Get Your Bike Ready for the Valdres Season — Complete Checklist

The snow is melting in the valleys, Rv51 is starting to dry up, and you can feel the cycling itch. But before you throw yourself onto Mjølkevegen or swing up toward Valdresflya, your bike needs a proper going-over. Half an hour in the garage now saves you from punctures, brake failures and mechanical surprises in the middle of Etnedal.

How do I get my bike ready for the cycling season in Valdres?

Start with tires (check wear, pressure and tubeless sealant), brakes (brake pads and oil/cable), drivetrain (chain, cassette, gears), and bolts (stem, seatpost, wheel axles). For Valdres gravel you need wider tires (38-45 mm gravel, 2.2+ MTB) and extra brake clearance. Allow 30-60 minutes — it's the cheapest insurance against a breakdown in the mountains.

Step 1 — Tires and Wheels

Tires are the most important part. They stand between you and the gravel roads of Valdres, and a winter in storage takes more of a toll than you'd think.

Valdres-Specific Tire Tips

The terrain varies enormously. Mountain pasture roads can go from hard-packed gravel to loose rock in 500 meters.

Mjølkevegen / pasture roads: 40-45 mm with medium tread. Slicks don't work on loose gravel.
Road: Fagernes–Beitostølen: 28-32 mm is enough. Good tarmac the entire way.
MTB Trail Arena: 2.3-2.5" with aggressive tread. Roots and rocks demand grip.
Valdresflya: Tarmac, but rough and cracked above 1000 m elevation — 28 mm minimum, 32 mm safer.

Step 2 — Brakes

Mountain descents in Valdres demand brakes that work. Valdresflya has 22 km downhill from 1389 m elevation — you don't want to discover worn brake pads there.

Step 3 — Drivetrain

Chain, cassette and gear cables take the most punishment through a season — and get worse with inactivity. Condensation in the garage over winter means rust.

Pro Tips for Valdres Gravel

Gravel wears things down faster than tarmac. Expect to replace your chain more often if you ride a lot of pasture roads and Mjølkevegen. Sand and small stones work their way into the links and act as an abrasive. Clean the chain after every gravel ride — 5 minutes that doubles its lifespan.

Step 4 — Bolts and Connections

The most boring part — and the one that most often reveals surprises.

Step 5 — Function Test

Everything looks good? Time for a short test ride — preferably on gravel.

Brake test: Full stop from 30 km/h with each brake separately. Smooth, straight, quiet?
Gear test: Run through the entire range — up and down. Any skipping? Adjust.
Steering test: Briefly let go of the handlebars at low speed — does the bike pull to one side? Check the wheels.
Listening test: Click, creak, squeak? Track the sound. Bottom bracket, pedals and seatpost are the most common culprits.
Tire test: Ride over gravel/grass — does the pressure hold after 10 minutes? Tubeless leaks show up here.

Passed? You're ready for season start in Valdres.

Essential Tools for the Home Workshop

You don't need much. This is the minimum kit:

When You Should Take It to a Shop

Some things are best left to the professionals:

Wheel truing — requires experience and specialized tools
Hydraulic brake bleeding — demanding and messy without the right kit
Bottom bracket replacement — needs specific tools per standard (BSA, PF30, BB86)
Fork service — suspension forks have oil and seals that should be serviced annually
Hub bearings — require manufacturer-specific tools

In Valdres you can get service at Intersport Beitostølen and Fagernes. Book an appointment in May — it's peak season for servicing.

Seasonal Calendar — When Should You Do What?

Bike + Valdres = Ready

A well-maintained bike gives you the freedom to focus on what actually matters: the view from Valdresflya, the smell of freshly made waffles at the mountain farm, and the feel of gravel under your tires on a quiet mountain road.

Use the checklist, do the work in the garage — and meet the season ready.

Read more:

Get Your Bike Ready for the Valdres 2026 Season