newbie roadie questions
10-12-07, 06:57 PM
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newbie roadie questions
HI!
i have been riding mtn bikes for the last 4 years and finally got my first road bike in August. I have logged 400 miles so far. No high speeds or averages worth bragging about. just a couple questions:
do i need to yield or hold my ground when meeting up with cars coming out of parking lots or cars coming off a turn pike? especially if i am leading a group at the time. by law we have the right away right?
besides being dangerous is it just wrong for me to use roads with no shoulders?
how long before its comfortable to stay in the drops for long periods? my neck gets sore from looking up.
is it rude for me to jump on back of a passing group of riders i've never met? i can't seem to muster up the speed to catch them, but i hope to improve here.
would i become a faster road rider quicker if i hit the squat rack to make my legs stronger or should i just keep pedaling?
how come every time i look over my left shoulder i seem to drift that direction? is there a trick to stop this?
-low
i have been riding mtn bikes for the last 4 years and finally got my first road bike in August. I have logged 400 miles so far. No high speeds or averages worth bragging about. just a couple questions:
do i need to yield or hold my ground when meeting up with cars coming out of parking lots or cars coming off a turn pike? especially if i am leading a group at the time. by law we have the right away right?
besides being dangerous is it just wrong for me to use roads with no shoulders?
how long before its comfortable to stay in the drops for long periods? my neck gets sore from looking up.
is it rude for me to jump on back of a passing group of riders i've never met? i can't seem to muster up the speed to catch them, but i hope to improve here.
would i become a faster road rider quicker if i hit the squat rack to make my legs stronger or should i just keep pedaling?
how come every time i look over my left shoulder i seem to drift that direction? is there a trick to stop this?
-low
10-12-07, 07:00 PM
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10-12-07, 07:05 PM
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It's normal. Best solution is to be aware of the tendency, also keep the arms and hands relaxed.
10-12-07, 07:05 PM
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for example i am traveling down the side of a road and approach a parking lot where a car is ready to pull out.
thank you CW for the replys
10-12-07, 07:07 PM
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Making a kilometer blurry
I think it's good to assert your ROW, but be prepared to back off immediately if someone doesn't honor it. Yesterday a training partner and I had to slide in a 2-wheel drift next to each other to avoid an SUV that turned in front of us, honking at us. I missed t-boning it by about 1 foot. I wasn't quite as prepared as I should have been.
I guess another note is to avoid in-depth conversations with training partners on busy roads
I guess another note is to avoid in-depth conversations with training partners on busy roads
10-12-07, 07:07 PM
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10-12-07, 07:12 PM
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That's a hard situation to be assertive in. Other than puffing up and trying to look bigger (as animals do) I don't know what you could do. There are situations where a certain amount of assertiveness is to be desired; times when you should hold your line and use turn lanes, for example.
10-12-07, 07:15 PM
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I'm not sure about your State, but in TX bicycles have "the same rights and responsibilities" as other vehicles. The only exception to that is that it is legal to operate your bicycle on a shoulder and you have to ride as far right as practicable.
If you would have the ROW in any given situation if you were in a car, then you have it on the bicycle. Be assertive on the bike and stick up for your rights. Just be prepared for not being seen or being disrespected and endangered by ****** bags in their cages.
If you would have the ROW in any given situation if you were in a car, then you have it on the bicycle. Be assertive on the bike and stick up for your rights. Just be prepared for not being seen or being disrespected and endangered by ****** bags in their cages.
10-12-07, 07:17 PM
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10-12-07, 07:19 PM
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In this situation, I alway try to make eye contact with the driver of the car. If I don't, or can't I assume the driver is going to pull out in front of me and prepare to stop if needed.
10-12-07, 07:24 PM
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I'm not sure about your State, but in TX bicycles have "the same rights and responsibilities" as other vehicles. The only exception to that is that it is legal to operate your bicycle on a shoulder and you have to ride as far right as practicable.
