Checklist for before after cycling?

Cantdosleepy
Cantdosleepy Posts: 122
edited November 2008 in The workshop
I'm just beginning this commuting business. What should I be doing before and after each journey? At the moment before a ride I just give the tyres a quick squeeze to make sure they're firm, and then make sure my lights are working. After a ride I just stick the bike under a tarp.

What are the three or four things I should be doing every pre/post journey?

Comments

  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    Before: yawning, making sure you get into your clothes without falling over or putting them on backwards. After: slumping onto sofa with optional beer/glass of wine.
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
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  • Cantdosleepy
    Cantdosleepy Posts: 122
    Indeed.

    My morning routine does have a worrying 'stand near radiator until bleary eyes stop watering' step in it. Then after 200 metres on the bike my left eye is usually streaming.
  • spen666
    spen666 Posts: 17,709
    check your lights when you get home.

    They may look bright after being off for 12 hours, but not have sufficent charge to keep them bright all journey- they run down
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  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    I usually check my brakes before leaving as well., also that i have my lock and keys!

    For watery eyes, i've found clear glasses work wonders, IIRC yellow lenses help with low light conditions as well.
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • Porgy
    Porgy Posts: 4,525
    Remember trousers - especially of you have an important meeting.
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    For before after cycling I'd recommend checking that:
    (a) you have stopped
    (b) if (a), you are not in the middle of road
    (c)if (a) and (b), you have placed one or more feet on ground.
  • roger_merriman
    roger_merriman Posts: 6,165
    yup my wife has a habit of silly falls of bikes, ie stop by kerb put foot out, which isn't quite long enought, and then keel over...

    though she hasn't for a while since I sorted her out a bike that fits.
  • mhuk
    mhuk Posts: 327
    And it's easier to ride without carrying a musical instrument ;)
    Scott Scale
  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    Get up and untangle from duvet/sofa/bath tub/wherever I dropped previous night - check
    Brush Teeth (assumed my own toothbrush) - Check
    Put on clothes (goes with "find clothes") - check
    walk/run dawg (depends on what I had for dinner last night) - check
    cup of tea check (pre checks include, water/kettle/cup/tea bag and the all imoportant "have we got any milk?") - check
    put on cycle kit (found on floor usually) - check
    kiss wife - check (depends on mood)
    cycle to work - check

    Thats about it - do maint every weekend or when necessary - Spen666 is right about lights though - many a time I have been cycling home and my lights have failed.

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