May 2014
SanTan
FAMILY FUN “An award-winning publication”
1
Timely tips on bike safety and preparation
A publication of the
SanTan Sun News
By Alison Stanton
As many people throughout the Chandler area know quite well, it is a terrific place to go biking. From on-street bike lanes to bike paths in parks and along the canals, Chandler offers plenty of safe and fun places for couples, families and individuals to get their twowheeled exercise. “Chandler’s bike trail system includes hard surface trails in 60 parks as well as numerous on-street paths,” says Mickey Ohland, parks development and operations manager. “These trails not only serve a recreational purpose, they also are utilized as an alternative transportation mode while connecting people to people.”
Preparing a bike for the riding season
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In honor of National Bike Month, which is sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated every May, Jim Moran, a Gilbert resident and avid cycler who competes across the country in races, offers tips on getting a bike ready for the riding season. “The first thing you should do is look at the tires and the inner tubes,” he says, adding that people should inflate their tires before every ride. “Inner tubes are made of latex and they do not hold air as well as people may think.” Because different types of bikes require different levels of air pressure, Moran says people should learn which amount is correct for their bicycle. If the bike has been sitting unused for some time, Moran suggests checking the tires for dry rot. “The tires might still have tread on them, but bikes that sit for months often have cracks and creases in the sides of the tires; if this happens you will definitely want to replace them.” Next, Moran says, riders should check the bike’s chain. “Get a bike-specific chain lube and then stand over the bike looking down at the chain. You don’t want to lube the links on the outside of the chain but instead lube the inside part, and then wipe it off.” People should also be sure the handle bars and seat are safe and secure, Moran says. “Stand facing the bike, squeeze the front tire with your knees to hold it steady, and then wrench on the handle bars. Also wrench the seat from left to right and up and down to be sure it’s tight.” If a child has not ridden his or her bike in a few months, a parent should make sure the seat is at the right height. “Have the child sit on the seat; at the
ENJOYING THE RIDE: Bike fans of all ages can find family friendly bike paths in 60 Chandler parks. Submitted photo
bottom of the pedal stroke the knee should have very slight flex.” The brakes should also be checked to be sure they are functioning properly, Moran says, and if the bike has gears, people should be sure the shifter is shifting cleanly and smoothly. “You can take canned air and use it to blow through the shifter to make sure any dust and sand are out of it.” The final step in preparing a bike to ride, Moran says, is purchasing a seat pack to hold the supplies needed to change an inner tube. “Here in Arizona, we have a lot of thorns and other debris in the road. You don’t want to pick up a nail in your tire when you are 2 to 3 miles from home.” Bicyclists should purchase a spare tube, air pump and plastic tire iron and store them in the seat pack, which hangs below the saddle. “Also be sure that you know how to use the equipment to change the tube,” Moran says.
Safety tips Once the bike is ready to ride, Moran suggests keeping the following safety tips in mind: • Always wear a helmet; even a low-speed crash can cause injuries. • Wear gloves, as people tend to instinctively put their hands out when falling off a bike. • Although sidewalks are technically for walking, Moran strongly recommends that children use sidewalks for biking. • Remember that walkers have the right of way; teach kids about this and the importance of slowing down and passing them on the left. • To avoid startling walkers, let them know riders are coming up behind them in advance by ringing a bell or horn; then as they get closer say “passing on the left.”
• When riding with multiple people, stay in a straight line and never cross wheels. Put the more experienced people in the front and back, and the front rider can help shepherd the group and call out any obstacles. • Practice a hard brake on the grass; this will help prepare people for how their bike will respond when a fast stop is required.
Indoor bike-related fun As the weather heats up and getting out to bike gets more difficult, bike fans can play a new board game called The Schwinn Biking Game. Produced by Education Outdoors, the game involves players racing around the board to see who will be the first one back in their parking spot. The game, which is ideal for players of all ages, involves reading Fun Facts and answering Biking Game questions of varying degrees of difficulty. Alison Stanton is a freelance writer who lives in the East Valley. She can be reached at Alison@SanTanSun.com
Resources Websites:
• www.educationoutdoors.net • http://bikeleague.org/bikemonth-socialmedia-1969-2012_b45869 Books:
• “Mountain Biking Arizona Trail Guide: Fat Tire Tales and Trails,” by Cosmic Ray • “The Bike Lesson,” by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain • “Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance: The World’s Best-Selling Bicycle Repair and Maintenance Guide,” by Lennard Zinn