RentaBikeNow.com

11/20/2021

11/12/2021

Century rides coming up

Start Date Event My Rides
Nov 13 2021 Tour de Foothills
Nov 13 2021 Bikes and Beers Richmond 2021
Nov 13 2021 Ride the Point 2021
Nov 14 2021 CF Cycle for Life Central Florida
Nov 14 2021 PinkStrong Shero Mission Ride
Nov 19 2021 Tour the Trace
Nov 19 2021 Best Buddies Challenge: Miami
Nov 20 2021 Delray Beach-to-Vero Beach Cycle
Nov 20 2021 Bikes and Beers San Diego 2021
Nov 20 2021 Death Valley Century
Dec 04 2021 Mission to Mission Charity Bike Tour
Dec 11 2021 Bikes and Beers Tampa Bay 2021
Jan 01 2022 Polar Bear Ride
Jan 01 2022 THE New Years Day Ride
Jan 01 2022 Mt. Wilson New Years Day Ride
Jan 01 2022 Rough Riders New Years Day Ride
Jan 01 2022 Long Beach New Years Day Ride
Jan 08 2022 San Tan Century
Jan 08 2022 Ride with the King Elvis
Jan 09 2022 First Century
Jan 16 2022 Maui Miles Cycling Experience
Jan 17 2022 Santa Monica Mountains Climbing Camp
Jan 23 2022 Tour De Cape
Jan 31 2022 Tour de Broward
Feb 12 2022 Tour de Palm Springs

11/05/2021

Don’t forget to Fall Back this weekend!

10/21/2021

Who else had a Stingray?

A look back at the company that brought us the iconic Sting-Ray bicycle, Schwinn Bicycle Company.--Please consider supporting Recollection Road on Patreon fo...

10/14/2021

THE TOPIC
Avoid Crashes
DECREASING RISK OF CRASHES

There are two main types of crashes: the most common (falls), and the most serious (the ones with cars). Regardless of the reason for the crash, prevention is the name of the game. There are things you can do to decrease your risk of a crash. First, know some bicycle safety facts:

1. Regardless of the season, bicyclist deaths occurred most often between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
2. Bicyclist deaths occur most often in urban areas (78%) compared to rural areas (22%) in 2019.
3. Bicyclist deaths were 6 times higher for males than females in 2019.
4. One in four fatal bike crashes in 2019 involved a bicyclist who had been drinking alcohol.

Ride responsibly, and remember: All states require bicyclists on the roadway to follow the same rules and responsibilities as motorists.

