As a means of supporting you in your preparations for the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle, Enable Ireland has linked up with Kerry Recreation & Sports Partnership, who will share information over the coming weeks.
Wearing a helmet is a very good idea and one that is highly recommended. It could make the difference between a minor injury and a serious injury should you fall off your bike. The main reason we wear a helmet is to protect our brains from damage in an unexpected impact. A helmet on the handlebars does nobody any good. An ideal road helmet will be comfortable and fit properly. Here are some pointers: -
• helmet should sit level on the head, covering the forehead
• chinstrap splitter should lie right under the ears
• all straps should lie flat, not twisted
• chin straps should be tight enough to allow only one finger between the strap and the neck – without choking
• helmet should not rock from side to side, should only rock slightly forwards and backwards
When deciding what clothing to wear, keep in mind comfort and practicality as key factors. Apart from the helmet, cycling shorts is the most important and essential item of clothing required for cycling. Cycling shorts are often frowned upon, scorned due to their lycra content and unflattering tight fit, yet this humble piece of clothing can make all the difference to your ride. Cycling shorts are available in a baggy style too. So know that a good pair of shorts with a padded chamois liner will help eliminate any saddle soreness, and allow for comfort when cycling. This will of course assist in increasing the mileage, which is the aim of the game!
Layering is vital for comfort on the bike. Layering means you are ready for heat, cold, rain, sun and even sleet! If you are comfortable on the bike you will ride better and for longer. The well-prepared cyclist has three layers. The base layer – sits next to the skin keeping it dry by wicking away sweat and helps regulate body temperature. The mid layer – adds insulation to keep you warm. The shell layer – is the body armour from the elements and this can be wind proof, waterproof or both. Of course you don’t always need all three, yet it is easy to remove a layer if needed.
Happy & Safe Cycling & ENJOY!!