If you would have the ROW in any given situation if you were in a car, then you have it on the bicycle. Be assertive on the bike and stick up for your rights. Just be prepared for not being seen or being disrespected and endangered by ****** bags in their cages.
If you would have the ROW in any given situation if you were in a car, then you have it on the bicycle. Be assertive on the bike and stick up for your rights. Just be prepared for not being seen or being disrespected and endangered by ****** bags in their cages.
yep i have already been honked at, finger shot at, and called a *** by motorists. i just let that stuff roll of me.
edit: don't take me wrong. i am not an aggressive person or blocking traffic. i always try to plan the safest route possible. i believe people think i have no right sharing the roadways and are just being rude.
thanks for all the replies!
Last edited by lowmach; 10-12-07 at 07:31 PM.
10-12-07, 07:31 PM
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HI!
i have been riding mtn bikes for the last 4 years and finally got my first road bike in August. I have logged 400 miles so far. No high speeds or averages worth bragging about. just a couple questions:
do i need to yield or hold my ground when meeting up with cars coming out of parking lots or cars coming off a turn pike? especially if i am leading a group at the time. by law we have the right away right?
You act like you are a motorcycle or any other vehicle that is going to lose if there is a collision. You flare out away from the vehicle to put as much distance away as possible and become more visible(you should already have been scanning your mirror to make sure it is clear behind you and should be doing this constantly and looking and planning ahead in congested areas) and guard your brakes and ride if that vehicle is going to pull out in front of you. Make eye contact with and nod at the driver. And don't say you can't do this because this is exactly what I was taught in my motorcycle safety class - constand vigilance and scanning in all directions including the rear.
besides being dangerous is it just wrong for me to use roads with no shoulders?
It is certainly not wrong. You have to use your best judgment here. IMHO, lightly traveled roads with slower speed limits and perfectly smooth pavement are the first choice, with lightly traveled my highest priority. As an example, we did not go down a road that had been recently chip and sealed on this past Tuesday's evening ride because we (group of 15 riders) thought there was one more country road before we got to a state highway. We were wrong. Even though we only had to go a short distance on the state highway and it had a shoulder, we elected to turn around and gp over the chip and seal. Again, you have to use judgment.
how long before its comfortable to stay in the drops for long periods? my neck gets sore from looking up.
Why do you want to be in the drops? It is uncomfortable and unless you are racing or just near exhaustion and need to be as efficient as possible there is no reason to be in the drops. But if you are fitted to the bicycle properly, which takes into consideration your flexibility and strengths and weakness (neck) as a rider, being in the drops within your limits should be as comfortable as sitting upright.
is it rude for me to jump on back of a passing group of riders i've never met? i can't seem to muster up the speed to catch them, but i hope to improve here.
Yes, it is very rude. If you are so far below their level to catch them, you could not possibly ride in a paceline safely. And if you have to ask this question it means that you don't have the slightest idea how to ride in a paceline. I am not a strong rider and I drop out long before I would have to so that I do not endanger myself or other riders by trying to hang on too long. If it is taking all your physical capacity to keep up you are not concentrating on the rest of your cycling and could easily go down and take someone with you.
would i become a faster road rider quicker if i hit the squat rack to make my legs stronger or should i just keep pedaling?
Keep pedaling for now and get a few thousand miles and some long rides under your belt. Then you can start getting serious about training. Cycling is just like other sports, weight training, diet, rest, cross training, etc. are all beneficial.
how come every time i look over my left shoulder i seem to drift that direction? is there a trick to stop this?
Even experienced riders do this if they keep staring backward. Get a rearview mirror and practice using it. You want to glance back not stare. If it takes more than a quick glance (either over your shoulder or using a mirror) to determne what is going on behind you, then stop and look back.
-low
i have been riding mtn bikes for the last 4 years and finally got my first road bike in August. I have logged 400 miles so far. No high speeds or averages worth bragging about. just a couple questions:
do i need to yield or hold my ground when meeting up with cars coming out of parking lots or cars coming off a turn pike? especially if i am leading a group at the time. by law we have the right away right?
