Have you ever experienced the following scenarios when you are about to set off for cycling?
- Rushing to fill up water bottles
- Rushing to pump up the bicycle tires
- Rushing to decide which cycling outfit in your closet to best suit the ride
- Discovering a mechanical fault in your bicycle
- Forgetting to take personal id and money
- Forgetting to water-proof the valuables and mobile phone
- Searching high and low in your dining table for breakfast
The above-mentioned scenarios are the common things that we encounter. My advice is to get everything prepared and ready the night before your ride. I will share with you a list of procedures which I do to minimise the chances of entering the rush hour mode on that morning of cycling:
- Put the bike on a A-Stand or leaning on the wall
- Pump up the front and rear tires
- Ensure that the front and rear lights are charged up and mount it on your handlebar and seatpost
- Ensure the saddle (seat) is secured to the seatpost tightly
- Ensure the brakes are working properly
- Ensure the shifters and derailleurs (front and rear) are working properly
- Ensure the water bottle cages are secured tightly
- Ensure the handlebar and stem is secured tightly
- Fill up water bottles and put into the cages
- Put the cycling attire, helmet and shoes beside your bicycle
- Store your personal id, money, mobile phone in a waterproof bag
- Decide which breakfast you want to eat the next morning and put it on the dining table
When I wake up in the morning, it is where my life gets easier. I will wash up, eat breakfast and put on my cycling attire, helmet and shoes. Then I will store the waterproof bag at the back of my jersey pockets and set off for cycling. In the event of discovering a flat tire, I will have time to replace the inner tube and pump it up before setting off.
