Dear Bicycle Guy, (1 Viewer)

[El Floppo]

re: gear...

I always wear a helmet.

If I'm riding for exercise (used to be for Tri-training), I wear clothes that are appropriate to whatever it is I'm doing. If I'm running, I'm not going to wear jeans, a hoody and Doc Martins- I'm in running shorts, running shoes, dry-wick shirt etc. If I'm riding for exercise, I'm not wearing a tux- I'm wearing cycling clothes. It's goofy to me that anybody would get worked up about cycling clothes.

 

[Eephus]

What is the big deal about riders not wearing helmets? It is their choice to take the risk. I have never worn one in 25 years riding a bike.

same as seatbelts.

I don't wear a helmet when riding a beach cruiser less than 10 mph on a bike path, but I absolutely will wear mine where there's a higher risk of crash. And my kids have to wear theirs at all times.

But why do other people care if someone doesnt wear one?

Because if I hit a guy and he's not wearing a helmet, he could die. I don't want that on my conscience. It's a freaking helmet, not a tu-tu. Nobody looks cool dead.

All the ridiculous gear that bikers wear and a helmet is an issue?

Not an issue with me. I wear a helmet. I would encourage everybody who rides on the streets to wear one.

Agreed, when I ride, I always wear a helmet (sans all the other standard accoutrements however).

Yeah, I just wear regular clothes. I'm cheap and nobody in the world wants to see my fatasssss in spandex.

I normally don't like to be associated with That Bicycle Guy but wearing shorts with a chamois pad makes a huge difference on long rides.

 

[MC Gas Money]

What is the big deal about riders not wearing helmets? It is their choice to take the risk. I have never worn one in 25 years riding a bike.

same as seatbelts.

I don't wear a helmet when riding a beach cruiser less than 10 mph on a bike path, but I absolutely will wear mine where there's a higher risk of crash. And my kids have to wear theirs at all times.

But why do other people care if someone doesnt wear one?

Because if I hit a guy and he's not wearing a helmet, he could die. I don't want that on my conscience. It's a freaking helmet, not a tu-tu. Nobody looks cool dead.

It would be their fault, not yours.

Helmets look ridiculous. You cant blame a person for not wearing one so if you kill them just accept it and move on. The person lived and died as they chose.

 

[urbanhack]

What is the big deal about riders not wearing helmets? It is their choice to take the risk. I have never worn one in 25 years riding a bike.

same as seatbelts.

I don't wear a helmet when riding a beach cruiser less than 10 mph on a bike path, but I absolutely will wear mine where there's a higher risk of crash. And my kids have to wear theirs at all times.

But why do other people care if someone doesnt wear one?

Because if I hit a guy and he's not wearing a helmet, he could die. I don't want that on my conscience. It's a freaking helmet, not a tu-tu. Nobody looks cool dead.

All the ridiculous gear that bikers wear and a helmet is an issue?

I wear jeans/shorts and t-shirts/sweatshirts and then a wind proof rain jacket when it gets cold.

 

[Sand]

What is the big deal about riders not wearing helmets? It is their choice to take the risk. I have never worn one in 25 years riding a bike.

same as seatbelts.

I don't wear a helmet when riding a beach cruiser less than 10 mph on a bike path, but I absolutely will wear mine where there's a higher risk of crash. And my kids have to wear theirs at all times.

But why do other people care if someone doesnt wear one?

Because if I hit a guy and he's not wearing a helmet, he could die. I don't want that on my conscience. It's a freaking helmet, not a tu-tu. Nobody looks cool dead.

All the ridiculous gear that bikers wear and a helmet is an issue?

As far as ridiculous gear goes if a biker wears something bright and garish (and visible) it is ridiculous, but the moment a driver hits a biker wearing muted earth tones the driver is going to turn around and exclaim that the biker wasn't visible in something dark. Damned if you do and damned if you don't. But since one helps you to not get hit I'll go with bright clothing.

 

[ghostguy123]

when I am out on my road bike for exercise, there is a route I like to take that follows the Mississippi. has nice newly paved roads, speed limit is 25 mph so me cruising along at 20-25 is no hindrance on this windy road.

problem is that there is an off road bike/pedestrian path on that road. it is mixed use half the time, other half has separated pedestrian and bike path. speed limit on the path is 10 mph and it is always crowded with leisure cyclists, dog walkers, joggers, and people out for a nice stroll.

about half the time I'm out on this road on my bike, i encounter scoresman sheik types who ride up my ### or pass me on a turn and yell out their windows that I should be on the "####### bike path".

its annoying because I 1) would be breaking the law by going 20 mph on the path, 2) I would probably run some little dog over if I was on the path, and 3) I am more or less doing the ####### speed limit on the road

Sounds like you shouldn't ride there then.

in the bike path? I agree

Sounds like you should avoid that area all together. But hey, if you wanna risk it, go for it. Car guy gets a ticket, you get a broken back, head, and legs and a lenghty stay at the hospital. Unless deemed an accident, then you get all that and car guy gets inconvenienced.

