Here are some essentials for the serious cyclist. These are especially important if you are looking at cycling long distances or you are riding in off-road, cold or windy conditions.
Helmet: This is the most essential item you should be wearing on a ride. Find a helmet that suits your head size and shape. Bright fluorescent colours are great as they make you visible from a distance and reduce the chances of an accident
Lights: Many countries have made it legally mandated to use white lights in the front and red lights at the rear. The front lights should be ideally more than 500 lumens. The rear lights can start from 35 lumens. The lights can be put in various modes like blink, bright or dim.
Shorts: Being on the saddle can be painful for longer rides and that is why padded shorts are so useful. In fact, one of the ways to improve your riding experience is to get good, comfortable padded shorts.
Pump kit: Your cycle tubes need the right air pressure to move at optimal speeds and avoid punctures (flats in riding parlance). You should have a pump at home and for long rides always carry your portable pump and a puncture kit with an extra tube, if possible. Learning how to fix your flat tyre is a skill you should learn – it can come in really useful and in races it can actually be mandatory.
Lubricants: Lubricants are available for bikes that need to be applied to the chains. The right way to do this is to first clean the chain of any dust and grease and then apply the lubricant. These lubes are available in any good cycling store or you can get them online. Lubricate the chains maybe once a month (approx. 500km) or after a rough ride where you’ve got mud and/or water on your bike. This is especially important in the rainy season or on trails
Jackets/Jerseys: Well fitted, bright colored & sweat-absorbing clothes keep you cool, make you visible on the road, and improve your speed by reducing air drag. Loose or heavy clothing can make you feel hot and uncomfortable in long rides. Carry a thin windcheater if you are riding in windy or cold condition
Reviewed by- Gagan Arora
*image source- Photo by Victor Xok on Unsplash
