Checklist

It’s Sunday morning. You arrive at the Jamerson Family YMCA and strike up a conversation with your friends. As you pull your bike off your rack, a sinking feeling sets in – you’ve forgotten your water bottles.

Don’t laugh, it happens.

Thankfully, John Seiner, owner of Bikes Unlimited and co-sponsor of Storming of Thunder Ridge, John Bell Memorial Ride, is back with a checklist to ensure you’ll be ready to roll.

The night before the ride

  • Inflate your tires

  • Check that your saddle bag has tools, a spare tube & CO2 + inflation device

  • Lay out your clothing

  • Pin your rider number to your jersey

  • Group your helmet, gloves, shoes and sunglasses in a bag and place next to your bike or in your car

  • Put your tire pump in your car

  • Put a towel and a change of clothes in your car

  • Add the SAG support number on your cell phone (supplied on documentation you’ll get at packet pickup)

The morning of the ride

  • Inflate your tires (if you haven’t already)

  • Fill your water bottles and put them in the water bottle cages or in your car

  • Reset and attach your computer to your bike

  • Put your bike on your car rack

  • Apply sunscreen

  • Check the weather forecast. If it looks like rain, wear or pack a rain jacket

  • In your jersey pocket, put your ID, some money, keys and your phone in a plastic bag to keep them dry

  • In your jersey pocket, put the cue sheet in separate plastic bag so it won’t get smudged if it gets wet

  • In your jersey pocket, put some energy bars or gels so you have food if you get hungry before a rest stop

John reminds riders to eat a sensible meal and hydrate the night before the ride, and to get plenty of rest. In the morning, again, fuel up and hydrate.

When you get to the start location, make sure you check in with the event organizers and listen for any announcements. Use this time to stretch and warm up. Visually inspect your bike and review one more time that you have everything you’ll need for the ride.

Remember, don’t stress; the ride is fully supported. The starting area and each rest stop will have food, beverages and cue sheets. Plus there is first aid, mechanical support and monitoring of riders throughout the course.

Smile and enjoy your ride.