09/15/2021

Fall Biking 10 Things You Need
Whether you prefer the woods or the road, pedaling into fall gives you access to sights, smells, and sensations that fair-weather biking can't offer. Here are a few key adaptations to your cycling wardrobe that will keep you cranking while you wait for the first snowfall of winter.
BIKING JACKETS
Okay, the temperature is 40°F and your first thought as you head out is to bundle up. Don't do it. After 10 minutes of hard riding, your body will start generating heat like a blast furnace. Avoid the common mistake of dressing too warmly-go with a lightweight, wind-resistant shell as your outer layer. Make sure it has a full-zip front for venting, plus a drop tail for coverage in the back.
BIKING JERSEYS AND TOPS
Wearing multiple light layers helps trap insulating air between layers of clothing. Start with a thin polyester base layer that will quickly wick moisture away from your skin to keep you dry. On colder days, add an easy-to-shed midlayer such as a synthetic long-sleeve shirt or bike jersey. A vest is another good option, as it warms your core while leaving your arms free to move.
BIKING PANTS & TIGHTS
The rule of thumb is to keep the knees covered at 50°F or lower, so time to trade in your cycling shorts for knickers or capris. If it's colder than that, opt for full-length tights instead. Breathable tights that have wind-resistant fronts are best. If the tights you select don't have padded bottoms (they often don't), wear them over your bike shorts.
BIKING HEADWEAR
The vents in your helmet that are such an asset during the scorching summer months become a major liability when the mercury dips and you're hauling at 30 mph. To prevent your scalp from going numb, be sure to wear a thin synthetic skullcap or headband under the helmet. If it's especially cold, choose a skullcap with earflaps, or better yet, a thin balaclava (the thing that looks like a ninja mask) to cover your mouth and neck.
BIKING SOCKS
Cycling socks with merino wool will add needed warmth. Also include thin liner socks against the skin. Just be sure to pay close attention to how these thicker socks affect the fit of your shoes. Bike shoes tend to be snug anyway, and too many socks might create constriction, which can inhibit blood flow and cause even colder feet.
BIKE SHOE COVERS
Cycling covers (or booties) cover the exterior of your shoes and protect from cold and wind. These are often made of neoprene, but remember that neoprene does not breathe well and can increase clamminess. Other options include toe covers, chemical heat pads, and even electrically heated shoe insoles. Those who are committed to riding through the winter will sometimes buy extra bike shoes that are a size larger to accommodate additional (or heavier) socks.
ARM & LEG WARMERS
Perfect for semi-cold conditions, arm and leg warmers provide good insulation and can be rolled up or removed entirely if the weather warms.
BIKE GLOVES
It's tough to shift when your thumbs are numb. And when you combine colder air temperatures with a strong headwind, your hands are going to notice. Leave the fingerless gloves at home and go for full-fingered gloves. In frigid conditions, consider bike mittens or even bike pogies that fit over the handlebars.
BIKE LIGHTING
With the colorful trees comes reduced daylight. Place a white light on the front of your bike and a red one (usually a flasher) in the rear. Lights are often sold in sets. They should be visible from 500 feet.
BIKE REFLECTION
A reflector vest worn over your clothing makes you more visible to oncoming cars and indiscriminate hunters, while also helping to block wind. Reflectors can also come in the form of tape, stickers, and plastic pieces that mount to your bike. White reflectors are more visible than amber or red ones. In any event, be sure to avoid dark clothing.

08/27/2021

7 Essential Bicycle Maintenance Tips Every Rider Should Know

7 Essential Bicycle Maintenance Tips Every Rider Should Know
Bicycle maintenance is important for every type of rider. Whether you bike regularly to work, race, or just head out on the trails a couple times a month, you need to stay on top of basic maintenance to prevent unsafe conditions and costly surprises from popping up down the road. Bike maintenance doesn’t have to be difficult, either. You can keep your bike rolling well into the future by following these simple bicycle maintenance tips.
1) Keep Your Bike Clean

Just as you wash your car to keep it looking pristine and running well, you also want to clean your bicycle to extend the life of your ride. When you clean your bike, it will help prevent dirt and grease buildup from eating through your bike’s mechanical parts. All you need is a bucket, water, biodegradable soap, a large sponge, a towel, and an old toothbrush or other small brush to get everything clean: the bike frame, chain, chain rings, pedals, brakes, seat, etc.
2) Lubricate Your Drivetrain

Always wipe off and clean your chain after a ride. Doing so will allow time for the l**e to sink into the chain. Some people like to l**e before a ride, but this can attract dust and dirt. When using l**e, add just a tiny amount and wipe off any excess. Using too much l**e can attract more dirt and negatively impact shifting. Need a l**e recommendation? Ask your trusted local bike shop. And if you have a lot of excess grease buildup, get yourself a chain cleaner to get rid of heavy grease.
3) Inspect Your Tires

Nothing is worse than having to stop and change a flat tire during your ride. Always inspect your tires and check their pressure using a floor pump. After ensuring that your tires are inflated correctly, check them for other damage or wear that may cause them to go flat during a ride.
4) Be Sure Bolts, Screws, and Nuts are Tightened

Don’t let your bike fall apart while you ride! You can keep things intact by quickly checking for any loose bolts, screws, or nuts before you head out. If you do notice that you’ve lost some nuts or bolts while on your ride, ensure you can fix things right away by carrying some spare nuts and bolts with you.
5) Check Your Brakes

As you are probably well aware, good brakes are essential. Brake pads wear down over time, so be sure to check your brake pads between bike service visits. All you need to do is take a quick ride at home and pump your brakes. If you can feel that your brakes are soft, your brake pads likely need replaced.
6) Learn How to Fix a Flat Tire (Amongst Other Things)

