|
|
Safety
Gear and Accessories
Safety
is everyone's responsibility, whether your are on your bike or in your
car. Bike riders are legally considered a vehicle on the road. A very
important law is that your ride WITH the flow of traffic, and as far to
the right as possible because you are the slower vehicle on the road.
you are required to abide by all rules of the road. It is your obligation
to wear a helmet and be as visible as possible when you ride. Flashing
tail lights and bright clothing help you be seen. It is important to be
a courteous and predictable bike rider, and a reminder - it is not legal
to ride side by side in the roadway. We all hope car drivers will become
more sensitive and aware of the cyclists on the road.
HELMETS |
|
![](images/acc_helmets100.jpg) |
We
recommend all riders wear a helmet EVERY time they ride. Nobody sets
off on a fun day of riding expecting to fall, but sometimes the unexpected
happens, and a helmet will protect your brain. Kids under 18 years
old are required by law to wear helmets, but all parents should set
a good example for them too. A head injury is the easiest to prevent
but the hardest to recover from. Safety first! |
A
frequent complaint we hear is that a rider's helmet doesn't stay put
on the head. A helmet that slides around is not comfortable and will
not protect you unless it can stay in place during a fall. There are
now retention systems that cure that problem. Today's helmets are
light, well-ventilated, adjustable and affordable. Starting at $34,
a helmet is cheap insurance. We take great care to properly adjust
each helmet and there are many colors to choose from. Helmets are
designed to absorb only one impact to the head. If you have crashed
your bike, you should replace your helmet. It did it's job - reward
it with retirement. |
|
EYEWEAR |
![](images/acc_eyewear100.jpg) |
Protecting
your eyes from bugs, dust and sunlight are important for every rider.
Anything that gets in your eyes while riding is a huge distraction,
and can injure you. We carry OAKLEY brand eyewear because they have
safety lenses that are distortion free. The have a variety of styles
to fit different face shapes, and some models offer replaceable lenses
so you can change to an amber or clear lens in low light situations.
ALWAYS protect your eyes - and you can look cool too! |
|
|
HYDRATION
SYSTEMS |
![](images/acc_camel100.jpg) |
Staying
properly hydrated in the hot summer weather is important for your
safety. There are several ways to accomplish this. The most common
is a simple water bottle held on the bike with a cage that attaches
to the frame. They are inexpensive and convenient. For longer rides
it becomes necessary to take more water with you. CamelBak is our
preference for backpack style hydration pack that allows you to carry
up to 100 oz of water that is kept cool with insulation. There are
different sizes and styles to accommodate different rider needs. They
have the added benefit of keeping the water clean which is healthier
than the off road, dirt encrusted water bottles with complimentary
bacteria. |
Another
component to hydration is electrolyte replenishment. Many minerals
are lost in the perspiration, and fatigue can be accelerated if they
are not restored. We offer Cytomax brand which comes in a variety
of flavors. They are usually used in the water bottle because the
flavor lingers, and water is carried in the hydration pack. |
For
additional energy on long rides most riders prefer not to eat food
because the digestion process interferes with stomach comfort while
riding and the time it takes to get digested and usable in the blood
stream is too long to be of use. We recommend GU, a brand of energy
"food" that is essentially a liquid. It is not necessary
for it to digest in the stomach, but is absorbed in the intestine,
so gets the energy to you ASAP. It is a favorite of runners who have
similar needs to cyclists. They come in foil packets (1 serving) -
(and we know you will not litter the trails). |
|
|
LIGHTING
SYSTEMS |
![](images/acc_lighting100.jpg) |
The
law requires headlights and reflectors at dusk and dawn. Road riders
and commuters can usually do fine with standard battery powered lights.
They start with a standard bulb, LED, Xenon, then halogen for brightness.
Tail lights now have a flashing mode that improves your visibility
on the road. |
Off
road riders usually opt for the more technical lighting systems that
have nicad (nickel cadmium), or nickel metal hydride battery that
is rechargeable and has enough candlepower to illuminate a dark mountain
trail. Many riders have one light on their handlebars and another
on their helmet. The least expensive unit has a single light and the
battery has a memory. It is necessary to recharge completely to retain
the full use of the battery. If recharged less, that becomes the new
level (or memory) that is the maximum recharge. More technical lights
(more expensive!) have power saver modes, dual lights, high and low
beams and a battery that can accept a partial recharge. |
|
|
MIRRORS |
|
![](images/acc_mirrors100.jpg) |
Mirrors
are available in a variety of styles to match your preference. There
are handlebar mount, helmet mount, and eyeglass mounted mirrors. There
are different brands to choose from, but most important is that the
mirror is the right choice and works well for you. |
LOCKS
Protect your
investment with a quality lock and cable. We offer a variety of styles,
both set-your-own combination or key lock. Lock it or lose it!
Back
to TOP - Back to Accessories Index |