Wednesday, June 1st, 2011
Now that the weather is perfect for biking, make sure you follow these words of wisdom and you’ll feel like a pro in no time.
- Group Riding : Before you join a group ride you should know how to change a flat tire and how to drink while riding. Always arrive 15 minutes early—the posted time is the time they usually leave the meet area. If it is your first ride with a group tell the leader and talk to the people on the ride if you’re having trouble. Know that the posted speed is the average speed, you may go faster and slower than that speed. During the ride be aware of people and obstacles around you. Always tell the ride leader or at least someone when leaving the group. If you ride in front of the ride leader, the leader is no longer responsible for you. If you are in a pace line, keep it smooth: Don’t brake, don’t speed up when taking your turn at the front, be careful when standing up so not to cause your bike to kick back, point out obstacles, don’t stare at the person’s wheel in front of you, and please don’t hit it. Do not try a ride longer than 50 percent more miles than you have previously ridden. If a you want to ride a century, you should build up to it by doing successively longer rides each weekend in the six weeks leading up to the big event.
- Cotton : Don’t wear it unless absolutely necessary, that includes underwear. Bike shorts are designed to be in direct contact with your skin. The padded chamois usually has anti-microbial fabric. Cotton soaks up moisture and can cause chafing or blisters.
Tags: advice, biking, how to bike like a pro, tips | Posted in Biking | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 25th, 2011
As summer rolls in, most Ohioans will be peddling around the state on their bicycles. Biking has been growing in popularity over the years with more and more trail networks popping up across Ohio. Below is a chart that breaks down the amount of commuters that bike to work each day. The information was found on the League of American Bicyclist’s website.
30 Ohio state parks offer over 257 miles of biking trails! Many parks offer bicycle rentals in the camp office or at other concession areas. They also offer outstanding dedicated mountain biking trails, and mountain bikes are welcome on designated segments of multiple use trails at a number of state parks. Use the map to identify which state park you live closest to!
Whether you’re commuting or just riding for fun, the following links are great resources for biking in the buckeye state:
- Ohio to Erie Trail -The Ohio to Erie Trail spans the state of Ohio from Cincinnati to Cleveland following lands formerly owned by railroads and canals. When complete, this trail will connect four of Ohio’s metropolitan cities, a dozen large towns and numerous small villages – all done on easily accessible, paved trails, that are completely separated from highways and automobiles.
- Ohio Bike Networks – This coverage of Ohio multi-use bike trails includes rail-trails, towpaths and the connecting bike lanes and road routes that link them.
- ODNR Bikeways – A list of trails maintained by the Department of Natural Resources.
- Little Miami Biketrail – A beautiful bike trail stretching along the Little Miami River with pit stops located every 7-12 miles along the bike way. Highly recommended for all levels!
Tags: biking, commuters, Ohio, state parks, statistics, trails | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
