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Top 10 things you should do before EVERY ride.

By Marty McCrory on August 20, 2010

Apologies in advance for the morbid post, especially after the recent badass post of badassery.  This is an important topic, so for your safety and peace of mind, please take heed of this latest PHC Top 10 list.

10-9.  Pack the following items in your saddle bag: $20 cash, credit card, health insurance info, flat repair kit, extra gel, allen wrenches (4,5,6mm), emergency blanket if it’s cold.

8.  Double check where you’re going. Getting lost 50 miles into a 90 mile ride can easily turn your day into a 120 mile suffer-fest, or a 3 hour round trip for your Sag Wagon.

7.  Bring front and rear lights if you will be riding before the sun rises, or after the sun sets. Around Gainesville right now, that means before 7am and after 8pm.  In some jurisdictions (Gainesville included), it’s against the law to do otherwise.

6.  Make sure your bike in functionally sound condition. The brakes should work and there should be no cracks in any critical parts–frame, fork, handlebars, stem, seatpost.  A quick check of all these things takes 10 seconds as you’re rolling out.

5.  Carry dog spray in your jersey pocket. It provides a safe and effective weapon against our furry friends who may not have the smartest owners, and provides an additional layer of protection in case you ever find yourself in an altercation with another person (though it’s not as effective as pepper spray for that purpose).

4.  Carry a cell phone in your jersey pocket.  Make sure that you have a contact labeled “Emergency” in your contact list.  Double check that you’re never more than a few miles from cell phone reception on your planned route.

3.  Make sure your health insurance is up to date. Hospital bills are ridiculous.  Make sure your insurance provides reasonable ER benefits.

2.  Make sure someone knows where you’re going and when you’ll be back. If you don’t return by when you say you’ll be back, they’ll be able to notify the authorities that something is amiss.

1.  Buy a Road ID, and wear it on every ride. This product provides first responders with critical emergency and contact information in the event of an accident.  It’s cheap and provides great peace of mind.  I highly recommend you purchase one for everyone in your family that rides.  (Note: PHC is not paid to advertise Road ID products.  We simply believe their product is important enough that we recommend it to everyone we can.)

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August 20th, 2010 | 75 comments
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Categories: cycling

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