Dan's Papers - June 19, 2009 - Biking: Ups, Downs and Everything in Between

Every year for the past decade, along with a group of bicycle enthusiasts of the New York Athletic Club, I used to do a measured 100-mile bike ride through the North and South Forks of Long Island. It would end with a jump in the ocean after eight or nine grueling hours of biking. We traveled through the ocean winds, busy roads and charming farm fields, with ferry rides to and from Shelter Island, and long, challenging hills, like the ride on Route 114 from Sag Harbor to East Hampton, which, after 88 miles of riding, is not as much fun as rolling down it.

But in recent years some safety issues concerning bike riding have come to light. Helmet use, bike lanes, right of way, as well as bad car drivers and bike riders have led to some unfortunate incidents where lives have been lost. On the South Fork, my favorite rides in each town are usually close to the ocean roads, where the breeze can affect the ease of the ride. In Southampton, rides down Gin Lane are wonderful. In Bridgehampton, the ride through horse country is breathtaking in many ways - due to some hills. In Water Mill, the traverse of Deerfield Road from Route 27 to Noyac Road is a fun, country classic. In East Hampton, the choices are numerous, with fine roads in Springs (Gerard Drive, Louse Point and the Devan Yacht Club area), the North West Woods (Cedar Point Light House), East Hampton Village (Lily Pond Lane, Maidstone area, Futher Lane) and Three Mile Harbor.

Almost all of Amagansett is a pleasant bike ride, as well as the world-class challenges of the hills on the way to and from the Montauk Lighthouse. The Montauk winds can literally knock you over at the apex of the steep hills, when even in the lowest gear you are moving almost at a crawl. So the sudden cross or head wind can grind you to a halt.

Have your bike checked before entering into a new summer season if you're going to go out on the roads, miles from your home or car. The chains should be checked and cleaned, as well as your brake pads, of course. Too many people forget to check both their tire tubes and padding between the rim and the tire tubes. Over time the padding (usually a tape) can become brittle, causing a spoke ending to rub the tube, thus resulting in a flat tire. This usually happens about 40 minutes into the ride, if not sooner. Then no matter how many tubes you carry the tire will go flat very soon.

Most road bikers carry two extra tubes and either a pump or a cartridge of compressed air for the inevitable flat tire. Another way to avoid untimely flats is to make sure your tire is not over or under-inflated. Usually on road bikes 85-110 pounds is recommended, less for hybrids. Also try to avoid shredded windshield glass, broken bottle glass and perhaps the biggest culprit - deep, sudden potholes in the road. It is important to have your seat at the right height for long rides to maximize your leg extension into energy. Another pointer in the summer is to stay hydrated or else sudden dizziness or dehydration may cause you to fall or have an accident. Carry cold water or some sort of electrolyte drink. I wear official bike clothes, which may be costly to the casual rider, but at least wear clothing that stands out so that motorists, especially older drivers, can see you well in advance of passing you. Use hand signals. For travel through towns and villages, have some sort of horn or bike bell. A warning device is required by some town rules for riding on the village's Main Street. In fact all bike riding is forbidden on Sag Harbor's Main Street. Many long range bikers use clip-in shoes to maximize their energy, however, if you have these shoes, make sure your clip is adjusted for easy in, easy out traction or serious injury is a certainty. In recent years, the debate between the use of alloy bikes versus steel bikes has been heated. Steel is preferred by many old time experts, while others prefer the lighter aluminum bikes, but ultimately, it's a personal choice. Lastly, the word is: due to market conditions there are amazing deals on used and new bikes at stores and on the internet. But when you buy a bike, remember to get it the right height and right length between handlebar and seat. The wrong size bike can eventually cause an accident or loss of life. Pick your roads carefully when biking with children and err on the side of less ambitious rides. I know from personal experience when a child is tired, the ride is over. So end it before they become tired far from home.