I had to take the lane.
05-23-15, 11:46 AM
#1
Flyin' under the radar
Thread Starter
I had to take the lane.
I had no choice on my bike ride this morning. As you can see, this heavily trafficked road doesn't have a clearly identified bike lane, and debris is all over the place with no room at all for me to avoid anything. As I droped the hamer and dialed it up to 400 watts, my ability to look any further than 10 feet in front of me went away, which obviously made it impossible for me to ride on the shoulder. Thus, the most obvious thing for me to do was take the lane, which didn't cause any trouble for the cars that were overtaking me by 20+ mph. Considering I'm a road cycling ambassador, this was by far the safest decision I could possibly make, plus it really made the motorists respect me and want to give me room.
I just wanted to share this story so that inexperienced cyclists could understand that sometimes, there are truly dangerous situations where one must take the full lane in order to live. Such was the case today. Stay safe out there folks, the world is full of life-threating "bike lanes" like these.
05-23-15, 11:56 AM
#2
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05-23-15, 12:29 PM
#3
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Which lane did you take and did you give it back?
05-23-15, 12:51 PM
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That has to be one of the cleanest roads I've seen all year. Must not be able to see the debris in the photo. You should see some of the stuff we ride through and around in the NE
05-23-15, 01:07 PM
#7
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And you weren't riding your cyclocross bike in the ditch?
05-23-15, 05:41 PM
#8
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Thank you for your service.
05-23-15, 05:49 PM
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05-23-15, 06:46 PM
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I can't believe you road on that anyways. Looks so dangerous. I only ride on MUP's. You're lucky you made it.
05-23-15, 07:11 PM
#12
You gonna eat that?
But were you wearing your helmet?
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I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi 
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
05-23-15, 07:52 PM
#13
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05-24-15, 08:11 AM
#15
Flyin' under the radar
Thread Starter
The conditions were so hazardous I think it might be best to just sell my Emonda and get a MTB instead. There's tons of mountains here in FL.
05-24-15, 09:00 AM
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I would not ride that with anything less than 28c tires and 36 spoke wheels.
05-24-15, 10:42 AM
#17
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Holy schlamolian! If the roads where I live were that flat, I could probably average 30MPH!
Good thing your chain didn't fall off!
Good thing your chain didn't fall off!
05-25-15, 07:32 AM
#20
Semper Fi
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Hey, I know that road
, lots of traffic there most of the time. Once you get past the I-10 overpasses it can get pretty gnarly from debris. Three of the WFW where on it, yesterday morning, after the rains came through there, at least the state, and the county are putting in bike lanes for us, now. Jack's Branch Rd., out where I live, is nice now that its been resurfaced, and has lanes,and markers down. Nice rollers there to give you some variety.
Bill
, lots of traffic there most of the time. Once you get past the I-10 overpasses it can get pretty gnarly from debris. Three of the WFW where on it, yesterday morning, after the rains came through there, at least the state, and the county are putting in bike lanes for us, now. Jack's Branch Rd., out where I live, is nice now that its been resurfaced, and has lanes,and markers down. Nice rollers there to give you some variety.Bill
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Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
05-25-15, 07:42 AM
#21
Flyin' under the radar
Thread Starter
Hey, I know that road, lots of traffic there most of the time. Once you get past the I-10 overpasses it can get pretty gnarly from debris. Three of the WFW where on it, yesterday morning, after the rains came through there, at least the state, and the county are putting in bike lanes for us, now. Jack's Branch Rd., out where I live, is nice now that its been resurfaced, and has lanes,and markers down. Nice rollers there to give you some variety.
Bill
, lots of traffic there most of the time. Once you get past the I-10 overpasses it can get pretty gnarly from debris. Three of the WFW where on it, yesterday morning, after the rains came through there, at least the state, and the county are putting in bike lanes for us, now. Jack's Branch Rd., out where I live, is nice now that its been resurfaced, and has lanes,and markers down. Nice rollers there to give you some variety.Bill
05-25-15, 07:54 AM
#22
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Yep, it took almost 3 years for the road paving to get done, 7 miles in length and some nice smooth pavement, that has a wide enough road way for us to drive without having to pull over if we encounter an oncoming vehicle, for a change. Nice rollers, and some pretty scenery out here. Maybe the WFW will put this area back on the ride list.
Bill
Bill
__________________
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
05-25-15, 09:12 AM
#23
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05-25-15, 01:20 PM
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