The upper crust is what we would love to be, isn\’t it? We don\’t all have it in us to become elite cyclists, more\’s the pity. All the same, many or most of us would like to become better at cycling.

And I\’m sure you don\’t have to be female to find some good advice here.

Item #1: For my road bike, I usually run 100 psi in the tires. I actually find it physically difficult to pump in more than that! So far I haven\’t experimented with using lower pressure, but from what I\’ve read a slightly lower psi has better traction in the wet.

Item #2: My road bike\’s saddle is a Selle Italia Gel-Flo. The stock saddle that came on the bicycle was flat and very hard, and not at all comfortable to ride on!

I LOVE Item #3! It sums up why I ride — my legs enjoy it!

Item #4: I practice on-bike eating when I\’m going to ride more than about 20 miles. I need to know what works best. For instance, it seems to me that Nature Valley XL Bars don\’t cut it. Yes, I think they\’re delicious, but on long rides they lack the \”stick to my ribs\” quality that I need.

Item #5: I don\’t get many chances to practice group riding. Often I wish I did. I need to learn more about riding in close quarters when on my road bike and clipped in to my pedals. The same applies to Item #6, practicing \”the bump\”. I do, however, try to be predictable, especially when I must ride alongside of motor traffic.

Item #7: If a thing has more than one use, go for it! Rubber gloves for rides on a cold and rainy day sound like a very good idea. I hope I remember it next time such a day rolls around.

Re: Item #8: I don\’t like any shoe that doesn\’t let me wiggle my toes! I try to remember to lift with my quads part of the time instead of always pushing down on the pedals.

Item #9: I\’m not into all that Strava stuff, and in fact strive to keep my \”stuff\” — whether it\’s for cycling or not — at bay. My apartment seems rather crowded at times, but I always maintain that it\’s not a space problem; it\’s a stuff problem!

Now let\’s look at Item #10:

Lights? Oh my, yes! There are too many light-less riders out there without my becoming one. Add a reflective vest — the more garish, the better — for added visibility.

Item #11: I\’m not a racer, but if I were, I\’m sure it would be a good idea to look strong and alert while waiting for the starting gun. Psych out the competition!

Like the color red? Maybe you\’d enjoy Item #12. Beets? OK as borscht; I\’m not crazy about plain beets. They taste too earthy to me. And if they really do lower blood pressure, I\’d probably do better not to eat too many of them!

So this subject landed on Item #13? Unlucky 13? Or at any rate, not exactly pleasant. Last Winter I finally took to \”snot rockets\”, although it\’s embarrassing to admit it. But I was so tired of wiping my nose (which runs nonstop on a cold day) on my gloves!

I\’ll lump Item #14 and Item #15 together:

Sunblock? Of course! And Chamois Butt\’r, too. While we\’re on the subject it, I\’ll add SPF lip balm to the mix. It\’s only too easy for me to forget about lip balm when I\’m going on a long ride, but lips are skin and can get sunburned like the rest of me.

As for Item #16, sometimes I have to prod myself rather than cheer myself on. There are days when I actually don\’t feel like riding, but after I\’ve done my ride I\’m glad I did.

Oh, and do not, do NOT, forget about Item #17: Water! I think I\’d rather bonk than collapse from dehydration. Bring on the Camel-Bak! In addition to the water reservoir, there are pockets for stowing extra food, a cell phone,  etc.

Continued tomorrow.