With warmer weather here, cyclists of all abilities may be ready to hit the trails and roadways.Checking Chain Mileage

For those who have not been out much - if at all - since the fall, it may take some time to get into form, but something to consider is also whether or not your bicycle is in good shape.

A great way to ensure a bike is roadworthy is to have it tuned up at an area bicycle shop.

"I always have my bike looked at by a professional bike shop every spring before I ride," said Dr William Begg, an avid cyclist who is part of Team 26 and has completed the ride from Sandy Hook to Washington, DC, three times.

Dr Begg says there are two important reasons for having a bike tuned: safety and performance.

"From a safety perspective and from a performance and speed perspective it's really important to have your bike looked at by someone who knows what they're doing," said Dr Begg, who averages 3,000 to 4,000 miles on his bike annually, and frequents Newtown Turnpike in Redding, as well as trails in Connecticut and New York.

Dr Begg noted that Team 26 members have a self-imposed requirement to have their bikes inspected and tuned. He has two bicycles and has them tuned - one each - at Class Cycles in Southbury and Bicycle Center in Brookfield.

Ridgefield's Mike Conlan is a cyclist who serves as a bike repair/mechanical support guru Team 26. He follows the cyclists with spare tires and other bike parts and tools necessary to keep the riders going.

"I make sure the guys and girls and kids stay out on the road and stay safe out there," said Mr Conlan, adding that when bikes are properly tuned before the ride he only has to intervene when something happens, such as a flat tire, during the ride.

Of course, the everyday cyclist does not have a repair person at their beck and call. Terrance Ford, owner of Sandy Hook Bicycle Company, at 100 Church Hill Road, advises cyclists having a seat bag with a repair kit containing a few go-to tools, and a flat change kit.

While flats can not always be avoided, preventative maintenance can go a long way toward making rides enjoyable.

"Tuneups are key. Make sure everything's adjusted properly, make sure everything's on properly and tight. If it's not, it can result in accidents and crashes. Safety first," said Mr Ford, an avid road and mountain bicyclist.

"It can make a huge difference. Some of the bikes that come in are in horrible shape," said David Cooper of Bethel Cycle Works, 108 Greenwood Avenue in Bethel. "It can have an affect on how fast you can ride, or how much effort or less effort you need to put in to cycle a certain distance."

Bike shop sources say bicycles should get a thorough look-over for anything and everything from loose chains to dry-rotted tires. Shifting components are checked and parts replaced as needed, and wheels sometimes need to be realigned.

Mr Conlan said now that winter is in the rear view mirror, bicycle shops are getting busy.

"About a month ago you could turn around a bike repair in a day or two rather than in a week or two," Mr Conlan said. "As soon as you start seeing those consistent 50 and 60 degree days you're going to get busy."

"It's just beginning. It's the latest start to the season I can remember," added Mr Ford, alluding to the affects of the chilly, wet start to the spring.

"As soon as it gets warmer everybody comes out of the woodwork," said Mr Cooper. "If we see something that needs to be repaired, we'll let the customer know."

Mr Cooper said that bike chains typically last 2,000 or 3,000 miles. "Some people may replace a chain once in their lifetime. For the people who bike a lot, they will go through two or three chains a summer," Mr Cooper said.

Bikes tend to be left sitting throughout the winter and chains can rust, said Mr Cooper. "Chains can get stretched out and that will impact your shifting and your cassette and chain rings. Once you do that, it becomes infinitely more expensive," he added.

"For people who ride really hard, they'll sweat on their bike and sweat can drip into the headset and the bearings and that can be corrosive. It's acidic and actually eats away at the metal," Mr Cooper said.

Mr Ford noted that people sometimes think a bike is in such disrepair that it cannot be saved, but he believes bike repair is a cost-effective way to keep pedaling.

"Bikes should not be disposable. People think they are," Mr Ford said. "I'll fix everything."

Bethel Cycle Shop is open Tuesdays through Sundays with varying hours. Sandy Hook Bicycle Company's hours vary, but Mr Ford welcomes people to text him to arrange for having their bikes tuned up or to coordinate getting a lesson on how to repair a flat, and may be reached via text at 203-526-8247.