Tire maintenance for your bike

More comfort cycling tips

Photo: J.P. Squire

Depending on your needs, your bike bag(s) could carry some or all of the above items, including a bike bottle tool kit, tire repair tools and patches, inflation pump or CO2 cartridges, bike lock, bandages, toilet paper, safety vest, flagging tape, ball cap, sunglasses and extra outerwear.

This is the third column in a series on how to customize your new, or new-to-you, bike or e-bike to make it the most comfortable bicycle you have ever pedalled.

In the first column, the Bike Sheriff covered the basics of handlebars and stems, and introduced saddle selection. The second column had more information on proper saddle height, sitting upright versus bent over, pedals and footwear.

To complete the tips, some modern road cycle pedals come with cleat attachments on one side and flat surfaces on the other so you have the choice to clip in or not during your ride. Leg power is more efficient if you are clipped in (360 degrees of power).

It should be easy to pull your foot out of toeclips since you must be adept at unclipping with a sudden, unexpected stop. Clipped-in cyclists have all toppled over at some point. Warning: you are physically restrained when using those equipped with old-style straps and will fall over. Ouch!

Your choice of tires - where the rubber hits the road (or trail) - is all about proper grip. The general rule is smooth tires for road cycling, knobby for trails, but there are multiple variations in-between such as tires with smooth tread in the middle and knobs on each side for more grip when turning on the often-loose material on trails. You can hear those knobs when turning on asphalt.

Tire pressure should be adjusted for your choice of terrain: harder on asphalt for less rolling resistance and easier pedalling (it's amazing the difference a few pounds per square inch can make); softer for a wider grip and less jarring on trails. Check the tire pressure recommendations on the sidewall and adjust accordingly. A road/trail/mountain biking friend says he sometimes adjusts tire pressure five-seven times a ride.

Tubes are porous, so they leak. Check tire pressure regularly—hybrids once a week, road tires every two-four days. Mountain bike tires take a beating, so check often.

When it comes to tube tires versus tubeless, the Sheriff switched to tubeless years ago but also uses tire sealant like Slime and hasn't had a flat in years. You can sometimes see it seeping out of a pinprick leak. However, it doesn't last forever and more should be added every six months to a year, depending how far and often you ride.

You don't have to ride too many times in wet conditions without fenders (with mud stripes up your back) before you consider adding them, at least over the rear tire. The Sheriff uses a bike bag on top of a rear pannier rack to deflect most mud but it requires washing at the end of a trail ride.

In front is a DeFender fender which looks cool, like something Batman would use if he had an e-bike. Many other styles are available to suit your taste or as an upgrade to fenders supplied with your bike.

Depending on your needs, your bike bag (or a small backpack) could carry a spare tube, set of three tire levers, repair kit with glueless patches (take up less space), CO2 inflator and two cartridges, surgical or plastic gloves (to keep your hands clean as well as warm when chilly outside), wet wipes, backup pump with correct nozzle for Schrader (old-style, automotive) and Presta tire valves, Allan key set, chain repair tool and a small amount of money.

If you want to bring more gear on the rear rack, a waterproof side bag can carry a small amount of toilet paper, flagging tape, bike lock, gloves and alternate outerwear.

Many bikes can carry two water bottles. The Sheriff uses one holder for a water bottle and the other for a water bottle tool kit. Google “water bottle tool kit” and you can find retail models and YouTube instructions on how to make one from an old water bottle.

•••

Vernon outdoorsman Brian Sutch has his perennial warning about the arrival of ticks: “(I) just spotted two mountain buttercups blooming along the Bella Vista section of the Grey Canal and the ticks usually start appearing at the same time. (You) might want to give a heads up in your column."

Next week: The Sheriff takes a break from the series on how to customize your bicycle or e-bike and riding, maintenance and repair tips with a travel feature on his recent multi-day kayaking excursion in Baja California Sur. It was full of ups and downs, thanks to Mother Nature.

Photo: Contributed

Wood ticks (dermacentor andersoni), the species most commonly found through the Interior Health region, do not carry Lyme disease bacteria but they can carry other diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever. An adult tick is the size of a sesame seed (2.5-millimetre diameter) but about the size of a small pea when engorged with blood.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

How to make you bicycle the most comfortable ride ever

Bicycle comfort tips

Photo: J.P. Squire

The height of your bicycle saddle should be adjusted so your knees are slightly bent at the bottom of the pedal stroke. The ball of your foot should be over the pedal. Even a small height adjustment can make a big difference.

