NEWSPAPER WIND VEST Does your office get a daily newspaper that no one seems to read? Well, you can finally put it to good use. All you have to do is stuff a newspaper into your shirt or jacket and it will serve as an admirable windbreaker. You can crumple it up or put it in flat, whichever is more comfortable, but the more you stuff, the more insulation you’ll get. It’s a trick still used by pro cyclists. RECYCLE • REPURPOSE • RETHINK A host of hints and hacks for your ride TRASH BAG RAIN COAT Just poke arm and head holes through the bot- tom of a regular black trash bag and voila! A totally waterproof raincoat that will protect your clothing from the rain, and help keep you warm (although we hav- en’t figured out how to keep those arms dry). PATCH YOUR INNER TUBES New tubes can cost up to $10 apiece, but patch kits can be found for as little as $4-5 in your local bike shop, and they can rescue several inner tubes. Pro tip: practice patching a tube once or twice at home, so you’ll have the confidence to patch your tire on the road when needed. But, if your tire has a gash in it, a patch kit won’t solve the problem. In that case, use a dollar bill or energy bar wrapper, folded to fit inside the gash, to keep your tube from popping through. CARDBOARD FENDER All you need here is any old piece of cardboard, cut it so that it’s long and thin like a hot dog bun. Then just jam it in between your seat stays on the bottom of your saddle. You want it nice and snug so that it won’t fall out on the ride home. Make sure that the cardboard reaches far enough back to block any spray your rear tire would otherwise shoot all over your back. MAKE YOUR OWN RIDE FOOD Bars and gels can be great, but they’re often costly, and sometimes taste a bit like card- board. But things like nuts, raisins, or beef jerky make for excellent ride snacks (try making your own trail mix). But remember to pack things that sit well, nothing will make you want to head in early quite like an unhappy stomach. GROCERY BAG SEAT/SHOE COVER If rain is coming, protect your seat and your bum with just a grocery bag and a rubber band. Wrap the grocery bag around the seat and secure it un- derneath with the rubber band. Then, when you’re ready to head home, just remove the bag and you will have a nice dry seat for your ride. Reuse the grocery bag and rubber band (and another iden- tical set) to wrap around your shoes and those nice leather shoes you love will be safe from the elements. BUY USED Cycling equipment can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Often, there is plenty of high-quality used gear out there that will cost you a fraction of buying new. Craigslist and Theproscloset.com are ideal places to look for everything from used bikes to shoes, pedals, or other equipment. Be careful buying a used helmet, you don’t want a damaged one! Companies like Green Guru in Boulder and Alchemy Goods in Seattle create a wide range of urban bags and products from used bike tubes, banners and other recycled materials. NAT Bike Hacks S2017 Cambridge SWFIN.indd 3 5/20/17 9:59 PM