Since the BCC has no drop rides, you can hold up the entire group if your bike breaks down.  It is your responsibility to show up at group rides with a well maintained bike with fully inflated tires.  Consider getting your bike tune up by a professional.  A professional tune up will get your ride performing well and ultimately deliver you a better cycling experience.  All new bikes purchased at Bicycle Village, one of our sponsors, get free basic tune ups for life.  Most local bike shops will charge anywhere from $50-$100 for a professional major tune up. If your bike has really suffered from neglect, it might benefit from a more extensive overhaul. An overhaul will typically run well in excess of $100, but it will include specialized service to the hubs, bottom bracket and drive train. A knowledgeable bike shop employee can no doubt offer you some guidance as to whether your bike needs a simple tune up or a full-scale overhaul.

If you cannot afford a professional tune up, or you got one done late last season, you should still give your bike a close once over before you hit the road.

—-Clean the entirety of the bike with warm soapy water in order to remove any dust or grime that has accumulated over the past few months. As you clean the bike, check the frame for significant dings or damage. Should you discover substantive damage to the frame, do not ride the bike until it has been more fully inspected by a professional.

—- Check the tires for cracks, wear, or damage and replace one or both if necessary.

—-Inspect your brakes. Check out the wear patterns on the brake pads and consider replacement if the pads are worn down to the grooves. Also, look over your calipers and levers. Get a brake adjustment if the brake lever action feels squishy or sloppy.

—-Check all your cables for extensive wear and fraying. Arrange for the replacement of any worn and frayed cables.

—- Lube the chain and all the cables. A little lube goes a long way so make sure to wipe off any excess after application.

—- Tighten up any loose bolts about the stem, seat post and headset area.

—- Elevate the rear wheel and spin it in order to check to see if it’s true. Do the same for the front wheel. If either wheel wobbles as it spins around, it is likely out of true and requires service. If you don’t know how to true a wheel then bring the wheel to a local bike shop for service.

—- Pedal about your driveway or street and shift up and down the gears. If it’s difficult to shift from one gear to the next, or the shifting feels sloppy, you may need some new drive train components or at a minimum your bike requires a derailleur adjustment.

—- Pump up your tires to the recommended PSI

Take just few moments to give your bike some TLC and you will avoid a frustrating break down and holding up the group.

Thanks to Mapmyride.com for this content.