Dwight D Eisenhower’s words crossed my mind after my friend Matt Sordill, a gifted bike mechanic, left my house.
We dedicated an hour to a thorough bike inspection, bike fixes and some first aid tips.
New crank bearing, new chain and new pedals are a few of the components that Matt has suggested to replace. Electrician tape, zip tie, and the most shocking of all tips: do not use a degreaser to clean the chain??!!!
What?
Not to use a degreaser?
A post ride routine I’ve had for years is all of the sudden a taboo?!
It’s as if your dentist told you not to brush your teeth…
Well, apparently the best method to clean a chain is this:
- Lube the chain while pedaling backwards
- Wrap a dry cloth around the chain part between the crank and the rear derailleur
- Peddle backwards to collect all extra oil while getting the oil into the chain links and pin
- Continue until the chain color is back to the original color
For Kokopelli trail Matt even suggested not cleaning the chain but to drop a few oil drips at the end of each day and spin backwards gently.
I guess I have a new routine now…
Below is a preliminary checklist which I’ve put together for the Kokopelli trail.
Next time I’ll tell you why I chose these items and more about my training routine, which I hope will ensure a successful and enjoyable trail.
- Bike
- Bike Case
- Nonperishable food like: whole grain pasta, dry fruit mix, dry cereal, canned food, bread
- Energy drink powder
- Source Whistler hydration pack
- 2 spare tires
- 4 spare tubes
- Spare bike parts like rear derailleur, cable shifters, bolts, spare cleats.
- Bike tools like Allen, spoke tool, cassette tool
- Buttcreame
- Sun cream
- Tent and sleeping bag.
- Sunglasses
- Bike cloths, including gloves and a rain jacket (just in case)
- Helmet
- Mini pump, Co2 and patch kit
As always, if you have any tips/suggestions or stories of your own you’d like to share – post a comment…
אוזן למעביר האחורי
Here are some additions to your list:
1. rear derailleur ear
2. nutrition: salt stick
3. nutrition: magnesium
4. nutrition: gel (with caffeine)
5. spare tube must have sealer
6. butt cream: go with beljum budder – the best (for me…)
7. gloves: long and thermal for the temperature you gonna be
8. if you wheels tubes are using presta, have an adapter presta-to-Schrader – helpful in gas station car pump
Thanks for the aditions to my list, I always carry 2 rear der hanger…