Have you been interested in joining a bike riding group but wondered how to get started? Have you had concerns of riding alone on a bicycle on the road?

Join the Novice Bike Rider Program Begins June 12th! Here is a note from Archer Yates with the group along with bicycle maintenance tips.
Our Novice Bike rider program will start on June 12th at 9:30 am at Fletcher Park and will continue on each Saturday morning at 9:30 unless changed. Each week we will announce start locations. Anyone who would like to be on the email list for ride announcements please send me an Email. Also, our

group is listed on Facebook Groups as BRBC Novice Bike rider group.

Information will be posted on the Facebook group as well as direct emails.

For more information contact Archer Yates e-mail: 42bp@charter.net
phone number: 828-320-8654
We will be riding about 2 hours on mostly flat to rolling roads. We will breakup in groups according to pace. If you have any questions about your ability, call me before the ride.
No one will be left behind and we have club members that act as ride guides to check on you and look out for problems. They will be wearing a reflective vest. They have cell phones for an emergency. We will hand out cell phone numbers before the ride. Bring your cell phone.

There will not be a motor vehicle following us. Any problem we have on the road, we will have to handle or wait for someone to get a vehicle. For example, We had one rider last year that had to wait for a vehicle because he did not have a tube to repair a puncture, and nor did we. He had a 26 inch wheel with a schrader valve and all our tubes were the more common presta valves so bring what you would need to repair bike.

Be sure your bike has at least one water bottle cage on it ( 2 is better). The type of water bottle they sell in bike shops larger is better because hese bottles can be handled with one hand. Not drinking enough water is a big issue when riding a bike and a hydration pack with the tube that clips on the strap is another option. The ride will be about two  hours and 40 ounces of liquid is about right .

Here are a few tips fromleague of American Bicyclist use the ABC’s for a pre ride check:
A. air in tires at proper inflation: Make sure the tires are inflated to the pressures marked on the tire. A Bicycle tire will only hold proper pressure for a few days. This requires that you have a good quality bike pump. The floor pumps are much easier to use and  little micro pumps are exhausting to use.
B. Brakes should stop efficiently and work smoothly without squealing.
C. Chain needs to be ubricated and should be tracking without dropping as you shift gears. C is also for cables that need to be lubed and at correct tension to shift your gears .
If all this sounds a bit much , you should have your bike checked over by a bike shop.
Last but not least these are some”must haves”:
As you know a helmet is required so make sure the padding is still good, and it fits snugly.
A small pack is strongly encouraged for a tube to fit your bike, a snack or energy bar, bandaids, and sunblock.
Also, wearing gloves will cushion your hands and offer protection if you fall. If you are riding a fat tire mountain bike, you can make it easier to keep up by using tires called ( town & Country tires) that have a smoother tread and are not as wide as a true mountain bike knobby tire.

Happy Riding!

Carol and Denise