| When you browse around a bike shop, it is easy to | | | | cheap on a bicycle light because the cheaper models |
| get caught up in all of the accessories there are to | | | | barely light up enough for you to see what is ahead of |
| buy. Some you can easily brush off and find no need | | | | you. A good high beam bicycle light will provide tons of |
| for, however, even casual bike riders should consider | | | | light to see the road ahead as well as alert any |
| purchasing various bicycling accessories to make their | | | | oncoming traffic. The better quality lights usually require |
| riding much more comfortable. You don't need any | | | | a battery pack that are rechargeable. The same goes |
| accessories to ride a bike (accept for a helmet for | | | | for having a back light. These are not as expensive |
| safety), however, I realized after starting back to riding | | | | but are a good idea to have as the more light you |
| that specific items are now a necessity for myself. | | | | have the less chance of cars not seeing you. |
| The first thing I purchased for my bicycle was a | | | | One accessory that you may not consider is the |
| well-cushioned comfort seat. You can find various | | | | bicycle bell. I was one of those people who laughed at |
| types in a bike shop including ones that you can pull | | | | the thought of having a bell on my bike. A bell makes it |
| over your regular seat. I prefer buying a whole new | | | | much easier to warn people ahead of you to make |
| seat rather than to cover up an uncomfortable one. If | | | | way because you are coming through. This helps a lot |
| you ride for exercise or just for fun, a good padded | | | | when you are on a bike trail. Some bike trails also |
| seat will allow you to ride for much longer periods of | | | | have people walking on them. Rather than yelling out |
| time. You can install a new seat yourself or have the | | | | "on your left" or "on your right", you can simply ring |
| bike shop do it for you. Seats are one of the many | | | | your bell a few times and people will move to the side. |
| bicycle parts that are easy to self install. | | | | This also works great when passing up other bike |
| Another accessory update that helps are pedals with | | | | riders who may not hear you yell out. |
| teeth. Most new bicycles come with stock pedals that | | | | Other accessories that add to comfort are bicycle |
| offer no real grip. These types of pedals are made of | | | | gloves and bottle attachment. Padded gloves will save |
| solid steel and have teeth or claws that provide a | | | | your hands from calluses and a bottle attachment |
| strong grip for the soles of your shoes. These types | | | | makes carrying water or a sports drink much easier. |
| of pedals can prevent your feet from slipping off of | | | | Next time you are browsing bicycle accessories, you |
| the pedals which can cause an accident. | | | | may want to ask yourself if a particular item could |
| If you do any type of night riding, it would be wise to | | | | make your riding experience much more comfortable |
| invest in a quality headlight. I learned not to go too | | | | as well as safer. |