Whether you already own a bike or not, make sure the bike that you are going to use for this ride (and therefore, the same bike you will do all of your training on) fits you properly and is in good working order.
If you are already own the bike that you will be using for the Ride take it into one of the local bike shops for a tune-up to make sure the gears and brakes are in good shape. You will want to repeat this tune-up just before the big day as well so that there are no “surprises” during the Ride.
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- While at the bike shop, ask one of the technicians to make sure the bike fits you properly. If the seat is too high or low, you may end up with unnecessary knee pain and if the handlebars are too far away, you can end up with back or neck pain.
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- If you will be purchasing a bike for the Ride, make sure you let the salesperson know that you will be using this bike on the road. A mountain bike (designed for trail use) can certainly be used for the Ride, but their tires provide more rolling resistance and therefore may add some time to your ride. Switching the tires to something smoother can make a big difference.
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- A tire change kit is essential. Even if you aren’t sure how to change a flat tire, having all of the necessary items on your bike will make it a lot easier for someone else to help you with the necessay repair. A spare tube or repair kit, a set of tire levers (to help remove the tire from the rim) and a pump is all that is required.
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- Make sure you know how to pump up your tires and keep your chain lubed. These two simple things should be done every week during your training and certainly just before the Ride. You will need a bicycle-specific lube as common household lubricants like WD40 can actually cause bike components to break down.
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