Tunes on Trails?

As a part-time DJ and all around music lover you can bet I loves me my tunes.  Music can be a great tool to keep your tempo up or to help pass the time as you pedal.  iPods and other MP3 players are everywhere and I'm sure you've seen plenty of cyclists, walkers and runners out sweatin' to the oldies.  The question every cyclist should be asking themselves is, "is it safe?"

If you asked me my answer would be NO.  There are many hazards that you will face during your cycling career and you need your sight AND your hearing working to avoid them.  Using your ears is extra important when it comes to hearing someone who may be overtaking you.

That being said I do believe there is room for compromise if you must have some accompaniment on your trek.  After you get some experience handling your bike so you can react quicker you may be able to get away with using a headphone in one ear.  Keep the volume low and try to avoid the earbuds that block out all noise when they are inserted.  Put the headphone in your right ear since you will most likely be passed on the left side and make sure you secure the other headphone so it's not dangling around waiting to get tangled in something.  If you've got a mobile device (iPhone, iPod Touch, Android Phone, etc.) that supports Bluetooth you can use a wireless headset as long as it supports the A2DP profile.

Most importantly stay alert, stay safe and get out and ride!

Your Bike Kit.

Now that you have your brand new (or new to you) bike you're ready to head out and hit the trails.  As with any hobby/passion/sport there are a few essential extras you should invest in before you ride off into the wild blue yonder.  Here are my suggestions to get your kit put together!

At Home

• Bike Pump
  
  Don't wait until you are ready to ride to find out you need a bike pump.  All tires or tubes will lose air over time, skinny high-pressure ones more so than fat Mountain Bike style ones.  Invest in a high quality pump and it will last a long time.  Make sure that you get one with a gauge on it so you know how much air you're putting in.  Inflate to the recommended pressure indicated on the side of the tire - keep it on the low end if you want a cushier ride or you're not going to be riding on pavement or pump it up to the high end if you want an easier rolling ride and don't mind feeling the bumps a little more.  Get in the habit of checking your tire pressures and "topping them off" if necessary before every ride.  You can get a decent floor pump for $25-35 if you shop around.
  
  
• Chain Lube
  
  Keeping your chain properly lubricated will make it shift easier and last longer.  Do NOT use WD-40 EVER.  Go to your LBS and pick up a bottle of bike-specific lube.  There is quite a bit of debate around the Internet about how often to lubricate chains.  If you over lubricate you will just end up attracting dirt and grime but in my opinion this is much preferred to the alternative.  I normally do it every 200-300 miles if I'm riding on pavement, much more often if I'm riding in the wet.  A small bottle of lube should cost between $5 and $10 and will last you a long time.

On The Bike

• Water Bottle and Cage
  
  If you have good riding weather it's going to be warm out and if you're doing it right you're going to sweat a bit.  (If you're anything like me you're going to sweat a LOT.)  Almost every bike has at least one mount for a water bottle cage (it's the two bolts or holes spaced a few inches apart inside of the frame triangle if you don't know what to look for.)  You can pick up a water bottle and a cage for cheap at just about any store that sells bikes or accessories (including a big box store if you prefer.)  One you get the cycling bug you may want to add another bottle or even a hydration pack for longer rides.  You should be able to get a bottle and cage for around $10-$15.
  
  
• Seat Bag
  
  A seat bag is a cheap and unobtrusive way to keep your kit with you on the bike.  You can keep it stocked so you don't have to worry about it when your mind is on sunny skies and open trails.  You can stash your cell phone and your keys there too so you don't have to worry about them falling out of your pockets.  (That being said my rule is don't put anything in the seat bag you can't live without.  I have a bad habit of getting something out of the bag and leaving it open which then promptly distributes the entire contents of the thing all over the trail.)  Make sure to get one that is big enough for your kit and will attach securely to the bottom of your seat AND the seat post.  I recommend spending a little more on this since it's going to be holding your gear but you shouldn't have to invest more than $20-25 in one.
  
  
• Spare Tube
  
  Even if you only ride on pavement eventually you're going to have a flat tire when you're miles away from home.  As your rides get longer and longer this becomes a bigger and bigger deal and it doesn't hurt to be prepared.  You should know how to change the tire yourself but if you at least have a tube you can limp to a local bike shop or possibly have a good Samaritan help you out.  (Eventually you may want to keep a bike-mounted mini pump or CO2 inflator so you don't need any help to get yourself back on the road.)  Tubes are cheap, buy a couple of them so you have a spare in the garage and you will have spent around $10.
  
