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Punctures:
Every cyclist has had a good ride interrupted by the sudden squishy feeling you get when the inner tube is no longer able to hold air! This is also commonly accompanied by a sudden shower, especially when riding in a group! The best way to quickly repair a puncture is actually to replace the inner tube, rolling the old one into your pocket to repair at home or at the cafe stop. This saves you time on your ride and allows you to make a better job of the repair. Removing the wheel from the bike makes repairs much easier. For a rear wheel put gear in the smallest cog, this makes it easier to remove the wheel and put it back again. Using tire levers, remove one side of the tire, pull the tube out and run your fingers on the inside of the tire to check the source of the puncture is not still in the tire. Remove the offending object, slightly inflate your new tube, insert it into the tyre and carefully put the tire back onto the wheel. Make sure you don’t pinch the tube between the tire and the rim. Inflate the tyre, checking that there are no bulges in the tire. Put the wheel on and ride away.
Clothing:
When you read about cyclists in the news, lycra is often mentioned. When you first put on lycra it does feel very strange. Most of this strangeness comes from the fact that you don’t wear underwear with them. Cotton boxers interfere with the ability of the lycra to wick away your sweat. They also need to be washed after every use, this stops smells building up! A chamois cream can be used, to help reduce chafing but is applied to your skin rather than your shorts!
Eating and Drinking:
A bottle of water and a banana on the bike can make the difference between a good ride and a miserable one. Aim to take sips out the bottle every 10 minutes or so, it is much better to regularly sip a bottle than down it when you are feeling very thirsty. Eating regularly, again using the principle of little and often will allow you to ride much further than gorging.
Riding with other people:
The best way to improve your riding is to ride with another person or in a group. It increases motivation to ride further and faster in weather you might not want to go out in. There are lots of cycling clubs up and down the country who run regular rides, they are often filled with people who have been riding for years and can offer even more advice as your riding progresses. *
Have some tips of your own?
Send them to use at [email protected] and you could see them in next months edition.
WORDS BY: Robert Paynter