1. Tires & Wheels - check your tires are properly inflated. Take a quick look all the way around the tire for places where rubber might be cracked, gouged or worn. Also, check the nuts or quick release mechanisms that hold your wheels in place. And lastly, run your finger around the rim to check for loose spokes.

2. Brakes - squeeze your brake levers to make sure that they apply enough pressure to stop your bike and that you don’t have any problems with fraying or stretched cables. Check that the brake pads in the front and back to be sure they are hitting only the rims and not the tyres.

3. Seat Post & Handle Bar Stem - make sure that your handlebar stem is fastened tightly and is straight. Is your seat your set at the correct height? Now make sure that your seat doesn’t wobble from side to side!

4. Chain & Gears - check that your chain turns cleanly and doesn’t catch. Check for dirt, grime and rust. Lubricate if necessary. Run your bike through its range of gears to make sure there are no problems with chain slippage.

5. Pedals - Are they secure? Do they turn easily without moving from side to side? Are the reflectors in place?

TOP TIP!

Keep a pair of latex disposable gloves tucked away in your handbag to stop you from getting dirty in the event your chain does come off when riding your bike!

Bike checks

If you’re like me, when you’re ready to ride, all you want to do is go. Just jump on and start pedaling.

But for your own safety and to keep your bike in top working order, it’s really important that you get into the habit of performing 5 simple maintenance checks whenever you ride...and it takes no more than 30 seconds!

Be the first to see our new range of stunning handmade bicycle themed

jewellery!

Become the proud owner of the most chic panniers available on the market at show prices you cannot afford to

miss!

For more information about this event, visit www.cycledivas.co.uk

CYCLE DIVAS

35 DERBY ROAD,BELPER, DERBYSHIRE, DE56 1UU

07976 604522

WWW.CYCLEDIVAS.CO.UK

† CYCLE BASICS ¢

We’ve put together a series of gorgeous little brochures to help you to get to grips with all things cycling!

CYCLE BASICS is the first in the series and is packed full of great stuff from fashion tips to basic bike checks. Enjoy!

CYCLEDIVASA FEMININE APPROACH TO CYCLE TRAINING

London to Paris GREAT

FASHION CYCLE 2010

Registrations now being taken!

About cycle divas

The reason we’re in business is simple!

To inspire you to rediscover the freedom, independence and spirit of stylish 2 wheel

adventure that you’ve never before dreamt possible!

We are the UK’s only cycle school that combines teaching the art of cycle road craft with personal style management for that uber-chic look in a

100% lycra-free zone, guaranteed!

If you are in need of a little TLC to get you cycling or want to progress from quieter to busier

roads or even brush up on your urban traffic management skills, our Instructors are accredited

to coach you towards unleashing your true potential!

We’ll even accompany you on a bike ride, stopping to pick blackberries along the way in territory you’ve never before explored. And it’s

all done in slow style.

All our lessons include a 15 minute personal style session to get you

looking more adorable than ever. Get your heels onto a set of wheels and get

cycling in slow, elegant style

Heels On Wheels In Style!Before Setting Off

Clothing check

Check that your clothing is not going to get caught in any moving parts of the bike!

a. Use traditional bike clips if wearing trousers with a flare. For a more stylish look, wear a pair of colorful leg warmers over the top of your trouser flare!

b. Billowing skirts and long dresses are great to wear on a bike but do ride up your thighs. For modesty, wear leggings or shorts underneath or consider clipping the front of your skirt or dress to a peg on string tied to your handlebars!

c. For more uber-chic ways to cycle in style, visit www.cycledivas.co.uk

The helmet

It’s your choice! You can wear one if it makes you feel more confident but there’s certainly no law currently that dictates that you should.

Plenty of cyclists ride without one. In terms of being responsible for our own safety, there are many things cyclists need more than a helmet, starting with a well maintained bike and good road sense.

But, if you want to turn your head into an aerodynamic shape, you must make sure that it fits properly!

The following tips should help you when choosing and fitting your helmet.

A GOOD FIT =

• Tight straps

• Helmet positioned level on head

• Straps on either side of the ears

1. The helmet you wear shouldn’t be too small or too big. Minor adjustments can be made with straps, buckles and foam pads. Some helmets come with a small ‘fly wheel’ at the back of the helmet to help make the helmet sit snugly against your head.

2. Sit the helmet level on your head. A common mistake is to push the helmet onto the back of the head. If you find the helmet makes your hair itchy, the helmet may be too small or have too few air vents. Pushing it up off your forehead isn’t the answer!

3. Adjust the straps so that one passes in front of your ear and one behind. If the strap goes over your ear (or any ear-rings) it will be uncomfortable and the helmet may end up being too loose.

4. The strap under your chin should be a snug fit. Make it good and tight, then gulp a couple of times. Slacken the strap slightly if it’s too tight.

Different people have heads of different shape and size, so a friend’s recommendation of a helmet might not be the one for you. Shop around and try on different makes to find one that’s comfortable.

For a stylish, feminine option, choose the BERN MUSE pictured here!