BiknBen
Well-Known Member
I was just a young buck when I began riding on the road. I had no one to provide me with much guidance. I just stared at shiny stuff at the bike shop, got on the Performance Bike mailing list (pre-interweb ), and read Bicycling Mag.
One quote that got my attention was printing in Bicycling, "Ride Fast, Hog the road, act like traffic!" I cut it out and taped it to my bedroom wall among other bike pictures and clippings. To this day, I still take that advice with me on every ride.
Ride Fast
Women's self-defense groups say "walk with purpose to avoid becoming a victim of an attack". The same thing applies to a cyclist. Ride like you mean it. Weaving all over while trying to look over your shoulder at each car is going to get you in trouble.
Hog the Road
Don't take it literally. Demand your share of the road. Stay visible, make motorists react to you. Give an inch and they'll take a foot. If you ride in the gutter, you will be overlooked and ignored. The law states that you must stay as far right as practical. That does not mean you have to ride in the debris of the shoulder. Don't risk a crash or flat just because they don't clean the roads.
Act Like Traffic
Obey the rules of the road. Use turn signals and turn lanes. Show respect to motorists and demand the same in return. Riding erratically leads to beeping horns and yelling drivers.
Feel free to reply with tips of your own. :hmmm:
One quote that got my attention was printing in Bicycling, "Ride Fast, Hog the road, act like traffic!" I cut it out and taped it to my bedroom wall among other bike pictures and clippings. To this day, I still take that advice with me on every ride.
Ride Fast
Women's self-defense groups say "walk with purpose to avoid becoming a victim of an attack". The same thing applies to a cyclist. Ride like you mean it. Weaving all over while trying to look over your shoulder at each car is going to get you in trouble.
Hog the Road
Don't take it literally. Demand your share of the road. Stay visible, make motorists react to you. Give an inch and they'll take a foot. If you ride in the gutter, you will be overlooked and ignored. The law states that you must stay as far right as practical. That does not mean you have to ride in the debris of the shoulder. Don't risk a crash or flat just because they don't clean the roads.
Act Like Traffic
Obey the rules of the road. Use turn signals and turn lanes. Show respect to motorists and demand the same in return. Riding erratically leads to beeping horns and yelling drivers.
Feel free to reply with tips of your own. :hmmm: