Is road cycling dangerous?

[CAMPYBOB]

Quote by dhk2:
"Too many of us here have lost good friends to bad drivers. And it's no fun when you realize that what happened to them could also happen to any of us on any given day."

Truth!

I still find cycling fun and I enjoy my time in the death zone immensely, but I can never forget what has happened or those injured or killed while riding.

Indeed, it could be 'us' on any ride.

With the advent of the cell phone and the dumbing down of society in general those Rails-To-Trails bike paths look better every day.

 

[CAMPYBOB]

An area randonneur rider was killed this past Spring. Dublin Cyclist Killed During Biking Trip In Miami County Posted: Mar 23, 2014 4:48 PM EDT <em class="wnDate">Sunday, March 23, 2014 4:48 PM EDT</em>Updated: Mar 23, 2014 4:48 PM EDT <em class="wnDate">Sunday, March 23, 2014 4:48 PM EDT</em>
By: Tiya Rasheed - email
A Dublin cyclist was struck and killed along a Miami County Road on Sunday.
The crash occurred on Troy-Sidney Road near Loy Road, just southeast of Piqua.
A 56-year-old Dublin man was killed Saturday morning when he was struck by a car in Miami County.

Joseph Giampapa was riding alone on Troy-Sidney Road when he was struck by a car at about 11:08 a.m. Saturday morning.

The driver of the car called 911 and Miami County Sheriff deputies responded to the scene. Giampapa was found lying in the driveway of a home located in the 6500 block of Troy-Sidney Road in Springcreek Township.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by medic personnel.

Deputies say Giampapa was taking part in a 200 mile bike ride with a bicycle club named Ohio Randonneurs.

Their route started in Springfield and went through Troy, then reversed course. Deputies believe Giampapa was on his return trip when the crash occurred.

"Joe was an extremely accomplished cyclist a responsible cyclist and that's what makes this tragedy so mind numbing," said Jeff Stephens, a friend of Giampapa. "That road that Joe was on was flat. No trees. It was just wide open visibility."

Giampapa's family released the following statement:
"The family and friends of Joseph Giampapa want to thank the community for their outpouring of love and concern. We are grieving horribly over this avoidable loss.

We hope that from this senseless tragedy, there will be an increased awareness of and respect for cyclists who share the road with motorists.

The Ohio Bike Federation has been trying to pass a 'three-foot biking law' through the legislature. We urge the community to support this important measure.

Please keep our dear Joe - and all other cyclists who have lost their lives -in your thoughts."

No charges have been filed at this time.

The crash remains under investigation.

http://www.nbc4i.com/story/25050515/dublin-cyclist-killed-during-biking-trip-in-miami-county

 

[oldbobcat]

Originally Posted by dhk2

The fun in risky activities comes when we are in charge of the risk and can dial it up or down as desired.

Right about that. I've always felt safer rock climbing or backcountry skiing with trusted friends than riding a bicycle. Especially in large groups of strangers.

But it's funny--while the large group rides cause the most friction, ire, and anxiety, it seems that the lone rider minding his own business is the one who gets popped.

 

[oldbobcat]

Originally Posted by AyeYo
But all the pot advocates keep telling me that it doesn't impair driving ability and is much safer than alcohol.

I suppose they have first-hand experience. That's what scares me about pot activists.

 

[swampy1970]

There's a lot of back roads out here where guys drive past and the cars stink of weed. I made a call to the local Police station a few months ago asking what the deal was with this and oddly enough a few weeks ago the local Sherriff Dept. was out in force and tow trucks weren't an uncommon sight when traffic stops were made. Sadly, there's still too many cars (1= too many - same with people drinking in cars) that reek of the stuff. Drivers out here seem to be fairly attuned to cyclists and in 10 years I've only had one incident where taking to the verge was required.

 

[CAMPYBOB]

Quote by OBC:
"I've always felt safer rock climbing or backcountry skiing with trusted friends than riding a bicycle."

Same here. I've always felt safer on a gun range full of machineguns running full tilt boogie than cycling on public roads.

 

[Scott2468]

From the Steephill site.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=i5FyZw_qLFc

 

[mpre53]

But all the pot advocates keep telling me that it doesn't impair driving ability and is much safer than alcohol.

Yeah, it doesn't affect them. That's why they're going 20 on the Interstate and thinking they're doing the speed limit.

 

[CAMPYBOB]

• Lori Monsewicz
  CantonRep.com staff writer
  Posted Oct. 2, 2014 @ 9:26 am
  

  A teenage boy riding his bicycle through his northeast Canton neighborhood Wednesday evening was shot.

  Police were called at 5:48 p.m. to the 1500 block of Olive Place NE where the 16-year-old boy had been injured, said Capt. Jack Angelo, who heads the police department’s patrol division. Police reports show the boys lives nearby.

  A single shot had been fired from what witnesses told police was “a gray Oldsmobile, possibly with a small spoiler on the back,” Angelo said.

