Our Chicago newspapers may have shoddy coverage of cycling, but they’re still useful for something. Jeff Wat (XXX Racing-AthletiCo) reminded me of this after this week’s torrential rains, which no doubt caught many of us out on the path.

When you get home and your shoes are soaked inside and out, stick a sheet of newspaper in each one. The paper will absorb the water, leaving them bone dry by the next morning.

Don’t use too much, or the air won’t circulate. And I personally recommend a broadsheet. None of that tabloid nonsense.