Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 26, 1993)
IN TOUCH |with Club Sports & RIM Oregon’s winter bicycle commuters face special set of problems t was .1 dark and stormy Ore gon winter night The rain was pelting the pavement. JL.md the wind was whipping the leaves into a frcniy There! In the distance, some thing was moving on the chilling landscape. It w.*s a bicyclist What was that craiy person doing out in weather like this.’ I le was prohablv struggling to reach bis destination, whether it was work, school or home Is a person really cr.i:y to depend on a bicycle lor transportation din ing lOregon's most difficult sea st >n ’ Not if they're prepared Preparation lor winter ruling includes getting gear to protect the rider from the elements and maintaining the bicycle to pro . tect u from early wear and rear These aren't the only worries lor the winter bicyclist; safety is just as important. Regular cyclists must concern them* selves with having the right winter equipment and mam tattling it properly. The lust step is to make sure that you have all the legally required gear. A bicycle must have a headlight and a rear reflector if it is used at night The fine in Oregon for not having these is $40. • Lights: These come in many different sliapcs and prices I iget Romanek of Second Nature Bicycles, 446 E. 13th Ave., recommends the environ mentally friendly lights that run on a generator They Cc*st $26.95 lor a regular, and about $39 lor a halogen, which is brighter. Another possibility ts the halogen battery powered lights They are convenient because they clip onto the handlebars and can he removed from the hike when you park. You can get a simple one for $12 or spend $200 tor a really fancy light I he lights usually run tor ,tlx nit four or five hours on their AA batteries. You can buy a rechargeable battery pack tor about $50. If you’re worried about Ivtng visible, a smart buy is the Vista Light, said Ray Bloesinger of Cycle-Pi Repairs and Cycles, 1 MO Willamette St. They are a LED flashing light that calls attention to your presence. They can he mounted anywhere on your bicyc le. A horn is a gixx.1 way to get a motorist's attention. Electron ic horns that make a horrendous noise are now available, as well as the old fashioned kind These start at $|9 95. • Helmet: Another piece of equipment that is needed hut not required When buying a helmet you should kxik for the ANSI or P*o*> tty P*kUky Winter cycling meat* adding an extra layer of clothing and equipment to yourself and your bicycle. SM I L rat mu before buying. 1 hese companies test helmets for safely, artvl a helmet without their recommendation isn’t worth buying, Blisesingcr said. They range in price from $ 52 to $110. The more expensive ones have passed both companies' tests. It is important to maintain your bicycle all year round, but it is especially important in the winter. The dirt and grime d dai ly use in bad weather can wear down a bicycle. • Maintenance: Romanek said you should have your bicy cle overhauled at least once a year. It is a good idea to have your (searing surfaces packed with waterproof grease when y»>u do this. At Second Nature this costs $75 plus parts, but it is worth it. Romanek said, because it improves safety and lengthens (he life of your bicycle. To prevent your bicycle from breaking down w hen you most need it you should oil the chain every couple of days, Bloesinger said. You can use a product called Tri-Floor another bicycle friendly compound. Don't use WD-40 because it isn't a lubri cant and it will eat aw ay at your bicycle, Romanck said. • Tires: It is important that your tires arc in Rood shape for riduiR in the winter. .The best tires for winter ridtnR are knob by' ones. They provide more trac tion on slippery roads and over those dangerous piles of leaves. IVit they won’t make up for care less riding, BliK-singer said. Blocsinger said you should check your tire pressure every week. I’hc normal range for mountain bikes is 35 to 60, and road bicycles average 90 to 115. The best wheel for winter rid u>K is an aluminum one, Blocsinger said. Most bicycles are sold with aluminum wheels now because they are so much safer than steel ones Bloesinger said an aluminum wheel is porous, so it provides a good surface for braking when your wheel is wet. Steel w heels are very slippery when wet and the brake pads have trouble gripping them, so it can take four times as long to stop, Bloestnger said. To upgrade your wheels from steel to alu minum costs about $95 lor a pair. If your wheels are wet it is a gotxl idea to pump your brakes before you have to stop. This dries off the surface so the brake pads will grip. • Rain gear: “Fenders arc a must," said Enc Schuman of Blue Heron bicycles, 13th Avenue and Kincaid Street. Schuman said they will not only keep you drier and cleaner, but they will also protect vixir bicycle from Jtrt and ({rime. Y<hi can buy a pair for $18 to $25 and install them your self or pay an extra $7 for instal lation. It is impossible to be com fortable riding in Oregon with out a ram suit. Don't be intimidated, not .ill of them cost an arm and a leg. They range from the really cheap plastic ones at Ci.I. Joe’s to the high quality and expensive Gortex-likc kind sold in bicycle shops. Schuman said the plastic ones work well for short trips, but if you ride long distances in them you will sweat to death. A better option is a water-resistant suit. They are about $60 for the coat and another $60 tor the pants. The best gear, Schuman said, is the (iortex-like material. It is very expensive, costing about $200 tor a set. • Accessories: They are so numerous they can be contus ing, but there are a few out there that can make riding in the rain comfortable. Those of you who have ridden your bicycle after it has been sit ting m the rain know what it's like to sit on a wet seat. You've tried plastic bags, but they always leak. The best solution to this nagging problem is a water-resis tant seat cover for only $5. Also available are helmet cov ers that cover up those holes that are great for ventilation in the summer but cause leaks in the winter. Romanek said tt is a gixd idea to cover your face and ears on especially cold days. You can buy a neck warmer that wall pull up over your nose, or a face mask that covers your nose and allows you to breath easily. lanally, don’t forget about one of the most important parts of cycling bodies — the feet. If your feet get wet on the way to work or das . you ate cold till day. Of course you can wear some those ugly rubber shoes, or you can buy some shoe covers for about $28. They fit right over your shoes and rip up in back. If you have toe clips on your pedals you can get toe clip cov ers, but they won't help if you have to ride through a puddle. The most important element to being safe and comfortable on your bicycle is heing smart. lAsn't ride too fast in wet weather. Leave yourself plenty of room to stop. Winter can be a dangerous time for bicyclists, so clear think ing is necessary. It you have any questions about your bicycle's winter readi ness just call your local bicycle shop, and the people there will be glad to help you. —Tiffaney O’Dell CYCLING Contoured from Page IB Even if the club can put together a winning team, funds remain a problem. As of now, it the team wins Regional*, as it did last year, it would have no money to travel to the national competition, which will he held in Boston. The team hopes to raise money via fundraisers such as the Tour of Willamette and a mountain bike event in Oak ridge. The event in Oakridgc is new for the cycling team, which generally focuses on road bikes. They were personally invited by the city council and mayor of Oakridge Co host the event. The cycling season officially begins March 27 when the University team will compete in a colle giate road race at Washington State University. Alter that, the team will race almost every weekend until Rcgionals in May. —Carrie Fern Ion