Nothing kills a ride faster than a mechanical. From the ubiquitous flat tire to a slipping seat post, the worst thing in the world is being stuck in the middle of nowhere without the basic tools you need to get home. That being said, carrying a few simple tools can make the difference between walking home in cleats and gliding into your driveway with a smile on your face.
[dc]W[/dc]ith a week to go until Thanksgiving, the northeast is still seeing temperatures in the 50s and 60s. This means the season is (for better or worse, depending on when you started your season) extended another few weeks. But with the shortened days and dropping temperatures comes an increased need to protect oneself from the cold. It's not quite as simple as throwing on a ski jacket when you walk the family pooch, and requires a few pieces of more specialized equipment.
FIGHT THE COLDWhen the mercury starts to drop, a host of cold-related problems can rear their heads. Along with severe conditions like cold induced asthma and frostbite come other hazards that are less dangerous but no less serious. We're all familiar with the typical feeling of cold, the feeling of shivering and being generally miserable. But cold also has an effect on our body's physiology; blood is pulled away from extremities to warm the core. Additionally, the cold itself can compromise muscle function by decreasing peak contractile force and slowing the time to peak force generation. Huh? In layman's terms, this means there's not as much blood in your legs and the muscles contract weaker and slower, so keeping ourselves warm and comfortable is important to our performance (and our health.) To combat the cold and keep us safe and performing well, it's best to start thinking about layering up against the frigid climate.
More info on how to survive the chill after the jump:
With the falling back of the clocks, it becomes more and more likely that we'll encounter some riding after the sun has sunken beyond the horizon. This means that safety (as well as the law in many states) dictates that lights be installed on your bike to keep you visible to others. Of the many offerings on the market, there are a myriad of different ways to attach lights to your bike: brackets, bands, clamps and velcro wraps. One of the easiest to install and remove comes from Knog. The real question is how good are they and are they worth the (recently increased) cost.
A week ago, the northeast was the victim of a brutal snowstorm that buried parts of New England under up to 21" of snow. Heavy, wet, tree snapping, power killing snow. Now, not only did this put all but the most dedicated hard men inside due to precipitation and frigid temperatures, it's raised the spectre of "winter roads." You see, now that winter has reared it's ugly head, we're left with roads covered in salt, cinders, leaves, branches and other debris. Staying safe on "winter roads" can be fraught with proverbial potholes, so here's a few tips to make the ride smoother (and safer.)
Ahh fall…the time of year when a young cyclist's fancy turns to thoughts of wind vests, leg warmers, and dirt roads. No, I'm not talking about giving up your skinny tires for the thick tired, mosquito-infested world of mountain bikes. I'm talking about throwing out your inhibitions and take the left turn down the road that you've passed by a hundred times before. I'm talking about riding across that asphalt/dirt demarcation with confidence and a smile. I'm talking about not being afraid to bring your bike home looking like it's more a ‘cross bike than a road bike. But like riding in the rain, a few simple precautions can make the ride easier and (dare I say) more fun.