Do Not Store The Bike Dirty

Putting a bike away dirty is one of those things that feels harmless until spring. Wet grime, salt, and road muck get time to sit where you least want them.

Give it a proper wash, dry it carefully, clean and lube the chain, check pressures, fill the tank if that suits your storage plan, and put it somewhere dry if you can. A cover helps, but it is not magic if the bike underneath is already damp and filthy.

Storage is not glamorous. It is just future maintenance made easier.