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04-28-07, 04:18 AM
#1
nube
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new from tn
Hi all. My name is Brad, I'm 19, and I live in Murfreesboro, TN, USA. The 'boro, as we call it here, is about 30 mi. south of Nashville. It's a pretty cool little town, which happens to have a state u of about 23k kids.
I've been riding bikes of different sorts since I was about 8 or 9, but haven't actually ridden one recently since I was about 16. I rode a Wal-Mart bike, singlespeed with a *****in' coaster brake for a few years, and then got into BMX when I was about 12. This led to freestyle, which led to flatland, where I found my home. I rode a highly modified Mongoose freestyle bike from about 13-16. I was pretty alright. Then it got stolen one day outside my school. And I hadn't ridden since then.
Having moved to go to college here about a year ago now, I'd been looking for quite awhile into getting something cheaper to move around than my Jeep (which gets about 11mpg
). I decided on biking, since we have a halfway decent amount of sidewalks around here, and I don't ever have to travel super far on a regular basis. Got a couple old bikes from my dad... both had dérailleur issues, which led me to Google, which led me to here, where I've been lurking for maybe a month and a half or so.
I'm now converting an old Schwinn LeTour (blue, maybe '68 or so) that I picked up on the cheap from a friend's dad to fixed (with a flip-flop). I've always enjoyed re-building bikes and cars, and restoration. So it's been pretty fun poking around on here looking at builds and drooling over the fully carbons and so on.
Not sure if anyone is on here from the Nashville area, but if so, gimme a holler. I'd love to go on a ride.
I've been riding bikes of different sorts since I was about 8 or 9, but haven't actually ridden one recently since I was about 16. I rode a Wal-Mart bike, singlespeed with a *****in' coaster brake for a few years, and then got into BMX when I was about 12. This led to freestyle, which led to flatland, where I found my home. I rode a highly modified Mongoose freestyle bike from about 13-16. I was pretty alright. Then it got stolen one day outside my school. And I hadn't ridden since then.
Having moved to go to college here about a year ago now, I'd been looking for quite awhile into getting something cheaper to move around than my Jeep (which gets about 11mpg
). I decided on biking, since we have a halfway decent amount of sidewalks around here, and I don't ever have to travel super far on a regular basis. Got a couple old bikes from my dad... both had dérailleur issues, which led me to Google, which led me to here, where I've been lurking for maybe a month and a half or so. I'm now converting an old Schwinn LeTour (blue, maybe '68 or so) that I picked up on the cheap from a friend's dad to fixed (with a flip-flop). I've always enjoyed re-building bikes and cars, and restoration. So it's been pretty fun poking around on here looking at builds and drooling over the fully carbons and so on.
Not sure if anyone is on here from the Nashville area, but if so, gimme a holler. I'd love to go on a ride.
04-28-07, 05:04 AM
#2
Lanky Lass
Well, if you've been lurking, you probably know your way around, but don't forget to say hello to the locals in the Southeast forum.
Welcome to BF!
East Hill
Welcome to BF!
East Hill
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TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
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TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
04-28-07, 06:10 AM
#3
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Hi Brad and welcome to BF.
Sidewalks are deathtraps for cyclists. Bicycles are VEHICLES in all 50 states. Ride on the road.
Check out the Southeast subforum. Lots of Nashville and TN folks.
Originally Posted by nevlis
I decided on biking, since we have a halfway decent amount of sidewalks around here...
Originally Posted by nevlis
Not sure if anyone is on here from the Nashville area, but if so, gimme a holler. I'd love to go on a ride.
__________________
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
05-04-07, 03:06 PM
#4
nube
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Thanks! As far as the whole sidewalk thing goes... this here is a bit of a dangerous town to be riding on the road, during normal commuting hours at least. I'm fairly certain that around 40% or possibly more of the automobiles on the road are either '00 or so F150's or some big SUV... Add to that college kids, and otherwise completely oblivious drivers, and very, very few pedestrians, and the sidewalks are looking a whole lot better.
