One of the perks of living in the Twin Cities is incredible access to a wealth of parks and dedicated pedestrian paths. There’s no better time to explore on your favorite wheels than in the spring when the buds are peeking from the soil and the hours of sunlight are getting longer. Take in the fresh air—and some snacks, too—on an outdoor excursion.
Get a moo-ve on with Kalona chocolate milk. Packed with protein, it’s a great sipper to fuel your spin. For those looking for an elevated experience with a breakfast twist, give Utopia Borealis Maple sparkling waters a try. Their high-drating Maple beverage is full of electrolytes and will ensure the happiest of trails for your next adventure. Please sip responsibly!
For a light breakfast, grab a few hardboiled Larry Shultz eggs from Seward Co-op’s Grab n Go, an Equal Exchange banana or two, and Seward-made Bird Bars for the road. Is your ride powered by your sweet tooth? Seward-made cookies and muffins, and pastries from the Deli, are all ways to get your roll kicked off right.
For many of us, we’re beginning to pull our bikes out of winter storage, ready to hit the trails. Do a quick safety check to get yourself out there rolling smoothly and safely.
Check out the sides of your tire for raised numbers and information. Tire pressure will be labeled by “PSI,” or pounds per square inch. Along the sidewall of the tire will be a number range for how high to inflate your tires. Running higher air pressure may make you faster, but you might be jarred a little more on the winter-ravaged streets. Too low and you might feel a little slower, but your tires will absorb more of the shock from the bumps in the road. Remember, you can always let a little air out if the ride is too rough, but it’s harder to put more in when you’re on the go. Experiment with this to find your “sweet spot”.
Don’t squeak down the path! Not only does it not sound nice, but having extra dirt and grime in your chain can damage your
drivetrain and chain. Apply a wet or dry bicycle lubricant to your chain and wipe off with a rag. This may sound counter-intuitive, but its purpose is to lube the pins between the links. Any excess can pick up road grime.
Bright, reflective clothing will help make sure you’re seen in lower-light conditions. Helmets and gloves help protect your body in case of wipe-outs. Check your helmets to see if they’re still going to protect you. Many have a manufacturing date listed on a sticker inside of the helmet, and the foam is the safest within 3-5 years of use, depending on UV and temperature exposure.
