Dangers of cycling?

[Carolina]

OK, road cyclists, talk to me about the dangers of cycling.

Hubby is interested in getting involved with cycling. I support this, because it's great, healthy exercise, and I love it myself. Right now, he tools around the neighborhoods and I don't worry.

When I used to cycle a lot, it was in my twenties - on the back roads of CT. I always felt safe. We now live in a metro area and one just can't jump out in a main road. Some do, and I absolutely cringe when I attempt to pass them in the car.

We have area clubs, and group rides abound. They are usually early in the morning before traffic hits the roads, early evening in the summer, or early weekend mornings. Are these group rides relatively safe? I do tend to be a worrier, so I'm looking for outside input regarding this.

[Dan Pierce]

Carolina,
1st rule: if you ride a bike you will fall off a bike. It can happen anywhere, anytime. I don't say this to scare but to educate. ALWAYS wear a helmet and gloves! I use very stealth Italian road mirrors that are installed at the bar ends [see pic]. Very helpful in urban traffic. Use your ears and eyes, ride defensively, and watch those RR track crossings [see pic].
Hope this doesn't scare you or your husband. Just be aware of your surroundings and you'll both have a great time cycling.
dP

[vapalux]

Hi

Well in the UK out on the Chain Gang everyone tends to find their own level. Some carry on as if they are in the Tour de France, so let them get on with it!
Others are a little slower and out for a nice ride and will wait for the 'novice' rider to catch up if they get left behind.

But as in everything when you have a large bunch of riders together an accident will happen if you don't concentrate, and lets face it everybody has fell off at some point. Its all part of the learning process. A good laugh later and your off with some help from the more experienced.

We tend to find the back roads and enjoy ourselves that's what its all about.

Cycling. Great fun and a great way of keeping in trim. I wish we had your weather and roads as its been indoors on the turbo for a while

Si

[Lisa]

It's been a while since I've ridden, Caroline, but I think there are some advantages to riding in groups. Better visibility to motorists, and drivers are less likely to do anything stupid. On the other hand, you have to look out for the other cyclists, too - we used to ride with a buddy who always wanted to be beside us to chat. I much preferred to ride single file so cars could pass more easily. And we usually headed out to the most rural roads we could find - where the only traffic was the occasional farm truck. Getting back into town could be hairy, but we always took back streets. Bike lanes are a good way to go, but there's not many of them around here.

[vapalux]

Hi dp

We posted at the same time! That Road Rash still looks sore even after all the pics I have seen of it!

Si

[Carolina]

Dan!!!!! (ouch!)

We always wear helmets. But never gloves. Better grip?? And would you guys say that it's safer in a group? I know that as a driver, I am much more aware of the presence of a group of cyclists, compared to a single rider hugging the curb.

[Lisa]

But Caroline, at least we can get a little cheap thrill over seeing Dan's hiney.

[Carolina]

Originally Posted by Lisa

But Caroline, at least we can get a little cheap thrill over seeing Dan's hiney.

I want to know if Dan's wife knows he is posting photos of his posterior on the internet.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Lisa

But Caroline, at least we can get a little cheap thrill over seeing Dan's hiney.

My wife would be embarrassed if she Knew I was flashing on TRF!! It took a month before I could bend over. Bruised my ego and tail bone.

Carolina,
Group rides are great if you and everyone else knows the proper etiquette. New riders can ruin a group ride. Must be very careful since each rider is so close. The more you ride with others the more you know when to anticipate what they might do.
95% of my rides are solo. Not sure which is safer.
Have fun,
dP

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Carolina

Dan!!!!! (ouch!)

We always wear helmets. But never gloves. Better grip?? And would you guys say that it's safer in a group? I know that as a driver, I am much more aware of the presence of a group of cyclists, compared to a single rider hugging the curb.

In the effort of full disclosure: I don't wear gloves either simply because of the tan lines. There, I've admitted it.
dP

[Carolina]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

My wife would be embarrassed if she Knew I was flashing on TRF!! It took a month before I could bend over. Bruised my ego and tail bone.

Carolina,
Group rides are great if you and everyone else knows the proper etiquette. New riders can ruin a group ride. Must be very careful since each rider is so close. The more you ride with others the more you know when to anticipate what they might do.
95% of my rides are solo. Not sure which is safer.
Have fun,
dP

The group rides I see around here are rather spread out, and seem to be single file. There is a bike shop that offers group rides for beginners, so that is a good starting point if we get there.

