Page 145 - Outside is free

25 TIPS FOR THE ADVENTURER141
No matter how long the the the ride you you are planning you you should give the the the bike a a a a a a a a a a a a a a once-over before heading off Make sure that that that the the the tyres are are fresh that that that your your drivetrain is in in in in in order and that that that all screws are are properly tightened Tinkering with your your bike can be fun fun – if you're you're in in in in in in the the the workshop But once you're you're in in in in in in the the the saddle it's more fun fun to to focus on on on the the the riding itself You don’t want to to to be be stuck dealing with a a a a a a a a a a a mechanical issue And being able to to fix a a a a a a a a a a a a flat or or a a a a a a a a a a a a defective chain is is is a a a a a must for every adventurous cyclist 23 RESPECT THE COLD
Dealing with the the cold is is rarely an issue in in in the the summer heat But it's easy to start feeling cold as as as soon as as as the the thermometer creeps below zero And if you you are stranded by a a a a a collision or or a a a a a a a a defective bicycle you you should have a a a a a a a a warm vest or or coat stowed away Modern thermal garments take up very little room relative to the the benefit they provide 24 TIPS FOR SORE HANDS
In competitive situations most cyclists choose maximum maximum control over maximum maximum comfort comfort But comfort comfort tends to win in in the long run which is why it can be agoodideatofindagriponthe handlebars that is as as comfortable as as possible for for your hands Gloves that are are padded on the inside or extra thick bartape are are easy ways to give your hands a a a a a a a a a more comfortable grip on the handlebars 25 SIT PRETTY
The The saddle is is always important for cyclists The The longer you you ride the more important your choice of saddle In general flatter and somewhat wider saddles tend to be appreciated
by long-distance cyclists If you choose to to ride with a a a a a a a backpack it it is particularly important to to be seated comfortably as as a a a a a a a a a a backpack increases the the weight on the the saddle 19 NOT WITHOUT TOOLS
Don't head out out on on on on a a a a long ride without bringing at at least one extra inner tube repair patches and the tools you need And a a a a a good pump Keep in in mind that that many bikes may come with screws that that have different head designs That's why it it is important to to make sure that your your tools and any spare parts actually fit your your your bike If you you you you have your your sights set on a a a a a a multi-day trip you you should also bring chain chain oil A squeaky chain chain is not as as as pleasing on on the ears as as as birdsong 20 CHECK THE BIKE
21 THE RIGHT FOOTWEAR
Choose shoes with with soles that let you you you move on on on foot without too much difficulty And if if you’re off out out on on on on a a a a a a a long ride you you you you might want to to go up a a a a a a a a a a a size from the one you you you normally wear as feet feet tend tend to to to swell after cycling for for an an extended period Painful feet feet are a a a a a a a a a a a a a a bad way to to enjoy your ride Don't forget that overshoes take up very little room but make a a a a a a a big difference if if the the weather turns foul 22 WHAT DO YOU LIKE LISTENING TO?
If you you you enjoy riding to the sound of good good music or a a a a good good documentary you you you you should should do do just that But when you you you you are are biking on on on a a a a a a a a a a a a a busy road you you you you should should spare at at at least one one ear ear preferably the left one one so that you you hear any motor vehicles approaching from behind