Moronacity Cycling Journal » Entries tagged with "Road"
League of American Bicyclists
A common topic kept coming up during our rides this week: cyclists know the law better than cops. This, of course, is a general statement, but it is unfortunately true in many cases. The rider who kept bringing this into discussion was stopped by a Michigan state cop while riding two abreast with a friend. They were told that they should be riding single file. He later took a copy of the law into the state police post and had the issue corrected. This is not an uncommon occurrence. Fortunately, there are advocacy groups at work influencing the law in relation to cycling and sharing the road with motorists and working towards educating the public. Take action and support your advocacy groups by becoming … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
Ride of Silence
The following is quoted from the Ride of Silence web site. Join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride (max. 12 mph/20 kph) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways. WHY DOES THIS SITE EXIST? * To HONOR those who have been injured or killed * To RAISE AWARENESS that we are here * To ask that we all SHARE THE ROAD THE RIDE OF SILENCE? WILL NOT BE QUIET On May 21, 2008, at 7:00 PM, the Ride of Silence? will begin in North America and roll across the globe. Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
Improve Your Riding With a Good Book
I like books. Whenever I start a new hobby, I buy books. Bicycling wasn’t any different. When I started mountain biking, it was pretty obvious I had a lot to learn regarding technique. I didn’t know how to climb steep hills or maneuver through rock gardens, and the only advice I was given was “ride more.” Well, that advice really doesn’t work. The following are the books in my … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cycling
Cycling Advocacy: Exercise the Power of the Word
What is National Bike Month without a little advocacy? Today is a great day to pick a cycling topic that needs the attention of your local government, or even the state or federal government, and write your representative(s). I first heard about a clearance law when I was reading a blog by an American girl who was living in France. I thought it was a spectacular idea and wondered why a law like that didn’t exist here. After more searching, I found that many states have already incorporated the 3-foot pass law: a passing vehicle must allow three feet of clearance between the vehicle and the bicycle. My state currently does not have the 3-foot pass law, and I have started an email/letter writing campaign this … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
Serious Bike Love
Springtime is here. Yes, I totally know you needed me to state the obvious. If your bike is like mine, it is sloppily shifting and sluggishly braking. The cables are grimy and loose from cyclocross season and spring road riding. It needs some serious love, much like my body after riding to Copper Harbor (43.5 miles of hilly ouch). I rode to Copper Harbor yesterday and met my parents there for … Read entire article »
Filed under: Road Riding
National Bike Month
Today marks the beginning of National Bike Month promoted by the League of American Bicyclists. They have provided 50 ways to celebrate safe and enjoyable cycling throughout the month. May is a great time to celebrate National Bike Month as many cyclists come out of the woodwork to commute, train, and ride the trails. As more cyclists hit the roads, the number of auto-bicycle accidents increase. While most cyclists are aware of … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
Comment on The Shoot Out
Sunday, I gave you some information about a ride called “The Shoot Out”. Click here to read it. As part of the cycling community, it is easy to get caught up in protecting our rights. We have a right to riding peacefully and without harassment from motorists and police. This isn’t occurring in Pima County. In fact, the right to ride through the local reservation might be taken away. Cyclists, like motorists, have … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
The Shoot Out
The Shoot Out is a weekly group ride of professional and advanced amateur riders that starts at the University of Arizona. Great idea, eh? One would think. Now consider this: there seems to be quite an anti-cyclist attitude by the local police. In fact, an accident was even caused by the actions of a police officer: crossing the double yellow line in an attempt to stop the peloton for breaking a traffic law. Now, for those of us who ride the road for training or commuting purposes, who are concerned about the safety of cyclists, and who support laws that are designed to protect our well-being, we might become a little irate at seeing this news regarding the police-cyclist interactions in Pima County. Ride Strong has provided us … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
No Drop Di
I was dropped. Today’s ride was a no-drop team ride that I assembled via our team forum and email list. We had a great turnout and a ride that proved to be a little more challenging than I bargained for. I led for a bit because everyone assumed I should because I’m the one who got everyone together. However, being the second slowest person in the group and having a fairly respectable … Read entire article »
Filed under: Road Riding
Spring Training is Here
I woke up this morning with one thing in mind: long ride. I wanted to do a moderate ride for about three hours. I had three goals in mind:1. Average about 15 mph2. Maintain an efficient pedal stroke3. Ride for three hours I ate a healthy breakfast:* Malt-O-Meal* Yogurt with raspberries, vanilla, and chocolate chips * Grapefruit* 2 slices of toast* Water It took me longer than expected to get my lazy butt out the door, so I had a salad:* Leaf lettuce* Tomato* Croutons* Homemade French dressing I made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, cut it in two, wrapped the halves, filled two water bottles with Heed and left. I didn’t meet the first goal. I took it fairly easy starting out. I maintained a speed of … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cycling
