is there a "cone of silence" i dont know about for road bikers?

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

Evidently nothing changes.
Back before competitive road cycling was cool, bikers were still snobs. It was as if everyone else on a bike was the competition and the enemy.
unless they were part of your cycling club of course, then everything was cool as long as you remembered your place in the pecking order.
But ya had to keep your serious game face on. yeah right.
I rode with the Paramount cycling club, they weren't as bad as most.

Back then anyone caught wearing a yellow jersey better be a recognizable champion or he'd end up in the gutter or get a pump through the spokes.
Nowadays every other swinging deek in spandex-drag wears a yellow jersey.

Flourescent yellow is good for safety, though.

[85eurocarrera]

Z-Man

Bell is good, but you just experienced why the paved bike/ pedestrian paths can be dangerous. That incident you explained would be your fault imo. Never know when the pedestrian is going to stop and turn around. Seen it happen.

Wear what you want. I evolved from your attire to full spandex when on my road bike...you will to if you get into any longer rides.

I don't appreciate people sucking my wheel if they don't converse with me. Can be dangerous if they half wheel you. Good time to hawk a loogie. :-)

[techweenie]

I ride the bike path with a couple of neighbors every Sunday. It goes from Culver City to the Marina del Rey breakwater and continues South. There's also a connection to a Santa Monica bike path.

One or more packs of road bike riders act like absolute douches almost every weekend. We have a 66 year old woman in our group and I see riders in logo-ed spandex cut within inches of her many times every week. We've had people in these packs yell at us to ride single file, but most of them ride 2 and even 3 abreast. There's a sense of entitlement there thick enough to cut with a knife. Of course, we cope with walkers and joggers on the bike path, but if our group has to detour around the pedestrians, that seems to be a personal insult to the packs. It's enough that I'm tempted to Go Pro some of these tools and shame them online.

[jyl]

the guy walking infront of me who decided to make a left without looking and nearly ran me off the road! I have a 'ring ring' bell

Pedestrians are more dangerous than cars. Seriously. I ride on city streets to/from work daily, probably pass or am passed by 1,000 cars a week, only about 1 x per 2-3 months does a car even start to make a dangerous move and - key - those moves are predictable. If a car is going to turn in front of you, it is because there is an intersection, a driveway, a parking spot that the driver is turning at. Except for those specific points, cars don't turn. After all, drivers are not in the habit of suddenly turning and smashing into the curb, sidewalk, buildings, etc.

But pedestrians - they turn at any time, for any reason, no reason, look at that bird, ah-choo, oh I forgot something, and they pivot on a dime without warning.

I try hard not to ride around pedestrians, meaning not on MUPs that are often used by pedestrians, and I slow down (10 mph) and ding the bell whether they need it or not. That means a lot of irritating slowing and speeding up.

I'd rather ride on the street than on a MUP or park path popular with walkers.

I typically wear spandex with shorts over them (!) and a sport shirt that wicks away the water. I also wear gloves and a helmet whenever I ride. I may look like a dork, but I'd rather wear protection instead of getting hurt more.

Helmets and gloves are good.

I do have a question - in today's ride, a couple of times, a few other riders would come up behind me, and match my speed instead of passing me. Now I am just starting back on biking, and my speed is somewhere between 12 and 15 mph - ie not very fast. So why do they follow me instead of passing me?

You moved over to the right so they had room to pass? In that case, maybe you weren't riding that slow. I think most recreational riders on MUPs are going 10-15 mph.

[jyl]

Another word on MUPs - by which I mean multi user paths that are in fact heavily used by walkers, joggers, grandmas, cruisers.

Here is the way it is. Real road riders don't ride hard on MUPs. Real road riders ride hard on the f--king road, because they are fast and strong and experienced enough. The kind of road rider who does his "hard" riding on a MUP is called a "path warrior" and is reviled by all.

(Disclaimer: this does not apply to a path that is technically a MUP but in practice is only used by cyclists. Then it is a cycle path and I think it is okay to hammer on it, if it isn't congested with slow cyclists. If it is, then go to the road. If Mr Path Warrior is so freaking fast, he should be out there with the big boys.

[snbush67]

Originally Posted by vash

the best dressed group is clearly the Harley Davidson rider.

i'm gonna hijack my own thread. i am looking for a GREAT wool cycling jersey.

i found that IBEX company, but they seem to be blowing out inventory and only have extreme sizes. small, and huge.

plain colors. burnt orange would kick ass..sorta vintage feeling/looking. any tips?

