- Use Protection
- Proper attire is really important. Need I even say the word "helmet"? If you're out on a bike cruiser enjoying the blue sky along the beach it doesn't really matter though I do recommend the gangsta look and rolling up your pant leg unless you like getting bike grease on your clothes. But if you're out on the road with cars it's time to forget your pride and put on the spandex. Loose clothing means more chance of it getting caught in your bike. And for the love of God do not try to take things off while you're riding. I remember the story a friend told me. "A woman was going downhill during a century ride. She was trying to take off her jacket while in motion and the sleeve got caught in the bike and she went head first tumbling down the rest of the hill." I'm not a fan of road rash or brain trauma. I'm also not a fan of skin cancer. SPF it kids, or pay the consequences.
- Lube
- In the beginning I was walking through a bike shop and an employee approached me and asked me if I had tried Hoo-Ha. I almost slapped him. Not really. But I had no idea what he was talking about. When you're riding for more than an hour things chafe. (Also another reason for the tight clothing) Lube like Hoo-Ha, Chamois Butter, DZ Nuts and other creatively named products keep you from hurting in your special place. Also, lubing your chain is important for regular bike maintenance but remember not to accidentally switch the two.
- Communication is Key
- No man is an island, and it's the same when you're on your bike. You don't have the luxuries that cars have, break lights, turn signals, a ton of metal. I know most of the hand signals that cyclists should use, but the one I use the most is left turn. We want to live to ride another day. If you're in a bike lane and have to avoid something and need to move into the lane - Signal! There are also those special situations where being vocal helps. I try to avoid calling people names because I don't want them to retaliate. Cars win over my 150something pounds of soft pudgy flesh. Saturday while going down Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica there are lots of tourists looking for a good parking spot. One such driver was driving slowly in the bike lane with their turn signal on yet eventually went right back into the car lane in which I yelled "MAKE UP YOUR MIND!" There's the common situation where I'm going down a street and a car is looking to turn right into my lane. If they don't look like they're paying attention I yell "DON'T KILL ME" When their windows are rolled up this may be in vain but I'm pretty loud so I think it helps, if not to keep them from injuring me then to help me release my anger at them.
- Toys While Not Necessary Help Make it a More Enjoyable Experience
- I have a love/hate relationship with my bike computer. For a period of time I thought it was broken, frustrating to no end since it wasn't cheap. Apparently there's something in the garage that disrupts the communication (it's wireless) when I do my trainer rides. Whenever I'm out in the open it's been working with little to no hitch. You don't need one to ride a bike, but when your coaches hound you to keep a certain cadence and report your ride distance and time it definitely helps with training and avoiding injury.
Cheat on your car, go ride a bike!
I know there's controversy about Katy Perry becoming a Marine in this video, which I find almost laughable. I just like the video cause she's cute in short hair.
