Dress like a bike courier and other tips to keep you smiling while cycling in the spring.
By Anders Swanson — mechanic, commuter cyclist, and Bike to the Future member
1. Get clear sunglasses.
2. Learn how to change a flat. … and carry 2 dollar tyre levers, a patch kit (or tube), and a crescent wrench. It’s worth it just for the feeling of independence. In a winter city, the accumulated debris after the long winter without street cleaning makes spring the most common season for flat tyres.
3. Shorts and polypropylene tights. (Or wool, but wool is scratchy and less durable, and besides, it’s good to know the petrochemical industry is good for something.) It may look goofy to some, but the comfort level in changing conditions is bar none, and while you may get damp, you will always be warm. And polypropylene dries very quickly.
4. Rain pants with zippers at the cuff. If shorts and polypro aren’t the way to go, you’ll appreciate the convenience of keeping your shoes on when you are in and out. Remember that even with the Gore-tex version (and this goes for jackets too), overheating, and thus moisture generated from the inside, is still a problem. Reconsider #3.
5. Waterproof hiking boots. (Because no matter what kind of fenders you have, your feet will get wet without them.)
6. Park inside or under cover. No matter the percentage of stainless steel or aluminum, your simple but delicate machine is vulnerable when exposed to the elements. In the more bike-friendly cities, this a common option. A progressive employer should offer indoor or covered bike parking. If you employer doesn’t, ask them why not. Consider the expense of the alternative - a parking stall. If you don’t get the ball rolling, who will?
7. Sand to a sheen and prime any rust spots on a steel frame. If indoor parking isn’t an option, this tip, along with replacing steel bolts with stainless steel ones, can make a difference in the long run.
8. Be careful when cleaning your bike. Since the cleansing rain also brings clinging muck, you may find yourself deciding to clean your bike. If you decide to clean your bike with a pressurized hose, be sure never to point the spray directly at any of the bearing systems (in the hubs, pedals, headset, bottom bracket). As always when lubing your chain, remember to clean the dirt first with a rag, and, once you’ve lubed it, to wipe the excess lube of the outside of the chain. The key is to lube just inside of the pivots, and not to encourage more dirt/dust to stick to the chain by lubing the outside of the links.
9. Brake early. OK, this should probably be higher on the list, but shorts and polypro and clear sunglasses are that good. Seriously, tap the brakes every once in a while to test your stopping ability.
10. Watch out for oil slicks after a rain. Especially important where parking is allowed during off-peak hours. Remember, the best way to avoid problems is to ride with confidence and to stay visible: always demand space so that if you slip on oil, or have to avoid broken glass, you have room to do so.
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