Roadies

[Jeremy]

I ignore everyone when I'm on the road. I'm usually suffering too much to notice.

 

[jdgang]

I am glad I just became one

 

[wonderturtle]

I f##king HATE riding on the road.

today...another example of why I hate the road.

have to ride on Navesink River Rd for like 1/4 mile on my usual MTB ride. dude passes me going, easily, over 50 mph, doesnt slow down a bit, doesnt move over an inch. passed by me going 50 mph, 1 foot away from me.

you roadies might be used to this....but I cant stand when some ahole doesnt have the courtesy to slow down at ALL or move over an INCH.

worse thing....he had two mountain bikes on his hitch rack.

if fellow cyclists dont have any courtesy.....how can I expect non-cyclists?

riding on the road just reminds me....people SUCK....and THAT is why I hate the road.

toyota pick up with soft top....you know who you are.

 

[BiknBen]

today...another example of why I hate the road. have to ride on Navesink River Rd for like 1/4 mile on my usual MTB ride. dude passes me going, easily, over 50 mph, doesnt slow down a bit, doesnt move over an inch. passed by me going 50 mph, 1 foot away from me. you roadies might be used to this....

Uh, some of us look forward to the push of air that follows those vehicles. I can gain 1 mph even if just for a moment. Big trucks are even better.

More seriously, here is a tip for you. TAKE UP MORE OF THE ROAD!!! Then the motorists will see you, respect your space, and slow down. If you are riding your bike like a paperboy, busboy, or idiot...you will be treated like one. Just move over one foot and you will get the respect of a road user. "Share the road" is the law. If you are willing to give away your share, you are left with nothing.

Navesink River Rd. near Atlantic Highlands is pretty unfriendly for bikes. Too narrow, bad sight lines due to constant bends and undulations, etc. Find another road.

I share the road but will take what is mine when appropriate.

 

[Arwen's Mom]

I totally understand the "take your piece of the road" attitude, and sometimes it does help, mostly because you are more in their "line of sight" but if that car does hit you, it doesnt matter if you were one foot in either direction.

I agree with the turtle, that humans for the most part suck. I was wizzed yesterday on the road too, but the jerk actually swerved toward me. Maybe they didnt like my bright shirt?

 

[jpn]

As someone who often sees the aftermath of accidents 1st hand, I have to say that it is only a matter of time before you crack either your skull or a helmet on the road.

This is simply a matter of personal choice.

I prefer cracking helmets to my skull, and I have cracked at least 6 in the last 10 years.

Ask any bike shop guy how many people come in yearly thanking us for encouraging helmet use to a recent crasher...It is more than a few.


The odds are agaisnst you.



Now the argument in the woods is tottally different. Riding on public trails w/o a helmet is incredibly selfish as it potentially threatens the future of trail access for everyone.

I have no patience for this at all.

I always wear a helmet when I am riding my mountain bike out in the woods and on the trails and I never thought that I might be putting Jorba in a bad light by my actions on the road so please forgive me for that. Jorba is a great organization and I don't want to be doing anything to unravel all of their fine efforts and I don't want to do anything to jeopardize access or give other bikers a bad name or give our sport a bad reputation. Whenever or wherever I am riding, I try to be polite to everyone and yield the trail or road to pedestrians and anyone else out there. It is interesting to me with the new pedestrian law (where cars and other moving vehicles have to come to a complete stop for pedestrians crossing the street) I have been stopping on my bike for pedestrians and the cars keep on going.

Thanks for the input on the helmet. Apart from it getting a little uncomfortable (I don't have a super light, expensive helmet) at times on the road, there really is no reason not to wear it so I will be wearing my helmet for ALL my bike riding from now on.