Proper technique in lubing your chain will help prolong the life of your drive train also a clean bike is a happy bike!!

1. Pick a lube.  There are dozens and dozens of decent lubes out there depending where you ride.  I could write a whole post about the different lubes and when/where to use them.  For now consult a good riding buddy or a local mechanic.  Here in Charlotte I like to use ProLink for everyday riding, in the winter rainy months or when I head up to Asheville in the winter I swap over to a more wax based lube.

2. Keep old towels/socks/tshirts around for this need.  If you want to recycle you can wash them with a good degreaser and reuse!

3. Wipe down the chain.  Grasp the chain lightly with your rag, pedal and remove as much old lube/dirt as possible.

4. Clean your pulleys, chainrings, & cassette as needed.  If you have tons of grit left over on these moving items it will just go right back on your chain.  Clean the chainring with your rag, between the cassette cogs with a flat head & clean the pulleys by gently placing a flat head while back pedaling.  Make sure not to whap yourself with the chain or spokes!

5. Apply lube by squeezing the bottle gently until there is a slow stream coming out the tip of the bottle, back pedal slowly about 4 revolutions to get the whole chain lubed.

6. Wipe off the access. (Refer to step 3) This is huge for mountain bikers.  If you leave a ton of lube sitting on your chain it is asking to get dirty again.  Depending how dry your chain was to begin with you might want to leave on over night but remember to wipe it off before your next ride.

I originally posted this at BlueCollarMTB.com but is much needed for every cyclist.

Evening Ride After Work

Involving your kids with cycling can be a very rewarding thing, if handled with safety and including confidence inspiring drills.  I hope to touch base on your basics, safety and how to continue to grow with your children and bike riding.

Photo from CopenhagenCycleChic

There are endless ways to ride with your kids.  Starting at a young age it could be in a bicycle mounted seat or a pull behind trailer.  Make sure that your child can easily hold up their head with the approved helmet and you are ready to go.  There are even systems like Chariot that makes your trailer into a stroller, jogging stroller or pull behind with ski’s!  In Europe they use cargo type bikes to haul their children because remember, they don’t own cars.

Next step is to get your child on a bicycle, tricycle or anything that goes.  Start slow, encourage and try not to give them any reason to get scared or worried about their riding experience.  Instilling basics of looking for cars or turning at a slower speed will continue with them as they grow so practice safe cycling, even in your own drive-way.

Lose those training wheels!  This is a whole article in itself, so for now I will leave it with one word.  Patience.  It is one of the few things children remember of “break through” moments in their childhood.  They probably won’t remember the first time they crawled, walked or talked like you, their parent, but riding for the first time on two wheels they will remember for life.

Ride longer, stronger and really start teaching safety including looking for cars, watching for other riders and what hand signals mean.

A few key things to instill in your kids from day one:

• Helmets should be worn at all times.  It is law in our house that if you are on anything with wheels the helmet must be worn and buckled.
• Excitement! Riding is something very fun and should be passed on.
• Safety is very important.  Keep your kids safe but also help cycling become more accepted in your area.

There will be many follow up articles about age groups, ways to start riding and continuing your child’s development.

Bike riding with family and children is an daily happening in my family.  If you have questions or concerns about riding with your children let me know if I can help!

Until next time, some links to further your research :

About.com: 10 Tips for Safe Bike Riding

Kids Health : Bike Safety

REI : Cycling with Kids

Photo from GetMountainBiking.co.uk/

When you mention mountain biking to a lady that hasn’t tried it before.. you will most likely get a look of horror and confusion.  The sport, growing but not quick enough, is quickly growing for the ladies in the sport.  Across the US there are ladies only mountain bike clubs popping up, allowing you to learn and experience the trails with skill clinics, and other women who will allow you to go as slow as you would like. Mountain biking can sound daunting, trees flying by you, dirt and mud.  Add the technical features and rocks, it would scare any self preserving woman!

