journey.
Be seen by other road users. Wear at least one item of bright clothing and always fit a rear light. It’s often as difficult to be seen on a bright sunny day as it is on a cloudy, overcast day. Always wear a cycle helmet.
Ride courteously, keep other road users in mind and give clear indications and signals of your intentions. Always check over your shoulder before you manoeuvre.
Be self sufficient as much as possible. As a minimum of self-help and self-reliance, learn how to make small adjustments to your bike, repair punctures and fix a broken chain in the comfort of your home – don’t leave it till it happens out on the road. See Appendix A for a list of bike shops.
Suggested minimum repair kit:
pump
CO2 cartridges (x2) and inflator
tyre levers (x3)
spare tubes (x2)
tube repair patches or puncture repair kit
tyre repair patches
multi-tool
chain tool
Other essential items and considerations:
fully charged mobile phone
paper cash
debit or credit card (taxi ride back to the start?)
a riding partner or two
let someone know where you’re going and how long you’re likely to be away
Emergencies
Should a serious injury occur while out on a ride and you require hospital treatment, dial 999 and request an ambulance. Give them your location and the state of your injuries. Always carry a fully charged mobile phone with you when riding.
If your injuries are less serious then consider calling 111 for the NHS urgent care facility. If you feel you are able to make it to an Accident and Emergency (A&E) unit, see Appendix B for a list of local hospitals with full A&E facilities.
Equipment
The bike
It may not be ‘all about the bike’, but a good-quality, lightweight road bike certainly makes life easier out on the road. A lightweight bike will pay dividends when pedalling uphill and will be easier, generally, to propel along the road than a heavier one.
Make sure you ride a bike that is the right size for you; this is important if you want to get the maximum power output from your bike and avoid any injuries. If too small, it will be cramped, uncomfortable and will not allow efficient pedalling; if too big, it will stretch you out and you may well end up with back problems. A bike that is too large may also not allow enough stand-over height, which is potentially dangerous, and the handlebars will be too far away to easily reach for the brake levers. Take the time to get along to your local bike shop for specialist advice and to get sized up properly.
Helmet
Always wear a properly fitted cycle helmet. There are plenty of lightweight, good-quality helmets out there in the market to satisfy even the most reticent of helmet sceptics. You will wear it a great deal and, more than likely, you will have to wear one to ride in an organised sportive anyway. Buy a good-quality helmet (do not scrimp), ensuring that it fits correctly and is comfortable from the very outset, and look after it. You only have one head, so use it wisely. Again, get some advice and proper fitting from your local bike shop.
Be seen – be safe!
Cycle shorts
Always buy the best cycle shorts that you can afford: 100 miles is a long way to be sat on a saddle and your rear will thank you for investing wisely. Bib shorts are worth considering; they are extremely comfortable and don’t cut into your waist at all. If you are riding often, ideally you should invest in two or three pairs. Wash them regularly, and don’t wear underwear underneath them.
Pedals and shoes
Clipless pedals and shoes are proven to be far more efficient than traditional pedals without straps. If you do get into sportive cycling quite seriously and begin to include high mileage routes into your training programme, then specialist clipless shoes – such as Shimano Road SPDs – are worth their weight in gold.
Cycling apparel
There’s a whole world of fashionable and attractive cycling tops out there on the market waiting to catch your eye. Some of the prices will make your eyes water too, but there’s no need to go crazy with the latest trend, as a steady supply of hard-wearing and close-fitting cycle tops are readily available at less than bank-breaking prices. Invest wisely in your cycling tops; buy the best that you can afford and only buy specific cycling jerseys made from either man-made fabrics, such as Polyester, or, in some cases, natural materials like Merino Wool, if retro styling is your bag. It’s worth having a selection of short- and long-sleeve jerseys, to allow for warm or cold weather. Make sure all tops you buy have at least a neck zip and a couple of rear pockets.
When the weather turns cool it’s worth considering layering up both upper body and legs. Long-sleeve tops and cycling leggings will keep hard-working muscles warm, and a windproof and waterproof cycling jacket is a must. Less bulky items allow you to roll them up and place them in a rear pocket while you’re warm. Buy kit that will put up with the rigours of constant washing and drying.
Cycling gloves are are a must-have item too; not only will they keep your hands warm but they soak up the sweat from your palms and help keep a safe grip on the handlebars. Wear short-fingered gloves when warm and full-fingered ones when cool. Waterproof cycling gloves should be considered in the winter or heavy rain conditions.
Cycle-specific glasses are highly recommended too: a fly in the eye at 20mph is not funny. Get clear lenses for rainy days, yellow lenses for low-light days and sunglasses for days when the sun decides to show its face. Three-in-one options are readily available so, unless you want to, it isn’t necessary to buy three separate pairs.
Bike maintenance
Clean your bike regularly, preferably after each ride, but do so especially if the weather was inclement on your last ride. Grit and crud from the road will wear out your chain and components in no time if you don’t wash them off. Wash the bike with warm soapy water after each ride, dry it off and lightly lube the chain. This simple routine will work wonders at prolonging the life of your bike, and will save you money in the long run.
When you get down into areas such as the spokes or bottom bracket, it’s easier to inspect them as you clean your bike. Check the frame for cracks or anything that looks out of the ordinary. Check bolts regularly for tightness too; don’t over-tighten them but always check for safety.
Treat your bike to a service at least twice a year by a specialist bike shop (until you have the cables changed you won’t realise just how hard your gear selection has become). Put a new chain on too; it won’t last as long as the cassette but by replacing the chain you will prolong the life of the complete drive chain. When to service your bike may depend on how many miles you’re putting
