A Message from your Safety Officer

Spring riding thoughts
By Chris Lev

• Periodically check your tires for cracks, especially if you ride in the spring rains.
• Check and adjust your tire pressure frequently; early in the morning or late at night if it's cold.
• Take an apple, banana, and/or salted cracker snacks on every ride. Take a bottle of chilled water to go with that snack.
• Layer on gear for the cool mornings and strip off excess gear within reason as it gets hotter.
• If you're set against using a full face helmet, consider trying a modular style one. (Bug eaters can pass on this one.)
• If flashing your road lamps and/or high beam fails to convince a slower moving vehicle to pull over and let you by, try to pass with a wide margin.
• Be wary of and patient with people in cars that may cut you off or swerve at you in traffic; many of them are distracted and not aware of their responsibilities with regard to more vulnerable road users.
• Be courteous, and use your turn signals (even when passing).