Thanks for your help (and for a good chuckle at your expense)!

[Jimbits76]

Foget the helmet Dan, you need a steel reinforced set of drawers!!!!!!!!!

J

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

Foget the helmet Dan, you need a steel reinforced set of drawers!!!!!!!!!

J

dP

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Carolina

The group rides I see around here are rather spread out, and seem to be single file. There is a bike shop that offers group rides for beginners, so that is a good starting point if we get there.

Thanks for your help (and for a good chuckle at your expense)!

No problem. Better to look back and laugh than not being able to look back.
dP

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

In the effort of full disclosure: I don't wear gloves either simply because of the tan lines. There, I've admitted it.
dP

But Dan! The tan lines are a status symbol among cyclists!

Besides, uh.... now we know you already have tan lines.

[Carolina]

Originally Posted by Lisa

But Dan! The tan lines are a status symbol among cyclists!

Besides, uh.... now we know you already have tan lines.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Lisa

But Dan! The tan lines are a status symbol among cyclists!

Besides, uh.... now we know you already have tan lines.

Not when it interferes with wrist shots!!!
dP

[Lion]

Bicycling can be a lot of fun. You definitely need to be defensive though in your pursuit of exercising. I always wear a helmet and gloves definitely help cushion your hands. I wear a rearview mirror on my glasses which helps in traffic. And as Dan said be careful of RR tracks, the trick is to cross them at a 90 degree angle!!!

[redshirt1957]

Riding a motorcycle and cycling have a lot in common, but there is a main difference. Speed. Both should obey the laws and be courteous and scared of four wheelers. I see both motorcylist and cyclist with the attitude that the rules of the road do no apply to them. I also have had my share of run-ins with four wheelers while riding motorcycles. Keep your head on a swivel becasue you are going to hit the pavement at some time.

Again, on the speed thing. There is a road I live off of that the posted speed limit is 55 and very hilly. I am not happy when I top a hill and have two side by side cyclists going 20mph or so and I have to pound the brakes because I do not have enough room to pass due to on-coming traffic. Even when they are single file it is a dangerous situation when speed limits are above 45 mph. It does no good to be right and run over by a two ton car. We have a lot of cyclist on the roads where I live and I just shake my head when I see a near miss and the four wheeler is honking the horn and the rider is giving the bird. I just shake my head at both. May sound harse and cyclist have a right to ride on the road; BUT use common sense and look out for yourself.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

Riding a motorcycle and cycling have a lot in common, but there is a main difference. Speed. Both should obey the laws and be courteous and scared of four wheelers. I see both motorcylist and cyclist with the attitude that the rules of the road do no apply to them. I also have had my share of run-ins with four wheelers while riding motorcycles. Keep your head on a swivel becasue you are going to hit the pavement at some time.

Again, on the speed thing. There is a road I live off of that the posted speed limit is 55 and very hilly. I am not happy when I top a hill and have two side by side cyclists going 20mph or so and I have to pound the brakes because I do not have enough room to pass due to on-coming traffic. Even when they are single file it is a dangerous situation when speed limits are above 45 mph. It does no good to be right and run over by a two ton car. We have a lot of cyclist on the roads where I live and I just shake my head when I see a near miss and the four wheeler is honking the horn and the rider is giving the bird. I just shake my head at both. May sound harse and cyclist have a right to ride on the road; BUT use common sense and look out for yourself.

Very valid points, Joe. It takes everybody to be safe. Arrogant cyclists and arrogant drivers make it bad for everyone.
dP

[Dan Pierce]

It's 50 degrees and sunny. With all the cycling talk I think I'll take my first ride outside for 2009. See ya' after a quick 25 miler.
dP

[Carolina]

Joe, good points. When I do cycle, I approach from the viewpoint of a driver, not a cyclist. If I'm approaching the top of a hill and can't see the other side - I am aware that the car on the other side can't see me, and he's a lot bigger. When in doubt, get the heck out of the way (meaning me)!

The scariest thing that happened to me on a bike (about 20 yrs ago) was when I was going fast on a long, clear stretch of road. A car comes along side of me, opens the window, and the passenger pulls out a toy gun (water pistol?) and aims at me. It's hard to jump when you're on a bike, but I did.

