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Bicycle Checks for Safe Riding
Submitted by Phil Fellner

Every day you ride your bike:
• Wear a helmet.
• Be sure your wheels are installed properly. Check quick-release hubs. Make sure they are tight and that tires spin freely without wobbling from side to side.
• Be sure both brakes work. Squeeze both brake levers.
• Make sure brake pads are not badly worn and are aligned properly with rims.
• Make sure the tires are properly inflated. Proper inflation helps prevent flats, protects the rims and promotes efficient pedaling.
• Keep an eye/ear out for squeaks, clanks, rattles or creaks. Attend to problems promptly.
• Clean the bike after your ride, and lubricate the drive train. A clean, well-lubricated bike wears longer.

Once a week or monthly:
• Check hub and bottom bracket adjustments. Be sure they turn smoothly, but are not loose.
• Check hubs by grasping rim and attempting to move wheel at right angles to the centerline of the bike.
• Check bottom bracket by grasping the crank arms where the pedals are attached and applying pressure at right angles to the centerline of the bike. There should be no "clunking" sensation in either case.
• Examine each tire. Make sure:
• There are no breaks in the sidewall.
• The sidewall is not dried out.
• The tread is in good condition.
• The tread is free of debris that might cause a flat.
• The rim is true. The rim should be within 1 to 2 mm of true. Spin the wheel and make a visual check using the front or rear brake pads as a guide. An out-of-true rim will wobble.
• The brake pads are adjusted so that they hit the rim properly, and that the pads are not worn excessively.
• Teeth are not bent or worn, chain links are not bent, tight or worn and derailleur is not excessively worn.
• Cables inside housing are lubricated. Use heavy-duty grease specifically designed for the job, never, never use household oil.
• All accessory attachment bolts are tight. Road vibration can loosen bolts in a hurry. Check brake caliper and lever bolts, handlebar and stem attachment bolts, seat bolts, pedals, racks, lights, computers and all other attachments subject to road or trail shock often.
• Headset is properly adjusted. While the front brake is on, rock the bike forward and backward. There should be no "clunking" sensation. If there is, the headset is loose and should be adjusted before the bike is ridden.

Monthly or annually:
• Clean and inspect the frame. Look for cracks, bulges or dents.
• Perform a complete tune-up or overhaul yourself (wear latex gloves) or take to a bike shop ($$).

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Ride Chair, Ride
By Kent Kelly

Our rides start at 9:00 am. Please plan accordingly.
We are well into our riding season but have lots of great rides coming up. And we can always use ride leaders. I’ll have the sign-up sheets at the meetings and at rides. See you then.

Contact me, Kent Kelly:
1. At our monthly meeting.
2. By e-mail: knkelly@wi.rr.com (please include BVBC in the subject line)
3. By phone: 414.423.0236 (home - you can leave a message)
4. On a ride

Thanks

Ride Schedule for July and August
All Rides Start at 9am (unless noted)

For current ride details in printer
friendly PDF format, Click Here

Saturday, July 22, 2006
Leukemia Ride. Annual fund raiser (pre-registration and pledges required). Ride Distance 62, 75 or 100 miles. Starts at MATC in Mequon, goes to Door County. See brochure for details. www.luekemia-lymphoma.org/wi (262)790-4701.

Saturday, July 22, 2006
Harrington Beach. Ride along Lake Michigan north to Harrington Beach and back. Ride Distance 24, 54 or 64 miles. Longer routes start at Virmond Park in Mequon. Take I-43 to Mequon Rd. East on Mequon Rd. to Lakeshore Dr. South approximately 3/4 mile to Virmond Park (on left). Short route starts ONE HOUR after long route from the Marina in Port Washington. Take I-43 north to WI 32, 32 northeast into Port Washington, right on Washington St to marina. Approximate drive time: 40 minutes

Sunday, July 23, 2006
Audubon Court. Ride north along Lake Michigan to County Line Rd. Return inland following county bike trail south. (There is no longer a breakfast stop halfway) Ride Distance 36 miles. Starts at South Shore Park in Bay View. Take I-94 exit at Becher St. Go east on Becher to E. Bay St. Veer right on E. Bay St.; follow it around to Russell Ave. Turn left on Russell to Superior. Turn right on Superior to Estes St. Turn on left on Estes and right on South Shore Dr. Consult a map for more details.

Sunday, July 23, 2006
Leukemia Ride. Annual fund raiser (preregistration and pledges required). Ride
Distance 62, 75 or 100 miles. Starts at MATC in Mequon, goes to Door County. See brochure for details. www.luekemia-lymphoma.org/wi (262)790-4701.

Saturday, July 29, 2006
Holland Festival. Ride along Lake Michigan to Cedar Grove and back. Ride Distance 30 or 60 miles. Longer routes start at Virmond Park in Mequon. Take I-43 to Mequon Rd. East on Mequon Rd. to Lakeshore Dr. South approximately 3/4 mile to Virmond Park (on left). Short route starts ONE HOUR after long route from the Marina in Port Washington. Take I-43 north to WI 32, 32 northeast into Port Washington, right on Washington St to marina. Approximate drive time: 40 minutes from Zoo.

