Post ride safety
Thread started by
FuzzBeast at 06.11.07 - 3:21 am
After a certain incident on my way home tonite which could have been much, much worse, and seemed to scare the crap out of everyone EXCEPT me (the one who was most at risk in said situation) I realized that there's something that should be brought up.
That is, riding home safely.
I mean, we all have a great time riding on rides and stuff, and many of us ride home in small groups, however, sometimes some of us get a little separated or spread out or whatever on these post rides, and it's real easy to forget that you're not surrounded by the giant safety bubble that is a group ride, it's easy to be tired and/or inebriated and let your mind wander, and it's real easy to forget that cars are everywhere.
I really am just trying to say that we all need to be more alert and pay more attention after rides, pay attention to the cars around us, pay attention to traffic signals (we all run those red lights on occasion), pay attention to pedestrians, or whatever. It's really very easy to forget when riding on group rides.
Remember, what drivers see us do in small numbers not only affects how they view bicyclists/bicycles at the time, but might also affect how they interact with a Ride should they encounter one.
I've been riding seriously and on the road since I was 8 years old, and tonite I made a dumb mistake that could have been easily prevented by remembering where I was, and that I wasn't inside a large mass of bicycles that cars will stop for. It could have been much worse, but I've been handling a bike for a long time, and on top of that, I got real lucky, the next person may not have been and may not be.
I think we should all pay attention to our friends when they are departing for home after rides, make sure they (and their bikes) are in a good condition to do so, and make sure we stick together when riding home as well, that half second of clear space in the intersection could be enough to get someone hurt. If you or someone else stops, make sure the group stops, someone hurrying to catch up might do something stupid, and that could end very badly.
Tonite, I scared the shit out of someone very badly, and to that dude whoever you are, I'm really sorry. To those I was riding with, I'm fine, my bike's fine, and I'm sorry I scared you guys too. I'll do my best to be more attentive from now on.
And to everyone who wasn't there, just keep in mind, making sure your friends get home safe is part of "No rida left behind." So let's all look out for each other, these streets are nasty enough.
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Fuzz,
This is a great topic, and one we all should regularly be reminded of.
I commute to work 4 days most weeks, and this year I'll log about 6,000 miles-which adds up to lots of solo riding. Mostly I am very careful and aware, and mostly I get back safe.
The two times I have been dinged by cars (both times at low speeds) I was in an unsafe position which contributed to the contact. Many of our brothers and sisters have been killed or maimed through absolutly no fault of their own, but it is very common for cyclist error to be a contributing factor in these mash-ups. My stomach turns everytime I see a news report about a cyclist fatality, regardless of the cause.
We all must do our due diligence by doing what we can to ride safe and look out for our two wheeled friends.
Creative Thing06.11.07 - 9:28 am
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Aye, and after a little time in a truing stand, my front wheel is fine as well (working on that right now). I was very lucky to have a minor wobble, and a torn (possibly defective) cycling sandal become the only results of a very stupid mistake.
FuzzBeast06.11.07 - 1:36 pm
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cycling in sandals is a bad idea! toes get caught in spokes!
even if they are those sandals with the spd clips in the bottom of them they are a major no-no!
if youre riding in regular shoes, tuck your laces in so they dont get caught in the chain or the teeth of the sproket. wear old man velcro shoes at all times! much safer.
ruinedbyidiots06.11.07 - 4:06 pm
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actually, the sandals with the spd cleats work pretty well, My dad's run a pair for years, and wiped out a few times in em, they're fine, I think i just ended up with a defective one (it's been making a weird creaking noise since I bought em) anyway, the sandals are perfectly fine for riding, and they have an extended toe to keep your toes out of spokes and such.
FuzzBeast06.11.07 - 4:33 pm
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don't worring about your feet killing you, do as daddy McFlurry says, not what right for you.
Q.) Do you know how a pirate knows that they are a pirate?
A.) They just rrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
sexy06.11.07 - 4:48 pm
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thanks dave, for being SO on topic ;-)
FuzzBeast06.11.07 - 4:49 pm
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Hey, That's MISTER Sexy David to you!
Joe Borfo06.11.07 - 4:53 pm
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haha.... I love how even a serious topic here can end up with pictures of someone's ass on someone else's head.
FuzzBeast06.11.07 - 5:03 pm
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i'm just glad your ok. that shit was scary to see!!
WE ARE THE CYCLISTS!! HAHAHAHHA.
"For although the lights are still red, mere rules do not apply to us."...
HAHAHHAHAH!!
ingipet06.11.07 - 6:11 pm
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Ridazz Roulette!
