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Spring is sprunging
The promise of spring is in the air today. The sunshine helps. The dry roads and sidewalks help. The milder temperatures help. Robins in trees definitely help. I remember, as a child, trudging off to school in late winter. At that time of the year, I would have been wrapped in a heavy woollen coat, wearing a pair of leggings and had ugly brown galoshes pulled on over my sensible school shoes. Lightweight fabrics were not available for children’s out-of-doors winter wear. Heck, most parents thought “the heavier, the better” as regards winter wear. And so, we were swaddled and we waddled. Knitted mittens on strings, scratchy scarves around our necks and an extra sweater under our jacket—the jacket had to cover your bum, of course. No telling what you could catch if your bottom wasn’t adequately covered. Once those jackets, pants, scarves and mittens got wet, they stayed that way all day. Classrooms smelled of warm, damp woollen outerwear, drying on the radiators under the windows. Ah, school life in the 1950s. After weeks of looking like Bibendum, aka Bib the Michelin Man, I looked forward to feeling as if I would float away on a breeze. Oh those spring breezes. But it is February. Spring doesn’t arrive until the end of March. One month to go. We all know there has to be at least one winter storm left.
With the upcoming arrival of spring comes my favourite time— cycling time! And if you know me, and some of you really believe that you do, you know I’m going to say one or two things about cycling safety on our County roads. Let’s start with getting your bicycle tuned up. It’s probably been resting against the wall of the garage, or lying in the yard under a pile of leaves and snow, since November. Yep, tune it up. If you don’t know how to do a bike tune-up, and I’m guessing most of you don’t, find a reputable bike mechanic and get it done properly.
If you think you can do it yourself, first you have to clean your bike. A clean bike extends the life of the various components. Wash it off. Hose it down. When the dust has settled, check the brakes. Everyone needs a little stop after their go. Bikes don’t have airbags. Check those brakes. Next, have a close look at the wheels and rims. Elevate your bike and spin the wheels. The wheels should move smoothly without wobbling. Wobbling isn’t good, on or off the bike. Replace all broken or missing spokes. Replace the tires or tubes if they look worn or cracked. Learn to inflate the tires correctly. Inspect the drivetrain— the pedals, chain, chain-ring, derailleur and rear wheel cassette. You’ll probably need a second person or a bike stand for this part of the tune-up. Have a good look at the cables. Cables should be replaced every three to five years, based on how much use your bike gets or how long it sits unused in your dank and dusty garage or storage shed. Lube! Yep, get out the lube and make sure it’s the right kind for each of the moving parts. Sound like a lot of complicated work? Well, it is and if you’re serious about riding safely, then I suggest you make an appointment with a bike mechanic for a real tune-up. Yep, a mechanic for your bike. It’s worth it.
So, dig out the bike. Dust it off. Tune it up. Pull on the helmet and get out there. Share the roads and trails. Don’t be a jerk. If you ride on the roads, obey the rules of the road, they apply to cyclists, too. If you’re still cycling on the sidewalk and you’re not a toddler, smarten up. Sidewalks are for pedestrians. Spring is just around the next cold corner, folks. I can feel it in the air. Gonna hang up the mittens and look for my riding gloves!
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