Bicycling About Parker #4 of a series

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What I carry on my bicycle (and you might) and a ride just for you, "Hills are your Friends!"

OK - you have hauled a bike down from the rafters, or you found one at a garage sale, or you bought one at a store.

Just what else might you need besides a bike for a successful ride?

This is what I carry on my bike.

Wedge. A wedge fits under the rear seat of your bike, and is what you carry the stuff in. Also, bicycling jerseys have big pockets in the back for stuff. Wedges come in all sizes. As one might surmise, I use a big wedge.

Computer. A computer will tell you how far and fast you are going. Also, fancy computers tell average speed, fastest speed, and a lot of other info. Really expensive computers measure your heart rate, cadence, etc. They work by a magnet on a spoke interacting with a receptor on your front (or sometimes rear) fork.

A water bottle (or two). You need to keep well hydrated while riding, drinking along the way. A water bottle - available at a bike, sporting goods or XMart store, will keep you going on longer rides. Most bikes already have a water bottle holder (called a cage) installed, or a place to install one, generally two bolt holes on the top of the sloping tube or on the front of the seat tube. If not, you can purchase a cage, also, at the above stores. Do NOT drill any holes in your frame to install one, as it will weaken the frame. If you do not have any holes, there are mounts to go around the tubes available at bicycle stores.

For a longer ride, I put a sports drink (which I mix half and half with water) in one of my bottles.

OR

Some folks like to have their water on their back - sometimes called a Camelbak, with a plastic tube headed towards your mouth. There are many varieties. Camelbak-type backpacks can make your back sweaty.

Extra tubes. On my ride last week, I got many goatheads (sharp stickers) in each of my tires. I had to remove both tubes and replace them, and pump them up. I carry two extra tubes and a patch kit. I order about a half-dozen tubes at a time.

Patch kit. There are two types of patches, one you glue on, one sticks on by itself. I carry both. Generally, the one you glue on lasts longer.

A way to inflate your tire. There are generally two ways - a pump, or CO2 cartridges. The pump never runs out of air, while you can run out of CO2 cartridges. There are two different types of valves on tubes - Shrader and Presta, and they work differently and are different sizes. Make sure your pump or CO2 cartridge will fit your valve type. Most will fit both. And be sure your pump is rated to go to the tire pressure you need. Pumps are generally mounted to the side of the "cage" bracket, while CO2 cartridges are carried in a "wedge" under the rear seat..

Tire levers. Tire levers (plastic) help you remove the tire from the rim. You need three.

Multitool. A multitool generally contains several different sizes of hex wrenches and a Phillips and flathead screwdriver, and is great for making adjustments, tightening loose connections and minor repairs on your bike while you ride.

"Boot" for a tire. At times, a tire will have a weakened spot. A "boot" placed between the tube and the tire can help you make it home. A dollar bill can work - even a $20 bill will work, or you can carry a bit of Tyvek - the material the post office uses for an envelope for mailing documents.

Bell. I use a clear single ding bell. Works great. Mounts on the bars.

Cell phone. Invaluable when you have to call the "rescue wagon" - in my case, my wife, or 911 in an emergency. Please don't talk while riding!

Cable lock. There is no lock that can not be broken. However, a cable with lock will stop someone from jumping on your bike and riding off. I prefer a combination lock, my wife a key lock. I set the combination to something familiar, usually to the digits of a very old address.

Soothing ointment. Some cortisone ointment for a rubbing rash. I have never used it, but my riding partner sure appreciated it one time.

Nutrition. Depending on the length of one's ride, and their personal characteristics, throw in some food. I often carry a banana and/or some cookies or power bars. My wife has hypoglycemia, and her bike looks like a pantry. The "pro" riders use carbo gels.

Identification with medical and emergency information, both on yourself and on the bike.

Some cash - like $20 and quarters for a pay phone, if there are any left in the world/ credit card.

You can purchase items at your Local Bike Store (LBS), some XMarts and sporting goods stores,or online web sites such as

http://www.nashbar.com, or http://www.performancebike.com have everything one needs.

Also, as I like to finish my rides with a 10 lap swim at the rec center, I carry a small, light swim suit and goggles.

Our ride this week is

"Hills are your Friends"

Most newer riders dread hills. However, conquering hills is one way of getting in shape quickly, building endurance and confidence.

Today's ride will be a loop with about 8 miles up hills - some so gentle you won't notice them, and some steep enough you may need to get off the bike and walk, and then about 8 miles of downhills.

Let's start out at the Parker Recreation Center. We will begin as we did for the ice cream ride - ride #2, which you can review here:

http://denver.yourhub.com/Parker/Stories/Outdoors/Story~644049.aspx

where we went south on the Cherry Creek trail and then east on the Sulphur Gulch Trail, past Kacey Furniture (going out of business as I write this) on the Sulphur Gulch Trail. Continue past Parker Town Hall, and at the next street crossing (about 3.4 miles from the rec center) a trail bridge will go to the right, crossing over Sulphur Gulch. This is the Tallman Gulch Trail.

Continue on the Tallman Gulch Trail, across a couple of small residential streets, until you get to the big red restored barn - about 4.3 miles or so.

Go past Iron Horse Elementary, and cross Tallman Road (crossing is only allowed on the left side), then cross to the southwest corner, where the Tallman Gulch Trail continues.

Continue south on the Tallman Gulch Trail up through the gulch until you get to the two fences which provide a corridor for the property owner to move livestock from one side of the trail to the other (about the 5 mile mark).

Continue on southeast, and watch in the trees to the right for several owls which inhabit the area. They sleep there during the day. I have seen three in a row on one branch.

In the park on your right are two porta-potties. There are a lot of "nature" signs around. Stop and read them - it will give you an excuse to rest.

Go past the brand new Legend High School, through the tunnel underpass, and take a sharp left where the trail turns with the big nature sign. The trail ends shortly at a cul-de-sac - about 6.3 miles.

Turn right and you will be on Hidden Trail Drive. Go one block to Windy Trail Lane. Go one block and then turn right onto the sidewalk trail for Canterberry Parkway. If the sidewalk is blocked by construction for the new school, you might want to cross Canterberry Parkway to the trail on the opposite side.

Go up the steep hill. This is the time to use your gears. Put your bike in "granny" and pedal fast. It is OK to walk. Turn right at the next intersection, Buffaloberry. You may take the sidewalk trail or the little-traveled street. Stay on Buffaloberry for about a mile. The sidewalk will end and a bike lane will begin. You are almost through the uphill phase.

Continue downhill in the bike lane. At 8 miles, turn left at Paper Flower Drive (this is the first street on your left going downhill without a "dead end" sign). Prepare for a fast descent.

I get up to 35 miles per hour on Paper Flower Drive. You may want to go slower.

At the stop sign, turn right on Canterberry Trail. Continue in the bike lane for about ½ mile until you see the Sulphur Gulch sign. Turn left into the trail, and head back to the rec center, descending all the way. Go slow through the trail underpasses, and watch out for deer. There is a brand new porta-potty at the tennis courts, about 3 miles down.

Consider stopping at McDonald's or Subway for a treat.

Congratulations. You have just finished one of my shorter training rides, and should have gone about 15 to 16 miles, depending on whether or not you stopped for a treat along the way.

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