Short Journey Workshop – Getting Ride Ready 2/2

Information

Gear?

Continued from page 1

Exploration

Have a think about where you are going on your journey. Have a think about where you are headed on your journey and whether you need to carry any belongings with you or whether you need to carry items on the return journey. A backpack is simple enough to carry and saves you from installing a rack for panniers on your bike. It’s handy to have a backpack with some kind of reflective panels.

There are lots of cheap mudguard solutions to stop water spray, some are really quick to add/remove just using or rings/velcro.

Backpack?

Pros

• Convenience for carrying around – multiuse

• No attachments or pannier needed

Cons

• Back strain

• Can feel restricted or off balance heavy loads can add to saddle rub, sweaty on your back.

Panniers?

Pros

• Can carry more stuff

• Bike takes the weight of the load not your shoulders

• Can be more balanced with two

Cons

• Probably need extra equipment like a rack

• Bag not as adaptable as a backpack for carrying

• Question of leaving the bag on the bike or off when stopping

• May distribute weight unevenly so the bike may handle differently

Clothing

Consider the following items; helmet, waterproofs, gloves, snood/buff/ neck gaiter, layering where items can be added (e.g. windproof layer) or removed. Dress for the destination or for the ride?

• Ask group to bring in their one item of kit that they swear by and discuss it with the group, look at other similar solutions.

• Plan out a route, split up the group and choose a section of the ride. Get the teams to chat through how it would change and how you would manage it in: Scorching day, Fog, Heavy Rain, Cold/windy.

Group challenge/activity

• Split into teams, plan for a local journey to a place of interest or work. Set budget for each. Money no object, pound stretcher, not cycling kit (adapted from other sports/hobbies). 10 min research then sell your ideas to the rest of the team in a 1 min Dragons Den.

• Ride out, visit local ride challenge points, busy areas, as a group look at how you would manage them, discuss other route options, how times of day might change the scenarios.

Helpful links

Cycling UK – bike maintenance before you set off

Cycling UK – how to perform an M check

Cycling UK – simple bike maintenance guides