Ready to Roll: Tips to Get Your Bike Ready for the Road

Gas prices are on the way up and everyone is looking for a way to pinch those pennies. Join the hundreds of people making the decision to ride their bikes to work. It's a great workout for your body and wallet friendly.

Dig out your bike from the back of the garage and get it road ready with these simple steps:

1. Clean your bike

Clear the cobwebs and dust it off. Having a clean bike and taking care of it will extend its life. Use a green cleaner and soft microfiber towel and get to work. Clean the frame, pedals, brakes, tires, chain, chain guard, and seat. Remove the seat, clean the post, add a small amount of bike grease and replace the seat. This will help prevent rust on the seat post.

2. Brake Check

Brakes are a very necessary part of biking. Your brakes have to be in good working order. Check the brake pads. These are the rectangular looking pads that rub against the tire to slow it down. Use a flashlight to determine the amount of wear on them and if the wear is even. If you notice they are wearing uneven you may need a brake adjustment. If the pads are showing excessive wear, you will need to replace them to be safe. As an added check, squeeze the brakes and watch to make sure that the pads hit the tire rim simultaneously. If they don't, you can adjust the brakes with the brake arm tension screw located on one of the brake lever arms near the tire.

3. Wheel Check

The rims hold your tires in place and provide the stability while riding. Have a rough rim is unsafe. It is recommended to clean your wheels with rubbing alcohol. Check over your rims for nicks or dents and any other visible damage. Pick up one end of the back and spin the wheel. The wheel should operate smoothly. Do this to the other tire. If you notice wobbling, you are going to want to take it to your local bike shop to have a second opinion and a possible replacement installed.

4. Drivetrain Check

You will need your bike buddy to help you out with this task or a bike stand will work just fine, too. Elevate the rear wheel and spin. Shift through all the gears. There should be a smooth transition from one gear to the next. Inspect the chain for any missing teeth and to make sure there is no damage. Chains are the most frequently replaced part of the drivetrain. Chains should be replaced every 2,000-3,000 miles. It's like an oil change for a car. Every couple of thousand miles have it changed and you will be in good shape. Chains can range in cost from $20-$50, but is well worth the cost and helps extend the life of the other drivetrain components.

5. Tire Check

Inspect each tire for air pressure. Make sure the tires are not flat and are filled properly. This will help protect the rim. You will also want to look for breaks, cracks and uneven wear on your tire. The tires are what connect your bike to the road, so you will want these to be in great shape. This will provide a better ride experience overall.

If you need new tires, you can visit your local bike shop for assistance.

6. Cable Check

Inspect cabling for breaks, rust, looseness, and other imperfections. If your cables are showing any of these warning signs you will want to get them replaced. New cables provide a better braking experience and smoother gear transition. Changing cables can be challenging and time consuming so head to a local bike shop to get some help. You will not be sorry you did this. As a guideline, cables should be replaced every 3-5 years depending on usage. If you are riding your bike every day, you should probably consider cable replacement annually.

7. Oil and Grease Check

Apply lubricant to the chain evenly while moving in a counter clockwise motion. You will want to add lubricant to all moving parts of the bike. Wipe off any excess oil with a dry cloth.

You are now ready to roll! Enjoy the nice weather, a heavier wallet, and a greener environment by riding your bike.

Sources: www.workingwellresources.com.

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Bicycletrailers.com Makes Finding the Right Bike Trailer Easy with New Buying Guide

Bicycletrailers.com recently published a new buying guide for finding the right bike trailer on its website. Shoppers can take advantange of the buying guide, which describes all of the different types of bike trailers that are sold by bicycletrailers.com

Birmingham, MI (PRWEB) December 20, 2011

Bicyletrailers.com, retailers of popular bicycle trailers and biking accessories, recently published a helpful guide for finding the best bicycle trailer for a variety of needs, including bicycle trailers designed for transporting kids, pets and general cargo bike trailers. The guide, now available for free on bicycletrailers.com, includes important details about the different styles of bike trailers available and also offers essential safety tips for those who are new to using a bike trailer.

When it comes to finding the right bike trailer, it can be difficult to choose from all of the options that are available. Bicycletrailers.com hopes to simplify this process by offering tips and advice on the different types of trailers available and also by offering a safe, easy purchase process for those who are ready to buy. The site also includes customer reviews and fast shipping, making it even easier for busy shoppers to find exactly what they want within one, easy to navigate online retail store.

