So, I'm relatively new to cycling. My college friends, as well as some from home, have been picking up the addiction with me. The local bike path spans over fifty miles from my house, but lacks hills. In order for me to get in a decent (and more exciting) workout, I am required to take to the roads. Which is, from what i understand, the purpose of a road bike.
Here's my question: What are the general guidelines do you guys keep to when riding on the roads?
PS: I think i'm addicted, so simply not riding isn't really much of an option. 😄
My number one tip is not to ride too far to the right. I'm serious, if you ride as far over as you can go the cars and trucks will try to squeeze past, but if you put your self in the lane you make them go around you. You will get some surly drivers, but I have an aluminium bike pump incase it gets out of hand.
It is much easier to ride in a group, they are less likely to mow down 10 riders than one. But having said that, look the Aust. girls in Germany.
I agree with the previous response that you want to avoid riding too far to the side of the road, for two reasons in addition to the one stated: (1) if you're too far to the side, drivers coming up from behind might not see you because they're looking ahead in their lane; and (2) if you need to swerve to avoid something like a stick or hole or glass, you have to swerve into the traffic lane and you could swerve right into the path of a quickly passing vehicle. Ride where you can easily be seen and where you have room to swerve left or right if necessary. Most riders worry about being hit from behind, but I think statistics suggest that very few cyclists are hit from behind. You are more likely to be hit from a vehicle entering the road from the side or from a vehicle turning into you from the opposing lanes. A friend of mine just got out of the hospital from broadsiding a SUV that turned left as he was entering the intersection at ~30mph. I worry about vehicles ahead of me on the sides much more than I worry about vehicles behind me.
There's an important topic that could fill a whole forum. Here are my starter safety tips in a nutshell: 1) ride with someone or in a group - greater visibility, communication of hazards, learn from the veterans, etc. 2) stay alert - you'll see the cars before they see you. Be prepared to save yourself. 3) be courteous, but look out for #1 - the above posts fall into this vein. Giving too much just puts you in a compromising position with road hazards and vehicles squeezing, or entering and leaving the roadway. If you're a slight restriction, then at least the traffic slows down some and the approaching drivers become alert to your presence. Make an effort to let them pass when it's safe, to avoid road rage. 4) learn and follow the laws in your state - if you do get hurt in an accident, don't have it be your fault. This also helps give cyclists in general a better reputation as responsible road users. (in theory, right? :o )
What about riding in the rain? Does anyone do it? How will it affect the bike?
Yep. Makes the road slippery as hell when you're trying to balance on 2 little .5" wide patches of rubber, and makes the visibility crappy for the motorists. Be very careful on corners, and don't even think of trying to lean into them (not as bad on rough asphalt, though). You can drop the tire pressures a bit to try to get more grip, but still be cautious.
Mostly it's the same as a car. Most (all?) states recognize bike a vehicles with all the associated laws and privileges. This however, ignores the laws of PHYSICS. Just keep you're eyes peeled and you should be OK. One thing not mentioned is look for roads that have wide shoulders/bike lanes and/or are less frequented by cars. L
Yep. Makes the road slippery as hell when you're trying to balance on 2 little .5" wide patches of rubber, and makes the visibility crappy for the motorists. Be very careful on corners, and don't even think of trying to lean into them (not as bad on rough asphalt, though). You can drop the tire pressures a bit to try to get more grip, but still be cautious.
I don't ride in the rain and I don't understand why so many cyclists do. Even the die hard helmet nazi crowd will tempt fate and go out and ride in the rain or in a thunderstorm. It's hazardous enough to ride in sunny clear conditions when so many motorists don't pay effing attention, let alone adding a few rain drops into the equation.
Falling down and scraping off some skin is one thing, but to get run over by some soccer mom driving a huge ass SUV while blabbing on the cell phone with a couple of screaming brats in the back seat while it's raining is another. No way to win that entanglement. Besides, how many yahoo's are out driving around in their old beat up trucks with about a 6 pack in them and haven't changed their wiper blades in a couple years? There's no way to tell from the outside while riding a bike.
Pretty much do everything you would do if you were driving (be in the proper lane, signal your turns, stop at red lights) but with a little extra space around yourself. When you're out riding with your friends, the key is communication. You're far more likely to get hit by one of them than a car. When you're in front, you're the eyes for the people behind you. Point down to things on the road, call out anything ahead, and whatever you do, don't even think about your brakes without giving some kind of very clear signal. And stay out of the rain. It's extra danger for a lot less fun.
That's my preference, too, but when it rains on race day then it's nice to have done a little training in the rain so it doesn't become a mental disadvantage. Definitely find an empty road for those days.
Falling down and scraping off some skin is one thing, but to get run over by some soccer mom driving a huge ass SUV while blabbing on the cell phone with a couple of screaming brats in the back seat while it's raining is another. No way to win that entanglement. Besides, how many yahoo's are out driving around in their old beat up trucks with about a 6 pack in them and haven't changed their wiper blades in a couple years? There's no way to tell from the outside while riding a bike.
When it's rain time, it's trainer time. 😉
That's why I usually ride between 5:30-7:30am. I only have to be on the lookout for the deer trying to cross the roads, but it beats the heck out of SUVs. I don't know if it's just an Atlanta thing, but I've noticed that most drivers seem to think they are supposed to honk their horns :eek:at you as they scream by at 65mph. I'm sure they're just trying to let me know that they are there and they're "sharing the road"!😕
As far as trainers go, do you use video's like Spinervals or TrainRight?
