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What Bicycling Rules do you follow that Experience has taught you?

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What Bicycling Rules do you follow that Experience has taught you?

Old 02-23-21, 09:15 AM
  #26  
big john
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Originally Posted by 5 mph
Sarcasm? Wait till you have to carry your bike 8 miles someday.
Anyway if you make a bike or outfit configuration change..to be color coordinated..don't jump on the bike and head for a 30 mile ride. Got a new helmet. Damn, it hurt 10 miles out , felt like it was crushing my skull.
Change your seat position and I guarantee your seat will sink to the lowest point possible 15 miles out.
And I gaurentee absolutely that anyone in a 90's V8 beater truck will always pass you with it's right tires in the Bike Lane.See one in the mirror, head for cover.
Why would color coordinating his outfit make him have to carry his bike 8 miles?

If you buy a new helmet, can't you tell if it fits before you go for a ride?

Why is your seat sinking after an adjustment? Did you forget to tighten the bolt?

Is this post sarcasm? Could be.
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Old 02-23-21, 10:02 AM
  #27  
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One rule I always try to follow above all others when riding -

Rubber side down. No exceptions.
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Old 02-23-21, 10:04 AM
  #28  
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Never look “over” your prescription glasses if they slide down while you are in the drops.

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Old 02-23-21, 11:08 AM
  #29  
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You're still stupid. Ride without talismans and risk your life.
The Mascots would protect you, but you refuse them.
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Old 02-23-21, 12:31 PM
  #30  
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Stay off arterials.
Use a mirror and have an escape route.
Do not pass anyone or anything on the right (left for you Brits et al)
Don't run stop signs.
Give pedestrians a wide birth and expect the worst.
Dress and equip to be seen, but assume you are invisible.
Keep your downhill speed reasonable.
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Old 02-23-21, 12:40 PM
  #31  
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Always bring money.
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Old 02-23-21, 12:49 PM
  #32  
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Start rolling rigid, single, and fixed gear.
Only then will you truly understand the bike.
Starting to ride a bike with a free ride, multi-gears, shock-absorbing suspensions, the bike simply does not understand.
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Old 02-23-21, 01:27 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by y0x8
Start rolling rigid, single, and fixed gear.
And "brakeless"?

(Started on fixed gear in 1964; never brakeless.)
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Old 02-23-21, 02:18 PM
  #34  
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I ride within the rules of the sate I'm riding in. I ride my bike like I would drive my car and I don't assume the right of way without caution (even if I have it). A 3,000 plus pound vehicle will end up victorious every time, regardless of the situation.
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Old 02-23-21, 03:21 PM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by 5 mph
What Bicycling Rules do you follow that Experience has taught you? Maybe I can learn.
I have three of my own.:
  • When running parallel to traffic, never rely on a Mirror to try to cross the road (or highway) with a quick darting swoop , even if you are sure your Mirror says you are safe. Come to dead stop, turn your bike 90 degrees and get eyes on the Traffic.
  • In case the unthinkable happens, I hang an ID card with Emergency Information right on my handlebar and another on my Jacket. I don't even carry a wallet. That way, should I do the opposite of winning the Lottery, no one has to rifle through your layers of clothes to find out your Medical Information.
  • Never go down a steep hill in a Bike Lane facing oncoming Traffic, should you get caught in that circumstance. The oncoming traffic may unnerve you as you start your high speed run (unless you are Tom Cruise) and if its a tiny skinny bike lane you may even lose control.
  • Bring sneakers with you if you are using cleated bike shoes. Because I've walked or run some 17 miles this year when I didn't have the right tool or part.
Rule 5 is the life rule, period. All subsequent rules are subject to interpretation. None needed for Rule 5.

john
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Old 02-23-21, 05:41 PM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by big john
1. Why would color coordinating his outfit make him have to carry his bike 8 miles?

2. If you buy a new helmet, can't you tell if it fits before you go for a ride?

3. Why is your seat sinking after an adjustment? Did you forget to tighten the bolt?

4. Is this post sarcasm? Could be.
Hello Big John..
Here are my answers.
1. I am a poorly dressed bike rider, mostly on purpose. That's because when I break down I don"t need to worry about getting grease or tears on my nice bike pants or jacket. Some of these items are really expensive. Fox Rain Pants are really up there. I really wanted to buy them. But then I thought, if I do, forget crawling into a ditch to change a tire .I would have to walk or run home carrying my bike.

2. When you have a. XL head, you dont have room for expansion on the liner often. Some helmets fit nice in the showroom but either my head swells or the helmet contracts after 10 miles of hard riding. And you get this huge cutting migraine.

3. Yes I have stripped or messed up too many aluminum bolts and fittings. Now I err on under torque. Which is why the last time I changed my seat, it sank to its lowest position.