To make it easy to pick out the perfect bike trailer from the bicycletrailers.com inventory, the site includes detailed product information and customer reviews for every item that it sells. The site makes finding the right bike trailer a breeze, with one-stop shopping all from the comfort of your own home. Once shoppers find the perfect bicycle trailer to suit their active lifestyles, they can take advantage of the fast, secure purchase process on bicycletrailer.com, making it easy to get what you want and start moving.

The City of Portland's Winter Cycling Advice Sucks

As a notorious skinflint who bikes through the winter, I sympathize with the spirit of these "cheap ways to stay warm and dry on a bike" tips from the Portland Bureau of Transportation.

But when it comes to the particulars of the city's well-meaning winter biking tips, I'm left cold.

Consider this advice to reuse rubber dish-washing gloves as rain gear:

"While not breathable," the city's Commuter Central blog concedes, "kitchen gloves are 100 percent water repellent and dry easily. I learned on my inaugural ride that they're not the best at repelling the cold, so I would suggest a pair of glove liners to keep your hands warm."

This is bad advice. Even the unnamed author admits that it's unworkable, given the implied danger of frostbite, and the fact that your hands are likely to pick up the "aroma of mildew."

Besides which, PBOT apparently didn't get the memo: Kitchen gloves are unsustainable, per the Portland Water Bureau's recent guidance regarding the virtues of energy-efficient dishwashers over hand-washing.

There's more helpful advice for the DIY masochists out there:

Outraged by the markup at your local bike shop? "Use old lawn signs to create fenders."

Think galoshes are too mainstream? "Use plastic bags over your feet to keep your shoes dry."

That last one would be easier, if the city hadn't just banned plastic grocery bags.

There must be a happy medium somewhere between dumpster-diving for rain gear, as the city all but suggests, and the $1,000 Gore-Tex overpaid-bike jock uniform.

Failing that, there's TriMet.

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Winter Mountain Biking: Five Tips for Riding Safely in the Snow

If you love to mountain bike but live in an area that gets hit by snow, you might think you have to put riding aside until spring returns, but think again. With the right tires, you can continue to ride and enjoy the many health benefits that cycling provides. Here are five tips to biking in the wintertime.

Proper tires

The first thing you need to do is make sure your bike has the tires that can handle the snow. Studded snow tires for proper traction are available for purchase, and t he knobbier they are, the better traction you'll have. Some people choose to make homemade snow tires, but it's much easier and safer to shell out the cash.

As you would with any snow tires, don't use them if there is no snow or ice on the pavement. It will wear down the studs and ultimately ruin your tires.

Proper clothing

Being properly dressed for the weather is key. Don't dress too warmly. This is one of the biggest mistakes that people new to riding in cold temperatures tend to make. Winter riding tights made of a breathable fabric are one of the best investments you can make. Avoid cotton materials as the base layer, and go for synthetics or wool.

The outer layer on top and bottom should have a windproof front and breathable sides and rear. If you're warm when you head out, you'll likely be hot by the time you get going. You may have to do a little experimentation to get your personal comfort level just right.

Hydration

Just because you aren't in the hot sunshine doesn't mean hydration is any less important. In fact, if you let yourself become dehydrated it can lead to decreased blood volume making riders more susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite. Bring along an insulated thermos to keep water from freezing.

Technique

As you approach snow, move your weight to the rear of the bike. Putting more weight on your back tire will provide better traction. Be sure to s hift into a low gear to make pedaling easier, and lift the front wheel off the ground just before you hit the snow. You'll also want to keep your momentum going by pedaling the entire time you're in the snow. Don't stop, or you could get yourself stuck.

Common sense

Avoid frostbite, especially if you decide to go out in below-zero temperatures. Keep an eye on any exposed skin areas, and if they start to feel numb, stop and warm them before continuing. If it's dark or foggy out, be sure to have a working light on your bike so that motorists can see you. Always carry a first-aid kit, emergency tools, and extra clothing in case you have a break down and have to walk.

Winter cycling can sometimes be even more enjoyable than on warm, summer days. The air is crisp and clean, and there are usually fewer people out on the roads. Don't forget your camera for that spectacular winter wonderland scenery you'll experience first hand.

K.C. Dermody has been an avid runner, hiker, and yoga enthusiast for twenty years, and as a trained yoga instructor she taught a variety of students from senior citizens to competitive athletes. She enjoys combining her passion for sports, emotional and physical well-being with her love of writing.

