Monthly Archives: March 2016

Rider Safety – Cameras, then Gravel

This entry was posted in Comments about Cycling on by .

I just heard an segment on NPR this morning from Austin Texas that was about bicyclists using cameras to document their rides.  It was interesting, they interviewed Hill Abell, owner of Bicycle Sport Shop in Austin, and Rebecca Rush, who doesn’t need any introduction.  I think she might be down in Austin for SXSW?

Anyway, the story talked about how riders are using cameras to record their altercations they are having with automobiles.  And how popular this has become.  I’m not sure that is the best reason to have a camera on a bike, but it is a reason.

I know there is a growing animosity on the roads now.  I’ve personally witnessed the escalation my whole life.  But there is more general animosity in all aspects of life, not just between bicycles and automobiles, so I guess it is “normal”

The NPR segment said that gravel grinders, and guys riding on gravel roads, is becoming popular because of the altercations between bikes and cars.  I agree.  I know quite a few riders that feel much more comfortable riding on gravel.  Some really good riders that have been in the sport for a long time.  They feel safer.

I wonder if that is really true?  Seems like there is a higher chance of getting hurt on gravel.  Not really hurt, just hurt.  I guess if you removed 98% of the automobiles from the equation, it is safer in that respect.  If you feel safer, that is what is important.  If you don’t feel safe riding a bike, then most likely, it won’t be that enjoyable.

I’m not sure why our society is more hostile that it was when I was a kid.  When I first started riding a bicycle in Kansas, we never thought twice about running lights and stop signs.  And it didn’t bother anyone.  People would just assume we were kids and that is what kids did.  People used to wave all the time.  They would even wave while I was running a red light.  It was a just different time.

Here in Kansas, people will still wave back at you, but in general, people are too busy, maybe too self-absorbed, to be courteous to others.

Society needs to discuss our general aggression.  Alleviating hostility in society would go a long way towards a more symbiotic relationship between cyclist and drivers.

I have a Shimano Sports camera, but have never used it while training.

I have a Shimano Sports camera, but have never used it while training.

Dan Hughs at the most famous gravel race, DK200.

Dan Hughs at the most famous gravel race, DK200.

Nick Frey at last year's Land Run. I'm thinking it might be "a little" muggy again today.

Nick Frey at last year’s Land Run. I’m thinking it might be “a little” muggy again today.

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Daylight Saving Time – Finally

This entry was posted in Just Life on by .

Most of the people that work and race bicycles serious can hardly wait for today, the first day of daylight savings time.  So many riders can’t juggle their lives to allow anytime during the daylight hours to ride before the time switch.  Now that it is going to be close to 8 pm before it is dark.  That is a game changer for many.

Here in Topeka, daylight saving time is the start of the “club rides” or evening rides. The rides initially start at 5:30 pm, but eventually rotate closer to 6 pm during the summer. It gives everyone a chance to get from their job to the ride. 3X a week, the ride starts at our house. I guess that it is because it is centrally located and there are tools, etc., here. It is kind of strange how many times a year someone shows up for a ride with a pretty major mechanical. That is the one downside to meeting at a coffeeshop or any other non-bikeshop business.

It is a strange time of the year.  You get to see who has paid their dues throughout the winter and who hasn’t.  Here in Topeka, the training rides are civil.  We do our best to keep the group a group.  I know a lot of you wouldn’t think, but Eastern Kansas is mildly hilly.  Hilly enough to split a group of riders with differing fitness levels.  One of the best aspects of our sport is you can get up to “group speed” relatively fast.  It normally takes less than a month of group rides before everyone is comfortable and content.

Personally, I love daylight savings time.  I like doing things later in the day and the “extra hour” of lights allows that.

It has been spring here in Eastern Kansas for the past few weeks.  I don’t think I’ve ridden with knee warmers for the past three weeks.  It is really strange.  Our temperatures have been closer to late April and February, early March.  And the extended forecast shows the same.  Highs in the 60’s everyday for the next two weeks.

I raced yesterday and am riding to a local road race later this morning.  There is a chance of thunderstorms all afternoon.  I’m hoping we miss those.  I’m having trouble getting rid of a chest thing so riding around in the rain isn’t the best.  It is supposed to be 65 once again, so that is great.

So many of us rely so much on the time we spend on our bikes to complete the life circle.  It gives us the benefit of exercise, the time to work through problems life throws at us, plus the camaraderie of the cycling friends.

Okay, hope today’s time shift is what gives you the flexibility to get some weekday rides in.

clockchanging

Tucker has some pretty crazy sitting positions.

Tucker has some pretty crazy sitting positions.