^ do you shave your legs for aerodynamic purposes?
I shave because it feels good to have smooth skin, and it's a benefit to swimming/biking/running. Thanks for asking.
I sometimes question the judgement of cyclists who choose to ride recreationally on narrow, steep and winding roads that have absolutely no shoulder or bike lane whatsoever. It seems to me that they are placing themselves in jeapordy for no good reason, especially when there are other roads in the area that are much safer and more suitable for them to use. As far as the inconvenience they create for me...I am paid by the hour to drive safely, so if that means crawling up a hill at 5MPH behind some guy on a bike then so be it. On my route I probably lose more time following slow-moving farm equipment and people on horseback than I do to bicyclists anyway. For drivers in urban areas, before you get mad at bike riders remember that if they werent on a bike they would be taking up even more road space and parking if they drove their cars. Like it or not, bikes are the solution not the problem.
Sober and I will agree on the health benefits as well as the money saved by using a bike, instead of a car.
I think anyone who rides a bike where motor vehicles are present needs to get their head examined. And if you ride with your children you should be arrested for endangering the life of a minor. You can't find a safer way to get your exercise? Its not even that fun for heaven's sake. And you have to listen to large diesel engines roar past you ear all day while praying his mirror doesn't nail you and send you in a full body cast. What kind of fun is that?
And why do they always have to ride on the narrowest of roads? Roads that can barely fit two-way traffic? I think they do it on purpose.
That picture of Stug holding his bike upright is the way this 30 something idiot rides all the way to my store.....at least 2 miles in the wheelie position. Then he stops for coffee at Coffee Bean inside of my Ralph's........grabs a magazine off the rack and reads it (free) until he's done with his coffee. I was raised that reading the magazines for sale was stealing. This entitled generation is totally different.
Stug, you are probably the only person in the nation who follows the rules of biking....out here they are idiots. I have yet to see a responsible bike rider.
As far as idiotic riders, I agree. The rules of the road apply to cars and cyclists, equally. As far as my safety and the safety of my children, here goes. I tend to ride with my Daughter on roads that are wide and have bike lanes, but not all connecting roads are made this way. If we end up on a road that is single lane in each direction with no bike lane, I allow her to go ahead of me, riding slightly to her left, so cars will give us a wider berth. I believe the 3 foot buffer for bikes is a national law, so I ride believing that people will obey that law. A big thing that vehicles don't understand are the variables, while riding. As I'm riding down the road I see many obstacles that cars don't see. Debris in the road, and loose dogs for instance. If I move to the left a bit, it may be due to these or any other things that a vehicle wouldn't normally see.
Cyclists want to get out on the open roads and see scenery, smell the smells that many people in vehicles are driving too fast to enjoy. That means that we'll be out on the windy, hilly roads, burning calories and enjoying the outdoors. The 3 foot law also states that as a cyclist I should take up the full roadway if it would be impossible for a vehicle to pass without endangering me. For instance, if I or a group are riding and coming up to a traffic circle. We will take up the road, so as not to get into a conflict with a vehicle that may try to squeeze in, with us.
I believe that cycling is a great way to get out, exercise and have fun. If you see someone that you believe is errant in their skills? Bring it to their attention. There's no need to make it an argument, because they're probably ignorant (don't understand) the rules of the road. Be open minded, think of those people as your family, the ones that you love. I'm trusting that while I'm cycling, you're not barreling down on me while updating your facebook. Let's do our best to get along with each other, because as the price of fuel gets higher and the benefits of exercise get more important, the more cyclists you're gonna see, out and about. Oh, and here's something i do before I hit the road on my bike, or in my car. I pray, asking God for safe travel. I know some of you don't believe, but I do. I have faith that God will take care of me and mine. I also believe he will take care of you and yours.