Simple Tasks to Keep Your Bike Happy, Working Well, and Out of the Shop
Your bike is an investment! Even if you didn’t pay very much for it or it was a gift, keeping it running well is key to having a good time on two wheels. Doing these 4 simple tasks will keep your bike running well and hopefully out of the shop (except for routine maintenance)!
When you buy something using the links in my blog posts, I may receive a small commission from your purchase via affiliate links.
Your bike is an investment! Even if you didn’t pay very much for it or it was a gift, keeping it running well is key to having a good time on two wheels.
I’ll be the first to admit that I am not mechanically skilled. I’ve taken a few courses and can get through in a pinch, but for anything more advanced that changing a flat tire and oiling my chain, it goes to the pros.
But there are a few super simple things you can do at home on a regular basis that will help keep your bike happy, working well, and hopefully out of shop except for routine maintenance!
Air your tires up before each ride
Properly inflated tires lead to less flats. Get a good home pump, learn how much air to put in your tires, and do it before each ride!
Lube your chain
Cleaning and lubing your chain helps make sure you can shift between gears easily, climb hills, and have a more pleasant bike ride. Clean, well-lubed parts last longer too. I like an all-season lube, but depending on where you live, you may want a specific formula for wet or dry seasons. Here’s a great little video on how to properly lube your chain (fast forward to 10:00 on the video.)
Wash your bike!
Give it a good scrub - especially if you’ve been playing in the dust, mud, or riding in th rain. Dirt and road grime can build up in the crevices and small parts, leading to corrosion and gross stuff. If I have time, I’ll give my bike a full wash & detail with these Pedro’s Pro Brush Tools. If I’m in a hurry, this Muc-Off Cleaner sprays on and wipes off quickly!
Check your bolts
Using an Allen key (or multi-tool), check to all your bolts on your bike to make sure they’re tight. This will prevent anything from slipping or coming loose during your ride.
Do I Even Like Riding a Bike Anymore?
I broke my foot in mid-August doing something really stupid and mundane. Starting to pedal, I jammed my foot onto my pedal, missed the platform and crunched the shit out my foot. Two cracked metatarsals, and nearly 4 months later, I'm still not back to my regular self. Apparently when you're over 30, bones take a long time to heal.
This injury was a huge pain the butt bummer. I had to skip the Solar Eclipse Campout Bike Ride with Komorebi and Friends on Bikes . I went to NYC in a walking boot (which I promptly ditched for a CitiBike. Don't tell my doctor.) My foot is still a funky shape and shoes no longer fit the same, but I did buy Crocs!
Thankfully, I am now healed enough to walk around without a limp (as long as it's not over a mile) and biking is no longer painful. This does mean I've taken nearly 4 months off my bike. Which feels like forever.
And now that I can get back on the bike, I haven't been quick to get back on. My first "long" ride was Cranskgiving last weekend, and it was 16 miles. Have I touched my bike since? Nope. Somehow, I went from a daily bike rider to an every-once-in-a-while rider.
I feel like my bike is a friend that I've lost touch with, and am not sure how to start the conversation again. In the time that I've been off, the seasons changed and it's now cold outside.
Instead of riding in whatever I happen to be wearing (usually a dress), I'll need to actually think about my clothing and the functionality of it on a bike.
In this season of change and difficulty, I'm trying to be gentle on myself. Just because I don't ride today or this week, doesn't mean I can't start again when the weather gets good. I started from zero a few years ago, and I can always start again.
Bike Month 2015 Wrap Up
Holy Moley! May is over and what a month! I biked every single day of the month, which is definitely a record for me! For the first time ever, I tracked every single bike ride. Here are my #s for May:
92 trips
543 miles
34 commutes
3 camping trips
FAR TOO MUCH FUN TOO COUNT!
Seriously though, this is WAY more than I've ever biked in one month. 2014 was the first year I'd ever seriously participated in Bike to Work month, and I did a decent job of biking to work. I got 42 miles in, which with a commute of 4 miles round trip, is pretty darn good! This year, however, I made an effort to Bike Everywhere, and it really paid off! My longest trip was 52 miles, which was to Ben Country, but other than that, most of my trips were 10 miles, 15 miles, or even shorter. Just lots and lots of short trips to here, there, and everywhere!
I wonder if I can rack up even more miles as the months go on?