Safety Tips

Checklist for your Ride

If you're a new rider and wondering what to bring with you on a ride, there's a lot of great info on the Rambler's website.  Go to nsramblers.ca and under the Ride with Us tab you'll see Recommended Gear.  It covers a detailed list of items you'll need to have on hand for your bike.

A comfortable ride is a safe ride, so here's a very general checklist for your ride.  Since the weather changes on a whim in this province, there's no harm in tossing a bag of extra clothes in your car so you can add a last minute layer.  It's also especially nice to have waterproof breathable clothing for the times we might get caught in the rain.  Start making your Christmas list, scour the thrift stores or look for sales and don't hesitate to ask other members for their opinions.  We all have our favourite items.

1, Hydrate the day before which means drinking 😃 as much water☹️ as possible.  

2. Kleenex - lots.  Your nose will run like a tap once you start cycling in cool weather.

3.  A full water bottle - and make sure you drink it.  Don't like water?  Flavour it with a slice of cucumber or lemon

4.  Cycling gloves - these are padded and fingerless, designed to protect your palms from getting sore when you grip the handlebars and to give you a good grip when your hands get sweaty.  They fit tight.  

5.  Gloves to go over the above gloves - this time of year your finger tips will freeze if they aren't covered.  On colder days you can use cycling gloves that have pads in them, but they're expensive.  It's really hard to find a pair of gloves that are warm enough, tight enough so you have some grip and can shift gears and loose enough to go over another pair.  Cycling stores are likely your best source.  The more you ride the more pairs of gloves you'll accumulate.  Put them on your Christmas list.

5.  Padded bike shorts.  More padding doesn't necessarily mean more comfort.  Jolieride, an online company in  Quebec, sells clothing just for women and many of us swear by their cycling shorts.  They fit true to size and are great quality.  Any decent short is over $100.  Sorry guys, I don't have a recommendation for you, but ask around the group for opinions.

6.  T-shirt -  Any t-shirt will do in the summer, just look for one that's bright in colour and wicks nicely.  Tight fitting shirts give you less wind resistance.  Loose fitting shirts give you more room for ice cream.  This time of year you'll likely want a long sleeve shirt on.  

7. Arm covers.  They're sleeveless tubes that come in 2 varieties, one for warmth and one for sun protection.  Please keep in mind that many of them are in black and that's not a visible colour.  

8.  Long pants - to go over your bike shorts in cool weather.  Just make sure the cuffs won't interfer with your bike chain.  

9. Buff - or a scarf that will keep your neck warm on chilly days.

10. Hat - or headband or buff to wear under your helmet to keep your head warm on chilly days, especially your ears.  Make sure your helmet still fits properly.

11. Windproof jacket - this will become your favourite item!  You generate a breeze when you ride in addition to nature's wind,  Invest in a good jacket that's also breathable and waterproof and you'll get lots of use out of it.  Decathalon in MicMac Mall has a decent selection with reasonable prices.  Bike stores sell better quality with higher prices

12. Socks - warm wool socks for cold days and breathable ones for the summer

13.  Boot Covers - not an essential item unless your feet are like mine and always cold.  I have a pair that are bright yellow and zip up to cover my entire shoe. They're great on cold or rainy days.  I also have a pair of neoprene covers that slip tightly over the toes of my shoe that are much easier to remove.  These are lovely items to find on sale.

14.  Shoes - if you don't clip in, a pair of sneakers that have stiff soles will give you more strength on the pedals.  Another option is to buy cycling shoes and to remove the clips if you don't need them.  In the summer, if you decide to wear sandals, look for ones such as Keens that will still protect your foot.  

15.  Helmet Rain Cover - again, not an essential item, just nice to have if you don't like to get your hair wet.  They aren't breathable so they add a lot of extra warmth.  And sweat.

16.  Sunscreen

17. Food -   This should probably be at the top of the list.  Pack a snack, keeping in mind that you may want to eat it before we stop for a period of time so you don't want to be fussing with complicated packaging.  If space in your carrier is at a premium, pack your lunch in collapsible containers or a bag.  It's safer to pack more than you think you'll eat.

18. Cell phone and MSI card 

19.  Medications - any that you'll need throughout the day.  

20.  Helmet

21.  A smile.  Lots of things can go sideways on the ride, but spending a day on your bike with friends is always a good day.