  
• Multi-tool
  
  Most bikes use metric allen (hex head) bolts for adjustment points (brakes, etc.)  Even if you don't know how to wrench on your bike it doesn't hurt to have a multi-tool with you when you're out and about in case something happens.  Inexpensive and you'll be glad to have it if you need it, $10 is a good amount to shoot for.
  
  
• Tire Levers
  
  Tire levers are small plastic pieces that are designed to help you get your tire off of the rim when you need to change it.  Typically they are sold in sets of 3 but you only need 2 to change your tire.  Different brands come in different colors and I recommend something other than black so it's easier to find them when you drop them by the side of the road.  There isn't much to them and they are priced accordingly at around $5.
  
  
• Cash
  
  Besides it's obvious use to buy stuff cash can also serve other purposes while you're out blazing trails.  You can use it in a pinch to slide between your tire and tube if you get a hole in your tire or you can use it to pay the bike shop to mount your tube (or their tube if you don't have one) when you flat out.  I usually keep a couple of bills with me so if I do end up using one to help fix a flat I have another one handy.  I wouldn't keep more than $20 in there, a $1 and a $5 or a $10 will do nicely.
  
  
• Identification
  
  This is a big, big deal if you ride a lot by yourself.  If you crash or are somehow incapacitated you need to be sure that the people that eventually come to help you have some way of finding out who you are, who to call and if you have any special medical conditions they need to know about.  It doesn't have to be your driver's license or a fancy laminated sheet - a business card with some notes on the back will do nicely.  Make sure you have someone else's phone number on there who is likely to be reachable during the times you normally ride and prefix it with "ICE" (In Case of Emergency.)  First responders are trained to look for an ICE number to call if you can't give them one yourself.
  
  

On You

• Helmet
  
  Don't even get me started about how stupid it is to ride without a helmet.  You can fall down 15 feet from your house and sustain a brain injury that will change your life forever.  A helmet doesn't have to cost a lot, just make sure you get one that's comfortable.  Hit the big box stores and try on several different ones and if that doesn't work head to the sports super stores like Scheels and your local bike shop.  Fiddle with the adjustments and straps until you get it figured out.  You can spend hundreds of dollars on a helmet but an entry level one shouldn't set you back more than $25-35.
  
  
• Padded Shorts
  
  You've no doubt heard the expression, "Saving your a**."  That's what padded shorts do for you.  Before you start shouting "no spandex!" you should know that you can get a pair with an inner liner and pad with regular looking pair of shorts outside.  You will be amazed at how much of a difference that diaper-feeling pad makes on your rear end ESPECIALLY at the beginning of the riding season.  Mail order is the cheapest but make sure they have a good return policy in case you don't get the sizing right.  Sports superstores are another good source, check the sales in the bike section.  As you ride more you'll probably want at least 2 pairs but start off with one for around $30.
  
  
• Sport Shirt
  
  Cotton T-shirts are great for lounging around the house but they are not so great for bike riding.  They absorb sweat like crazy and don't let it evaporate very quickly which will make you miserable on a hot day or a longer ride.  For a cool evening ride you can get by but if you're planning on riding much you will want a shirt made of some kind of moisture wicking fabric.  It doesn't have to be cycling specific or any particular name brand, just any sport shirt that you like, is comfortable and fits your budget.

That about does it for your basic cycling kit.  Now learn how to change a tire and get out and enjoy yourself!

How Do I Get Started in Cycling?

One of the discussions I get pulled into most frequently when someone finds out that I'm a 'cycler revolves around getting started in bicycle riding. Almost everyone has ridden a bike and enjoyed it at some point in their life but for some reason or another the demands of life have taken away whatever time and motivation they had for riding. The good news is that it's never too late to start and it doesn't take much to get going. Here is my quick "must have" list to get you going so I can see you out on the trails.

• Bicycle
  
  This one seems obvious and may be simple if you have a two-wheeled monster in your garage collecting dust. For those of you that don't have a bike yet the vast amount of choice both in what type of bike to get and where to get it can be very intimidating. Every bike shop will assure you that their brands are the best and the big box stores have some familiar brands at very attractive prices.  Add to that sources like eBay and Craigslist and your pal down the street who has offered to make you a honey of a deal on a used bike and it can be difficult to know where to start.
  
  My first suggestion is to make sure that you have multiple sources of information while you're deciding what kind of bike to get and where to get it.  Talk to your friends, search the Internet and read up on some of the cycling forums, talk to the nice people that work at your local bike shops and don't be afraid to take notes so you can remember everything! Your budget will also dictate what type of bike you can get and where you can get it at.
  
