Roadside Bike Riding make you skittish?
#1
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Roadside Bike Riding make you skittish?
The weather and mood has changed out here in the Pacific Northwest. That long days and fantastic sun are leaving, and with it, that feeling of immortality you get. It was raining heavily and windy last week. In the summer visibility was good, the roads dry and we weren't bundled up and roadside riding was easy. Now I got my hooded jacket, goggles and fallen branches and slippery roads to deal with.. Passing cars seem less friendly now . You get a lot of loud honks for no real reason. When I was younger I was a dare devil but at this age I'm more cautious Last week I realized for the first time cars whiz by sometimes a foot away or less from your bike on some roads, when the bike lane gets really narrow...just wondering if its my imagination or nerves or whether others have the same thoughts? Leaves two options, riding on the muddy trail or doing the same sidewalk route ever yday until spring comes
#2
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I wonder if it’s pent up COVID issues from folks With less patience from being unable to do their normal thing? Regardless I haven’t experienced any more than the normal frustration by drivers in NC. For me if I’m concerned to the point I’m worried or it’s not fun I don’t ride. Typically when the temperatures get colder I do more gravel riding.
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#3
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Not for me here. For the most part I have more issues with motorist trying to be too nice. On the start of our ride today, My son and I were first at the light out of the neighborhood. It had just turned red and the car behind us wouldn't get close enough to us for the sensor to know someone was waiting to go. So we missed the first change of lights and only the other side got to go. Thankfully another car came up in the right lane and tripped the sensor for the next round of light changes.
Usually I get more problems from other cyclist on the trail when they try to pass those going the same direction as them and I am coming the other way. Not sure why they think I'm supposed to slow down so they can pass traffic in their lane.
Sad to hear that y'all have so many issues out there with motorists. We aren't without a few moments of stupidness of motorists, but more often than not, cars, trucks, planes and trains aren't a big problem for me here. Large wide bass boats being towed behind a tiny car used to be an issue till they made the 3 foot rule and went on a media blitz for it right after they passed it.
Usually I get more problems from other cyclist on the trail when they try to pass those going the same direction as them and I am coming the other way. Not sure why they think I'm supposed to slow down so they can pass traffic in their lane.
Sad to hear that y'all have so many issues out there with motorists. We aren't without a few moments of stupidness of motorists, but more often than not, cars, trucks, planes and trains aren't a big problem for me here. Large wide bass boats being towed behind a tiny car used to be an issue till they made the 3 foot rule and went on a media blitz for it right after they passed it.
#4
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The weather and mood has changed out here in the Pacific Northwest. That long days and fantastic sun are leaving, and with it, that feeling of immortality you get. It was raining heavily and windy last week. In the summer visibility was good, the roads dry and we weren't bundled up and roadside riding was easy. Now I got my hooded jacket, goggles and fallen branches and slippery roads to deal with.. Passing cars seem less friendly now . You get a lot of loud honks for no real reason. When I was younger I was a dare devil but at this age I'm more cautious Last week I realized for the first time cars whiz by sometimes a foot away or less from your bike on some roads, when the bike lane gets really narrow...just wondering if its my imagination or nerves or whether others have the same thoughts? Leaves two options, riding on the muddy trail or doing the same sidewalk route ever yday until spring comes
The trick is to have these extremely bright lights and to run them in the daytime. They get a motorist's attention, you bet. I have a DiNotte tail light which I bought many years ago, aren't made anymore. The problem with most tail lights today is that they are made to mount on the seat post, which makes them absolutely useless for most riders because even a small bag can completely hide them. I did find one light which fits my criteria quite well, the Cygolite Hypershot 350 Bike Taillight, available on Amazon and other places. They also make headlights.
At night, this tail light will be too bright pointed straight back - you'll blind overtaking drivers. Point it down a bit toward the road for night use.
