For me the eye contact rule and wave and smile at all cars/drivers, combined with never presuming I have the right of way even when I do, eliminates 99.99% of all close calls and makes the ride far more enjoyable. Today, I was climbing after a wee snow, it was 16˚F, and several drivers rolled down their window and waved after they passed me. Of course, on the way home, an oncoming pick-um-up fully kitted out was going so fast as to be nearly out of control, fishtailing all over the place as they attempted to accelerate. I ducked into a driveway and waited for them to pass, and continued on. First time that has happened. But these are rural back roads, so not anywhere close to the traffic volume most cyclists deal with.
With abandon, Patrick On Friday, January 31, 2020 at 11:45:03 AM UTC-7, Mark Roland wrote: > > I consider my riding to be more of a lifestyle than a hobby. I use my > bicycle for 90% of my shopping, errand, and socializing trips. My response > above was based on the op's position as a recreational rider. But there are > those who choose to ride for more than just hobby or recreational purposes. > On Friday, January 31, 2020 at 11:01:30 AM UTC-5, aeroperf wrote: on > > Paul- > > > > It’s a hobby, not a necessity. If you’re not having fun, don’t do it. > > Find another way to exercise, because at our age (I’m 70), it is > exercise or die. > > > > > > I would miss the sounds, smells, feel of the pavement, and even the > headwinds if I quit cycling. My opinion is that the best way to keep good > reflexes, depth perception and general eyesight is to use them. I realize > I am taking a risk, but for me it seems worth the risk. For you it may > not. > > > > > > > > If you were having fun, but this incident has put you off, try to find > another riding venue like a paved trail with minimum intersections. Leah’s > comment about eye contact is spot on. As is DougP’s about defensive > cycling. > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/488daed0-1cb5-40dd-bd2c-aaec9490b690%40googlegroups.com.