Lots of things out there that are technically legal that are still really stupid to do, and could easily be avoided.

I got a friend who is a Michigan fan, and he went to the game against Ohio State in Columbus. He was of course wearing his michigan gear and also decided to talk smack. He got his ### kicked. Now, while I dont condone what the OSU fans did, he kinda deserved it for being a reckless moron. Lesson learned.

 

[proninja]

This article reminded me of this thread

 

[fantasycurse42]

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/video-english-driver-forces-cyclist-road-attacks-article-1.2082223

Everything about this confrontation is awesome. The English just crack me up. If someone called me a muppet, I'd prob be laughing too hard to get in their face.

 

[NutterButter]

Great time of the year for morning rides fellas. Getting way too hot during the day. Its not bad in the evening, but its nice during the day to know that you already put the work in. Get out there.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Great time of the year for morning rides fellas. Getting way too hot during the day. Its not bad in the evening, but its nice during the day to know that you already put the work in. Get out there.

Careful of blind corners, GB.

 

[urbanhack]

Great time of the year for morning rides fellas. Getting way too hot during the day. Its not bad in the evening, but its nice during the day to know that you already put the work in. Get out there.

the last few weeks have been great, although the wind can kiss my ###.

 

[matttyl]

Great time of the year for morning rides fellas. Getting way too hot during the day. Its not bad in the evening, but its nice during the day to know that you already put the work in. Get out there.

the last few weeks have been great, although the wind can kiss my ###.

Get on the trails with a mountain bike, a lot less wind in the woods! Just installed my new carbon fiber handlebars - you know you have a sickness when the retail cost of one part of your bike costs more than your first bike did......

 

[NutterButter]

Great time of the year for morning rides fellas. Getting way too hot during the day. Its not bad in the evening, but its nice during the day to know that you already put the work in. Get out there.

Careful of blind corners, GB.

i see everything

 

[NutterButter]

Great time of the year for morning rides fellas. Getting way too hot during the day. Its not bad in the evening, but its nice during the day to know that you already put the work in. Get out there.

the last few weeks have been great, although the wind can kiss my ###.

another great thing about morning rides is that wind is typically calmest that time of day.

 

[NutterButter]

Great time of the year for morning rides fellas. Getting way too hot during the day. Its not bad in the evening, but its nice during the day to know that you already put the work in. Get out there.

the last few weeks have been great, although the wind can kiss my ###.

Get on the trails with a mountain bike, a lot less wind in the woods! Just installed my new carbon fiber handlebars - you know you have a sickness when the retail cost of one part of your bike costs more than your first bike did......

windy days in the woods are really nice.

 

[matttyl]

Great time of the year for morning rides fellas. Getting way too hot during the day. Its not bad in the evening, but its nice during the day to know that you already put the work in. Get out there.

the last few weeks have been great, although the wind can kiss my ###.

Get on the trails with a mountain bike, a lot less wind in the woods! Just installed my new carbon fiber handlebars - you know you have a sickness when the retail cost of one part of your bike costs more than your first bike did......

windy days in the woods are really nice.

Yup, the "yeti calls" carry for miles.

 

[urbanhack]

Great time of the year for morning rides fellas. Getting way too hot during the day. Its not bad in the evening, but its nice during the day to know that you already put the work in. Get out there.

the last few weeks have been great, although the wind can kiss my ###.

another great thing about morning rides is that wind is typically calmest that time of day.

except in Chicago

 

[NutterButter]

Great time of the year for morning rides fellas. Getting way too hot during the day. Its not bad in the evening, but its nice during the day to know that you already put the work in. Get out there.

the last few weeks have been great, although the wind can kiss my ###.

another great thing about morning rides is that wind is typically calmest that time of day.

except in Chicago

nonsense. only 3mph at 7am tomorrow. you ain't going to get more calmer than that. get out there and get some.

 

[urbanhack]

Great time of the year for morning rides fellas. Getting way too hot during the day. Its not bad in the evening, but its nice during the day to know that you already put the work in. Get out there.

the last few weeks have been great, although the wind can kiss my ###.

another great thing about morning rides is that wind is typically calmest that time of day.

except in Chicago

nonsense. only 3mph at 7am tomorrow. you ain't going to get more calmer than that. get out there and get some.

I'll get some and I'll actually post of a video of my ride....how's that?

 

[NutterButter]

Great time of the year for morning rides fellas. Getting way too hot during the day. Its not bad in the evening, but its nice during the day to know that you already put the work in. Get out there.

the last few weeks have been great, although the wind can kiss my ###.

another great thing about morning rides is that wind is typically calmest that time of day.

except in Chicago

nonsense. only 3mph at 7am tomorrow. you ain't going to get more calmer than that. get out there and get some.

I'll get some and I'll actually post of a video of my ride....how's that?

