Winter is coming…

… and it pays to take these simple steps to get your bike (and yourself) ready for it

If you have been watching the news today you will have seen the sub-zero temperatures that have hit the United States. Maybe we will not get it that bad, but the British weather has a reputation for changing quickly so it pays to be prepared.
In this newsletter we offer four steps to keep you riding safely through the winter:
– Battery care
– Preparing your bike
– Visibility
– Emergency recovery

Battery care

Lithium batteries hate being too hot and too cold. Avoiding extremes will extend the life of your battery – and make your life a lot easier.
Cold weather can knock up to 30% off your range. So if you normally get to work three days on one charge this may drop to two days.
Take your battery inside during cold weather. This will maintain its ‘core’ temperature and help to keep your range up. Store at a temperature of 15c to 20c, but avoid storing it near radiators.
If you are not using your battery during the winter store it in a cool room (such as a pantry). Fully charge it first.

Preparing your bike

If you are using your bike regularly during the winter make sure it is maintained. Your brakes should be perfect, and you should check your tyre pressure and lubrication often.
Note: A £20 service at Ebike Centres will include this, as well as gears and an overall safety check!
If you will be covering a lot of miles then we can add slime puncture resistance to your tyres for £10.
Ask us for details.

Stay visible

We are always shocked at the number of bad cyclists on the roads at night dressed in black with no lights! These are the people who normally become ‘statistics’.
Wear bright, high visibility clothing. We sell High Visibility vests in the shop for only £3.99.
Even if you already have good quality LED bicycle lights supplied with your bike you could consider an extra set of ‘flashing’ LED lights. They really do attract a driver’s attention. Prices at Ebike Centres start at £14.99 and we will fit them for you free when Keith is in the shop.
We offer a full range of high visibility clothing and lights on the ‘Click and Collect’ section of our website:
www.ebike-centres.co.uk/click-and-collect
Why not get the family to get you an early Christmas present?

Cycle Recovery

It’s a dark, wet and windy winter’s night.
You come out of work and someone has stolen your front wheel. What do you do?
You park your bike in town. When you return someone has damaged it. What do you do?
You are cycling and 5 miles from home you get a puncture. What do you do?
For only £15 per year our 24 hour cycle recovery service will come to your assistance and bring you and your bike back to your home, or to the Ebike Centres shop for repair.
For only £15 per year can you afford to be without it?
Click here for more information.

Prepare for a great winter of cycling

Winter cycling can be great fun. Most of the ‘fair weather cyclists’ have gone and you have the cycle lanes to yourself.
Just a few extra preparations mean you can enjoy your bike as much as any other time of year.
Happy cycling!

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