Any SERIOUS Bicyclists Out There.

[Aaron Stevenson]

Only a couple of days after I posted about how motorists in the U.S. are rude and dangerous, I read this.

Taken from cyclingnews.com

Evans notes training fears in Australia

By Susan Westemeyer

Cadel Evans of Team Silence-Lotto is a road racer, but admits that sometimes training on the road can be scary and dangerous. "Honestly, the scariest part of my job is riding on the Great Ocean Road, which I live on, between Christmas and New Year," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"I've cycled in every continent in the world, other than Antarctica, and it's incredible. Drivers in America and Australia just have attitudes. I don't necessarily say attitudes towards cyclists, but towards other road users," the 2007 ProTour champion said. "People just don't realise the danger they're causing other people."

What he most fears are trailers that are wider than the cars pulling them. "I've nearly had my leg torn off so many times because of that, and people are just completely unaware of it."

[R6Bluez]

I'm pretty sure that most of us who have spent much time riding on the road have more than one story similar to Cadel's. I'll preface the following by saying that first and foremost, cyclist, and I've been one off and on for many many years, also have an obligation to follow the rules of the road and to respect motorist as well. When I see people riding two and three wide on busy roads or pulling past a dozen motorist at a stop light, etc. I can better understand the frustration and stereotyping that we get from motorisit. But, nothing should warrant some of the ridiculous things that I have had done to me out there or some of my riding buddies such as food, ice, bottles, other debris being thrown out of car windows at us, or motorist honking or screaming out of their window at the point that they are just pulling along side of you. One sudden and unexpected action like that can and has caused many a cylcist to run off the road or even worse to the left and into the path of a motorist. The motorist can simply speed away, and there's little that we cyclist can do about it. Shoot, sometimes, in the middle of summer at 95 degrees out, even if they stopped, I wouldn't have enough energy left to do anything about it anyhow. It is frustrating and very very dangerous. I've also about had my head taken off by those extended mirrors that are commonly attached to trucks hauling trailers and had many a motorist pulling a trailer pull out then back over before the trailer was actually past me. Honestly, I love cycling, but because of some of these things, I stopped riding for a few years all together, or would end up on my trainer even on nice days. It's a great sport, but as far as the potential hazzards, I think it can be more dangerous than motorcycling. At least on my motorcycle I don't get passed at as little as two feet away dozens of times over a two hour ride. It probably is a good idea to mix in some off road training when possible or some cross training that takes you out of traffic. My two cents.

[Aaron Stevenson]

Agreed with you on all points and on feeling like a target. 99% of the time, I'm solo so the thought stays in the back of my mind, "What if I get punted into the weeds? When will they find me?". I still have to say that Cadel is totally on target with the "It's all about me" attitude of U.S. motorists.

And to echo your points regarding laws via the NC DOT Handbook http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/driver_service ... ycles.html

Chapter 6: Bicycles


Bicycles
Bicycle riding is an important means of transportation, particularly for traveling to and from work and school. Because bicycles are vehicles, bicyclists must obey the same traffic laws as other drivers. Bicyclists usually ride on the right side of the lane, but are entitled to the use of a full lane.
Pass With Care
A bicyclist staying to the right in their lane is accommodating the following drivers by making it easier to see when it is safe to pass, and easier to execute the pass. Drivers wishing to pass a bicyclist may do so only when there is abundant clearance and no oncoming traffic is in the opposing lane. When passing a bicyclist, always remember the bicyclist is entitled to the use of the full lane.

[Sig]

Man I have fallen off the cycling wagon hard the last few weeks. I went for a 35 mile ride Christmas Eve and haven't been back on the bike since. Time to get back in the groove!

[GSXR469]

I just have to say this, and can since I was born and raised in the south, the pervasive idiot factor in the general populous doesn't help any and pretty much anything that is different is ridiculed and put down by those that don't understand it or choose not to participate in it.

Such is the lot of history and it isn’t likely to change anytime soon.

