Cleaning your bike not only keeps it looking good, it also helps to keep everything in working order. Regular cleaning removes the grit and dirt which sticks to the components, helping to maintain their efficiency and prolong their life.

To make the job easier purchasing a few basic cleaning accessories such as a selection of hard-bristled brushes, bucket, sponge and a few cloths are the minimum you will need. Using a bike stand is particularly helpful especially if the bike is very muddy. Use a hosepipe or pressure washer to force off the mud, taking care around the hubs and cranks as the water pressure can damage the seals.

While cleaning the bike get into the habit of carrying out safet checks, paying particular attention to the frame, check for cracks. When scrubbing the tyres look out for cuts.

On a live2ride weekend, ideally, we like all guests to supply their own mountain bikes. This is to guarantee that the bike is right for you in terms of sizing and specification and we would also recommend that you ensure the bike is in good working order before the trip and is fitted with off-road (knobbly) tyres. If you're a regular mountain biker then your machine will almost definitely be up to the task but if your bike hasn't seen the light of day (let alone a mountain!) for a few years then we do recommend you get it serviced and ride it a few times just to make sure.