With bike riding comes a certain amount of faff, and a large amount of gear. Aside from the bike you'll be riding, there's the specific clothing you need, lights that need to be charged, roadside essentials and spares such as tools and spares and on-bike nutrition that have to be organised. Making sure you've got everything together takes time and planning, and the more riding you plan to do, the more organisation is involved.
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Anyone who's planning on riding regularly – whether for commuting purposes, training or just because – will know that there's a degree of groundwork that has to be done. Keep things ticking over with a little washing here, a spot of organisation there, and you'll find everything runs all the smoother, both literally and figuratively.
My cycling journey started with commuting to work and expanded exponentially from there. Along the way, through trial and error, I've got myself a little plan of action I try to follow to make my riding as smooth and hassle free as possible. Having everything ready to go is also a huge help when the weather is miserable outside, and the slightest obstacle might mean the difference between getting your ass outside and on the bike, and staying in instead.
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Preparation, preparation, preparation
I am not a morning person. I find consciousness hard without caffeine. I'm often unable to muster the sufficient physical awareness to open both my eyes before I've swallowed half a mug of coffee. As a result, leaving my ride kit assembly to the morning of the ride is a no-go for me, as I'm generally not compos mentis enough to guarantee I won't forget something crucial.
I've paid quite literally for this in the past, having turned up to a trail centre several hours' drive away only to find I've forgotten my riding shoes. That is not a cheap mistake to make, but thankfully there was a decently stocked bike shop at the trail hub and I like to think I'm helping contribute to the local bike shop economy. Other mistakes include forgetting tyre levers; not expensive in terms of money, but wheeling a bike for an hour down a country lane in search of a bike shop certainly wasn't the exciting ride I'd had in mind.
5 top tips for the disorganised cyclist
1. Set up a lights charging station
2. Get a kit bag
3. Use a retractable key and pass holder
4. Start a newspaper stash
5. Empty and clean your water bottle or reservoir
Don't forget the post-ride routine
1. Wash down the bike
2. Stick your gear in the washing machine
3. Put your lights on to charge
4. Check your tyres
5. Replace any used spares
6. Pack your bag the night before!
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
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