No matter how old you are, a brand-new bike can be an awesome gift to receive. And if you live near beach territory, you have many opportunities for fun and exploration on your new set of wheels. Whether you’re eying a Venice bike ride, picking up speed on your bicycle odometer, or cruising one of your favourite beaches, you can get maximum enjoyment with a few helpful tips.
5 Things To Pack Before You Go
Riding solo or with friends are great ways to explore your local beaches. Maybe you have a brand-new cruiser bike and want to ride a few miles up the coast before a final beach destination. Or you’ve got a beach cruiser with fat tires and plan to ride on the sand itself. Either way, you shouldn’t leave home without some key essentials:
- Sun protection
- Food and beverages
- Emergency repair kit
- First aid kit
- Cellphone
When choosing sun protection, make sure you include both sunscreen and protective clothing items. For best results, choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation. It should come with a minimum SPF 30 rating. Also, don’t forget to reapply every two hours to ensure continuous protection.
For food and beverages, your best bets are portable edibles with complex carbs and balanced nutrients. Trail mixes, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, bananas and nutritionally sound energy bars are all good options. Water is the optimal drink of choice, so keep plenty of it on hand. Also, keep your emergency repair and first aid kits handy to ensure you can deal with the unexpected like minor spills or a sudden flat tire. And while the benefits of “unplugging” are undisputed, having your cellphone for emergencies is essential.
Exploring the Magic of Low Tide
You probably already know that Earth’s ocean tides are impacted by the Moon. Its gravitational pull causes our tidal patterns. What you may not know is that low tides happen in areas that are at 90-degree angles to the Moon. But what’s even more stunning is what low tides can reveal, through their blankets of shallow water or almost near absence of water.
It’s common to see rippling patterns left behind in the sand or spectacular finds left in the open after the waves recede during low tide. And if you’re fortunate enough to live near someplace like the La Jolla Cove tidepools, you can enjoy some spectacular views. Riding during low tide gets you access to places normally buried underwater. But the sand also tends to be firmer, which creates better traction and is easier to travel on with a set of wheels.
Prep Ahead and Do Your Homework
Beach riding can be a fun and unforgettable experience. Prepping ahead is key to safe and enjoyable rides. Packing essentials with your beach cruiser bike ensures that you have easily accessible food, water, sun protection, emergency supplies and a way to get help if needed. Researching tide patterns in your area can also help time your rides to take advantage of low tide.