Trucks on Narrow Twisting Roads
#76
20+mph Commuter
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Greenville. SC USA
Posts: 7,517
Bikes: Surly LHT, Surly Lowside, a folding bike, and a beater.
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1434 Post(s)
Liked 331 Times
in
219 Posts
And the "deer scenario" I mentioned WAY up this thread was to illustrate that if, as a cyclist, you get hit by a vehicle (esp. modern SUV and pick-ups) moving 50+ mph, you will be blown to pieces just like many, many deer (and hog) parts and pieces I have seen roadside. You're not going to get "scratched up". You will get blown up, literally. So think long and hard before "taking a lane" on any road you please.
I can't make this message any clearer. If you don't understand it, fine. Stop responding to it. It's very straightforward to most ppl and goes without saying to the majority of cyclists I would bet.
Likes For JoeyBike:
#77
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,978
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,538 Times
in
1,047 Posts
Likes For I-Like-To-Bike:
#78
For The Fun of It
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Louisissippi Coast
Posts: 5,852
Bikes: Lynskey GR300, Lynskey Backroad, Litespeed T6, Lynskey MT29, Burley Duet
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2135 Post(s)
Liked 1,647 Times
in
829 Posts
If you are "taking the lane" on a roadway with fast traffic and poor sight-lines, which people say they do here, then you are basically "standing" in the lane given the speed differential between you (the cyclist) and the motorist doing 50+mph. The only exception I can think of is bombing down a mountain pass (or big hill) cycling at near or over the speed limit, which I have done a thousand times.
And the "deer scenario" I mentioned WAY up this thread was to illustrate that if, as a cyclist, you get hit by a vehicle (esp. modern SUV and pick-ups) moving 50+ mph, you will be blown to pieces just like many, many deer (and hog) parts and pieces I have seen roadside. You're not going to get "scratched up". You will get blown up, literally. So think long and hard before "taking a lane" on any road you please.
I can't make this message any clearer. If you don't understand it, fine. Stop responding to it. It's very straightforward to most ppl and goes without saying to the majority of cyclists I would bet.
And the "deer scenario" I mentioned WAY up this thread was to illustrate that if, as a cyclist, you get hit by a vehicle (esp. modern SUV and pick-ups) moving 50+ mph, you will be blown to pieces just like many, many deer (and hog) parts and pieces I have seen roadside. You're not going to get "scratched up". You will get blown up, literally. So think long and hard before "taking a lane" on any road you please.
I can't make this message any clearer. If you don't understand it, fine. Stop responding to it. It's very straightforward to most ppl and goes without saying to the majority of cyclists I would bet.
Likes For Paul Barnard:
#79
20+mph Commuter
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Greenville. SC USA
Posts: 7,517
Bikes: Surly LHT, Surly Lowside, a folding bike, and a beater.
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1434 Post(s)
Liked 331 Times
in
219 Posts
Based on behavior i have witnessed personally, and writings here on A&S, YES, yes I do think some ppl are unaware.
#80
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 4,811
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1591 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,020 Times
in
572 Posts
I would wholly agree there could be conditions where it is a poor idea to take the lane. Or for that matter to ride a bicycle at all. I don't see a lot of high speed traffic coming around blind corners so this seems a more theoretical contention.
#81
20+mph Commuter
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Greenville. SC USA
Posts: 7,517
Bikes: Surly LHT, Surly Lowside, a folding bike, and a beater.
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1434 Post(s)
Liked 331 Times
in
219 Posts
Having toured 36 states and provinces I have witnessed my share of this, and also been the "problem" more times than I want to admit. Not taking the lane per se, just not having any space to be out of "their way".
#82
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,994
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2496 Post(s)
Liked 739 Times
in
523 Posts
Bike the Appalachians. Or almost any rural mountain road where the locals know every turn like the back of their hand. Many drive like bats out of Hell not expecting to see anything but another bat out of Hell ahead or behind them. Enter someone in the road doing 12 mph.
Having toured 36 states and provinces I have witnessed my share of this, and also been the "problem" more times than I want to admit. Not taking the lane per se, just not having any space to be out of "their way".
Having toured 36 states and provinces I have witnessed my share of this, and also been the "problem" more times than I want to admit. Not taking the lane per se, just not having any space to be out of "their way".
Likes For Leisesturm:
#83
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 4,811
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1591 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,020 Times
in
572 Posts
Bike the Appalachians. Or almost any rural mountain road where the locals know every turn like the back of their hand. Many drive like bats out of Hell not expecting to see anything but another bat out of Hell ahead or behind them. Enter someone in the road doing 12 mph.