You act like you are a motorcycle or any other vehicle that is going to lose if there is a collision. You flare out away from the vehicle to put as much distance away as possible and become more visible(you should already have been scanning your mirror to make sure it is clear behind you and should be doing this constantly and looking and planning ahead in congested areas) and guard your brakes and ride if that vehicle is going to pull out in front of you. Make eye contact with and nod at the driver. And don't say you can't do this because this is exactly what I was taught in my motorcycle safety class - constand vigilance and scanning in all directions including the rear.
besides being dangerous is it just wrong for me to use roads with no shoulders?
It is certainly not wrong. You have to use your best judgment here. IMHO, lightly traveled roads with slower speed limits and perfectly smooth pavement are the first choice, with lightly traveled my highest priority. As an example, we did not go down a road that had been recently chip and sealed on this past Tuesday's evening ride because we (group of 15 riders) thought there was one more country road before we got to a state highway. We were wrong. Even though we only had to go a short distance on the state highway and it had a shoulder, we elected to turn around and gp over the chip and seal. Again, you have to use judgment.
how long before its comfortable to stay in the drops for long periods? my neck gets sore from looking up.
Why do you want to be in the drops? It is uncomfortable and unless you are racing or just near exhaustion and need to be as efficient as possible there is no reason to be in the drops. But if you are fitted to the bicycle properly, which takes into consideration your flexibility and strengths and weakness (neck) as a rider, being in the drops within your limits should be as comfortable as sitting upright.
is it rude for me to jump on back of a passing group of riders i've never met? i can't seem to muster up the speed to catch them, but i hope to improve here.
Yes, it is very rude. If you are so far below their level to catch them, you could not possibly ride in a paceline safely. And if you have to ask this question it means that you don't have the slightest idea how to ride in a paceline. I am not a strong rider and I drop out long before I would have to so that I do not endanger myself or other riders by trying to hang on too long. If it is taking all your physical capacity to keep up you are not concentrating on the rest of your cycling and could easily go down and take someone with you.
would i become a faster road rider quicker if i hit the squat rack to make my legs stronger or should i just keep pedaling?
Keep pedaling for now and get a few thousand miles and some long rides under your belt. Then you can start getting serious about training. Cycling is just like other sports, weight training, diet, rest, cross training, etc. are all beneficial.
how come every time i look over my left shoulder i seem to drift that direction? is there a trick to stop this?
Even experienced riders do this if they keep staring backward. Get a rearview mirror and practice using it. You want to glance back not stare. If it takes more than a quick glance (either over your shoulder or using a mirror) to determne what is going on behind you, then stop and look back.
-low
10-12-07, 08:20 PM
#13
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make sure the mirror is on your helmet.
in all seriousness, though, good post, good questions. keep riding and you'll do well. also, it won't hurt you to hit the weight room. Say it's raining outside, go lift. excercise w/o freezing. voila.
in all seriousness, though, good post, good questions. keep riding and you'll do well. also, it won't hurt you to hit the weight room. Say it's raining outside, go lift. excercise w/o freezing. voila.
10-12-07, 09:01 PM
#14
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thanks dekindy. yes your advice is very helpful.
the only time i have been in the drops is riding solo into the wind. i raised the bars some when i got the bike used off ebay, but i think i will raise it a little more. i have two more small spacers left above the stem. just in the last couple rides this week did i find that i am comfortable holding the brake/shifter housing and this also gives me the ability to keep a finger on the brakes when needed. i have basically just fit this bike like my mountain bikes.
-cheers
the only time i have been in the drops is riding solo into the wind. i raised the bars some when i got the bike used off ebay, but i think i will raise it a little more. i have two more small spacers left above the stem. just in the last couple rides this week did i find that i am comfortable holding the brake/shifter housing and this also gives me the ability to keep a finger on the brakes when needed. i have basically just fit this bike like my mountain bikes.
-cheers
