Get your bicycle ready to roll
By NANCY POSTER for Smart
Cold weather has kept you off your bike and off the trails. But now it’s time to get pedaling and start exploring the countryside.
Before you set out, however, take a few minutes to give your bike a quick once over.
• Start with the tires, said Ed Brandt, owner of Adventure Cycling & Fitness on West Market Street in York.
“Bikes that have been sitting all winter should have the tires aired out,” he said. Look for cracks, cuts or punctures that could cause a problem down the road.
• Next, grab the bike’s wheels to check for any movement from side to side.
“That would indicate a loose wheel bearing,” he said.
And that would require a bicycle dealer to adjust.
Riders should also spin the wheels to look for loose spokes, and they should keep their eyes open for other parts of the bike that may not be tight.
• Now, check the chain. Use bicycle chain lubricant, being careful not to get into the gears.
“Do not use motor oil or WD-40,” Brandt said. “Both attract too much dirt.”
• Look at the bike’s bottom bracket, which is the area to which the pedals are attached.
“The crank arm — the arms that hold the pedals — should not move from side to side,” he said. “If it does, then that needs to be adjusted, also.”
• Clean it up. Once the bike is inspected, tightened and lubed, give it a good cleaning with anything that can be used to wash a car. Take the nozzle off the hose before you spray or rinse.
“Don’t use high pressure or it will drive water into the bearings,” Brandt said.
• Check out your own gear. Make sure your helmet’s in good condition and not cracked. The helmet’s foam interior is designed to absorb an impact, but it only works once. Over time with sunlight, chemicals in the air, or even perspiration, that foam gets brittle and might no longer absorb impact.
An average-priced helmet costs about $40. It should have good ventilation, good adjustment and it should provide good protection.
Riders might also consider wearing padded gloves. They’re good protection in a fall and they make riding more comfortable.
The same holds true for kids. A helmet and gloves should be all the protection they need unless they’re more daring and testing their skills on ramps. Then, youngsters should use knee pads, elbow pads and even full-face helmets.
Brandt also recommends cyclists who choose to ride on roads use a flasher that attaches to the seat post. They should also use a mirror, whether riding on a road or on a trail.
• Plan ahead. Think about what could go wrong on a ride.
If you’re riding further from your house than you’d want to walk back, carry gear to fix a flat, Brandt said.
With regular maintenance, Brandt said a bicycle can last as long as 20 years. That’s if a cyclist isn’t enticed by what’s new to the market.
“You can’t just buy and not expect to do anything with it,” he said. “Usually people will see something they want that’s new. Bikes get lighter every year and light transfers into easier to pedal.”
Bike checkup For extra assurance that you and your bicycle are trail ready, head to the York County Department of Parks and Recreation safety check, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 1 at the Hanover Junction Train Station along Heritage Rail Trail County Park. Another safety check will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 29 at the New Freedom Train Station. Park rangers and ambassadors will examine bicycles and make sure helmets are a good fit. The free inspection takes about 10 minutes. If you don't have a helmet, pick one up there for $8. For details, call 840-7440.Tips for teaching
• Be sure the child is wearing a helmet and his clothing is protective and not too loose. Jeans and a sweatshirt are ideal.
• Find a safe learning place. A field with hard-packed grass is ideal; an asphalt basketball court surrounded by grass or a quiet cul-de-sac are also good options. There should be plenty of open space, flat ground and no traffic.
• Get the child onto the bike and pedaling. Walk alongside the child and ask him to think about balancing between the two training wheels on the wheels of the bike alone. Explain that the training wheels will be removed eventually.
• Remove the training wheels when the child is totally comfortable with riding the bike with them.
— www.ehow.comGood biking trails
Heritage Rail Trail County Park is a 21-mile trail from the Mason-Dixon Line near New Freedom through Glen Rock, Hanover Junction and Seven Valleys to the City of York. For details, call 840-7440.
William H. Kain County Park has about 15 miles of trails around Lake Williams and Lake Redman in Jacobus. For details, call 840-7440.
Rocky Ridge County Park in Springettsbury Township has about 15 miles of trails. For details, call 840-7440.
Codorus State Park in Hanover has 6.5 miles of trails on the northern shore of the park. For details, call 637-2816.
Spring Valley County Park in New Freedom has about 6.5 miles of trails. For details, call 840-7440.
Patapsco Valley (Md.) State Park, in Ellicott City, Md., has more than 20 miles of trails. For details, call (410) 461-5005.
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