  Investigators believe the young man had been riding his bicycle in the street when he was struck in the arm in the drive-by shooting.

  The boy was taken to Mercy Medical Center and then on to Akron Children’s Hospital, but his injury was described as “not life-threatening,” Angelo said.

  http://www.cantonrep.com/article/20141002/NEWS/141009882

• Lori Monsewicz
  CantonRep.com staff writer The CantonRep
  Lori Monsewicz
  CantonRep.com staff writer
  Posted Oct. 2, 2014 @ 9:26 am
  

 

[CAMPYBOB]

http://wkbn.com/2014/10/21/man-pleads-guilty-to-reduced-charges-in-yo-cyclist-death/

Man pleads guilty to reduced charges in Yo. cyclist death

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – A Lake Milton man pleaded guilty to reduced charges Monday after prosecutors said he hit and killed a man who was riding his bike in Nov. 2011.

Nathan Skaggs, 21, pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and assault. His sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 2.

Prosecutors originally charged Skaggs with aggravated vehicular homicide.

Prosecutors say 18-year-old Derek Martin was riding his bike on Mahoning Avenue in front of the Milton Township Police Department in November 2011 when Skaggs hit and killed him.

A toxicology report revealed Skaggs had marijuana in his system.

 

[mickyfish60]

Yes, but thats what makes it fun, Nearly finished building my Centaur/Chorus equipped Roberts 853 pro Foco tubed jewel.

 

[ambal]

Originally Posted by mickyfish60
Yes, but thats what makes it fun, Nearly finished building my Centaur/Chorus equipped Roberts 853 pro Foco tubed jewel.

Steel is so 80's, get with the times and get a plastic/carbon frame.

Originally Posted by CAMPYBOB
http://wkbn.com/2014/10/21/man-pleads-guilty-to-reduced-charges-in-yo-cyclist-death/

Man pleads guilty to reduced charges in Yo. cyclist death

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – A Lake Milton man pleaded guilty to reduced charges Monday after prosecutors said he hit and killed a man who was riding his bike in Nov. 2011.

Nathan Skaggs, 21, pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and assault. His sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 2.

Prosecutors originally charged Skaggs with aggravated vehicular homicide.

Prosecutors say 18-year-old Derek Martin was riding his bike on Mahoning Avenue in front of the Milton Township Police Department in November 2011 when Skaggs hit and killed him.

A toxicology report revealed Skaggs had marijuana in his system.

Lets hope this scum bag goes away for a long time.

 

[swampy1970]

Yes, but thats what makes it fun, Nearly finished building my Centaur/Chorus equipped Roberts 853 pro Foco tubed jewel.

Mixing Reynolds and Columbus tubing is a cardinal sin. May you be left to rot in hell and forced to listen to forum members who ride Sram yabber on about CampagNOlo and others speak of nonexistent "dwell." May your chamois cream become tainted with dried ghost peppers...

 

[CAMPYBOB]

Quote by Swami:
"... forum members who ride Sram..."

You must mean Eric Marcotte. He just won the Elite U.S. road cycling championship on a Wilier Zero.9 equipped with SRAM.

<yawn> Why he even had the nerve to use TRP 970 calipers. Not some dura-Ass ****. Mixing TRP with SRAM Red22 and Mavic pedals? As cool as a Colombus/Reynolds mix or Triplex Sport and Zeus...toogeddah!

 

[swampy1970]

Just won? The national championships were back in May... Dude, up the geritol and remember to wind your watch a bit more often.

 

[CAMPYBOB]

Yes. Just won. As in: The current National Champion.

I realize you have ADD/ADHD, but try to focus. And stay on your meds.

 

[swampy1970]

To most "just won" would imply the past weekend or at least sometime this month - not 5 months ago. I take it you've been reading cyclingnews and their *cough* upto the minute reporting... Other news just in, Delgado out sprints Hinault on the stage to Pau as The Badger takes over the yellow jersey.

 

[jhuskey]

Bob and I cypher in dog years so "recently" could be 10 years ago.

 

[neonninja]

Several weeks ago, I was riding home. I was doing about 22-23 MPH and this truck was driving easily over 45 MPH and got up behind my very quickly. I saw in my rear-view mirror it was stupid fast, so I turned around, pointed straight at his face. He was shocked and quickly backed off and changed lanes. I don't know why people do that.

Oh, I realized now I should just try to take up the whole lane. It helps and makes people want to change lanes. The ones that get really close, I have room to move right if they don't. So far, they do leave me alone. It's the one-lane roads with no shoulders that gets me. Doesn't matter if I'm doing 25-30 mph, they're still trying to whiz by me even with oncoming cars.

Watch yourselves out there guys. Human beings are amazing, but people are stupid.

 

[CAMPYBOB]

Quote by neoninja:
"...but people are stupid."

Agreed.

Another poster just a few replies up proved that.

Usually it's some moron Mario wannabe in a Miata or mullethead in a Camaro that thinks the public roads are their private playground.