[redshirt1957]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Very valid points, Joe. It takes everybody to be safe. Arrogant cyclists and arrogant drivers make it bad for everyone.
dP

Originally Posted by Carolina

Joe, good points. When I do cycle, I approach from the viewpoint of a driver, not a cyclist. If I'm approaching the top of a hill and can't see the other side - I am aware that the car on the other side can't see me, and he's a lot bigger. When in doubt, get the heck out of the way (meaning me)!

The scariest thing that happened to me on a bike (about 20 yrs ago) was when I was going fast on a long, clear stretch of road. A car comes along side of me, opens the window, and the passenger pulls out a toy gun (water pistol?) and aims at me. It's hard to jump when you're on a bike, but I did.

Thanks guys as I did not want my post to sound anti-cyclist. Just the opposite as I love and respect you guys. As I have gotten older I have gone stopped "breezing" and "white lining" just to get in front of four wheelers. Even when traffic is stopped, I will not use the emergency lane. I stay put with the rest of the metal monsters.

Quick story. In 1980, with one of my wives on the back of a Suzuki 750, I had a lady in a Mercedes run us off the road. Just by luck I caught up to her at a RR crossing. I was fit to be tied, but she was old, well younger than me now, and her statement to me was, "oh sorry, but you ARE ON a motorcycle". I am sure she was a very nice lady, but she did not see motorcyclists as real people. Changed my view about four wheelers right then. I did have a beard and long pony-tail, but hey.....I was cool.

[vapalux]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Very valid points, Joe. It takes everybody to be safe. Arrogant cyclists and arrogant drivers make it bad for everyone.
dP

x2

Si

[Deep Sea]

I don't ride on the road that much, but I can tell you that it hurts like heck when you crash. And the older you are, the more it leaves scars. The rocks and cactus will win every time they come in contact with your body, as will the asphalt. Also what you cannot see here is the broken glasses and cracked helmet. The separated ribs hurt as well.

In a group, you need to learn the people you are riding with. On your own, you need to watch out for the idiots who think you don't belong on the road (this is also true in a group, maybe more so at times).

[swissautopro]

Originally Posted by Carolina

Dan!!!!! (ouch!)

We always wear helmets. But never gloves. Better grip?? And would you guys say that it's safer in a group? I know that as a driver, I am much more aware of the presence of a group of cyclists, compared to a single rider hugging the curb.

Better grip? Not really. You cannot graft skin back onto the palms and fingers. I have been riding motorcycles for almost twenty years, and Dan is right. If you are going to ride, be it a bicycle or motorcycle, a high quality helmet and high quality gloves are an absolute must.

[swissautopro]

Oh ... I almost forgot. I used to road bike. Why no longer? Riding one day without the aforementioned protective gear, a dog ran in front of me, I hit it, flew over the handlebars and broke the entire right side of my body, including a concussion and multiple lacerations. I picked bone fragments out of my shoulder, elbow, hip, and ankle for several years after the "endo".

Ride safe!

[Goodwatch]

Being an avid cyclist myself I can only speak for my own situation. Caution is the the number one rule in my book. If I had exercised my 'right of way' on every occasion I wouldn't be writing this. Always remember you are very vulnerable.

Good lighting and a reflector jacket. The jacket makes you look like a traffic warden but I don't give a hoot about that. I helps! Car drivers notice me much sooner with the jacket.

Maintenance. Break pads wear out much quicker than you think and reduce the stopping power by over 60%. Very dangerous.

[Jimbits76]

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

Being an avid cyclist myself I can only speak for my own situation. Caution is the the number one rule in my book. If I had exercised my 'right of way' on every occasion I wouldn't be writing this. Always remember you are very vulnerable.

Good lighting and a reflector jacket. The jacket makes you look like a traffic warden but I don't give a hoot about that. I helps! Car drivers notice me much sooner with the jacket.

Maintenance. Break pads wear out much quicker than you think and reduce the stopping power by over 60%. Very dangerous.

Why do I get the mental image of Michael Crawford careening out of control as Frank Spencer??????

Ooooohhhhh Betty!!!!!!!!!!

J

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Carolina

I want to know if Dan's wife knows he is posting photos of his posterior on the internet.

Me too!!!