A Shakedown Ride is probably the most important thing one can do before a race or big ride. Lately you see the word “Shakedown Ride” used a lot. I’m not talking about the first ride on a new bike or trying a new wheel set for the first time.

A true Shakedown Ride should put you and your bicycle to its limits. You want any hidden issues with your bike, load, gear or yourself to become evident quickly. You want to stress your bike and your body to find these issues. Find a rough and challenging route and give it hell!

The goal is to find any and all issues during your Shakedown Ride and not during your actual race or ride. There’s a good possibility that fixing issues during your race or ride is impossible due to limited available resources. It’s much easier and less costly to fix any issues that might arise when at home, rather in the middle of nowhere.

The Shakedown Ride isn’t just about finding out what issues you and your set up might have, but it’s about gaining valuable experience and building your confidence too. Many people in forums ask all sorts of questions that can be simply answered by doing a Shakedown Ride. It can answer so many of your questions, while at the same make you a more knowledgeable rider.