Sunday, July 30, 2006
Coalition Picnic. Hosted by Spring City Spinners Start from Lowell Park, 2201 Michigan Ave, Waukesha
(across from North High School) Directions: I-94 west to CR-T (exit 293) Left on T / Grandview for approximately 2 miles (road construction from Northview to Hwy 18 - 6 blocks) Right on Michigan for about .2 miles. Ride Times: 7:30 a.m. - 70 miles, 9:00 a.m. - 46 miles, 10:30 a.m. - 26 miles.
Picnic starts around 12:00 noon.

Saturday, August 05, 2006
MS 150 Best Dam Bike Tour. Annual fund raiser (preregistration and pledges required). Ride Distance 62, 75 or 100 miles. Starts at the Waukesha Expo Center, goes to Madison. See brochure for details. www.wisms.org or call (262) 547-8999

Saturday, August 05, 2006
Northern Kettle Moraine. Very scenic ride through Northern Kettle Moraine state forest.
Short route is fairly easy, longer routes are moderately hilly. Ride Distance 20, 31 or 44 miles. Starts from Mill Park in Dundee. Take I-94 west to US 45. North on US 45 to WI 67 (approximately 7 miles past Kewaskum). East on 67 to Dundee. Park in lot behind the Hamburger Haus. Approximate drive time: 55 minutes from Zoo.

Sunday, August 06, 2006
MS 150 Best Dam Bike Tour. Annual fund raiser (preregistration and pledges required). Ride Distance 62, 75 or 100 miles. Starts at the Waukesha Expo Center, goes to Madison. See brochure for details. www.wisms.org or call (262) 547-8999

Sunday, August 06, 2006
Menomonee Falls/Neosho. Ride west from Menomonee Falls to Neosho and back. Scenic and very challenging in spots. Ride Distance 29, 49 or 59 miles. Starts at Village Park in Menomonee Falls. Take I-94 west to US 45. North on 45 to Appleton Ave. Northwest on Appleton Ave to Garfield Dr. (across from bank in downtown). Left on Garfield Dr. to Village Park on left. Approximate drive time: 20 minutes from Zoo.

Saturday, August 12, 2006
Aztalan. State park sticker required for parking, Very scenic ride through Jefferson, Cambridge and Lake Miles. Ride Distance 18, 39 or 46 miles. Start at Aztalan Park. Take I-94 west, exit at Johnson Creek Hwy 26, #267. Take Hwy 26 south to Cty B approx .8 of a mile, turn right on B then left on Q to Aztalan. Approximate drive time: 55 minutes from Zoo.

Sunday, August 13, 2006
Betty's Booper. Easy ride with a few rolling hills on rural roads thru scenic farmland in NE Racine Co. Ride Distance 28 miles. Starts at Gorney Park in Caledonia. Take I-94 south, exit at Ryan Rd. Go left, east 1.5 miles to Nicholson Rd. Turn right, going south for 1.5 miles to park on the left. Approximate drive time: 30 from Zoo.

Saturday, August 19, 2006
Burlington Roll. Easy ride between Wind Lake and Burlington. Ride Distance 23 or 33 miles. Starts at Heg Park. Take WI 36 (Loomis Rd) south towards Wind Lake. Heg Park is approximately 1 mile past Wind Lake, watch for signs on the right.

Sunday, August 20, 2006
Virmond Park. Easy ride along Lake Michigan to Port Washington and back. Ride Distance 30 miles. Starts at Virmond Park in Mequon. Take I-43 to Mequon Rd. East on Mequon Rd. to Lakeshore Dr. South approximately 3/4 mile to Virmond Park (on left). Approximate drive time: 25 minutes from Zoo.

Sunday, August 20, 2006
Tour de Fort. Annual fund raiser for the MACC fund (registration required). Organized ride in Fort Atkinson hosted by Tour de Fort Bicycle Club. Ride Distance 19, 35 or 63 miles. Starts in Fort Atkinson, WI. Directions on brochure are confusing, use Business 26. On Line registration @ www.jcbc.info

Saturday, August 26, 2006
BVBC Windlake. Long route goes west around Windlake and back, shorter routes go through South Milwaukee and Oak Creek. Ride Distance 15, 30 or 60 miles. Starts at South Shore Park in Bay View. Take I-94 exit at Becher St. Go east on Becher to E. Bay St. Veer right on E. Bay St.; follow it around to Russell Ave. Turn left on Russell to Superior. Turn right on Superior to Estes St. Turn on left on Estes and right on South Shore Dr. Consult a map for more details.

Sunday, August 27, 2006
Cream City Century. Annual Cream City Cycle Club ride (registration fee required).
Ride Distance 50, 75 or 100 miles. Starts at Waterford Union High School. Take Hwy 36 SW to Hwy 20, then west on Hwy 20/83 into Waterford. Turn left on S. Center St.; follow signs for parking lots south and west of the high school.
www.creamcitycycleclub.com (414) 299-9398