  If you have enough money to invest in a bike (approximately $300-400) you should definitely get a new one from your local bike shop. They will help you select the best bike for your price range and also assist in getting you the correct size. You will also get the satisfaction of supporting a local business as well as important post-sales support like free adjustments and knowledgeable repair staff that know your bike.
  
  Not everyone has that much cash to throw at a new hobby and if you're in that boat but you still would prefer a new bike you may consider one of the big box stores (Target, Walmart, etc.) Recently these stores have acquired some familiar brands (Schwinn being the "big" one) and if there is some kind of serious issue with the bike you will at least have a huge, nameless, faceless corporation to complain to. These bikes tend to be in the $100-200 range and can be had for even less on sale. The local bike shop is definitely preferable to the big box store because their employees are much more knowledgeable about cycling and typically will provide you much better support but if your cash situation dictates this is an option that will get you out on the trails.
  
  A third option is purchasing a bike from a private party either through the newspaper, Craigslist or eBay. A bike can be had from any of these sources for $25 or less. I do not recommend a new cyclist purchase a bike on eBay unless you have a very knowledgeable friend who can help you make sure you're getting a good deal and that whatever bike you get will fit you well enough to get you riding. With a local seller you will get to look at and ride the bike before you plunk down your cash and you won't have to deal with having the thing shipped to you. The phrase "buyer beware" is in full effect here as you may not have any recourse if you end up with a lemon. Also keep in mind that a cheap bike may not be very cheap if you have to have your local bike shop repair the thing to make it safe to ride!
  
  If you can afford it your best bet is to go to a local bike shop. Keep looking around and watch for sales and discounts you can take advantage of and you might find that your budget can be stretched far enough to do it the right way.  Don't be afraid to ask them if they would be willing to reduce the price for you - the worst they can do is say no.
   
• Helmet
  
  You must, must, must wear a helmet. You only get one cranium and the associated grey matter and it doesn't take much of a crash to change your life in a very bad way.  Many new cyclists see the helmet as goofy/nerdy/silly but I can guarantee that when experienced riders see someone riding without a helmet they think one thing: that person is dumb. There are many reasons people use for not wearing a helmet (too hot, too uncool, too expensive, messes up my hair, etc.) and all of them are ridiculous when you realize how the minor expense and inconvenience of wearing a cycling helmet can protect you from a lifetime of drooling and thinking that N*SYNC is the best band ever. Helmets start at around $20 and you can get them about anywhere that sells bike stuff. Try several on until you find one that's comfortable, buy it and wear it.
   
• Hydration
  
  Hydration is just a fancy word for stuff you drink when you're exercising. In the cycling world this typically means at least one water bottle "cage" on your bike, the bottle itself and something to drink inside of it. For most beginning riders water is exactly what you want to drink when you're riding. Avoid sports drinks and other "electrolyte replenishing" solutions until you're riding 2+ hours at a time. If your bike doesn't have at least one water bottle cage you can easily pick them up for less than $10. Eventually you will want to consider having 2 cages and water bottles for your ride or maybe even some kind of bladder based hydration system that you wear like a backpack but you should be ok with a single water bottle to start out.
  
  Remember to drink while you are out there. Your body cools itself by sweating and even if you don't feel hot you still need to be drinking while you ride. Heatstroke or heat exhaustion can sneak up on you so it's best to just stay ahead of it. Water is cheap, ER visits aren't!
   
• Sunglasses
  
  It may seem like a luxury or style item but shades are on my "must have" list for a very good reason: protection. They protect your eyes from bugs, tree branches, rocks, dirt or whatever gets kicked up in the air while you ride and they also help you to see more clearly in the sun while keeping your eyes from drying out on longer rides. Your sunglasses don't have to be fancy to be functional as long as they cover your eyes and aren't so dark that you can't see at all in shaded areas.
   
• Sunblock
  
  Whether it's sunny or not out you need to protect your exposed skin from the sun. It's a ride not a tanning session and it should be treated as such! At the very least use SPF15 on easily burned areas like your face and the back of your neck. Don't forget to use some lip balm that has sunblock in it as well. It's a proven fact that exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer and a bad burn can keep you "out of the saddle" and waste valuable summer days when you could be out riding!
   

There you have it - Matt's "must have" list for getting started in cycling. Get it together, get motivated and most importantly GET OUT AND RIDE!

Welcome to Matt's Bike Tips!

Hi there and welcome to Matt's Bike Tips!  This site is a collection of things I've learned (usually the hard way) throughout my career as a cycling enthusiast.  I'm not a "pro" cyclist and I reserve the right to be wrong from time to time but regardless I hope that you can find some good tips here to help you enjoy and extend your cycling adventures!