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Follow these handy riding tips and we assure you you'll have a great ride.
Spend time on the bike. Seems obvious, but you need to toughen up those sit tissues. Most runners have the aerobic training and leg strength to do a long ride, but the butt gets really sore. Work up to at least a 30-mile back-to-back ride (30 miles each day), and start to include some hills.
Join us on some Louisville Bicycle Club rides. You'll learn more and make friends, too. Schedules are available on the club web site: www.louisvillebicycleclub.org. Plus, there's safety in numbers. If you live elsewhere, check out your local bike club or bike shop for ride training opportunities.
Attend the bike handling classes offered by the Louisville Bicycle Club throughout the Spring and Summer. See the club ride schedule for details. A great way to learn skills with the support of dedicated, experienced riders.
Get a good bike fit at one of the shops or through the bike club.
Make sure your bike is in good working order: good tires, brakes, chain, etc.
Carbo-load the night or two before the event, and eat breakfast on the day of the ride. (We are not serving anything too heavy or greasy.)
Wear a helmet. We require one on all club rides. You can buy one very reasonably and it's the best insurance you can buy.
Invest in some good cycling attire:
- Shoes with rigid soles. That pedal can really hurt underneath a sneaker or running shoe.
- Bike shorts come with padding for the seat, and the tight fit prevents bunching and rubbing. You'll appreciate that a lot.
- Gloves offer padding between the handlebars and your hands, plus offer protection if you fall.
- Check out a road bike. Lots of people do these longer rides on mountain or hybrid bikes, but a good road bike weighs a lot less and the thin tires roll a lot easier. You'll really notice the weight difference going up hills. And believe us, there are some hills in Oldham County!
Plan to ride with a friend or a group of friends. It makes the miles go much quicker!
Take your time and enjoy the scenery. This is absolutely the best way to see Oldham County, Kentucky!
- Ride on the right side of the road with traffic
- Ride as far to the right as safety allows on the road
- Ride no more than 2 abreast, single file in heavier traffic
- Pass on the left – announce “on your left” as you pass
- Quickly get off the road when you stop
- Obey all traffic signs and signals
- Share the road – don’t back up traffic – be courteous to cars
- ABC (Air, Brakes, Crank/Chain/Cassette) Quick Check before riding
- Wear an approved helmet when riding
- Have fun!