That's the enthusiasm I'm looking for

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Great time of the year for morning rides fellas. Getting way too hot during the day. Its not bad in the evening, but its nice during the day to know that you already put the work in. Get out there.

Cancelled my monthly parking effective May 1.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Great time of the year for morning rides fellas. Getting way too hot during the day. Its not bad in the evening, but its nice during the day to know that you already put the work in. Get out there.

the last few weeks have been great, although the wind can kiss my ###.

another great thing about morning rides is that wind is typically calmest that time of day.

except in Chicago

nonsense. only 3mph at 7am tomorrow. you ain't going to get more calmer than that. get out there and get some.

I'll get some and I'll actually post of a video of my ride....how's that?

Well, I know I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for that video.

 

[urbanhack]

Great time of the year for morning rides fellas. Getting way too hot during the day. Its not bad in the evening, but its nice during the day to know that you already put the work in. Get out there.

the last few weeks have been great, although the wind can kiss my ###.

another great thing about morning rides is that wind is typically calmest that time of day.

except in Chicago

nonsense. only 3mph at 7am tomorrow. you ain't going to get more calmer than that. get out there and get some.

I'll get some and I'll actually post of a video of my ride....how's that?

Well, I know I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for that video.

Cool! I figured you'd be the first one to comment on it and tell me what I did wrong.

Can't wait!!!

 

[tommyboy]

i wonder what the actuarial calculations are on life insurance for avid bikers. on the one hand you gotta be pretty healthy i imagine and generally expected to live longer than avg. On the other hand your chances of getting greased by an old lady or angry trucker go up too.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

"I'm just going to amble along at 5 mph in the middle of the road of a one-lane rural road."

-All of you, probably.

 

[Harris]

Great time of the year for morning rides fellas. Getting way too hot during the day. Its not bad in the evening, but its nice during the day to know that you already put the work in. Get out there.

the last few weeks have been great, although the wind can kiss my ###.

another great thing about morning rides is that wind is typically calmest that time of day.

except in Chicago

nonsense. only 3mph at 7am tomorrow. you ain't going to get more calmer than that. get out there and get some.

right. you weren't here yesterday obviously.

 

[NutterButter]

Great time of the year for morning rides fellas. Getting way too hot during the day. Its not bad in the evening, but its nice during the day to know that you already put the work in. Get out there.

the last few weeks have been great, although the wind can kiss my ###.

another great thing about morning rides is that wind is typically calmest that time of day.

except in Chicago

nonsense. only 3mph at 7am tomorrow. you ain't going to get more calmer than that. get out there and get some.

right. you weren't here yesterday obviously.

I don't live in the past. 7am tomorrow. No excuses.

 

[ghostguy123]

I just waxed a biker guy with my huge SUV. I think he might be dead, or dying at least.

Oh well, he was in the way.

HIs orange/yellow/purple/green shirt was a little faded, didnt see him till it was too late.

 

[nirad3]

I need to get my tubby ### back on my mountain bike. Time to look up what the good rides are these days.

 

[Jaysus]

Dear Bicycle Guy...

... stop catching concrete with your face as it is bad for your health.

 

[eoMMan]

So does a driver get charged if he/she accidentally hits a biker that is past the bike lane and actually in the road?

I see the bikers riding in the road a lot when the bikers ride side by side.

 

[Fat Nick]

Dear Bicycle Guy...

... stop catching concrete with your face as it is bad for your health.

According to witnesses, a man driving a white Bronco and wearing a glove tossed the concrete chunk at the rider,

OJ strikes again...

 

[matttyl]

Any serious mountain biking guys in here? Looking for some advice on a wheelset to buy as an upgrade to my Trek Stach 29'er.

 

[the moops]

So does a driver get charged if he/she accidentally hits a biker that is past the bike lane and actually in the road?

I see the bikers riding in the road a lot when the bikers ride side by side.

Drivers rarely get charged with homicide when they blatantly run over and kill cyclists. Doubtful anything would happen to the driver in your above scenario.

 

[proninja]

Any serious mountain biking guys in here? Looking for some advice on a wheelset to buy as an upgrade to my Trek Stach 29'er.

What kind of riding do you do?

 

[NutterButter]

If there's a thread that will get Sheik's juices flowing again, its this one.

 

[FUBAR]

So does a driver get charged if he/she accidentally hits a biker that is past the bike lane and actually in the road?

I see the bikers riding in the road a lot when the bikers ride side by side.

Drivers rarely get charged with homicide when they blatantly run over and kill cyclists. Doubtful anything would happen to the driver in your above scenario.

self-defense for sure. that biker was on HIS ROAD!

 

[matttyl]

Any serious mountain biking guys in here? Looking for some advice on a wheelset to buy as an upgrade to my Trek Stach 29'er.

What kind of riding do you do?

Mostly single track type stuff, not doing any racing (yet). If I start doing more serious stuff (including downhill) I'll get another bike (full suspension). I've looked into the Mavic line - mainly crossroc and crossmax - but those can get really pricy.