On this occasion we would like to talk about tips for riding a bike safely in our suggested routes with total safety. While it is true that the vast majority of you are expert cyclists, it never hurts to remember them and especially for all those new cyclists who start in our sport.
Safety is an important part of cycling. This is why we want to share with you our top tips for a safe ride, to help keep yourself & other road users secure.
Before Picking up your bike: general check for a safe ride
Stay identified
Carry a valid identification document, such as a Passport, ID Card, or Driving License. Not only in case of an accident: the law in Spain says that everyone must be able to show a national identity card or passport to police or the Guardia Civil if asked by these authorities.
Prep your ride
We must be sure of our frame size and our measurements. A poorly selected size can cause injuries, and we will not be able to squeeze our full potential on the bike. You can not imagine how many watts are lost for this reason! However, the qualified staff of Fast Monkey Bike Rental will be in charge of getting your bike perfectly set up.
Bike condition
When we use automatic pedals, we must know what type of pedal we are using, since not all pedals are compatible with each other. If we rent a pedal that does not correspond to our cleats, the pedal will not work properly. Once again the Fast Monkey Bike Rental staff will advise you at all times on the compatibility of the pedals.
It is also important to perform a pre-bike check to make sure everything is working properly and check the tire pressure, so we will not have unwanted surprises.
Carry a Safety kit
It is also essential to carry spare cameras and the basic tools to be able to repair in case of puncture. Fast Monkey includes mountain bike and road repair kits, with spare tube and pump with every sport bike.
Before starting the ride: everything you will need during your ride
Any chargers and/or accessories that go with the bike
We must also carry a mobile phone with a fully charged battery, it is essential if we need to make a call to ask for help at a certain time, also today, everyone uses smartphones, so we can also immortalize our route with epic photos.
Stay hydrated!
Hydration is essential in our sport, you always have to drink before being thirsty, especially on hot days. It carries enough liquid, water, isotonic, it cannot be missing. Poor hydration can have very serious consequences.
All Fast Monkey staff are avid cyclists, connoisseurs of the area, they can tell you where there are fountains or where to buy bottles of water on the route. Let yourself be advised by them.
Food and suplements tips
Equally important is hydration as food, especially if we are going to make long routes. Always carry a couple of energy bars and a pair of gels, we will avoid a fainting since in this way we are replenishing the nutrients that we have been consuming along the route.
We must carry cash, you never know if at any given time we should buy water, food, stop at a restaurant or take a taxi. Money is a lifesaver that can save us from almost any situation.
Know the road and plan the route
Especially if we do not know the area, it is important to carry a map. You can also load the route in a specific mobile application like Strava or on a GPS. On Fast Monkey Bike Rental website, all routes are available, both for road and MTB to be downloaded for GPS. It is also convenient to mention our family and friends the area where we are going to ride.
ICE (In Case of Emergency)
In case of emergencies, the telephone number is 112, and they attend both Spanish and English. It is a unique emergency telephone number coordinated by the Police, Fire and Health Services, 24 hours 7 days a week. It is free.
Ride with care
It is true that many times we feel in top form, but we must have a head. Plan routes according to our level of physical form: let’s be honest with ourselves. In the end, the route puts each cyclist in place.
For more information on tips and advices, don’t doubt to contact us. Our staff will be delighted to help!