DreamRider85

I swear to God I'm not trolling. I'm asking serious quetions. A part of me wants to ride on the roads, but I'm scared. I'm trying to get as much information from people as possible and also their opinions.

chasm54

Sorry, no dice. It's not possible for a human being to be quite as stupid as you try to appear.

MMLC

Then man up, grow a pair and get on the mother lovin' road. The only thing between whining on a forum and riding on the road is opportunity. And while you're riding on the road, ride it like you own it.

DreamRider85

I'm offended that you think I'm a troll. You have no proof.

Machka 

How old are you?

Daniel4

Sometimes I feel that the people accusing others of trolling are trolling. Some people don't have any tolerance for newbies. This is the kind of thing that gives the internet the bad reputation it has for decorum. It's supposed to be the information-superhighway, but in some other discussion forums it's just a battleground of vitriol.

I joined this forum because it's very active and covers a lot of different aspects of cycling. Many times it's a very good source to share and get information as well as other people's opinions both from experienced and new cyclists. But every once in a while we get remarks that just discourages people from participating.

chasm54

Please don't be silly, this has nothing to do with tolerance for newbies. The OP has started several similar fear-related threads in different forums (none in advocacy and safety, where they might be more appropriate) and has received tolerant and informative responses. He then reframes those largely reassuring replies to gradually increase the ridiculousness of his faux-innocent questions, as in this case. It's classic trolling, not newb, behaviour.

Catinella

I like bikeforums. There are lots of great, helpful folks here eager to share their knowledge and their love of bike riding with others, including newbies. I feel that in the short time I have been a member I have contributed positively to the forum. I must say however, that very soon after joining I was accused of being a possible troll. I felt hurt, I felt I had to defend my postings. I seriously considered leaving bikeforums and joining a different forum. However, the exchange that followed became positive and I felt welcomed, so I stayed.

If you believe someone is trolling, the best strategy may be to simply not add/respond to the thread and let the Moderators figure it out. (PM them if you want.) Spend your time reading and responding to threads or discussions that make you happy! If the poster is a troll, s/he will eventually give up, or be turned to the "Bike Side".

Have a Great Day!

one4smoke

I agree. If indeed a troll, you are simply "feeding" him when responding negatively.

AlmostTrick

Some troll threads can be quite entertaining. The OP's "I crashed into a little girl" thread certainly was. Lighten up and have some fun. Not every thread/post has to be serious business.

I agree, if you don't like a thread, don't post on it. (or stop posting)

indyfabz

+100

DreamRider85

Crashing into the little girl was real life though. I didn't make it up, trolling or not. That's so far the only time I've crashed into someone. And I feel very lucky that she wasn't hurt. I thought that it could have been serious for her. But I was the one that fell down the hill and she was scared but as soon as I asked her if she was okay she nodded.

DreamRider85

Correlation does not equal causation. I just have a certain style of posting. And I get anxious at times and want urgent and specific answers.

Machka 

How old are you?

Are you a teenager?

Have you just recently learned to ride a bicycle?

caloso

Wait. So the 100% of the OP's crashes have been on a MUP and he's convinced that they're safer than roads?

baldilocks

I guess I'm not a real cyclist either. I have parts of my commute that have a 45 mph speed limit, and I use the sidewalk. No one walks on them. If I could, I would prefer to be on a path in the woods somewhere. I do what keeps everyone safe. And the more I'm on the bike, the happier I am.

flan48

Big +1 and ditto from me!
Best regards

DreamRider85

I did about 5 miles on the road today, but on my mountain bike. Reason being is because I thought I was gonna do some dirt trails, but never found where I was trying to go. It was over by Steven Creeks Trail in Mountain View. What happened is I never found the trail. I was by Friends of Stevens Creek Trail, but never saw the trail. I was told to keep going, so I ended up using the bike lanes in search of the trail.

So I have been getting a little bit of experience, little by little, on the road. It wasn't too scary, But based on this experience I wouldn't say that cycling in ''traffic'' adds any joyfulness to my experience. It's not like I prefer to ride next to a lot of cars if I don't have to. What I noticed was I was constantly reaching RED LIGHTS a lot and it required some patience.

It felt good that there were other cyclists around too. I got to kind of study what they were doing. But again, I wouldn't say that it felt good or better just to be around cars. It actually felt like I was driving, except on a bike. When I'm at a trail, I don't have to worry about stopping at red lights or stop signs.

So I guess, I'll still give cycling on the road into consideration. But I don't want to do it just to do it. The reward has to be worth it. The scenery has to be worth it. In other words, I don't see much beauty in just cycling the same streets that I drive. Because it really doesn't feel much different than driving. I mean you basically are following the same rules. I'm on the roads, except I'm using a much slower vehicle. If there were paths next to every road, I'd take the path each time.

Now that isn't to say that I don't fear mountain biking too. I just got started in mountain biking and already crashed into a bush. The cracks going downhill scare the crap outta me, so I'm taking mountain biking slow too. Now I swear I'm not trolling when I say this, but I was recently looking at a mount biker chick who got attacked by a lion, and that did put a lot of fear in me.

DreamRider85

I have very little experience on the roads. I did a little yesterday and some today in Mountain View. Most of my experience is on the Bay Trail, by the San Mateo Bridge. And I just got the EMonda Road bike a month ago. Before that, I was just using my Mountain bike on the paved trails.

bobbyl1966

me too i ride only in trails.

StanSeven

I hope you ride with lots of lights and bright colored clothes to warn others.

DreamRider85

How many miles are your trails? And how many trails are in your area? Just curious. Sometimes I wonder if we're limiting ourselves.

rydabent

The simple answer to this question is that everyone should ride their bikes where ever they have the most enjoyment, and feel safe riding there.

No one should feel they have to ride their bikes where others think or dictate they should ride.

GovernorSilver

Join a group ride - you'll learn even more that way. I found a couple of cycling groups in my area on meetup.com.

You could also look for a "confident city cycling" class in your area. I'm sure Google will turn something up.

HauntedMyst

Yes. Don't give up the other part of cycling just because of a paranoia.