Road holland makes great jerseys, made in US.

Collections - Road Holland Cycling Apparel and Accessories

[Joe Bob]

Those that work on Porsches, Pulitzer or Nobel prizes ride alone........nuff said....and wear black.....

[snbush67]

Originally Posted by tadink

My latest peeve is the guys with their music blaring in their heads while they are riding - when you can't see what's about to mow you down from behind, at least you OUGHT to be listening for it, IMO.

I've had more than one occasion when I heard a car NOT move over for me and dodged a bit to the right for more clearance....and good thing too! Can't imagine not hearing that.....

rant over. carry on.

td

I am not an advocate for headphones. However, I have always wondered what different sound a car makes that is going to hit you from one that is not. For reference I have been hit twice very hard and have many more close calls, neither car that hit me made a distinctive noise from others who where simply passing me. How are you able to determine by sound, an object that is going to hit you? How do you hear a car "not move over"?

[snbush67]

"Even under quiet conditions, then, the best that the sense of hearing can do is to provide an unreliable warning of a vehicle's presence, and an inaccurate idea of its position. And while the sense of hearing can indicate that something is there, it can not indicate that nothing is there. Bicyclists learn very quickly not to trust their sense hearing to warn them before turning or changing lane position."

From: On bicycling, the sense of hearing and headphones

[snbush67]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

you need stickers....like "Die Roadie, Die" or "Logos are fer Weenies"....let me know to help....

He needs a sticker that says "stickers suck".

[slodave]

I've been rollerblading around the local bike path (now MUP) for a number of years now. I can blade as fast as most of the recreational bikers, faster than some, slower than others. I average about 13.5 MPH. My blades are one level down from professional racing blades, running 110mm wheels. Most of the bikers on the path are courteous in either direction, slow down, move over... Most of these bikers look to be recreational, not too fast, some wear full getups, most are in various stages of street/bike clothes. I have on occasion found a biker that will not let me pass if I am faster. I do let them know (On your left!), they look at me and speed up. It can become a problem, as the path is not too wide and one has to watch out for oncoming traffic. It does piss me off, as they pull ahead, then slow back down, when I catch up and try to pass, they block me again. I've also had a few bikers not thrilled when I have drafted them. The real riders seem to be in packs of two or more and take to the street around the path. Pedestrians and cars are my worst nightmare on blades. The pedestrians freak out like a deer in headlights when I call out to pass and half will move to the left! Right into my way. I've actually had to run blade into a couple of people, because they moved into my path.

Oh, as a blader, I do give a nod as I pass other bladers. I typically have my hands behind my back and prefer not to pull them out to wave. I get the same nod back from most.

I bought a mountain bike last week, so I can use it for transportation (local), trail riding and street riding. I've had two days in the streets now and though cautious, the cars so far have been good to me. I had one guy that just about made a right in front of me - he was coming from a side street, but eventually got the idea that I was not going to slow down, since I had the right-of-way, stopped and waved apologetically. Right now, I'm riding around in my normal shorts and tees. Will I get some other biking clothes, probably, things that make sense.

I actually spent my Friday night reading up on the rules(laws) of riding around the streets, so I know what are my rights. I stopped riding (BMX) when I got my license and the rules of the road were a bit different then.

Here's mike stealth bike (yes, it has lights, mounted them after I took the pic).

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by look 171

Gone out riding with a few guys and all they want to do is yap and sight seen. They drift into the middle of traffic and have no clue about the car behind is about to run our ass over. Do that when we get off the bike will be more then happy to buy beer and talk to our hearts content.

Riding in groups, even serious road warrior pelotons, just sucks, I personally hate it and don't do it. I like to do my 35 mile loop two or three times a week, with my earbuds in, and get home for a couple of beers and a smoke.

[Joe Bob]

Originally Posted by snbush67

He needs a sticker that says "stickers suck".

Cool...reminds me of the bumper sticker that says "bumper sticker"....oi, kinda sublime....

Geez, I need to get laid....
The dip thing in the top tube.....?

Help me out , Dave....

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by slodave

I actually spent my Friday night reading up on the rules(laws) of riding around the streets, so I know what are my rights. I stopped riding (BMX) when I got my license and the rules of the road were a bit different then.

