(Illustration: Jessie McLaughlin)
If you are not the type to ride your bike all year round, this might be the time of year when you pull your bike out of your shed and go for a ride. The sun is bright and the days are warmer. A good practice before any ride is to do an ABC check on your bike.
A stands for Air. You can feel your tire; if it feels squishy, add air. If you crouch down you should be able to see the recommended tire pressure on the side of your tire. Fill your tires to the recommended pressure or PSI.
B is for Brakes. You can start moving your bike forward while holding onto the handlebars and standing beside it. While your bike is in motion, press on both brakes. Your bike should stop completely and your back wheel should lift up slightly.
C is for Chain. Take a look at your chain. If you have a lot of caked-on dirt and dust, it’s a good idea to give your chain a thorough cleaning. Your chain should be rust-free and well-lubricated.
If you need more serious maintenance on your cycle, visit one of our local bike shops: Lunenburg Bike Shop, or Sweet Ride Cycling (Mahone Bay).
Additionally, The Town of Bridgewater is offering a Commute by Bike course on June 3 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to help you build your skills and confidence to cycle to work or school. You can sign up at: connect2rec.com