Planning Your First Ride:

• Try to find a regional women’s club that would be my first suggestion.  Join their forum, email list or simply email someone off the website.  Ask about skills clinics and beginner group rides.  Check out the sidebar on the right for some links to Girly Bike Clubs.
• No women’s clubs in your area?  Try finding any local mountain bike club.
• Locate the beginner trails in your area
• Visit your local bike shops to see if they lead any beginner rides or have mountain biking girls that work there.
• Don’t go by yourself.

What to Know Before You Ride:

• Helmet! Self explanatory
• Basic padded shorts will keep soft tissues from getting injured
• Gloves are nice to have, they help if your hands get sweaty and will protect you if you fall
• Hydrate as mountain biking really works your heart rate.
• Don’t stress too much, it’s easy to say I know, but wait until you get to the trail or you may convince yourself not to go.
• Make sure your bike is up to snuf.  A mountain bike is needed, depending on the trail you might want more suspension. Brakes work, tires not flat, but not rock hard. Around 35-40psi to start is good.

Technical Speak (please ask questions about these if you have any.)

• Look down the trail and where you want to go, not the opposite
• Raise yourself up and out of the seat over roots or rocks.  Keeping both your pedals level to the ground.
• Push your weight back and over your saddle when going down hills
• Shift before going up a hill so that you don’t shift under load
• Try not death grip the handlebars as your hands will start tingling or going numb
• Practice!

Found at http://www.cyclelicio.us/

Ready? Set… GO!

• Mountain biking can be scary, take it slow
• It’s okay to stop a bunch to get your bearings
• It’s also okay to cry, but please don’t throw the bike.

Comments From Other Women :

Go with women!

Check the difficulty before you go.

Go with someone experienced who has the patience to teach you. My first time on a MTB was at Whitetail, PA with a bunch of guys I worked at a bike shop with. Going on black diamond trails, they’d leave me behind. I went over the handlebars 3 times and kept crashing. I finally picked my brand new bike up over my head and threw it down into a … Read Moreravine. One of my co-workers saw me do it and said, “Aw, what’re you gonna do now? CRY?” No I’m not gonna cry, but I am gonna black your eye. It’s a wonder I ever even got back on that bike.

Here’s a deep confession, I have a bag addiction.  Come look in my closest and there are at least 4 messenger bags, 4 bicycle specific back packs, hydration bags and then panniers are end less.  Constantly the search is on to find the most stylish, yet functional, bag possible.

Here’s my top picks so far :

Timbuk2

The brand is known by most outdoor enthusiasts.  The company has been around for a long time and catered originally towards the messenger bag.  Today Timbuk2 makes dozens of styles that are all available in various colors and fabric types. Even making a tech line for your laptop carrying wifi hunters.

SealLine Urban Backpack - Small

When waterproof is your goal, SealLine has been a huge player in dry bags for years and now they bring that knowledge to backpacks or messenger bags.  Personally, my favorite is the small Urban Backpack that is air tight to keep all electronics or clothing fully try.

Basil Panniers

Styling and profiling.  Awesome panniers that attach to your rear rack system.  Born and bread in Europe which means not only are they stylish but they have function.

Knog Franks Dog

This is my cherished laptop bag used for travel, work and heading to Starbucks where you must look the part.  This keeps my Apple Macbook Pro safe, utilizing a mounting pannier hanger I can snap the bag on my rear rack or strap it to my back with the messenger straps.    There is even a pull out storm cover to wrap around the bag to keep everything dry in downpour.

The popular store, Urban Outfitters has seemed to have teamed up with Republic Bike to offer Republic’s popular under $400 singlespeed/fixed gear wheels.  What makes this bike popular?  The price and the fact you can change almost every part on the bikes color.  A good time waster is to press “Random” to see what color options it comes up with for me.

