More good advice about safety: TIPS ‘N TECHNIQUES THE RULES ~~ According to me. I was recently asked to do this. One might, reasonably ask, who am I to promulgate “Rules”? I do have some credentials, a curriculum vitae if you will, but I will spare you the boring stuff. Mostly, I’m a guy who loves riding a bike, and one who has been doing it for a long time. Over the years, experience has taught me a thing or two. I’m willing to share that experience. I know that if you adhere to the following, you’ll ride well, and enjoy the process. The General Rules for Cycling: 1) Don’t get dead 2) Try not to do anything STOOPID! (Note: violations of this rule can lead to violations of Rule 1) 3) Shut up and ride! 4) Keep pedaling! 5) HTFU (Harden the F*** Up!) 6) Train with others ~~ SELDOM! 7) Obey the rules of the Road! At all times. 8) It ain’t a race until you pin on a number. 9) Almost every problem you can have on a bike is improved by just pedaling. 10) Consistency is golden. a. It’s not possible to be consistent part of the time. b. An occasional departure from the norm is okay. 11) Crashes are OPTIONAL! You do not have to participate. 12) In cycling, tailgating tends to be self-correcting. 13) The smallest car is bigger (and harder) than you are. 14) Explore the things that are different, and work on your weaknesses. The Golden Rule of Nutrition: “Eat FOOD and drink WATER.” There isn’t a magic goo, or wonder pill, or marvel elixir on the market that beats the stuff your body was made to run on. Rules for Group Rides: 1) Be on time. 2) Have your bike and gear in working order and secured, and do it before the ride. Nobody likes it when, right at the beginning of a ride, someone yells, “Wait! I my dohicky fell off!” 3) Respect the Ride. a. If it’s a fast one, keep up, or drop out. b. If it’s a slow one, sit at the back and be patient. c. Remember, you are a guest. Behave like one. 4) DON’T drop the ride leader. It’s impolite and will get you talked about. 5) Fast riders to the back. (If this means you, and you are strong enough to “break” the ride, that’s fer shur an egoboo, but it doesn’t help the sport. On the other hand, if you and your super strong buddies sit at the back, you can “gun it” to catch up after intersections, drop way back and then power up to re-join, or help round up and encourage strays. You’ll get your “workout,” and you’ll be well thought of too. The Three “B 4s” of cycling: 1) Eat BEFORE you are hungry. 2) Drink BEFORE you are thirsty. 3) Shift BEFORE you NEED to!! Clothing: 1) Wear what is comfortable for you. 2) Cycling specific, technical clothing works well for a variety of reasons. 3) “Street clothes” also work well, just be sure nothing is loose to get in the machinery. 4) Don’t worry about matching or coordinating your helmet, kit, and bike. It simply can’t be done. 5) Remember! Clothing and helmets are for your protection. They aren’t style statements. 6) Bicycles are for riding. 7) Visibility trumps fashion. Rules for Dogs: 1) DON’T PANIC! 2) Truly aggressive dogs are rare. The big problem is that you are the most exciting thing Fido has seen all day, and he just may not be as good at being a dog as you are at riding, or vice versa. 3) Dogs are sprinters, not distance runners. 4) Talk to the dog. Let them know you are human. 5) Carry doggie treats, they work much better than pepper spray. 6) If all else fails, stop, dismount, walk out of the Fido’s territory, while keeping your bike between you and the dog. Road Rules That are Specific to Cyclists (Note: Not all of these involve violations of traffic code, but they are intended to keep us safe, and to calm the motorists we ride around.) 1) Cyclists fair best when they behave and are treated as the operators of vehicles. Same Road. Same Rules. Same Rights. 2) DO NOT call “clear” at intersections. This is a bad practice. It is an invitation to break the law. Further it invites following riders to make decisions based on data they (and you) do not have. 3) When your group ride approaches a stop (stop sign or red light) DO NOT “SHOAL”!!! a. “Shoaling” is the act of pulling up beside (or in front of ) rider(s) already stopped at the intersection. If you aren’t one of the first two riders, you are “shoaling” when you move up to the front. This is stupid, discourteous, and dangersous. b. Two abreast is the rule. If you are the third rider at the stop, take a position behind the first two. Number four may position beside number three. Form up two by two. When it’s your turn go! If you are in the second rank, or the third, at the stop sign, you must stop, wait for your turn in the rotation, and then go. c. A polite and courteous group will slow down and allow riders behind to clear the intersection and catch up. 4) It’s a no-drop ride, and you want to re-regroup the ride. DON’T DO IT AT AN INTERSECTION!!!!!!!! a. A “cluster,” standing at an intersection is confusing to motorists and an invitation to disaster. b. DO, by all means, allow “regroup stops.” Do this by choosing a spot away from intersections, pull over in single file, and GET OFF OF THE ROAD!!! c. When the group has re-grouped, and the road is clear of overtaking traffic, pull back onto the road and proceed. 5) Do NOT pass another rider when there is a car following the group. Not once. Not ever! 6) Always signal your intentions. 7) Do not let yourself be trapped at the far right hand side of the road at an intersection. a. This is an invitation to be run over by a “right hook.” b. As you approach the intersection, check for overtaking traffic behind you. c. Adjust speed accordingly. d. When it is safe, pull out and take the middle of the road. e. Proceed through the intersection when legally appropriate, and then move back to the right of the roadway. 8) Road Rage: It’s rare, but real. When dealing with a demon driver, the best course is to disengage. Just stop and let them go. If necessary, get off the road. (I’ve grabbed my bike and run into the woods, or up onto a porch.) Don’t hesitate to call 911. Cameras are great evidence devices. But always remember, in a fight between a cyclist and a car, the car always wins. Please, Live to ride another day. 9) Courtesy, first, last, and always.
Posted on: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 11:47:13 +0000
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