< Back To Page 1

Seized free hub/Broken free hub
Free hubs most commonly seize, resulting in a fixed wheel effect. This means you have to keep pedaling continuously, or the chain will wrap around the block, threatening your rear mech and hanger. At this point it's a toss up whether to remove the chain, leaving a push up all the hills, or keep it on, making some descents impossible as there are places where you just can't pedal. If you have mostly climbing or descending left the choice is easy. If you have sufficient time and steep climbs/descents ahead you should consider pushing with no chain. What's the point of getting to the top a little quicker if you spoil the descents? A broken free hub gives you the opposite effect, the pedals freewheel in both directions. You could zip-tie the cogset to the spokes, producing the problem above. We would only consider this if there was a long way left to pedal and time was limited.

Worn V-brake pads
In the wrong conditions (UK mountain biking...) soft V-brake pads can wear out in one long ride. This spoils your descending and can lead to off-bike aerobatics even before you notice a creeping deterioration in performance. The solution is to start every big wet ride with a fresh set of pads, or get disks which last loads longer. If this sounds too expensive, carry a spare pair of pads for the rear at the very least. Don't forget to tape a pair of pins to the inside of your puncture repair outfit lid, if your brakes need them. It's a good thing if you do this to also have a pair of pliers along...

By now you're probably thinking that with all these spares you'll need a Giant truck...

Hypothermia
The most important item of clothing by far is your waterproof jacket. Yeah, I hear you say, we all carry one. But is it still waterproof? You can wash your jacket in the machine, we do with Goretex approved solution, but at some point it will begin to lose it's waterproof coating and then you're in danger. The best way to solve this is to spray the outside of your jacket with a re-proofing spray such as Supapruf or Grangers. You will need to do this at least the night before a ride as it takes eight hours to dry. Make sure you get the aerosol and not the pump version, you need a finer spray than a hand pump can give.

A Camelbak is the smart way to fit it all in.

Low blood sugar
This one seems to be just about performance, but if you're over-stretched in terms of distance and other factors are in play such as poor weather, injury or inadequate clothing it can be serious. The key is to eat well in the morning, and not stop eating all day! A particular problem can occur with a long drive and early start. If you have your breakfast before 8:00AM and don't start riding until after 10:00 you are starting with very low reserves. If you're driving long distance to your ride make sure you eat on the way, when you get there and all through the ride.

Getting lost
If you've followed MTB Britain over the last year (you have, haven't you?) you'll know we really like digital GPS Mapping. However, we're not to be found out on a new route without a compass and a map in a waterproof bag as well. If you're taking an OS map it's smart to re-fold it so that you don't have to open the whole thing on a wind-swept, rain blasted hillside. The double sided ones are the worst in this respect, don't say we didn't warn you, as your map turns to slush and sails off across a distant field.

Darkness falls
This is one we'd been slacking off on for ages. Then some major mechanicals on an ambitious route in the Peaks in December left us wishing we hadn't. There's no excuse these days for running late without a single watt bulb between you. We're especially fond of the new Petzl Ticca head torch. If you're going to be carrying a light on day rides all through the Winter (and hopefully never using it) then it's got to be incredibly light, surprisingly bright and helmet mounted. This is because if you're going to ride with a tiny light, it's good to be able to point it where it's needed. It also rocks for dealing with mechanical problems, reading your map and even when you're trying to rack your bikes in the dark.


Print Text! the whole feature in text only form.