The weather is still a bit unpredictable (this is the Chicago area, after all), but depending on where you look, there are signs of spring. One sure sign is the increase in the number of bicycle riders on the streets.
The Oak Park Cycle Club has a few tips for getting bikes — and families — ready for another enjoyable and safe season of riding:
1. Remember your ABCs: Whenever you ride, do a quick check on your bike to make sure you have enough air in your tires, your brakes are in good shape, and your chain is clean and dry. This will be especially important if you’re taking your bike out for the first time in a while. Additional checks may be warranted: Inspect your cables and drivetrain to make sure they are ready to go.
2. Keep it clean: With anything mechanical, dirt is the enemy. It wears out parts and affects the performance of the bike. So make sure your bike is ready for the season by giving it a thorough cleaning.
3. Keep it inflated: If they don’t know how already, cyclists should learn how to repair a flat so they are able to maintain their independence and continue riding. Practice makes better, so pretending you have a flat in the comfort of your own home is highly recommended. Seek out a local bike shop or local bike club that may have flat repair clinics.
4. Mind your head: If you don’t have a helmet, you need to get one. You don’t need to spend a lot — a decent helmet can cost as little as $30. As for other bike gear, the more you ride, the more you’ll discover that gear such as cycling shorts and jerseys, gloves, and sunglasses, to name a few, will enhance your riding experience. Build your gear inventory gradually as you learn what works best for you and what is needed for the type of riding you do.
5. Watch for traffic: It’s been some time since drivers had to watch for cyclists — and vice versa. Like driving in snow for the first time, riding (or driving) with bikes around takes some getting used to. When riding in traffic, assume you are invisible to cars. Motorists are used to reacting to other cars, but not always to cyclists.
6. Where am I going? Start local. Incorporate cycling as an everyday transportation option. Group riding can be a great way to learn the ropes. You’ll go further and faster with a group than by yourself. You’ll learn riding tips and new routes. And if you have a mechanical issue, others can help.
There are plenty of local resources to get more information on tips, bike trails and bike-related events. Check out the Active Transportation Alliance (activetrans.org), Ride Illinois (rideillinois.org) and The Chainlink (thechainlink.org) to start.
Be sure to start riding early and often so you can be prepared for the 11th Annual Wright Ride taking place in Oak Park on Sunday, Aug. 20. A family-friendly event, the Wright Ride is not a race but a leisurely jaunt through some of Chicagoland’s most beautiful tree-lined and architecturally rich communities. Cyclists of all abilities are welcome. You can learn more at oakparkcycleclub.org/wright-ride.
The OPCC is a recreational and non-competitive rider club based in Oak Park. Riders of all ages and skill levels who enjoy the social aspects of cycling are welcome to join us as we continue Oak Park’s rich tradition of cycling and advocating for a better cycling environment. To learn more, go to www.oakparkcycleclub.org or go to our Facebook page.
Bill Watson is a former president of the Oak Park Cycle Club.