This is the second column in a series on how to customize your new or new-to-you bike/e-bike to make it the most comfortable bicycle you have ever pedalled.

In the last column, the Bike Sheriff covered the basics of handlebars and stems, and introduced saddle selection.

To ensure a soft ride, the sheriff bought a Thudbuster suspension post with three variations of rubber stoppers from soft to hard. Then it was the wide, soft seat with springs covered by sheepskin.

The Sheriff jokes his Trek Powerfly 5 e-bike with a full-charged battery, low power setting and flat terrain can travel up to 160 kilometres. His rear end is now good for about 50 kilometres.

Too many cyclists have their saddle adjusted too low. A half-inch can be critical. If you raise your toes with your leg straight, your heel should just clear the pedal as you swing the leg forward. Another common method is that your knee should be only slightly bent when your foot is at the lowest part of the pedal stroke. The ball of your foot should be over the pedal.

If your saddle is too high, you can have hip issues because your bum will be rocking sideways. Once your saddle is at the correct height (try slight variations for your custom fit), scratch the post next to the quick release to mark the spot. Magic Marker wears off.

Once your saddle is set at the correct height using the quick release, you won't likely change it. However, that common quick release means someone can steal your expensive saddle and post, so an Allen wrench screw clamp or lockable clamp will provide more protection. There are also lockable axles to prevent wheel theft.

At the ends of the handlebar are grips which come in a variety of shapes and softness from hard plastic to foam to gel. Softer grips will wear out faster. Some have an ergonomic design to better support your palms. Don't bend your wrists when your hands are on the grips.

How upright to sit can be confusing for novices. If you lean too far forward, it can be hard on your hands, wrists, back and neck. Road cyclists use a small narrow saddle and typically lean right over transferring a lot of pressure onto their hands which are on drop bars.

Comfort and hybrid cyclists sit in a more upright position: more weight on the bum and less weight on the hands. As a result, many come with larger saddles. Bigger is not necessarily better, though. It depends on your “sit” bones. Some bike shops have a sit bone-measuring surface to determine how far apart they are. You can feel them with your fingers and then transfer that distance to a saddle to determine where your sit bones will sit, ideally on the softest or most supportive part of the saddle.

As a semi-final adjustment, don't forget you can move your saddle back and forth horizontally on its rails about two inches. A level can ensure the saddle is perfectly flat or whatever angle your bum isn't moving around. The key is determining which bike position is the most comfortable overall for you and your biking style.

Pedals come in variety of shapes, sizes and price if you want to switch out the standard pedals which come with the bike. Pedals are your platform for propulsion so you might opt for larger pedals. Metal pedals, especially those with raised bumps, are better than plastic, which can be slippery. Be beware of mountain bike pedals with aggressive spikes because we have all had them scrap the back of our legs at some point. Stitches are uncommon but can be needed.

If you wear running shoes with a soft sole, you not only lose power but your toes can curl over the front of the pedal producing toe burn or "hot spots." So, cycling-specific shoes come with a stiff sole. Road cycle shoes have cleats to lock your shoes onto the pedals.

Some have even bigger, more aggressive cleats but there are now rubber covers so cyclists aren't sliding (and clicking) when walking around on hard floors.

Next week: More customizing tips.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

Arrival of March signals the start of a new cycling year

Biking season is here

Photo: J.P. Squire

The Okanagan's mild winter meant many cyclists didn't put their bicycles into storage but took advantage of every sunny, warm day for shorter rides wearing several layers of clothing. Paved bike paths and trails in Kelowna remained mostly passable.

March. Warm temperatures. Sunshine. Blue skies. Time to dust off the bike.

It's that time of year again, when the hearts of cyclists start to pound, their lungs fill with fresh air and their legs ache from unaccustomed pedalling.

It's also time to line up for spring tune-ups at bike shops in the Southern Interior, something you should done it in January. The sight of all those bicycles hitting the road and trails will no doubt prompt many non-cyclists to swear: "This is the year I buy a bike and explore all the trails I've been reading about (on Castanet)."

