Grab Your Toolkit

Although the probability is that your next ride will be uneventful, don’t let that be a reason to hop on your bike without grabbing your toolkit. Murphy’s Law has a devious way of striking in the least expected moment, so don’t tempt fate by leaving your toolkit behind. (For more details on creating a tool kit and what it consists of, turn to Chapter 16.)

Most important for your toolkit is a patch kit to repair flats, tire levers to remove tires, and some Allen wrenches, screwdrivers, and spoke wrenches. For safety, remember to pack a rag or some moist wipes with your kit so your greasy hands don’t slip off the bars after a roadside repair. Plus, you won’t gross out your friends when you stop for a snack and have to put food in your mouth.

Wear Your Helmet and Gloves

Wearing a helmet is one of the smartest things you can do to improve safety while you bike. A stylish, light, adjustable, comfortable, and ventilated helmet doesn’t cost much money — and it protects your cranium (which is pretty much priceless).

If you’ve been in an accident that caused an impact to your helmet, or if you’ve had the helmet for more than a few years, consider replacing it. The helmet’s foam, which acts as a shock absorber, breaks down over time or after an accident and becomes less effective.

When Dennis isn’t riding, a pair of biking gloves sits inside his helmet. Gloves significantly reduce vibration, which comes from the bike being in contact with the road. Gloves may not make much difference on a short ride, but you’ll be thankful that your hands aren’t numb after a couple hours on your bike. Gloves will also protect your hands in the event of a crash when the instinct is to use your hands to brace a fall. Gloves come in all shapes and sizes; Dennis likes the comfort of those with gel in the palms.

308 Part V: The Part of Tens________________________

Improve Your Visibility

We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to make yourself visible to others, especially if you’re going to be riding on the road. Drivers are faced with many distractions — cellphones, GPS devices, iPods, food, screaming kids — and if you blend into the background, you increase the chances that you’ll be on the wrong end of a close encounter with a 4,000-pound bundle of steel and rubber.

Here are some ways you can improve your visibility:

✓ Wear brightly colored clothing — even during daytime biking.

✓ Make sure that your wheels and pedals have reflectors.

✓ Use reflective arm and leg bands.

✓ Keep a bright white front light and a flashing LED rear light for when you’re caught out during dusk or for nighttime riding.

Make sure you check the batteries in your lights. Although battery-pow­ered lights are bright, they fade fast. Keep a spare set of batteries in your house so you never leave home without lights that work.

Stock Your Emergency Gear

Although most of your bike rides will be pleasingly uneventful, you never know when an emergency may strike. You can end up getting lost, having an accident, getting caught in a sudden storm, or becoming fatigued. Be pre­pared for the unexpected by having an emergency pack of supplies available.

Before you head out, always fill your pannier bag with the following items:

✓ Your cellphone

✓ Identification (such as your driver’s license)

✓ Money

✓ Energy bars

✓ A rain jacket

✓ Sunglasses

If you don’t want to have to carry your wallet with you on your rides, check out RoadID (www. roadid. com), where you can buy a wrist band with your name and emergency-contact information printed on it, as well as a shoe pouch (in which you can put money, your house key, an ID, and so on). You can get a wrist band or a shoe pouch for about $20 each (as of this writing).