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Steamboat Magazine

You Won't Believe What Harry Said Your Bike Needs

04/26/2019 09:55AM ● By Alesha Damerville

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS – “Come for the winter, stay for the summer,” is a frequently used saying in the Yampa Valley. When the weather starts to warm, the community comes alive. Camping trips, river trips, hiking and biking occupy the thoughts of locals as early as the beginning of April. 

Biking enthusiasts are chomping at bit with excitement about the upcoming mountain bike season. However, there are a few things you should know before hitting the trails. Harry Martin from Steamboat Ski and Bike Kare shares his checklist of must-dos when taking his bike out of storage.  

1. Check your tire pressure. Odds are tires will be low due to air leaking out in the winter. If you have a tubeless setup, they will need to be re-inflated because they often dry out over the winter, making it more likely to get a flat. 

2. You want to make sure your chains are clean, and your brakes are working. A good idea is to bring the bike into one of your local shops for a tune-up, including checking the wheels for issues, cleaning the frame, brakes and drive-train and overall inspecting the whole bike to ensure everything is working correctly.

3. Be sure to always carry a patch kit and an extra tube when you’re biking.

4. Grab an up-to-date helmet. Technology has changed, making helmets a lot safer. The new helmets are two-to-three times safer than the old helmets that are out there. 

5. Respect trail closures for the elk population. There are quite a few places we shouldn’t be riding until the elk and their calves have moved on.  

6. Don’t ride on muddy trails. Trails get destroyed from wet riding.