For those who don't know the basics of buying a new, or new-to-you, bicycle (or want to improvetheir ride), here are the Bike Sheriff's tips with a few references to www.bicycle-guider.com.

Depending on the manufacturer, bike frames can come in as many as five sizes but there is a lack of standardization across brands so don't rely solely on bike size labels such as XS, S, M, L and XL.

Manufacturers also use different sizing measurements, such as centimetres and inches, so it becomes even more complicated. Sizing methods also differ based on bike type: road, mountain and hybrid.

Constant Companion Carmen thought she needed a medium full-suspension mountain bike but one website indicated she was borderline small-medium and another calculated she was a small.

This website (bicycle-guider.com/bike-articles/bike-size-chart) has a mountain bike chart which combines your height in inches (and centimetres), leg inseam (in both), seat post length in inches and size label. For example, a rider who is five-feet, five-inches to five-feet, nine-inches tall (168-178 cm) and has a leg inseam of 26 inches to 31 inches (66–78 cm) would need a seat post length of 17 inches to 18 inches, or a medium. (Note: A novice sometimes can't tell the difference in size during a short test ride unless the size is way off.)

Now you have decided on the bike size and made the financial commitment, it's time to look critically at how you can customize your bike. The Sheriff has lost track of how many equipment changes and upgrades he has completed to fine-tune his Trek Powerfly 5 e-bike. CCC jokes he has converted a hard-tail mountain bike into a hybrid. Guilty. But it's good for streets and trails.

Think of the three contact points (five actually)— hands on the handlebar, bum in the saddle and feet on the pedals.

Your first decision is how upright (back straight) you want to be. The easiest adjustment is with the stem, stem spacers and the handlebar. There are probably 30 different stem options to vary not only the height but to bring the handlebar closer to you or further away. There is also an adjustable (heavier) stem that rotates at an angle up and down, and is then tightened at the correct height. A newer style of stem can move up and down by adding or removing a small number of spacers.

Almost every mountain bike and many others come with a flat (straight) handlebar. The Sheriff bought a riser bar to bring his hands higher, and then a stem extension to bring them even higher.

The riser bar allows you to sit further upright with less weight on the handlebar, which can alleviate stress or pain in the wrists, arms and back. You can also adjust what is called the handlebar “back sweep,” the angle at which the bar bends back from the stem to offer you an even more comfortable grip.

The wider the handlebar, the more leverage and control you have. It makes turning easier and requires less energy. However, if you find the standard or riser handlebar too long, a local bike shop can trim both ends.

Next, you should choose a comfortable saddle. With hundreds of sizes, shapes and soft-vs-hard feel to check out, try before you buy. Examine the width of the front or "nose" of the saddle which will fit between your thighs. If it is too wide, it could potentially rub or chafe your inner thighs so you should choose a narrower nose.

Many saddles come with a cutout in the middle which takes the pressure off that area of your body. They're intended for both men and women now.

Next week: More tips on saddles, pedals and riding.

Photo: J.P. Squire

This Trek Powerfly 5 e-bike was customized in numerous ways including a riser handlebar, stem extension, cushy saddle, Thudbuster suspension post, rear panier rack, knobby tubeless mountain bike tires and tire sealant.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

Ski season winding down but still lots to do on the hills

Season finale at ski hills

Photo: Andrew Jay, Big White Ski Resort

AltiTunes Music Festival, Canada's biggest apr?s-ski festival, returns to Big White Ski Resort at the end of the 2024-25 season. Headlining the two-day event are Grammy-nominated indie-electronic duo Bob Moses on April 4 and chart-topping superstars Loud Luxury on April 5.

The 2024-25 ski and snowboard season is winding down but there are still lots of reasons to hit the slopes with an avalanche of special events and activities at the Southern Interior's biggest downhill resorts.

Big White Ski Resort

Feb. 28-March 2: Slopeside Pride is a full line-up of events from family-friendly activities to high-voltage nightlife with top-tier talent.

March 8: International Women's Ski Day with Olympic skier Kelsey Serwa. Try out Elan's 2025-26 ski lineup, have lunch with friends, enjoy an afternoon yoga session and then après ski at Happy Valley Day Lodge.

March 12-13, 26-27: Loose Moose Challenge. Uncover hidden letters on blue runs to discover the hidden word and win prizes.

