Taking a few minutes to make sure your bike and gear are in order before you set off can help avoid unnecessary complications during your ride and make sure you have an enjoyable time in the saddle.
Here are a couple of quick checklists of things to make sure your rides start off stress-free.
Your Bike
- Tires – Make sure they’re at the right pressure (road tires should be around 100 psi, mountain bikes should run around 60psi for road riding) and there are no obvious problems like torn/worn sidewalls or nails/glass stuck in them.
- Wheels – Give them a quick spin and check for wobbles. When wheels aren’t true, it can range from annoying to unsafe!
- Brakes – How worn are the brake pads? Are they adjusted properly for efficient/safe braking?
- Chain – In general, the way a chain sounds is a better indication of whether it needs lube than how it looks. If it’s squeaky, lube it up!
Your Gear
- Water – Don’t forget to throw your water bottle(s) on your bike.
- Helmet – Give it a quick once-over for any damage from dropping/bumping it.
- Eyewear – Clean the lenses before you set off. Starting off with schmutz, sweat, and grime from the previous ride isn’t pleasant.
- Lights – If you’re riding with lights, make sure the batteries are charged.
- Flat Repair – Spare tube, pump/CO2 inflator, patch kit, etc.
This is a basic list that shouldn’t take more than five minutes before each ride. If you’re diligent about regular, basic inspection and maintenance of your bike and gear, you’re not likely to find a major problem right before you set off, so it’s worth the few minutes each time to catch little things before they compromise your ride.