If you use your bike to commute or for transportation, you will probably need to carry more gear than when you are taking a recreational ride on the weekend.  You will need a way to carry the items you will use when you arrive at your destination, such as  a change of clothes, a laptop, work papers, locks, bike tools in case of a flat tire, and your lunch.   If you run errands on your bike you will need a way to comfortably carry your purchases.  Hanging plastic bags from your handlebars is unstable and risky!  The most popular bike bags if you bike for transportation are a backpack, messenger bag, panniers, trunk bag, or a handlebar bag or basket. 

During the new bike shortage in 2020 it was a banner year to a buy or sell a used bike.  Why not give some life to an old bike?  With a steel or aluminum frame and the ability to replace components that are bent, rusted, worn, or dried out (in the case of rubber), you can take almost any bike and make it usable again.  If you are on a budget and just getting into cycling and do not know how enthusiastic you will be for riding over time, it is a good way to get rolling without making a large investment, saving some cash for the accessories you will need.  But buying a pre-owned bike is not without pitfalls so here are some tips for making the right selection.

The bike touring company Ciclismo Classico, which is based in Arlington, MA but considers the world its home, had to cancel all its European tours this year.  But trying to salvage a bike touring season, they sponsored bike tours late summer following all the latest COVID-19 protocols, not to their signature destinations in Italy and Ireland, but in the Finger Lakes of New York and also Southern New Hampshire.   This allowed adventure seekers to drive to the start and bike routes consisting of loops, out and back, so that they would be near their car at the end of the trip.   These “close to home” tours were able to satisfy participants yearning for new experiences, outdoor activity, and camaraderie.

​A bicycle is a vehicle and it has moving parts.  Just like any mechanical device, it requires regular maintenance to keep it operating so that you will have a  smooth and safe ride and extends its life.  If a bike is not well maintained, you will have to work harder when you ride and a mechanical failure could result in a crash and injury.  Here are some basic lessons on what you should do to keep your bike in good operating order and when it should be done.