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#5
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I've ridden all winter for many years in the PNW, usually one long rain ride/week on Sunday. I ride rural roads mostly north and east of Seattle. None of them have bike lanes, many have no shoulder at all beyond the fog line. I don't ride most of these roads during weekday rush hour, though there are some which have no rush hour and are always safe. I ride as close to the fog line as practical. I wear a Hi Viz jacket and have a 300 lumen flashing tail light on my left seat stay and a 300 lumen white flashing headlight mounted on my left fork blade. In the past 20 years, I've never had a problem with a vehicle passing too close, meaning one that might have scared me into moving further right.
The trick is to have these extremely bright lights and to run them in the daytime. They get a motorist's attention, you bet. I have a DiNotte tail light which I bought many years ago, aren't made anymore. The problem with most tail lights today is that they are made to mount on the seat post, which makes them absolutely useless for most riders because even a small bag can completely hide them. I did find one light which fits my criteria quite well, the Cygolite Hypershot 350 Bike Taillight, available on Amazon and other places. They also make headlights.
At night, this tail light will be too bright pointed straight back - you'll blind overtaking drivers. Point it down a bit toward the road for night use.
The trick is to have these extremely bright lights and to run them in the daytime. They get a motorist's attention, you bet. I have a DiNotte tail light which I bought many years ago, aren't made anymore. The problem with most tail lights today is that they are made to mount on the seat post, which makes them absolutely useless for most riders because even a small bag can completely hide them. I did find one light which fits my criteria quite well, the Cygolite Hypershot 350 Bike Taillight, available on Amazon and other places. They also make headlights.
At night, this tail light will be too bright pointed straight back - you'll blind overtaking drivers. Point it down a bit toward the road for night use.
Thats a great idea... the lights..
Also probably wise to not push it hard and pay attention to traffic and ride with safety as the main consideration .its the hills in this area that make it hard to keep a steady safe ride going ...I'm also going to drive my routes by car to see what the drivers are seeing
Last edited by 5 mph; 09-27-20 at 06:17 PM.
#6
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Thats a great idea... the lights..
Also probably wise to not push it hard and pay attention to traffic and ride with safety as the main consideration..its the hills in this area that make it hard to keep a steady safe ride going .I guess I should just be wiser and use the smaller gears....
Thats a great idea... the lights..
Also probably wise to not push it hard and pay attention to traffic and ride with safety as the main consideration..its the hills in this area that make it hard to keep a steady safe ride going .I guess I should just be wiser and use the smaller gears....
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#7
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I'm also in the PNW and almost exclusively road bike. I ride through winter unless there's snow/ice on the road. Proper riding gear and bike safety gear are a must - make yourself as visible as possible. Obviously pick and choose your route wisely even it it means driving to your starting point to be on quieter or country roads.
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Since COVID I have been doing only roadside or bike “lanes” instead of the nice bike paths that are in our area. I found the bike paths and MUP’s are congested with very little room for cyclists . I am actually more comfortable dealing with traffic than I am with folks who will not give up a little room for a bike to get by. I found some pedestrians and dog walkers can be very possessive of “their “ space. Even when marked with a bicycle logo painted beneath their feet. I deal with the occasional driver that won’t give space , but for the most part , it has been good. Large trucks can be unnerving as well as city busses but that experience seems more rare than the inconsiderate behavior of some of the folks on MUP’s. I know the road is dangerous and I just have to trust that people will do the right thing. So far it has been ok and I don’t find myself getting frustrated as much. Every one must choose what works for them but I will take my chances on bike lanes and side of road cycling.
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#10
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You are not imagining that riding on the road is more dangerous than ever. I think drivers who are paying full attention to the road are more the exception, rather than the rule, these days. Unfortunately, it only takes a second for a distracted driver in a 3,000 pound vehicle to change your life forever. And the news article about your unfortunate meeting with that driver will probably imply that the collision was your fault for having been on the road instead of the sidewalk (where bikes belong, of course!).
#11
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Sometimes I will drive the courses I ride. Some which I thought were safe were actually safe only because the drivers were so polite. It was quite a rude awakening.
