2. Learn your hand signals... and use them!
3. Always carry adequate supplies. This includes: plenty of water, snacks if you're on a long ride, a spare tube, CO2 canisters, tire levers and some sort of identification. I normally bring cash or my debit card with me just in case I desperately need something along the way.
4. Try not to hog the road. There is nothing that motorists hate more than when a biker takes up a whole lane. Don't ride so close to the shoulder that you're in the gravel, but also don't ride down the middle of a lane. Give cars enough space to safely go around you
5. When riding on a trail or on the road with a group, always signal to someone when you are going to pass them by saying, "Passing on your left". Avoid passing to the right because it is a person's first instinct to move to the right when they hear you coming at full-speed behind them.
6. When riding at night ALWAYS use a light!! It is against the law to ride without one after dusk. It is also a good idea to have a red blinking or flashing light on the back of your bike so that motorists and other pedestrians can see you from behind
7. Switch positions. If you are riding a bike with drop bars and brake hoods, try to switch your hand position between the top bars, drop bars and brake hoods. This will save your neck, shoulders and back from becoming fatigued.
8. Invest in good clothing! I would recommend having at least one good pair of padded biking shorts as well as some padded gloves. They will save these two main pressure spots from achiness and numbness after a long ride.
9. Do a thorough inspection of your bike before every ride. Check to make sure tires are filled to the recommended PSI, make sure brakes are working correctly, make sure gears shift smoothly and make sure there is nothing loose looking or sounding.
10. Keep your eyes wide open and have fun! You will be amazed at the cool/crazy/funny/wacky things you will come across on the road. And watch out for dogs!
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