Indholdsfortegnelse for December 2014 i Bicycling

1 / Change your oil. Wipe your chain clean then add one drop of wet-weather lube to each pin. If you wipe your chain after each ride, you should make it weeks or months before having to reapply, says Velo Cult owner Sky Boyer. 2 / Check for wear. Drivetrains, brake pads, and rims deteriorate faster in wet weather. “Your shop has tools to gauge wear, so have these parts checked periodically,” Boyer says. 3 / Keep spray away. By keeping you dry, fenders make winter riding more pleasant. Choose wide, durable aluminum models for a commuter bike; on a road bike with limited clearance, go with narrow plastic options that are light and easy to install. 4 / Get snow tires. Wide models with soft rubber will better stick…

1 Ease into the heat. Whether you’re traveling to an event in a hot climate this winter or amping up your training heading into summer, allow your body to acclimate to the high temps for a few days before launching into intense efforts. 2 Hydrate early and often. Consume at least 20 ounces of fluid per hour of riding; double that if it’s hot outside. If you have trouble remembering to drink, set a timer on your watch or phone. 3 Recognize symptoms early. If you feel fatigued or lightheaded, down 24 ounces of sports drink over 20 to 30 minutes or eat a gel with sodium. You might not avoid cramps, but you can reduce their severity. 4 Eat pretzels. Load up on electrolytes and carbs with this sodium-heavy…

1 GO AHEAD, SAY HI Good conversations begin before the first pedal stroke, says Dylan Robbins of Portlandbased Team Jens Voigt Army, a social racing club. Introduce yourself to riders in the group and ask basic questions you can return to during the ride. 2 BE CRAFTY If you’re struggling to keep pace, buy time by asking short questions that require long answers, suggests Robbins. It will keep the conversation going until you recover—and you’ll avoid sounding like an asthmatic walrus. 3 RESPECT THE CLIMB Hard ascents deserve silence. Even if you feel strong enough to chat, there’s a good chance your partner will be hurting. Don’t flaunt your fitness. It will appear like a power move, which can kill a good conversation. 4 AVOID TMI When riding with someone…