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A new cyclist's guide to the perfect ride

You Have a Bike. Now What?

Attention new riders - we're stoked to hear that you are loving your new bike! As you begin any new sport, you probably have some questions. We’re here as your local bike shop to answer those questions and assist you in getting the most out of every ride. We present to you our brainchild: A New Cyclist's Guide to the Perfect Ride. It’s a combo of common questions from new riders with a sprinkle of our professional advice on top.

Performing Basic Bike Maintenance

As a bike owner, you benefit from spending a little time keeping your bike finely tuned. That sounds more intimidating than it actually is. If you follow these quick, easy guidelines at home, you and your bike should both be in good shape! 

Before Going For a Ride

  • Check your tires
  • Check your wheel's quick releases or thru axles for tightness
  • Check your brakes 
  • Pedal backwards - if your chain is squeaky, it’s time to add some chain lube 

If you ride your bike regularly, scheduling a tune-up every 6 months is recommended. For bikes that are lightly ridden, a tune-up every 12 months is adequate. We have a great team of professional, friendly mechanics on staff - not only to service your bike, but also to offer you free professional advice.

Build Your Home Bike Maintenance Kit

Choose one of each.

When in doubt, give us a call. Tell us about the squeak or issue you're experiencing and we'll help you solve it.

Making Your Rides More Comfortable

Your bike should be comfortable. If you are feeling sore, we can help you find the perfect remedy. 

Where Are You Sore?

  • Legs & Butt  
    Try adding a pair of padded shorts, and/or switching out your seat (known as a saddle) for a more comfortable model. 
  • Hands  
    A pair of gloves will do you wonders! You can also add/change the grips on your handlebars to make riding more comfortable and to add a pop of color and style to your bike.
  • Feet 
    If your feet are feeling it after a ride, you have a couple of options. A new pair of shoes might do the trick, or it could be time to try out a new set of pedals. Our team can help you find the perfect pair of shoes and/or pedals based on your riding style. 

We want you to feel comfortable, so let us help! Give us a call and tell us what's going on. We can give you a professional recommendation on how to improve your level of comfort based on the issues you are experiencing.

Deciding What to Wear and Why

These basics make a big difference.

person wearing cycling shorts

Cycling Shorts

Padded shorts protect you from the pressure of your body weight on the saddle. The pad inside the shorts is known as the chamois (pronounced sha·mee), and it provides cushion for your sit bones. A little padding goes a long way on any ride, especially longer rides, making every mile more enjoyable.

person wearing cycling jersey

Cycling Jerseys

Jerseys are designed to keep you cool with moisture wicking, light fabric. The cut is longer in the back to cover your back (and bottom) when you lean forward on your handlebars. Jerseys also come equipped with pockets on the back, which are perfect for storing your phone, snacks, keys, etc.

people wearing cycling gear

Weather Dependent Items

After the shorts and jersey, your additional cycling apparel will be based on the day’s weather. Cycling socks, gloves, and jackets can all come in handy. Use your best judgement, and when in doubt, err on the warm side and dress in layers. You can always peel them off and store them as you and the day warm up!

If you are searching for a stylist, you are barking up the wrong tree. However, if you want some guidance on building a basic cycling wardrobe, we'd love to help!

Choosing Where To Ride Your Bike

Looking for new places to ride or the best way to get around town on your bike? There are some great resources out there. Here are a few of our favorites.

MTB Project

This app is your comprehensive mountain biking guide to the trails you want to ride - with offline maps, full GPS route info, elevation profiles, and more.

Google Maps

Google Maps isn’t just for driving. It’s among the best free online mapping solutions, and it can be a great tool for planning fun rides and commutes. After you hit “Directions” within the app, you are able to select the bike icon and voila, a new bicycle-friendly route appears.

Ride Spot

This is an ideal app for discovering great routes. You can also use Ride Spot to learn about upcoming local rides.

Let us help point you in the right direction! We’re happy to recommend some of our favorite routes, trails and group rides. We can also connect you with some great local resources such as cycling organizations and riding clubs.

It’s Fun to Learn New Things!

We’re here to serve as your local experts on all things cycling.