Cycling Gear
As an outdoor activity, cycling leaves its rider susceptible to all of nature’s elements. Be it heat, rain, sleet, snow, or winds, it is important for the biker to be prepared for any sudden changes. Aside from the weather, bikers also have to be wary of unforeseeable circumstances during travel. Suffice to say, bikers or cyclists have to be thoroughly prepared through being equipped with the proper gear and wearing the proper clothes.
Basic Wear
For starters, don’t ever forget to bring a helmet. The use of a helmet is actually mandated by law in most, if not all, countries. It keeps the rider protected at all times. There are now different types of helmets designed for different kinds of roads and biking activities. For instance, there are helmets designed specifically for the mountains, others strictly for recreational biking. Get a helmet that comfortably fits your head. Helmets will only work if they properly fit. Whatever helmet you get will provide you with invaluable protection.
Although not required, it is recommended that you use reflective cycling jerseys on the road. These lightweight clothing are usually made of polyester and are quick-drying, providing added comfort to the biker. Reflective jerseys increase the biker’s visibility at night.
A good pair of cycling shorts will also increase a biker’s riding comfort. Cycling shorts have chamois sewn into the shorts to absorb moisture and protect against chafing.
Wear or Pack
Depending on the weather conditions during your cycling trip, it would be good to have a cycling jacket in tow. It helps to be prepared for changing temperatures, especially if your biking expedition will take more than a day. Cycling jackets can be easily stowed into a bag since they’re lightweight and made of breathable material. Alternatives to jackets for colder temperatures are arm and leg warmers.
Gloves are another cycling essential aimed to provide the biker with better protection on the road. Aside from keeping the biker’s hands warm, cycling gloves protect against road vibrations and fatigue as it absorbs shock through their padding. As a reminder, gloves should fit snugly without being too tight.
Tool Kit
No matter how perfect a cyclist’s bike is, flat tires are an unavoidable nuisance. Having a well-equipped tool kit comes in handy for road emergencies. Some of the essential tools a biker must have include a cycling tool, tire irons, a patch kit (for repairing holes), duct tape (to temporarily cover tears in a tire until the nearest pit stop), and a pump (to inflate flat tires). It goes without saying that bikers must know how to change flat tires.
Other Pieces of Cycling Gear
- Sunglasses double as protection against the sun and its harmful UV rays as well as shield the biker’s eyes from road debris.
- Why go anywhere without water? It is important to have a water bottle handy. As biking is an extremely physical sport, bikers need a lot of water to hydrate themselves with.
- Although optional to the biker, wearing cycling shoes are his best bet to maximize his performance. Unlike ordinary athletic or rubber shoes, cycling shoes have harder soles and keep the feet’s arches from hurting.
- Bike bags are good for storing all your equipment, tools, clothing, water, snacks, and other essentials. They come in varied styles for different functions. These include (1) handlebar bags, (2) wedge bags stored under the seat, (3) bike panniers for long-touring bikers and stored on both sides of the wheel, and (4) rack trunks, best for fragile things.
- Install headlights and taillights for better protection at night.
- Ensure your bike’s safety at all times by carrying a bike lock for whenever the bike isn’t used.
Buy the best equipment, not necessarily the most expensive ones, which you can afford. Cycling requires a considerable amount of investment, and smart bikers must never scrimp on their safety. At the end of the day, that’s really what all bikers are investing on—next to the fun in biking, at least.
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Basics & Backgrounds
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