If you’re out riding alone and you get a flat tire, what will you do? Ensure you don’t get stranded out in the middle of nowhere by learning how to patch tubes. YouTube has some helpful videos on the subject. Plus, we offer mechanics classes every season to show you how to replace tubes, and other basics of repairing and rebuilding your ride.
7) Get Your Bike Serviced

Every season, it’s important to maintain your bicycle by taking it into a service center. Our experienced mechanics have the skills to keep you on the road and enjoying your ride for life. Whether you need basic maintenance and some minor adjustments, or require a complete teardown and inspection, we will address your concerns and assess your bike’s needs to ensure your bicycle is safe to use.
The more you make sure your bike is in working order on a routine basis, the less you will have to spend on seasonal maintenance. Need more help? The service team at your local roll: shop will be happy to give you expert advice on keeping your bike in its best shape.

08/03/2021

Sidewalk versus Street Riding

The safest place for bicycle riding is on the street, where bicycles are expected to follow the same rules of the road as motorists and ride in the same direction.

Children less than 10 years old, however, are not mature enough to make the decisions necessary to safely ride in the street.

Children less than 10 years old are better off riding on the sidewalk.

For anyone riding on a sidewalk:

Check the law in your State or jurisdiction to make sure sidewalk riding is allowed.

Watch for vehicles coming out of or turning into driveways.

Stop at corners of sidewalks and streets to look for cars and to make sure the drivers see you before crossing.

Enter a street at a corner and not between parked cars. Alert pedestrians that you are near by saying, “Excuse me,” or, “Passing on your left,” or use a bell or horn.
bicycle icon
For more information on bicycle safety, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Web site at: www.nhtsa.dot.gov
NHTSA People Saving People logo

07/21/2021

Want to convert your street cruiser to an ebike?

What Is an Electric Bike Conversion Kit?
Electric bike kits are compact electric motors that can be affixed to the frame of regular bicycles to convert them into motored bikes. They range in power from around 250 watts to over 750 watts. They’ll typically add between 12 and 25 pounds to the total weight of a bike. Depending on the type of bike you’re converting, powered speeds can average between 15 and 20 mph, with ranges of 12 and 40 miles.

07/10/2021

How to Beat the Heat on Summer Bike Rides
Get Acclimated. The biggest hot-weather mistake cyclists make is riding in the heat without preparation

Protect Yourself. A sunburn does more than fry your skin
Plan Ahead. ...
Cool Down. ...
Ease Up. ...
Hydrate Right.

06/20/2021

What is better than riding your bike with your Dad? Enjoy today all you Dads out there!

06/10/2021

Tips for new riders!

1. Protect your head. Head injuries are the cause of 60 percent of all cycling deaths in the U. S. every year. Many of these deaths could be avoided if everyone wore a helmet while cycling. Always wear a helmet when riding and make sure your kids do as well. Many states have bike helmet laws, but you should always wear one even if you don't have too.

2. Don't pedal in high gear for extended periods of time. You want to try and keep your cadence between 70 and 90 rpm's. When you pedal in a high gear it puts added strain on you knees.

3. Use your gears. When climbing hills shift into a gear that will keep your cadence in the right range of rpm's so you can make it up the hill without putting undue stress on your knees.

4. Get a proper bike fit. Having your bike set up to fit your body will make riding much easier, more efficient and cause you much less pain and soreness during and after the ride.

5. Get the right saddle. Getting the right saddle will make a huge difference when riding. Don't think the thickest padding will give you the most comfortable ride. A longer seat with a cutout will generally be the best type of saddle. Read reviews online and find out what others like, then test ride a few.

6. Change position while riding. Move your hands around on the bars, and move your rear end around on the saddle. This will keep your hands, arms and rear from getting numb due to prolonged time in a given position.

7. Don't ride with headphones on. It can be extremely dangerous if you don't hear an emergency vehicle or other commotions behind you or off to the side. If you have to have music, get a small clip-on radio with a speaker that you can attach to your jersey.

8. Know the rules. Ride with traffic and obey all road signs. Closely watch all cars in front of you so you can try to anticipate what they are going to do.

9. Keep your head up. Look out in front far enough ahead so you can react to any obstacles in the road or on the shoulder in front of you. Things like storm drain grates are very bad for skinny road bike tires.

If you follow these tips you will have a better, safer and more enjoyable time on your bike.