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It may just be the result of the lack of traffic that I enjoyed while biking during the early days of COVID-19, but drivers now seem to be traveling at even higher speeds and paying less attention to their surrounding than before.
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I can't tell if motorists are actually less cordial than normal, or I'm just more on edge. Probably both, as we're all stressed.
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I agree with Carbonfiberboy about the use of lights during the day. I'm using the Cygolite Hypershot 350 taillight and Metro Pro 1100 front light on one bike and a pair of Bontrager Ion 200 lights on the other. They do make a difference, but I still need to stay alert and maintain awareness at all times. I also ride the sidewalks when there is no bike lane and traffic is heavy. On less crowded roads with no bike lane I stay in the road and ride about 3 feet from the white line. Some cars do not like that I take a portion of the lane, but it's proven to be much safer than hugging the white line.
#17
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+1. I too have done this and been alerted to how dangerous some roads are that feel OK while on the bike. A tight curve on a shoulder-less road is an accident waiting to happen. I dropped a couple of routes because of this. I'm in my 70s now and broke a hip and a shoulder in bike crashes years back. I don't want to repeat that at his age so I am more careful.
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Same here in the Philly area. Less traffic=higher speeds=more accidents.
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#19
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I haven't been out much since the pandemic hit; but at 65 I've never been bothered much by traffic, at least on the roads I use. I may see a car or three in a mile, then go 5 miles without seeing one. Maybe you're on more heavily-traveled routes than me?
#20
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+1. I too have done this and been alerted to how dangerous some roads are that feel OK while on the bike. A tight curve on a shoulder-less road is an accident waiting to happen. I dropped a couple of routes because of this. I'm in my 70s now and broke a hip and a shoulder in bike crashes years back. I don't want to repeat that at his age so I am more careful.
I ride country roads almost exclusively. I'm fortunate that most drivers are used to seeing bikes and seem to be courteous. I still try to time my rides so that I'm around the least amount of traffic as possible. Mid mornings on weekdays seem to be best. Sunday mornings are also good.
I run the cygolite metro combination front and rear on every ride. I usually 'scout' rides as well. Fast, or speeding traffic always rules out a route for me.
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Nothing wrong with being cautious.
I have learned to trust my gut. If riding outside doesn't feel right for whatever reason that day, no matter how nice it may be outside. I ride indoors. This has only happened a handful of times.
No science or logic behind the above, just if it doesn't feel right I won't do it.
I have learned to trust my gut. If riding outside doesn't feel right for whatever reason that day, no matter how nice it may be outside. I ride indoors. This has only happened a handful of times.
No science or logic behind the above, just if it doesn't feel right I won't do it.
#22
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I agree with Carbonfiberboy about the use of lights during the day. I'm using the Cygolite Hypershot 350 taillight and Metro Pro 1100 front light on one bike and a pair of Bontrager Ion 200 lights on the other. They do make a difference, but I still need to stay alert and maintain awareness at all times. I also ride the sidewalks when there is no bike lane and traffic is heavy. On less crowded roads with no bike lane I stay in the road and ride about 3 feet from the white line. Some cars do not like that I take a portion of the lane, but it's proven to be much safer than hugging the white line.
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#23
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You are not imagining that riding on the road is more dangerous than ever. I think drivers who are paying full attention to the road are more the exception, rather than the rule, these days. Unfortunately, it only takes a second for a distracted driver in a 3,000 pound vehicle to change your life forever. And the news article about your unfortunate meeting with that driver will probably imply that the collision was your fault for having been on the road instead of the sidewalk (where bikes belong, of course!).
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#24
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Speed is, and always has been, a huge factor. We need more enforcement of speed laws.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
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I have learned to trust my gut. If riding outside doesn't feel right for whatever reason that day, no matter how nice it may be outside. I ride indoors. This has only happened a handful of times.
No science or logic behind the above, just if it doesn't feel right I won't do it.
One day I had a couple scares from cars and then I rode upon a skateboarder who had been hit and I went home right away. That day was an example of that sense.