I cannot speak of how it is up north because I've never lived there, but I can say that in my lifetime growing up and living in the south the pride in being an idiot that abounds is something I've never understood. You can also about guarantee anything that is the least bit different is going to be seen as a target for those of lesser mind and character and it will likely be used as an opportunity to put their limited vocabulary and social skills on public display.

Hey, don't get me wrong, I love the south, like most civilized gents my age living below the Mason Dixon Line I'm an amalgamation of traditional and modern, respect and questioning, but reality is there are a lot of blatant idiots and fools out there and when you're on a bike they're more than willing to show their stupidity which they are so proud of, for some reason.

I haven't even ridden that much or that long, but I've seen it happen to others when I've been driving and in my limited time on a road bike I've had plenty of people come rolling by me much closer than necessary, my guess being so they could feel powerful if only for a few seconds in their less than eventful life.

So I say pity the unenlightened fools as best you can and simply pray they don’t hit you.

[Aaron Stevenson]

Stupidity is universal not regional. But I know what you're saying.

Living in Charlotte (right smack in the center), you'all know why I had to vent a bit about drivers and their disregard for our safety. That being said, time to put a positive spin back to the thread.

Sig, I know what you mean about the milage. With the upcoming DC show, Cornerspins to track prep & bike prep then teach, I'm getting in minimal miles as well. Was a bummer to miss the warm weather this week.

Looking forward to the next winter time "heat wave" and hope I can get some outdoor miles on the pedals.

[GSXR469]

Anyone ever done the time trials down in Charlotte?

I've read about them and talked to a guy before that does them pretty regular, he said it's intense, wide open.

[Aaron Stevenson]

Haven't done the Lowes Speedway TT but it draws a bunch of folks. From our world, Jamie Hacking and Greg White do the series. There's also some super fast cyclists that can burn the 10 miles at 30mph+.

And for your viewing pleasure:

Incredible bike handling skills.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYIKfEU8 ... re=related

[Todd Lewis]

WOW!!! That is amazing! He must have been a cat in a previous life.

[GSXR469]

And for your viewing pleasure:

Incredible bike handling skills.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYIKfEU8 ... re=related[/quote]

Those guys that do trials riding are amazing, their balance and timing are unreal, almost superhuman.

They're much bigger into it in Europe than here, as usual.

To boot they do trials riding on motorcycles too, now that's some wild stuff.

[R6Bluez]

Check this Cat out. The video is not very long, but you gotta see this guy. These guys are all pretty good, but this guy's balance takes the cake. Check out what he does about a minute in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI6QcCAW ... re=related

[GSXR469]

WOW, now there's a man in touch with his bike

I cannot remember what the guys name was that was famous for trials riding a few years back, but he seemed to sort of kick off the craze.

He was European, shocker. I want to say he was from Sweden or Germany.

Anyway, he used to do all sorts of shows and contests and was basically the Tiger Woods of bike trial riding in the late 90s early 2000s

[SINJIN]

I have never seen anything like that before. His balance is truly amazing. That is one person that is is touch not only with his bike but the FORCE as well. LOL

[Aaron Stevenson]

How about this unseasonably warm Feb. weather? Yesterday was 72º in Charlotte. I pounded the keyboards and phone switchboard till mid-day then went out on fixed gear for 2 hours. Needed that! It was a welcome change from the indoors. Too many days on the indoor trainer. Seems that every time the weather has been good enough to cycle, I've either had other commitments or an illness/injury.

The other nice days have been used with Cornerspin which is great in and of itself but I still need to "spin" with my pedals as well.

Some of you guys had mentioned doing a Cornerspeed bicycle outing. Once the weather breaks towards April on a weekend when I don't have a Cornerspeed or Cornerspin event scheduled, we can all meet somewhere near the NC/Va border and do a long ride. Maybe keep it in the 50-65 mile range w/ an average speed of 18-20mph so most everyone can make the distance without too much trouble. Give it some thought. I'd be up for it.

[Aaron Stevenson]

Tour of California underway and on Versus at 11pm each night.