RIDE INTO THE SUNSET
4 Tips to Maintain Your Bicycle
Hopping on your bicycle for a family bike ride through the neighborhood is a great activity for beautiful summer weather, but nothing spoils a fun day of riding more than a flat tire or dislodged chain. That’s why it’s important to keep up with bike maintenance, even if you typically stay close to home. By following these four tips, you and your family can enjoy a smooth ride all summer long. GIVE YOUR BIKE A ONCE-OVER. The best way to avoid any problems with your bike while riding is to inspect it thoroughly before you head out. Check each component and make sure everything is in working order. If you notice your handlebars are loose or your brake pads are worn, you’ll be able to make adjustments or repairs before hopping on.
FILL YOUR TIRES PROPERLY. Proper bike tire pressure can seem
ambiguous; many people just inflate the tires until they seem plump enough to ride on. But a bike tire will typically have the recommended air pressure in psi (pound- force per square inch) stamped into the side of the tire. For example, your tire might say Min. 85–Max. 135 psi . This may seem like a broad range, but it all depends on what you’re looking for: A higher psi will increase speed while a lower psi will give you a smoother ride. KEEP IT CLEAN. Cleaning your bike regularly is essential in preventing premature wear and tear. When cleaning the body of the bike, use a damp rag with window cleaner or diluted dish soap to wipe it down, and take extra care not to get any of it on the chain. If the chain is dry to the touch, remove any debris that
may be caught in it with a small brush or old toothbrush before applying a good bicycle chain lube. INVOLVE YOUR KIDS. Encouraging your kids to maintain their own bikes will help them understand the importance of taking care of their possessions. Teach them to inspect their bike, clean and lubricate their chains, and regularly check their tire pressure. This summer, set yourself up for cycling success and make bike maintenance a priority.
TRICKLE BY TRICKLE
How Vivid Roots Gets Clean Water to Those Who Need It
Started by four University of Idaho students in 2014, Vivid Roots donates portions of their proceeds from apparel sales and trip funds to supply clean water and sanitation to these communities. The same students also founded Water for Life, a branch of Vivid Roots that devotes its resources to creating sustainable water systems in Guatemala and Ecuador. Where Vivid Roots focuses on creating service opportunities for those bitten by the travel bug, Water for Life’s entire focus is to provide safe water resources. To date, Vivid Roots has completed two water projects and renovated eight schools and two hospitals, impacting around 1,500 people. Many impoverished regions of the world use the same water for bathing, laundry, fishing, waste disposal, and drinking. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, universal access to clean water could prevent 9% of global diseases and improve the economies of impacted communities. That’s why the efforts of Vivid Roots, and other organizations like it, are so important. Through service trips and funds from apparel sales, they empower communities to thrive, one glass of clean water at a time.
You shower in it. You cook with it. You drink it. And every year more than 3.5 million people die because of it. That’s how many people die per year from drinking contaminated water. Over 2 million of these casualties are children, and unclean water is one of the top killers of children under the age of 5. Unprecedented population growth and looming climate disasters continue to threaten more than 785 million people who lack access to safe drinking water. But an Idaho business is hoping to do its part in solving the water crisis. Vivid Roots is an apparel and travel company with a twist. In addition to the adventure, culture, and food of their planned trips to Guatemala and Ecuador, they give trip participants the opportunity to help communities build schools, hospitals, and infrastructure to deliver clean water. Service projects like repairing roofs, constructing health centers, and building playgrounds intermingle with beach tours, cooking classes, and dancing for a travel experience unlike any other, one where participants can have fun while giving back.
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