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Welcome to Your Safety Center!
We want you, our Team 24 team-member to have an AWESOME experience as you ride the premiere cycling event in the United States! This is why your safety is our #1 concern and is our highest priority. In order for you to have the best possible experience as you ride your MS Bike event, here are some safety suggestions as you venture off into the urban and rural streets of our country during your training and on event day.
Have your bike inspected and tuned up!
Take your bike to a reputable bike shop and have them do a complete safety inspection on your two wheeled machine. The last thing you want to happen is to experience a broken chain during a ride! Having your bike inspected and tuned up is cheap insurance so you can be assured of a successful ride during your training program, and duing the event. If your bike has not been inspected for over a year, it's time to take it into your favorite bike shop for a quick "look-over".
Protect your noggin by wearing a helmet!
Wearing an ANSI or Snell approved bicycle helmet is not only smart advice, it's REQUIRED at ALL MS BIKE events throughout the United States! So, be sure you wear it with the chin strap nice and snug against your chin!
Wear proper clothing for cycling!
During a 100 - 150 mile bike tour, nothing is more important then being the most comforatable you can during those long miles in the saddle. Wearing proper cycling clothing can be a bit wierd looking, especially when you are at your local supermarket or convenient store as you buy that energy bar or electrolyte drink before your ride, but when it comes to comfort, it's essential! Our team jersey is made of the latest moisture wicking material to keep you feeling dry during your rides. Avoid loose fitting shorts as the seams will chafe your legs, leaving you with a narly rash as it can be quite painful. Cycling shorts with a chamois padding is highly recommended. Avoid long loose clothing as it may get caught into the chain, sprockets, and other moving parts. Avoid wearing plain ol' tennis shoes during your riding! Obtain cycling type shoes as it contains a solid hard sole for foot stability. In short, choosing the proper cycling attire will insure a very comfortable ride!
Eyewear for the eyes!
There's nothing worse than going through a gnat swarm as it hits your face as you're traveling through your local river trail or lakeside road. Unless you enjoy those pesky little bugs hitting your eyeballs (didn't think so), a pair of glasses are a necessity. Clear glasses or yellow tinted (blueblocker type) glasses are great for those cloudy / gloomy days, as well as those popular tinted ones for those sunshine days. Oh yeah, and try to keep your mouth closed during your transition through the bug farm, too!
Apply Sunscreen before your ride!
What's more brutal then climbing up that tough hill or transversing through the desert during your ride? It's the sun beating down on you as you're riding through the prairie or along a river trail. As you're skin is exposed to the UVA & UVB rays that's being emitted from that big star in the sky, you need to protect it! Apply generous amounts of sunsreen protection with a minimum of 30 SPF to all exposed areas of your body so you won't feel the OUCH after you're finished with your training and during the event. Remember, the MS Bike tour is a 2 DAY EVENT! Don't get FRIED on your first day by not applying your skin protection! Follow ALL vehicle traffic laws!
Most states views bicycles as moving vehicles, subject to the same rules and laws as motor vehicles do. Always obey the same traffic signs & signals as motor vehicles do. The MS Bike officials are very VERY serious when it comes to your safety and the safety of others during the ride. Anyone violating any traffic laws and / or ticketed by law enforcement during the MS-150 Bay to Bay Bike Tour may be subject to being removed / DQ'ed from the event. Always predict your movements to others by properly signaling with your left hand indicating your turn, or slowing / stopping. Be very cautious as you ride along parked vehicles as you never know when a door may open in front of you! Some of our teams will be riding in high populous places during their events, and there will be LOTS of parked vehicles during the ride. Always be "on your guard". When in doubt, yield! If you would like more info. regarding vehicle laws that pertain to cycling, you can visit the site below.
Stay to the right!
As you ride along the streets during the MS Bike Tour, always keep to the far right on the roadway as practical. Always ride single file as practical and not more than 2 abreast. Be very cautious when passing vehicles, especially those that are turning right at intersections in which you want to avoid passing them on the right because a quick right turn by their drivers could cause you to crash and hit the pavement!
Final Thoughts
In the United States, over 700 people are killed and thousands more are injured in bicycle collisions per year. Don't become a statistic! Set a great example for others by observing the safety tips we talked about.
- Always wear a helmet during your rides.
- Always obey all traffic signals and signage.
- Always ride to the far right of the roadway as practical.
- Always predict your movements to others by properly signaling using hand signals.
- Look out for parked vehicles (opening doors), as well as cars along cross streets and driveways.
- As you look over your shoulder when checking for traffic, be careful not to swerve into traffic. Recommendation: purchase a "rear view mirror" that attaches to your helmet or glasses.
- Keep your bike in tip-top shape.
- and the #1 rule: Ride carefully and HAVE FUN!
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