Getting ready to start riding your bike again? Riding in the early spring can have is challenges, but here are some tips on how to navigate the puddle and often pothole-filled streets:
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Spring cycling (Photo: Green Action Centre)
Ride at least a metre out from the edge of the “rideable” surface. This means that if there is half a metre of solid ice sloping down off the curb, you need to stay a metre away from that edge. Yes, that puts you 1.5 metres away from the curb, but gives you room to manoeuvre if you encounter a pothole or some ice.
- Don’t ride through puddles. They also do not represent a rideable surface and can contain hidden treasures like potholes or underlying ice that you really do not want to find with your bike wheel. If the puddle is large and takes up the entire right lane, wait for a break in traffic, signal and use the other lane to go around it.
- When temperatures drop slightly below zero, those wet streets can transform into skating rinks, especially in areas not well traveled by cars. This is when studded tires really can make a difference. It is sometimes a better decision to take the road “more” traveled when streets have the potential to be slippery.
- Sand spread during the winter might work for cars, but not necessarily for bikes. Sand can accumulate in thick layers along the edge of roadways or can also result in thin layers of wet, fine sand that can be very slippery. Be cautious riding on sand, especially when turning.
- We have all heard about Winnipeg potholes, however over the winter many new ones will be created and old ones that were patched will reappear. Be alert and watch for them so you don’t end up being swallowed by one.
- You can’t avoid the spray from car tires, but you can prepare for it. Most of the time you will not need waterproof splash pants (not that they are a bad idea), but a jacket that at least resists water is a good idea. You might want to also consider some kind of eyewear to avoid getting this messy spray in your eyes.
Here are a couple of other tips for your bike:
- Full fenders are a good idea and will keep you cleaner and drier. They will also come in handy all summer long during rainy weather.
- It is impossible to keep your bike clean, but it is a good idea to at least spray some of the grit off of it when you can. These particles can work their way into the moving parts of your bike and wear away surfaces that are expensive to repair or replace. In particular, try to keep your brakes and wheel rims clean. Fine grit on your rims will wear away surface and more importantly reduce your braking efficiency.
- Keep your chain well lubricated. The wet conditions combined with the salt on the streets can quickly rust a chain. Pay particular attention to lubricating the bushings or pivot points of the chain. If these areas rust, the chain will not run smoothly through the drivetrain of your bike and will need to be replaced. Use a lubricant designed for a bike, not motor oil or worse yet WD-40. (It’s a solvent, not a lubricant)
Amazing Riding Tips, Spring is the Best Season for Riding bicycle. here are the tips for great riding experience. thank You For Sharing this Article. Loved this.
These are very useful tips. I never knew some of them.As a mountain biker, I think I should know these tips.Thanks for sharing with us!
I would like to thank you for this informative article on cycling . I am hobby biker and regularly I am reading cycling related article . I got lot more information from your article . Thank you
Really good article for cyclist whose are like to ride in spring as like me. Actually, I like to ride in spring. But didn’t know such kind of tips which you mention in your article.
Thanks Dave, for your article. 🙂
There are many finer points to make, but Dave’s got the key ones nailed. I would only nitpick cleaning and oiling.
Be sure not to direct water at any of the bearings and avoid cable housing too, unless you’re ready to deal with rusty cables that might not move when you need them.
As for oils, most of it will get washed away on the wet days anyway, so you’ll be reapplying oil often. If there was ever a purpose for WD-40 on a bike chain, that’s it right there. Or use a biodegradable oil since it will be flowing into the storm drains with haste. Either way, spring is the time to use up the last bit of life left in an old chain, then replace & clean drivetrain parts once the streets are clean.
Thanks for the feedback Anders. I agree with the point about directing the spray away from bearings and cable housing. That of course is something to note regardless of when you clean your bike and especially true if you are using a pressure washer.
As far as lubricating I can see using WD-40 to try and loosen up the pins/rollers that is starting to rust and not pivot properly, but since WD-40 is a solvent, I still would not use it on my chain. I still use bike chain lubricant applied liberally and often in the winter/spring. I occasionally will also rub the outside of the chain with regular motor oil to try and keep the rust on the outside of the chain at bay. Doesn’t really lubricate the pivot points but tends to stay pretty well. And you’re right that once the dirty spring weather is done, time to replace that chain.
Right here is the right webpage for everyone who really wants to understand this topic.
You understand a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa).
Wonderful stuff, just great!