Having now commuted for a couple weeks, I've found that there are some ridable roads (usually the busiest ones, due to the recent increased size of the lanes), and there are some that are best kept away from. I ride quite a bit between 10pm-2am, so most of the time I have free range. Nothing like shooting around with a couple friends down a four-lane+median in the middle of the night to make you feel like you own the world :-P.
Having now commuted for a couple weeks, I've found that there are some ridable roads (usually the busiest ones, due to the recent increased size of the lanes), and there are some that are best kept away from. I ride quite a bit between 10pm-2am, so most of the time I have free range. Nothing like shooting around with a couple friends down a four-lane+median in the middle of the night to make you feel like you own the world :-P.
05-04-07, 03:15 PM
#5
Lanky Lass
If you do ride on sidewalks, recognise that they have their own dangers 
! It takes practice to get used to riding in traffic, and there's nothing that says you have to start with the biggest, baddest road. Let's see some photos of that bike in the commuting forum, ok?
East Hill
! It takes practice to get used to riding in traffic, and there's nothing that says you have to start with the biggest, baddest road. Let's see some photos of that bike in the commuting forum, ok?East Hill
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TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
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TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
05-04-07, 07:31 PM
#7
tired
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Hey Brad,
My stepdad's people are all in McMinnville or in neighboring Grundy County. I've driven through Murfreesboro quite a few times getting there from Michigan, where I grew up. Welcome!
My stepdad's people are all in McMinnville or in neighboring Grundy County. I've driven through Murfreesboro quite a few times getting there from Michigan, where I grew up. Welcome!
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"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
05-25-07, 01:26 PM
#8
nube
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Um, (belated) thank you. :-P
Also, I am now a car-free bike commuter... thanks mostly to the myriad of problems with my Jeep, and the most recent death-blow of a blown transmission.
Also, I am now a car-free bike commuter... thanks mostly to the myriad of problems with my Jeep, and the most recent death-blow of a blown transmission.
05-27-07, 08:59 AM
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Originally Posted by nevlis
Hi all. My name is Brad ....
... Brad
05-27-07, 10:10 AM
#10
tired
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Originally Posted by nevlis
Um, (belated) thank you. :-P
Also, I am now a car-free bike commuter... thanks mostly to the myriad of problems with my Jeep, and the most recent death-blow of a blown transmission.
Also, I am now a car-free bike commuter... thanks mostly to the myriad of problems with my Jeep, and the most recent death-blow of a blown transmission.
__________________
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
05-27-07, 12:33 PM
#11
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Originally Posted by nevlis
this here is a bit of a dangerous town to be riding on the road, during normal commuting hours at least. I'm fairly certain that around 40% or possibly more of the automobiles on the road are either '00 or so F150's or some big SUV... Add to that college kids, and otherwise completely oblivious drivers...
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
05-27-07, 03:53 PM
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Originally Posted by RonH
Sidewalks are deathtraps for cyclists. Bicycles are VEHICLES in all 50 states. Ride on the road.
I always thought sidewalks were safter for cyclists.
05-27-07, 05:40 PM
#14
I can has bike ride?
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^ check your state's DMV website for rules; as RonH said, bicycles are vehicles and supposed to ride on the road.
Here's a brief guidebook from NY, but I bet you can find one by googling your state's department of motor vehicles website: https://www.nysphysicalactivity.org/s...tion/IB_17.pdf
Here's a brief guidebook from NY, but I bet you can find one by googling your state's department of motor vehicles website: https://www.nysphysicalactivity.org/s...tion/IB_17.pdf
05-27-07, 06:01 PM
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Originally Posted by morea
^ check your state's DMV website for rules; as RonH said, bicycles are vehicles and supposed to ride on the road.