Super bike champion offers tips to Doha riders

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AppId is over the quota
Professional trainers and drivers from California Super Bike School flew in to Doha recently to provide training and advice for motor bike riders and fans over two full days at a programme organised by Alfardan Motorcycles.
Former World Super Bike champion Max Biaggi met with Aprilia clients and fans at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar over the two days. Biaggi welcomed his guests and fans and gave them advice and insights from his long experience in motor bike sport.
Biaggi exhorted participants to abide with safety standards and safe driving either on the track or on public roads at all times.
Expressing his happiness to be in Qatar, he said: “Although it is not the first visit; but my visit this time is very special, and I am very pleased to meet with my fans and with Aprilia riders from Qatar, Lebanon, UAE. I answered a lot of their questions and shared riding tips and experiences, I am happy to interact with everyone, and though some of their questions surprise me at times, others are a great source of motivation and inspiration in other times.”
A press conference was held at the Kempinski Residences and Suites Doha on the occasion of this visit. The press conference was attended by Mohamed Kandeel, general manager, Alfardan Motorcycles - official importer for Piaggio Group in Qatar; Nicolas Boukather, deputy general manager at ANB Motorcycles - official importer for Piaggio Group in Lebanon; and have Massimilano Gerbi, head of importers region of Piaggio Group; and Max Biaggi, World Super Bike Champion in 2010.
Kandeel thanked Biaggi and the Piaggio Group on their visit to Qatar, especially at this time, concurrent with the Pan-Arab Games 2011 held in Qatar.
He added: “We are proud to be the official importers for Piaggio Group, and we are pleased to have Max Biaggi here with us today, with our customers, our guests and our friends from Lebanon and the UAE. We reiterate our commitment to the importance of the preparation and organisation of these events in Qatar, which aims to strengthen and consolidate the assets and skills of safe driving by both a World Champion and with a professional and accredited school such as California Bike School, and in collaboration with the Piaggio Group, and Biaggi, who shared with his fans how he undergoes intensive training so that he can achieve world rankings in international races.”
Kandeel said the company is committed to organising these events, to promote motorsports in controlled and safe environments, and promote safe driving at all times, which is a token of appreciation and participation towards the nation’s strategy to being the capital of the sports world in the region.

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Qatar- Training tips for motor bike riders

 Professional trainers and drivers from California Super Bike School flew into Doha, to provide training and advice for motor bike riders and fans, over two full days on the Losail International Circuit, recently.

Former World Super Bike champion Max Biaggi met with Aprilia clients and fans and gave them advice and insights of his long experience in the exciting
motor bike sport.

The programme, organised by Alfardan Motorcycles, was sponsored by Al Jazeera Sports Channel, official media sponsor; Qatar Airways, official airline; Commercialbank, official sponsor; Kempinski Residences and Suites, hotel sponsor; BICE Restaurant, hospitality sponsor and UDC, main sponsor.

Mohamed Kandeel, general manager of Alfardan Motorcycles, official importer for Piaggio Group in Qatar and Max Biaggi addressed a press conference organised on the occasion.

Also present were Nicolas Boukather, deputy general manager at ANB Motorcycles, official importer for Piaggio Group in Lebanon and Massimilano Gerbi, head of Importers Region of Piaggio Group.

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Bicycletrailers.com Announces New Year’s Sale on Pet Bike Trailers

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Bicycletrailers.com has announced a New Year's sale on select pet bike trailers and dog bike trailers from popular brands, including DoggyRide, Solvt, Croozer, Booyah and Aosom.

Bicycletrailers.com, retailers of popular pet bike trailers, cargo trailers and biking accessories, recently announced a sale on top selling dog bike trailers and pet bike trailers. Just in time for the New Year, pet owners looking for a stylish and safe way to transport their pet by bike can enjoy discounted prices on pet bike trailers from DoggyRide, Solvit, Croozer, Booyah and Aosom at bicycletrailers.com.

When it comes to your pet, the experts at bicycletrailers.com know that safety comes first. According to the site’s spokesman, Bob Smith, the site only sells safe, reliable pet trailers for your special furry friend, “Being pet owners ourselves, we wouldn’t sell anything that we wouldn’t use with our own pets. The dog bike trailers and pet bike trailers that are included in our New Year’s sale are all safe and designed to keep your pet safe, no matter where your travels take you."

To make it easy to pick out the perfect pet bike trailer for your outdoor adventures, bicyletrailers.com features detailed product information and customer reviews for very item that they sell. Once shoppers find the right match for their pet, they can take advantage of the site’s easy, secure purchase process, making it easy to get everything you need without having to waste time driving to the sports store or comparison shopping online.