tyre, fit over the valve first and work equally away around the tyre until your hands meet. For that last tight bit use the palm of your hand to push the tyre onto the rim. Avoid using levers if at all possible.
- Keep your tyre pressures up: A lot of people ride with too little pressure in their tyres, but know that correct pressures will help resist punctures, protect your rims and keep you rolling along. There are some variables such as rider weight and road conditions, but as a guide run 90 – 110 psi after taking these into account.
- Carry the right kit in your seat pack: Nobody likes to hang about waiting for help in the event of a mechanical emergency, so carry the right kit and you can get yourself moving:
- 3 inner tubes
- Multi tool that includes chain link extractor
- Tyre levers (tyre removal)
- Chain link (power link)
- Tyre repair patch
- Good quality mini pump
- And last but not least, don’t forget the all important cycle lights
Women V Cancer Ride the Night, an all female 100km night time bike ride through central London, will take place on 30th May and more than 2,000 women will be raising money for cancer charities. Entries for this year’s Women V Cancer Ride the Night have sold out, but entries for the 2016 event, which takes place on Saturday 28th May 2016, are now open. For more information and to enter, please visit www.ridethenight.co.uk.
via Featured Articles http://www.womensfitness.co.uk/fitness/1322/prep-your-bike-for-a-cycle-event
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