Here's a brief guidebook from NY, but I bet you can find one by googling your state's department of motor vehicles website: https://www.nysphysicalactivity.org/s...tion/IB_17.pdf
Here's a brief guidebook from NY, but I bet you can find one by googling your state's department of motor vehicles website: https://www.nysphysicalactivity.org/s...tion/IB_17.pdf
I don't know what the rules are in Houston (where I currently am), but in Florida (where I used to live), there are rules for riding on the sidewalks. . . .
https://www.dot.state.fl.us/safety/pe..._bikeLaws1.htm
Sidewalk riding
(Section 316.2065(10) and (11), F.S.)
A person propelling a vehicle by human power upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, has all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances.
Comment: Sidewalks are not designed for bicycle speeds, but a bicycle propelled by human power may be used except where prohibited by local ordinance (e.g. in the central business districts of many cities).
(Section 316.2065(10) and (11), F.S.)
A person propelling a vehicle by human power upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, has all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances.
Comment: Sidewalks are not designed for bicycle speeds, but a bicycle propelled by human power may be used except where prohibited by local ordinance (e.g. in the central business districts of many cities).
But in any case, my real question was in relation to the "deathtraps for cyclists" part of the comment.
05-27-07, 06:19 PM
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tired
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Originally Posted by warp9
But in any case, my real question was in relation to the "deathtraps for cyclists" part of the comment.
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"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
05-27-07, 11:48 PM
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Originally Posted by donnamb
Get comfy and read up, my friend.
I will say this:
My little brother got into biking in the summer of 2005, he thought it would be cool to help save gas, and protect the environment.
He believed in riding on the road with his bicycle, and he followed all the rules of the road.
Unfortunately, even though he followed all the rules, others did not.
A few months after he started biking, he had a "road meeting" with a drunk driver. My brother followed the rules, but the drunk did not---and it was my little brother who paid the price.
He believed in riding on the road with his bicycle, and he followed all the rules of the road.
Unfortunately, even though he followed all the rules, others did not.
A few months after he started biking, he had a "road meeting" with a drunk driver. My brother followed the rules, but the drunk did not---and it was my little brother who paid the price.
05-28-07, 09:42 AM
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tired
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I'm really, really sorry to hear about that. There is one thing to keep in mind, however. Drunk drivers do get up on sidewalks and hurt and kill people that way, too. There's no way to predict what they will do.
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"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
"Real wars of words are harder to win. They require thought, insight, precision, articulation, knowledge, and experience. They require the humility to admit when you are wrong. They recognize that the dialectic is not about making us look at you, but about us all looking together for the truth."
05-28-07, 03:02 PM
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Originally Posted by donnamb
I'm really, really sorry to hear about that. There is one thing to keep in mind, however. Drunk drivers do get up on sidewalks and hurt and kill people that way, too. There's no way to predict what they will do.
Although I think that there is a larger group of drunk drivers who are drunk, but yet not so drunk that they can't stay on the road.
The guy who hit my brother was 2 times over the legal limit, but he did manage to keep his car on the road, and he didn't hit any other cars.
Cyclists are at more risk from drunks (or other less-aware drivers) because they are smaller in size, and probably not moving as fast as the other traffic on the street.
And obviously the harm is much greater to a cyclist when such an accident occurs. Something that might not be that serious to a person in a car might be lethal to a person on a bike.
05-29-07, 03:19 AM
#20
nube
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I can agree with that. I myself am fairly nocturnal, so I don't see much of the pedestrians (not that we have many anyway, why walk when you can drive?), or the cars.. That means I have no problems riding the sidewalks and sides of the road... but, I can also just take the lane and ride all over if I get the itch. But, I've noticed a fair amount of drunkenness and stupidity while driving and while biking. I think maybe it's just human nature?
Also, I need to find out what the rules are on macing people who scream things at you while you're biking down the side of the road. I had a guy riding in the backseat of (most likely) someone else's car yell "get a car, a******!" at me. I really wanted to mace that guy...
Also, I need to find out what the rules are on macing people who scream things at you while you're biking down the side of the road. I had a guy riding in the backseat of (most likely) someone else's car yell "get a car, a******!" at me. I really wanted to mace that guy...
