At the beginning of the season:

• Make sure that your bicycle is in proper working order.
• Check that your bike is the right size for you, with the saddle at the correct height and the handlebars in comfortable position for riding long distances.
• Clean and lubricate the chain and gearing system.
• Take care to check your tires for wear. Inflate tires on a weekly bases to the proper pressure (check the edge of the tire). Under inflated tires imply pedaling harder and risk of flats. Your brakes also need to be well adjusted and replace all worn or defective parts.

During the season:

• Check tire pressure weekly, under inflated tires make it harder to pedal. See tire sidewall for recmomended pressure
• For your comfort, wear cycling gloves, padded cycling shorts and bring an extra sweater or jacket with you for unpredictable changes in weather.
• Properly tinted sun glasses (untinted by night) will protect eyes from insects and other debris
• For your safety, always wear your helmet and make sure you have the necessary reflectors required by law.
• For evening rides, equip your bike with a lighting system : a white light at the front and a red at the back.
• Bring with you a spare inner tube,portable pump with gage,  tire levers, and a small tools kit to do minor repairs on the road.
• For your pleasure, bring snacks and water along on your rides and plan to visit points of interest to you along the route; enjoy the scenery and the good weather during our short cycling season.

End of the season:

• Clean and store your bicycle in a dry and safe place for the off-season. If you can hang the bike off the ground, it is better for the tires. Also lubricate the parts that are susceptible to corrosion. Lastly, buy all the gadgets you saw on other riders’ bikes during the year end clearance sales.

Training:

• Cycle as much as possible to keep in good physical condition. Vary your cycling speed occasionally. This will help you to avoid fatigue on longer rides and to climb hills with ease. A bit of advice, it is better early in the season, to pedal faster in an easy gear without force than to cycle slower using lots of force on your high gear.
• Minute for minute climbing makes your stronger faster than any other type of riding. Include at least one hilly course per week. Boost upper body strength for more power and control with push-ups : 2 sets of 10 to 20 reps, 3 days a week. To build your upper body, do a set of push-ups, pull-ups and crunches after you finish your rides. Patience is the most important component of improvement, training does not happen in one workout.

Skills:

• When braking, brace your arms and move back on saddle. Hands on drops and squeeze both brakes taking care to dose pressure  to avoid skidding (back brake), or flipping over (front brake). Pratice a bit, remember usually the back brake is on the right handle. While using both brakes more pressure on the front brakes will give a more efficient stop.
• Practice using a lower gear and pedal at a faster candence of 80+.
• On gravel roads don’t try to turn. Hold tight stay straight to avoid skidding.
• Uphill, dont wait to long before downgearing. Better shiftdown to the smaller chainring on approaching while shifting to the proper back sprocket to keep the right pressure. You can downgear to a larger back sprocket as you progress upward. If traffic allows, aim your bike up and slightly across the trail instead of just up. 
• Braking on steep down hills: Arms braced, move back on saddle. Braking harder on smooth hills. Use front brake for about 70% of your stopping power. But: Ease off the front brake in rough areas to avoid skidding the front wheel sideways.

Health:

• Drink water often, keep hydrated. A mix of orange juice, water and a bit salt is good way to keep glucides, elctolytes and other minerals up on a longer ride. Also bring something to eat, granola bar, banana etc.