Ive come to the view that your rights on the road, as a cyclist, are irrelevant. The cyclist moves in an environment where any soccer mom or little old man in a Corolla can kill him with a ton or two of moving metal and your rights wont help. I now take the view that if a road rule places me in an unsafe or even less than ideal situation, as I judge it, I will break the road rule every time. This is generally for the benefit of all, my intent is to be not where I will impede traffic.

When Im in my car, I like to see bikes moving the same way. It makes sense.

[Flieger]

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Cool...reminds me of the bumper sticker that says "bumper sticker"....oi, kinda sublime....

Geez, I need to get laid....
The dip thing in the top tube.....?

Help me out , Dave....

Ur just jelly that I can ride right now and you can't!

[slodave]

Originally Posted by stuartj

Ive come to the view that your rights on the road, as a cyclist, are irrelevant. The cyclist moves in an environment where any soccer mom or little old man in a Corolla can kill him with a ton or two of moving metal and your rights wont help. I now take the view that if a road rule places me in an unsafe or even less than ideal situation, as I judge it, I will break the road rule every time. This is generally for the benefit of all, my intent is to be not where I will impede traffic.

When Im in my car, I like to see bikes moving the same way. It makes sense.

Hey!!!!!!! I drive a Corolla!!!!!!

I'll get back to you on how I feel on riding with cars after I get hit the first time - no, make that the second. I got hit by a car many moons ago.

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by jyl

Another word on MUPs - by which I mean multi user paths that are in fact heavily used by walkers, joggers, grandmas, cruisers.

Here is the way it is. Real road riders don't ride hard on MUPs. Real road riders ride hard on the f--king road, because they are fast and strong and experienced enough. The kind of road rider who does his "hard" riding on a MUP is called a "path warrior" and is reviled by all.

(Disclaimer: this does not apply to a path that is technically a MUP but in practice is only used by cyclists. Then it is a cycle path and I think it is okay to hammer on it, if it isn't congested with slow cyclists. If it is, then go to the road. If Mr Path Warrior is so freaking fast, he should be out there with the big boys.

First off - I agree - I should have been more alert about the pedestrian that cut into me. I did ask if he was ok after we hit - he heard me, and said he was ok, and apologyzed. I am glad he was ok - I did loop back that way a few minutes later to see if he was hurt, but he was gone. I thought I gave him enough room - but that path isn't that wide. I will need to be more attentive, and anticipate them more.

Secondly - I certainly do not classify myself as a 'hard rider,' and I don't think anyone sees me as a 'path warrior.' There are plenty of folks in the park that zip past me on bikes. Quite humbling at times...but I am out there to get in shape, and I don't pretend I'm doing the Tour de France. That said - given that more folks pass me than I pass others, I don't think 12-15 is too fast for that path -- thoughts?

I used to ride on the streets when I was much younger. In North NJ, that can be a very dangerous proposition. Many a time, I was inches from the side of Mac trucks and garbage trucks, as well as cars that didn't see me. Can't believe I never got clobbered. When I moved to my current town, I realized I live between two very busy roads that really aren't very condusive to bike riding. (One is two-lanes - double yellow, and the other is 4 lanes, double yellow - both with a speed limit of 45 - everyone does 55-60). They did put in bike lanes on a couple of roads in town - but I'd have to drive to them -- maybe I will do that.

-Z-man.

[Joe Bob]

Let's go play thru santa ana, i'll even lend you a bike.....them guys are worse than a Tiujuana traffic jam. Ya can't hurt my SOMEC.

Margarihtas are on me.

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by slodave

Hey!!!!!!! I drive a Corolla!!!!!!

I'll get back to you on how I feel on riding with cars after I get hit the first time - no, make that the second. I got hit by a car many moons ago.

Yeah, ive been hit a couple of times, never seriously, but had some serious near misses. The worst was just a couple of months ago I nearly got pulled under an 18 wheeler who decided to enter a roundabout behind me and overtake. As I went, on purpose, up over the curb and came off (soft grass, no problem) I watched the rear triple bogey ride up over the curb where I had been. My rights....mean sweet FA. On my bike- actually in my car too- I have no compunction about breaking road laws if in my judgement it makes sense to do so. After all why should some road workers decision to paint a line on the road interfere with my corner line? -)