commuterDude: Addendum: Rant of Spring.

May 21, 2009

Addendum: Rant of Spring.

Perhaps I'm a gutless idiot, but I can't offer up a rant telling people they're going it wrong without offering suggestions on how to do it RIGHT. So, here you go:

http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/traffic/traffic.htm

http://www.bikeiowa.com/asp/bike/RidinginTraffic.asp

http://kentsbike.blogspot.com/2008/04/rights-and-duties-of-cyclists.html

http://commutebybike.com/2008/03/18/top-5-reasons-to-claim-the-lane-and-why-its-safer/

The above article on Commute By Bike, I found very informative - and it highlighted a way that I was doing it "wrong" - riding too far to the right DOES cause problems, causes a "squeeze", and can be more dangerous. This, as I stand corrected, seems to make sense why some cyclists I've witnessed might not alway be hugging the curb-line - they're claiming the lane. Now, I think this needs to be tendered to to automobile audience of the moment, and should be used as a guideline, not as a fist-on-the-table rule. If someone is giving you a hard time on the road, give them more room to pass. This is also shown in the video link on Kent's Bike Blog. I think the learning curve for a lot of motorists around here is kinda steep, so I've been playing 50/50 with this guideline - staying to the right, but not SO far to the right that I have nowhere to go. Could I do better? Absolutely - and it's got me thinking about tomorrow's commute already. I'm not perfect, and I'm okay with that. I think most of us ARE doing a fine job, and things have gotten better over the years. Diligence pays off, however, and I encourage even seasoned cyclists to take a look at these links, and offer your commentary, feedback, experiences - positive or negative. I opened this can, after all. Talking about it helps us all benefit.

Thanks for reading!

2 comments:

Jason said...: Great video! I often wondered when I was commuting from Lenexa if I was riding correctly on 87th @ 69/I-35. Wish I would have seen that video a few months ago. Turns out though, I was doing it right. Maybe that's why motorist seemed to tolerate my presents.

Good stuff here cdude!; May 22, 2009 9:00 AM
Chris said...: I have been on the road since 2005.
Things are getting worse with impatient drivers; too many kids and soccer moms out there texting and talking on the cell phones.

What works for me is to ride in the lane about where the passenger side tire would be on a car. This makes drivers a bit more aware of me and I find less problems. Obviously I give idiots the right of way if they are just plain impatient!

Hugging the right side of the lane makes it more difficult for -YOU- to ride and avoid garbage, potholes etc. BUT everyone has their point of view and opinion...this one is Mine!; May 22, 2009 2:25 PM

What is bicycle commuting?

Simply put, bicycle commuting is the act of travelling to a place of work or education by bicycle. In many areas it is common to combine bicycle commuting with public transport. Worldwide, the bicycle remains the most common commuter vehicle, and bicycle riding the second most common form of commuting, second only to walking. While the absolute number of bicycles in existence globally is unknown, it is clear that significantly more bicycles are manufactured than automobiles. In the United States about 40% of automobile trips are two miles or less; using a bicycle for these short trips can reduce your emissions and expenses. If you live within ten miles of work, you could save thousands of dollars in fuel, insurance and automotive maintenance costs each year. This webpage seeks to highlight bicycling as a viable transportation platform and a fun, exciting, healthful way to improve your life! Visit the commuting links below and get started today!

What is Randonneuring?

The French term "randonnée" loosely translates as a long tour or ramble along a defined route, and persons embarking as such are dubbed "randonneurs". In cycling, the term defines a hard-riding enthusiast attempting a long-distance randonnée (called a "brevet", usually 200 kilometers or greater) within a certain time allotment. Non-competitive by design, randonneuring encourages camaraderie: riders test themselves against the clock, the weather, and a challenging route - but not each other. Randonneuring's ethos embodies self-sufficiency and mental toughness; support vehicles are not allowed and brevets are held regardless of weather. Randonneurs USA (RUSA) organizes brevets in the United States under the auspices of the Audax Club Parisien (ACP) and the Randonneurs Mondiaux (RM), and rider's results are recognized world-wide. This website seeks to highlight the excitement and challenge of long-distance bicycle riding by sharing personal ride accounts, with the hope of growing the sport. If this type of bicycle riding interests you and you'd like to find out more, visit the RUSA webpage to find rides in your area!

For ride announcements and discussions on randonneuring in the greater Kansas City area, visit KC Ultra Cycling, and join the KC Ultra-Cycling Email List:

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Courtesy Randonneurs USA

What is Ultra-Marathon Cycling?

Just as the 26.2-mile marathon represents a benchmark for runners, bicyclists generally consider the "century", riding 100-miles, a worthy endurance challenge. Ultra-marathon cycling involves exceeding that benchmark, often several times over, offering the long-distance challenge of randonnuering with a more competitive flavor. This is the world of 24-hour races, double-centuries, and beyond. Where randonneuring rewards all finishers equally and emphasizes self-sufficiency, ultra-racers compete for time and placing, maximizing speed by utilizing support crews for hand-ups and fast repairs. Event courses can be long and scenic, but may take the form of many laps of a looped course. Winning ultra-distance events requires the rare combination of endurance and a high average speed. Randonneuring and Ultra-Marathon often complement one another: brevets can offer base-training to prepare for racing, and fast randonneurs often enter ultra events for a new challenge. Visit the World Ultra Cycling Association's website for more information.

Courtesy World Ultra Cycling Association

May 21, 2009

Addendum: Rant of Spring.

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