Our poll last week to answer the question “Do You Wear Cycling Clothing” had a great response and one of the common questions were what can I wear if I don’t want to be caught dead outside in skin tight spandex?  There are many clothing options out these days that aren’t skin tight and do a great job of keeping you dry and comfortable but styling.

Technical Shirts :

Many people are familiar with the brand Under Armour, or before that Adidas and Nike had a great following for “technical clothing.”  This was clothing that wicked away your sweat but breathed well.   There are some technical shirts geared towards riding which have a lower cut back for when you bend over so you aren’t exposing anything and built in basic pockets to hold a gel or key.  Budget between $35 – 70 for a good wicking shirt.  Be prepared that polyester is a key make up of these shirts and can trap stink.

A couple of my favorites include the Aurora T (pictured right) from Pearl Izumi for around $35.  Also, one that I plan on picking up for the fall is the Sugoi Crossroads Henley.  Perfect for fall riding, grocery trip hauling or mountain biking when it is chilly.

Shaped Sleeveless Jerseys or Tanks :

Not your basic cut off sleeve jersey because it is thought out for a lady!  You can go plan colors which will camouflage you into every day wear, or you can go crazy prints and add style to your wardrobe.  This could be the widest spectrum of ladies apparel being experimented with by various companies :  Technical, classy, tank top, gym wear, and the list continues!

My top three in this class is the Sombrio Crush Jersey, Pearl Izumi Elite SL Jersey and Skirt Sports SexyBack Tank. They range from $45-70 depending on fabric and company.

Skorts :

Take your riding to the next level and don’t worry about being restricted.  Skorts normally are based on two thoughts.
The first is a wrap type style that you can wrap around any of your existing shorts.
The second is a skirt and short duo that are purchased together.
The second option is hassle free, no thoughts involved as when you start to combine a skort and short that are different inseam lengths you can start having issues.  The downfalls of this option is the short that comes with the duo is normally a very basic short with very basic options.  The benefits of a wrap is you can use the shorts you already have at home, or purchase a higher end pair.

Here are a few to get your hunt started.  I really like the print on the SkirtSports Cruiser Girl and also like the function of the Shebeest Cycloskort.  Both are priced between $85-90.

Others :

There are also Capri’s, loose fitted shorts and more clothing I will get into in follow up articles.

In 2009 Bontrager released their first ever cycling shoe line.  After teaming up with Esoles in order to get thousands of foot scans.  The result was a well fit shoe, with replaceable arch support and a bargain compared to other shoes. The line was very in depth with women, men and triathlon shoes.  (Personally, I have two pairs and I love them!)

For 2010 they are going even deeper with the line and adding more color.  The women are staying pretty subtle but the mens line have a lot of orange through out.

RXL Road

MSRP $229.99

Weight : 560G

This model is new for 2010, originally they womans line went only to RL, this year you will see lighter, stiffer shoes available for women.  Only available in one color, the silver with blue highlights.

RXL MTB

MSRP $229.99

Weight : 670g

Black and gold shoes, with the color option they are going to either hit the market hard and every fast girl will want them.  Or the shoe will sit on my shop floor until we can discount them.  The shoe has a shiny finish, which I think will be easier to clean as a dirty mountain bike shoe gets.   I want to trade in my black and blue pair from 2009 and go to the carbon fiber, light weight “bling” shoe!

RXL Hilo

MSRP $169.99

Weight : 500G

Finally a price effective triathlon shoe for women that is going to fit like a glove!  Our most popular tri shoe is the Sidi T2 which retails for $279.99.  White has been proven to be the fastest color on a bike so this shoe is really going to do well in the womans tri market.

Street WSD

MSRP $99.99

Weight : 680g

Shoes you can ride to work in, work all day and then hop on the bike to go home.  Run your errands at the grocery store with out clicking around, slipping or getting nasty looks.  For your charity road rides, where the rest stops are social gatherings and walking is crucial.  Riding with your family, and so much more.  I love when folks come out with shoes that have style, function and won’t break the bank.