One of the ideas behind our website re-design is to have the main page display a riding tip that changes every week. The theory goes that this might encourage the occasional reader to come back to the site again, rather than having their visit be a one-time thing.

It started with a "tip-of-the-month" concept, but it turned out we were easily able to dream up lots more than a dozen tips, and that there was probably enough wisdom among us to have weekly ones.

Each tip consists of a short, catchy phrase that will appear on the main web site home page, and an explanation on a separate page that is reached by clicking on the short catch-phrase. The catch-phrase is intended to catch the reader's attention. It might not be completely meaningful until after they have read the explanation, but should be meaningful and mnemonic after they have read the explanation.

The site is set up so a new tip is displayed every week automatically - no human maintenance required. (And it just starts over from the first tip when the list is exhausted.)

Below are all the tips-of-the week presently on file ready to be displayed via the web site:

Presently displaying tip number 30.

 

Item
 

Tip
 
  1 Smooth out your downshifts with a throttle blip.
  2 Try to go through intersections with an escort.
  3 Use lane position for intersection safety.
  4 Never drive faster than you can see.
  5 Park to Drive Out, Especially on a Hill.
  6 Go in slow to come out fast.
  7 Practice all three of your Obstacle Options.
  8 Drive over obstacles more smoothly by doing what doesn't come naturally.
  9 Be on guard near visiting drivers.
  10 Never get between a car and an exit ramp.
  11 Fine-tune your steering, with your Throttle.
  12 Engine Braking: Cool Sound. Poor Practice.
  13 Be Alert for Animals at Night.
  14 Avoid being a target when stopped at a red light.
  15 Proper parking placement protects paint.
  16 Pretend you're invisible.
  17 Avoid saying "Unavoidable."
  18 Don't Buy More Octane Than You Need.
  19 Both Brakes: Squeeze and Ease.
  20 Use Your Odometer as a Fuel Gauge.
  21 Keep Warm and Rested: Hypothermia Kills.
  22 Don't Lose Your Sidestand in Hot Asphalt.
  23 Target Fixation: You Go Where You Look.
  24 Your Shoes are not Brake Shoes.
  25 Push on the Side Where You Want to Go.
  26 Start and Stop your Engine with FINE-C.
  27 Do a Spring Skills Refresh.
  28 Road Paint is Surprisingly Slippery.
  29 Want a real test of skill? Go slow.
Current 30 Keep Your Wrist Flat to Avoid Throttle Problems.
  31 Understand your Suspension Adjustments.
  32 Make Those Automatic Traffic Lights Change.
  33 Practice Proper Passenger Preparation.
  34 Have a Foul-Weather Plan.
  35 Practise Your Mental Technique When Not Riding.
  36 Optimise Your Lane Position When Stopping.
  37 Check Your Tire Pressure, At Least Weekly.
  38 Improve Your Cornering with Lane Position.
  39 Your Gear Shift is for Managing your Engine Speed.
  40 Have a Breakdown Plan.
  41 Use Your Brake to Start on a Hill.
  42 Don't Let Gusty Side Winds Surprise You.
  43 A Side Stand Won't Hold a Bike Facing Downhill.
  44 Spot-Check Your Lane Position.
  45 Let Gravity Help with your Centre Stand.
  46 Practice a Weekly 10-Minute Safety Check.
  47 Avoid Traffic "Freight Trains".
  48 Go With the Flow on Grooves and Gratings.
  49 Treat Morning Shadows Like Oil Slicks.
  50 Check That Oil - It's Critical.
  51 Use the Car Ahead to Increase your Line of Sight
  52 Manage Your Traction Quota
 

Below is our list of ideas for more tips, not yet changed into words. New ideas or, better still, volunteers to write a few paragraphs about anything in this list, welcome. Don't worry about the formatting, I'll handle that.

  1. Squeeze both hands, push both feet
  2. Conspicuity is key
  3. Remember to put petcock back when filling
  4. Wear protection every time (xx % accidents are on trivial trip near home)
  5. Frost warning
  6. Look an appripriate distance ahead
  7. Rest (not coffee) for fatigue
  8. Eye protection (junebug ruins day)
  9. Pre-brief before riding in a group
  10. Check chain tires oil. Develop a fast safety check routine
  11. Read lots
  12. Sunscreen
  13. Learn to pick up your bike before you drop it
  14. Frequent short breaks
  15. Watch for road crap situations
  16. Don't leave helmet where it can fall
  17. Command your lane position
  18. Single file is the law
  19. Proper centre stand technique (& paddock stand)
  20. Lean in when hand-pushing
  21. Side stand down when mounting & dismounting
  22. Think about special conditions affecting your visability
  23. Learn from observing others ­ good and bad
  24. Pace yourself to control where hazards are
  25. Be aware of neighbour's blind spots
  26. Get feet up
  27. If you crash let go & let nature separate you
  28. Accident scene? Careful of morons who slow down to look!
  29. Plan escape routes in your mind - it also keeps you sharp.
  30. Find a good way to remind yourself of your disc-lock!
  31. Ear plugs protect your hearing.. and do NOT make you deaf!
  32. Do your non-rider friends a favour: DO NOT lend them your bike.
  33. Ever think you're invincible? Time to get off a bike!
  34. Gel seats are better for the prostate.
  35. Don't ride during the first or last 10 minutes of rain when it's very slick.
  36. Too tight a drive chain can ruin a bike and lock up the rear suspension.
  37. READ YOUR OWNERS' MANUAL!
  38. Even the best mechanics cannot "feel" proper bolt torque with their hands.
  39. To prevent your visor from fogging, leave it open just a crack.
  40. Helmet too cold? Block off the vents!
  41. Keeping your upper body warm actually keeps your hands from freezing.
  42. Alcohol DOES NOT warm you up... you just can't feel you're cold!
  43. Coffee and soft drinks don't do much to hydrate you; try water!
  44. Newspapers under your jacket are great insulation (but not in the rain!)
  45. Forgot your rain suit? Cut arm and head holes in a garbage bag and wear it under your jacket.
  46. In a pinch, ANY engine oil is better than no oil!
  47. Not a mechanic? Leave brake maintenance to a pro!
  48. Improve braking and handling BEFORE increasing power!
  49. Helmets are NOT one-size-fits-all! Make sure it fits the wearer!
  50. Poor equipments tricks you into feeling protected...You're not, you just ride as if you were!
  51. Racing is for the track.
  52. Never just assume there's oil in there....
  53. You just cannot lean left with your side stand down...replace that missing safety reminder!
  54. Need to pull in the clutch to start the bike? Make sure it's in neutral before you release it.
  55. A frayed cable always snaps just as soon as you're beyond range of help.
  56. Breakdowns always occur just before a long weekend...don't delay maintenance.
  57. Don't expect quick service turn-around in April!
  58. The last ride of the year is the best time to carefully note required winter maintenance.
  59. Just because you remember going faster does not mean you still have the ability!
  60. If he can go that fast, then dammit so can I....CRASH!!! KNOW YOUR OWN LIMITS.
  61. Don't let group rides turn into group accidents: clarify the rules before you leave.