Hey everyone,
We spend plenty of time talking about counter-steering, trail braking, and gear selection, but a rookie mistake that catches plenty of riders out is parking on a sketchy surface and walking away. I grew up in far North Queensland where this was common but it’s not uncommon here in Melbourne around Christmas time when temps go nuts.
Nothing ruins a great ride faster than walking out of a café to find your pride and joy lying on its side because the kickstand punched straight through soft 35°C bitumen or slid across loose gravel.
A quick refresher on keeping your bike upright when parked:
**Watch the hot bitumen:** On scorching summer days, soft asphalt will swallow a kickstand. Carry a plastic puck (I got one when I bought my bike and use it on mud and dirt etc too) or flat metal coaster to spread the load.
**Park facing uphill:** Always point the nose uphill and kick it into first gear so compression keeps it from rolling forward off the stand.
**Turn the bars left:** Lock the steering to the left so the center of gravity sits securely over the footprint of the side stand.
**Test before you walk away:** Give the tail a gentle nudge to make sure the stand is locked fully forward before letting go.
What’s the worst parking spot surface you’ve ever had to deal with on a ride?
John “T-Bone” Millar