4. No it wasn't sarcasm. It was Ironic. Unfortunately ironic statements get confused as sarcastic statements.
BTW I've always been a polite and thoughtful member of this Forum and tried very hard to keep it Alive with posts where others can speak.
HTH.
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Old 02-23-21, 05:45 PM
  #37  
5 mph
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Drive a car on the same Routes you ride. I try to do that, to get an idea on what a driver may be thinking. I changed the time of day I used some Routes after doing that.
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Old 02-23-21, 05:59 PM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by 5 mph
Hello Big John..
Here are my answers.
1. I am a poorly dressed bike rider, mostly on purpose. That's because when I break down I don"t need to worry about getting grease or tears on my nice bike pants or jacket. Some of these items are really expensive. Fox Rain Pants are really up there. I really wanted to buy them. But then I thought, if I do, forget crawling into a ditch to change a tire .I would have to walk or run home carrying my bike.

2. When you have a. XL head, you dont have room for expansion on the liner often. Some helmets fit nice in the showroom but either my head swells or the helmet contracts after 10 miles of hard riding. And you get this huge cutting migraine.

3. Yes I have stripped or messed up too many aluminum bolts and fittings. Now I err on under torque. Which is why the last time I changed my seat, it sank to its lowest position.

4. No it wasn't sarcasm. It was Ironic. Unfortunately ironic statements get confused as sarcastic statements.
BTW I've always been a polite and thoughtful member of this Forum and tried very hard to keep it Alive with posts where others can speak.
HTH.
I, too, have a larger than average head. Motorcycle and bicycle helmets are hard to find but I've been using Giro on the bike and certain models work for me. I have never found any other bicycle helmet that fits.

I have been fortunate to not have suffered many breakdowns on the bike, except for wheels. Took a taxi 50 miles a few years back when the rear wheel grenaded.

Thanks for not taking any offense.
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Old 02-23-21, 06:00 PM
  #39  
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Drive a car on the same Routes you ride. I try to do that, to get an idea on what a driver may be thinking. I changed the time of day I used some Routes after doing that.
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Old 02-23-21, 08:10 PM
  #40  
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Originally Posted by bruce19
You go where you look. First learned in my MSF Instructor days.
Target fixation can happen to cyclists too and is not limited to motorcyclists. One reason I do not like MUPS. Too many e-bikes going 30 mph.
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Old 02-24-21, 08:46 AM
  #41  
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Originally Posted by CAT7RDR
Target fixation can happen to cyclists too and is not limited to motorcyclists. .
Exactly my point. I know a guy who was a spin instructor. He decided to do some road cycling. Over cooked a turn....got fixated on the danger and crashed and broke his collar bone. He was strong and he was lean but he never got on a bike again.
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Old 02-24-21, 09:07 AM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by Speedway2
Cross "train tracks" as perpendicular as possible....especially when wet. Man-hole covers and painted lines can take you down too when wet .....
This.

Two of my three crashes were directly related to these conditions. I now cross railroad tracks like they're going to reach out and bite me like a snake.
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Old 02-24-21, 09:34 AM
  #43  
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Many of the rules I follow have been covered already but here's a few others I have learned.

Discretion is the better part of valor. ...that is, "He who yields and giveth way, lives to ride another day."

That hunch that "this move will time out just right" is always wrong.

Change hand positions often and BEFORE they start to hurt.

Even though your have the strength, cardio and stamina to storm that hill, your joints and tendons may not.

Don't over-lube anything.

It doesn't matter how it looks, if it works for you and lets you ride more.

Cover up. At this altitude (Colorado Springs, 6500 feet) your neck and arms will burn after a couple hours...even under high-overcast in winter.

I used to subscribe to "ride like you're invisible and they can't see you", until a motorcyclist friend suggested, "Ride like they CAN see you...and want to KILL you!"
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Old 02-24-21, 09:55 AM
  #44  
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I really go by one hard rule, that IMO, covers all important areas: "My safety is primarily up to me." I certainly have other "rules" that are bendable.
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Old 02-24-21, 10:02 AM
  #45  
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If you feel like you may have to pee soon, don't ride past that restroom, thinking you'll just use the next one.
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Old 02-24-21, 10:37 AM
  #46  
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not to wear too much when it's cold. Experience will teach you to be a little cold at first then warm up to it

as delbiker1 perfectly said, you and you alone are responsible for your safety
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Old 02-24-21, 10:37 AM
  #47  
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avoid road paint (lines) when possible
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Old 02-24-21, 10:38 AM
  #48  
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watch where you are putting that front wheel
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Old 02-24-21, 12:16 PM
  #49  
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No rules. Just right.
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Old 02-24-21, 12:41 PM
  #50  
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Originally Posted by Trakhak
And "brakeless"?

(Started on fixed gear in 1964; never brakeless.)
For some reason, I have a front brake on the fixed gear. When my left hand involuntarily reaches for the brake to press, I hit my left hand with my right hand! And it turns out that I drive without brakes!
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