The ABC’s are the basic things we recommend that you check prior to every ride. They are also a good starting point for any maintenance review.

Air: You should check the air pressure in your tires before every ride. It is a great way to prevent the likelihood of flats. If you have a little more time it is always a good idea to check the tires for cuts and debris that is embedded in the tire. I sometimes prefer to do this on the post ride clean up with a beverage nearby. Need to know the proper tire pressure of the tire? It is printed on the sidewall of the tire.

Brakes: The goal here is to make sure that the brakes are properly working. Squeeze the breaks and make sure they pads hit the rims properly. I’ve seen a lot of bikes where the pads are rubbing on the sidewall of the tire and slowly damage the tire. Do the brakes contact the rim firmly before the lever hits the handlebar? Check you brake cables to make sure there is no damage to them and they are going to hold up. You should also monitor your brake pads for wear and check them for debris. I like to do this during the bike cleaning post ride clean up.

Chain: Here you want to check your chain to make sure it is properly lubricated. A lubricated chain is a happy chain and it is going to last longer and offer a quieter ride. This is also the time to run through the gears on your bike to make sure it shifts properly and doesn’t get thrown off. If your riding a single speed bike check the tension of the chain.

Regular maintenance of your bike will alert you to any problem areas before they happen.  Bike maintenance is relatively easy and can be a lot of fun. I find it very therapeutic to go out for a ride and then come home and clean up my bike. It is generally during the bike cleaning maintenance that I uncover potential issue. We’ll save that for another blog.

Now that you have done the ABC’s go out and have a great ride!

Amanda and I are amazed by the number of people apparently running errands around town with the DVD player fired up and keeping the kids entertained while mom is busy chatting on her iphone or texting at each and every stop light.

The other day on the way to work I saw an SUV all loaded up with the Dad driving, Mom working her Blackberry, in the back seat there were two kids, one tuned into a DVD and the other focused on the Gameboy.

Growing up these times were always great family time, the radio was hardly on. We talked, we talked about what we were going to be doing or had done. What was going on with each other etc.

It isn’t limited to the car either we see it all the time when families are out and about shopping.

While technology is great how has it become that we now let technology control our life? I know you have seen it. You are in the middle of conversation with someone and their phone rings. What happens next? They stop the conversation to see who is on the phone. I guess they need to know if there is someone more important they should be talking to instead of you. (With today’s technology you should have a ringtone for the critical calls, your spouse, children, parents etc.) In many ways it seems that we are now controlled by the technology around us instead of us using the technology to better ourselves.  Okay so maybe controlled is a strong term but dictated to more by technology. It is like we are always connected twenty four hours a day and it can’t be healthy.

Technology is here to stay and in many ways enhances our lives but I really encourage you to have situations that you are truly in the moment. Carve some time out for yourself and your family and your friends where you are just all together. You won’t regret it, I bet you even work harder at making more times for “being in the moment.” A family bike ride is a great way to do this.

I had one of the “being in the moment” times the other day and it was great, I wasn’t feeling all that well and really wanted to get a ride in. So off I went to see how I felt. I felt pretty good so I took my longer route choice for the day, which I knew was going to be about 40 miles. At the half way point I stopped by the shop and thought about getting a gel or something to get more calories, but I didn’t. Big mistake not listening to my head and heading my own advice that I always share.

Back on the bike I realized I was really beginning to suffer. I originally thought it was from not feeling well but then realized it was from a lack of food. What I found is that I was really focused on my riding and the way I felt, it was amazing and I felt completely alive! During this time I didn’t think of anything else. All I focused on was making sure I was pedaling efficiently, drink enough fluids (I had plenty thankfully) that I was using the best gear etc. During this time I was completely in the moment.

I didn’t really realize how much I was hurting until I got home and got of the bike and my legs started screaming at me “what the heck do you think you are doing Mr. Freeland?”

“Well trying to walk of course.” my brain replied to my quads.

I guess that is yet another reason I like to ride, because on most of my rides I am “in the moment” with myself, my bike and with whom ever I am riding with at the time.

Ernest Freeland

Crofton Bike Doctor