After finishing a 25 mile training ride on an absolutely gorgeous day, I thought I might share some things to do, and some things to avoid when going for a long ride.

Do Wear a Shirt:  I saw a bunch of guys riding around without shirts.  This is not a smart thing.  For one, you look like trailer trash, especially when you've got a gut that the rest of us really don't want to see.  Secondly, if you crash, you really don't want to be the guy looking saying, "Has anyone seen my nipple?"

Do Wear a Helmet:  Do I really need to say this?  Honestly... put one on.  Bonus stupid points to the guy I saw without a shirt, and a helmet hanging from his handle bars.  Yeah, cause its going to save your skull hanging there isn't it?

Don't Listen to an iPod:  When I'm hauling up behind you and yelling "On Your Left", it would be nice if you could actually hear me and move over.  Bonus stupid points to the guy I saw not wearing a helmet and listening to an iPod.

Freeze a Water Bottle:  When it's hot out like today, and you're going to be out for more than say 45 minutes, I'd suggest freezing a water bottle for the later half of the ride.  But if you do... make sure it's secure.  There's nothing worse than being behind a guy with a frozen water bottle in a bottle rack behind his seat when he hits a bump, and having that thing shoot like a rocket towards you.  I've seen that happen in a race, and it's not cool.

I'd just like to give another thanks to the Wheel and Sprocket folks in Brookfield who did a fantastic job on my bike.  It rode like a dream today.