March 21: Jr. Chef Challenge is an exciting culinary adventure where children put their cooking talents to the test. It is sold out but spectators are welcome.

April 4-5: AltiTunes Music Festival. Canada's biggest après-ski festival will return. Headlining will be Bob Moses, the Grammy-nominated duo known for their emotive dance sound and Loud Luxury, the Juno Award-winning pair behind the hit, Body.

April 6: Last day of the season.

SilverStar Mountain Resort

Feb. 26: Final day of the B.C. Snowboard Slopestyle competition in the main terrain park.

Feb. 28: Final event of the Peter Dorey Memorial Club Bamboo Race series in honour of the former coach of the Vernon Ski Club and SilverStar Freestyle Club.

March 8: Opera on the Mountain with duo Voix du Coeur featuring soprano Jay Laflamme and tenor and violinist Denis Letourneau.

March 9, April 6: Monthly Winter Music Series presented by Destination SilverStar with live performances in the village.

March 21: Train Wreck Comedy at the National Altitude Training Centre with some of Canada’s top stand-up comedians.

March 24-28: 2025 U16 Western Championship. Alpine Canada-sanctioned event hosted by SilverStar and Vernon Ski Club.

March 28-April 6: Seismic Spring Mountain Festival. Ten days of sport, music, art and mountain fun, including the Polson Artisan Market, Green Tire Giveaway by Nokian Tyres, Seismic Season Finale Rail Jam, NITP (Nothing In The Pantry) Ride Day and SkiiTour with the DJ and production duo from Whistler.

April 5: Retro Day. Wear ski outfits from the 1980s and 1990s with prizes for best dressed skier.

April 5-6: Fourth annual Sovereign2SilverStar Ski Marathon.

April 6: Free winter season pass-holder barbecue and Hawaiian Shirt Day on the last day of the season.

Sun Peaks Resort

Feb. 23: Last day of the Freestyle B.C.'s Timber Tour, hosted by the resort and Sun Peaks Freestyle Club.

Feb. 28-March 2: Peak Pride returns with a variety of events, including drag performances, a lively pride parade and après-ski festivities.

March 1-2: Spring Fling Camp is a two-day ski improvement camp with CSIA instructors.

March 8: Stunt N' Stroll Village Rail Jam with prizes.

March 16-19: Final stop of the B.C. Snowboard provincial series.

March 20: Ski Down in Gowns. Wear your favourite gown or tuxuedo for the day.

March 21-22: Twentieth annual Hub International Nancy Greene Festival, the biggest Nancy Greene Ski League festival in Canada. As many as 2,000 guests, including 600 children, are expected. A speed trap, dual GS, jump contest, skier X-style “kombi” course, moguls and other fun events for kids.

March 25: B.C. Snowboard Grom Series camp for skiers aged eight to 14 years of age. It’s part of the Canada Snowboard Riders development program.

March 27-30: Savour Festival: A celebration of gastronomy, culture and creativity.

March 29: NITP (Nothing in the Pantry) Women's Ride Day in the Base Camp Terrain Park.

March 30: Garden Party Rail Jam will be open format for all athletes.

April 12-13: Wonder Weekend. Final weekend of winter lift operations.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort

March 6-9: International Freeskiers Association Junior 2* for young skiers age seven to 19 years of age, the next generation in B.C. and Alberta.

March 10-17: 2025 Yeti Natural Selection Tour. Twenty-four of the world's best snowboarders go head-to-head in the backcountry for the Natural Selection title.

March 23, April 13: Locals Day with $20 lift tickets and 50 per cent of proceeds going to the Revelstoke Foundation. $10 standard rentals and 50 per cent off high-performance rentals. $20 group lessons for residents of Nakusp and the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD), which includes Salmon Arm, Sicamous and Golden.

March 23: Rail Jam Series. Custom-built course, categories for male, female, ski and snowboard.

April 14: Last day of the season.

Photo: Lianne Viau Photography

The Seismic Spring Mountain Festival returns to SilverStar Mountain Resort on March 28-April 6 with 10 days of sport, music, art and mountain fun. It includes the Polson Artisan Market, Green Tire Giveaway by Nokian Tyres, Seismic Season Finale Rail Jam, NITP (Nothing In The Pantry) Ride Day and SkiiTour with DJ/production duo from Whistler.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.