If you're heading out this weekend for your first bike ride since the recent snowstorms, be prepared to do some bike cleaning when you return home.
The sand and gravel spread to improve traction in the snowstorm — along with all kinds of road debris like tree twigs and glass chards — has found its way to the sides of the road where we tend to ride.
If the road is wet, this stuff sticks to your bike like glue. It will grind down all the parts of your power train and wear grooves in your bike rims when you brake.
Even if it's dry, the glass works into tires for punctures.
A mechanic at Peterson's Bicycle shop in Renton recommends hosing off your bike after every use in these type of conditions, which could last for weeks. Also, installing fenders and mud guards can reduce the amount of crapola the wheels kick up.
The mechanic, Rory Jack, was interviewed for the blog at the Amgen Tour of California website. Nice of folks in California to call up to Washington state to find out how to clean up after a ride.
Why Peterson's Bicycle shop? Maybe because its owned by Tom Peterson, a cyclist with Garmin-Barracuda. Among his victories has been Stage 2 of the 2009 Tour of California.
Some of Jack's recommendations:
— Hose off your bike after every ride in wet, grimy weather;
— Re-lube your chain every time it gets wet;
— Consider installing temporary fenders and thicker tires than the ones you usually use.
Bicycling magazine also has some bike cleaning tips.
A good detailed tutorial on cleaning a bicycle can be found at Jim Langley's bicycle repair pages.
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