Reasons to bike

• Great exercise: One of best aerobic sports
• It’s easy
• You get to go places, see the world: Running is too slow, driving is too fast.
• You can do it with anybody
• You get to be an outrageous gear-nik.

Types of bikes: Racing, mountain, hybrid (cycle-cross), track, road touring, city bike, BMX, recumbent.

Buying a bike

1. How often will you ride it?
2. Frame: Geometry, steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, titanium.
3. Size: Top tube 2 inches below crotch on road bike. Size measured from center seat tube to center of bottom bracket.
4. Wheels and forks: Depends on type of terrain and riding done.
5. Components: Drive terrain and gear ratio. Brakes and derailleurs.
6. Pedals and pedal systems.

Clothing

1. Helmet: Functionality, style, fit, and weight important.
2. Shoes: Depends on type of riding and pedals.
3. Shorts and shirts: Wind resistance, wick away sweat, winter and rain clothes.
4. Gloves and eyewear: Both are important.

Safety concerns: Roads are primarily not designed for cycling

• Stay straight: Know where other cyclists and cars are. Avoid swerving for potholes, etc. Brace for truck back draft.
• Stay on right side of road. As far right as safely possible.
• Signal properly
• Use proper night equipment
• On trails yield to others and be environmentally conscious.

Pre ride checklist

• Check tires
• Inflate tires
• Check wheels
• Check brakes
• Clean and lube chain
• Bring water and food
• Bring repair gear
• Overall check of bike

During the Ride

• Drafting: Reduce workload by 30 percent. Requires straight line and constant speed. Avoid braking. Get right behind wheel. Pull at front for 1 minute or less and peel off to back and enjoy.
• Climbing: Stay steady. Shift to low gear early. Use all of pedal stroke. Stay relaxed.
• Turning: Lean into turn but little steering. Extend outer leg for sharper turns.
• Downhill: Check your speed with brakes. Get in aerodynamic position. Avoid sitting on saddle.
• Shifting: Avoid extreme angles of chain. Try half step in shifting.

Mountain Biking

1. Stay in low gear on uphill. Dismount if necessary.
2. Downhill: Stay back. Use rear brake
3. Look ahead and be ready for changes in terrain.
4. Use arms and legs as shock absorbers.

Bicycle anatomy: Seat post, chain stay, back stay, hub, brake lever, seat tube, down tube, top tube, fork, rear derailleur, back derailleur, bottom bracket, cogset, stem, spoke.

Activity: Perform the following maintenance

• Clean drive train
• Seat adjustment
• Tire pressure
• Brake Adjustments: How to adjust the break pads and levers.
• How to change a tire
• Tire pressure
• Adjusting derailleurs and shifters.
• Changing pedals.