Likes For jon c.:
Likes For Paul Barnard:
#85
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 2,690
Bikes: Giant Propel, Cannondale SuperX, Univega Alpina Ultima
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 672 Post(s)
Liked 417 Times
in
249 Posts
If you can't convince people after repeatedly making your argument, it is worth considering the possibility your argument could be flawed.
__________________
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
Likes For bbbean:
#86
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 2,690
Bikes: Giant Propel, Cannondale SuperX, Univega Alpina Ultima
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 672 Post(s)
Liked 417 Times
in
249 Posts
Bike the Appalachians. Or almost any rural mountain road where the locals know every turn like the back of their hand. Many drive like bats out of Hell not expecting to see anything but another bat out of Hell ahead or behind them. Enter someone in the road doing 12 mph.
Having toured 36 states and provinces I have witnessed my share of this, and also been the "problem" more times than I want to admit. Not taking the lane per se, just not having any space to be out of "their way".
Having toured 36 states and provinces I have witnessed my share of this, and also been the "problem" more times than I want to admit. Not taking the lane per se, just not having any space to be out of "their way".
__________________
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
#87
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,978
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,538 Times
in
1,047 Posts
Bike the Appalachians. Or almost any rural mountain road where the locals know every turn like the back of their hand. Many drive like bats out of Hell not expecting to see anything but another bat out of Hell ahead or behind them. Enter someone in the road doing 12 mph.
Having toured 36 states and provinces I have witnessed my share of this, and also been the "problem" more times than I want to admit. Not taking the lane per se, just not having any space to be out of "their way".
Having toured 36 states and provinces I have witnessed my share of this, and also been the "problem" more times than I want to admit. Not taking the lane per se, just not having any space to be out of "their way".
Likes For work4bike:
#89
Newbie
Join Date: Sep 2021
Posts: 17
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
as a cyclist the lorries and trucks worry me the most, they have so many blind spots and find it hard to squeeze through certain spots, I ended up taking out some life protection just in case with sports fs who were very helpful. I just know many of friends that have had near misses with lorries, better safe than sorry!
Likes For gooseneck34:
#90
Over the hill
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 24,376
Bikes: Giant Defy, Giant Revolt
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 998 Post(s)
Liked 1,206 Times
in
692 Posts
Bike the Appalachians. Or almost any rural mountain road where the locals know every turn like the back of their hand. Many drive like bats out of Hell not expecting to see anything but another bat out of Hell ahead or behind them. Enter someone in the road doing 12 mph.
__________________
It's like riding a bicycle
It's like riding a bicycle
#93
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Atlantic Beach Florida
Posts: 1,947
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3777 Post(s)
Liked 1,048 Times
in
792 Posts
Does George Hincapie still live in Greenville SC? I seem to remember him remarking (years ago) that that area of SC is great for training.
In the running world, some say Hill-Training is speed training. I suppose the same can be said of cycling. (of course as long as you don't do hills too much, otherwise your fast-twitch muscles will be sacrificed).
In the running world, some say Hill-Training is speed training. I suppose the same can be said of cycling. (of course as long as you don't do hills too much, otherwise your fast-twitch muscles will be sacrificed).
#96
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,443
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 626 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 399 Times
in
276 Posts
gooseneck34: It sounds like you're from across the pond maybe England. I have seen many YouTube videos from there were the trucks will pass bicyclists with little to no room. I also read that the #1 cause of adult bicyclists deaths in England is being doored. Being struck by an opening door and thrown into traffic in front of a truck is all to common in England.
#97
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2023
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 571
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 366 Post(s)
Liked 274 Times
in
175 Posts
Certain roads in Preston County West Virginia are the only place I've ever driven where the speed limit is actually too high. Doing 50 around some of those turns is almost race car level stuff.
#98
Grupetto Bob
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,226
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2585 Post(s)
Liked 5,648 Times
in
2,924 Posts
Likes For rsbob:
#99
Grupetto Bob
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,226
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2585 Post(s)
Liked 5,648 Times
in
2,924 Posts
Try driving In Palm Springs general area where the majority of the miles through and between the cities are posted at 50 MPH but they have some good bike lanes. However in pure residential areas, it a more sane 25..
__________________
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
#100
20+mph Commuter
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Greenville. SC USA
Posts: 7,517
Bikes: Surly LHT, Surly Lowside, a folding bike, and a beater.
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1434 Post(s)
Liked 331 Times
in
219 Posts
The problem, of course, is that motorists do not obey the limits. No matter how fast I drive (sometimes 5-7 over the limit on straight roads) there is ALWAYS a pickup truck or SUV nearly pushing me down the road NASCAR style. Which of course encourages me to slow to EXACTLY the speed limit, because, yes, I'm a d**k like that.