Haven't been posting for a while, but I'm still riding. Sad to see all the hatin' on riding around Atlanta. My biggest complaint is road condition. My commute takes me through East Atlanta, Reynoldstown, Old 4th Ward, Midtown, Piedmont Park to around Ansley. There are ways to avoid most of the worst streets. That said, this afternoon on the way home, I just busted it right down Peachtree St., mostly to avoid the aftermath of the Dogwood festival in the park. And it was awesome. School buses, police cars and people that live in the suburbs are the worst to ride around in that order. If anyone needs help avoiding bad streets in those areas, I'd be happy to try and help.

"anyone ride at the ga cup event this weekend. in brook/senoia."

I was ticked! You guys went right behind my house - but I had funeral duty couldn't be out there with the cowbell. Cursed priorities!!!

Time for me to gripe, which I seldom do. :rolleyes:
When is the GDOT or whomever going to clean the sand from the roads that they dumped on the roads last January after the "BIG" snow? Too many times I'm "forced over" by a passing motorist into that crap. Kinda hard to ride in it with my 700x23 tires. :notamused:


Reply: Don't hold your breath Ron.

Hey everyone.
Haven't been on in a while.
Saw a cyclist this morning on Mt Vernon. Went right past the line of traffic. At least he stopped at the light. A guy I saw a couple days ago went past the line (on Abernathy), slowed at the red light and then went right on thru.
Also saw a guy with no helmet on.
Just shook my head all 3 times. Maybe its just me.

I see a guy who works in the "bike shop" at REI (Atlanta) riding without a helmet all the time. You'd think that he'd know better. Go figure.

I'm a relatively new Atlanta cyclist (86 Sekai Competition, red/blue handlebar tape-If you ever see me gimme a hollar!)
I really have to reccomend a bike shop called Atlanta Bike Tech on Howell Mill by the post office (I think). The man who works there (and owns it, I think) couldnt be any nicer. No pretentiousness like some of the other atlanta bike shops.
Critical Mass TOMORROW! My first, I'm so excited!

Maybe you should participate in some bike safety advocacy instead of pointing out perceived faults in fellow cyclists. Not all cyclists are as safe as they should be, some are down right reckless but I have never heard that there was a consensus as to the only way to ride in traffic.

Some riders, myself included, believe that moving to the front of the line of traffic at a light is safer then waiting in line. By moving to the front you become more visible and are able to move through the intersection quicker.

Also there are many out there that feel rolling safely through a stop or red light is also a better way for cyclists to deal with intersections. There is even a law allowing cyclists to do so in some states. Here is an informative video produced when Oregon was trying to change the law a year or two ago.

Helmets, that's another debate all together. If you think it makes you safer then wear one, whether or not someone else wears one only effects them.

A bicycle is a vehicle and a cyclist is supposed to obey the same laws as a motorist. Cars and motorcycles don't move to the front of the line. Wait your turn at an intersection just as when you're driving.

If any of you have questions or concerns about safety or the law, contact the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition.

I am not an advocate for flaunting laws.

Bicycles are traffic but they are not the same as cars or motorcycles and here in Georgia as well as across the country there are a separate sets of laws aimed at cyclists. A place like a user forum seems to me a great place to discuss how these laws work for us and the limitations they may have being that that were written in a car centric environment. If you don't agree with me that's fine but why do you need to single out people that are riding "wrong"?

I am an extremely safe rider, commute 3000+ miles on my bike every year, I keep up to date with the ABC, compulsively study bike safety and bike etiquette. I wait in line at lights when it is unsafe to pass or be passed, I signal my lane changes and turns, I wear a helmet and ride with bright lights. But I also sometimes yield at stop signs and red lights, frequently ride in the center of traffic lanes and every once in awhile even ride on the sidewalk. I voice my concerns to local lawmakers and bike advocates with the hope that we collectively can create roads that are more safe and efficient for bicycles and cars (and pedestrians). And I discuss ideas at bikeforums.net.

Just a heads up for those who ride the bike path from Decatur, Avondale, or east Atlanta to Stone Mountain.
The county or GDOT has installed a 3-way stop on the east side of the I-285 overpass on Church St in Clarkston. Traffic moving both ways on Church St. will now have to stop in addition to the traffic exiting I-285. There has always been a stop sign at the top of the ramp.
The sign "unveiling" will be tomorrow (May 3) so be prepared to stop. I'm sure the Clarkston or Dekalb County police will be monitoring the intersection. :eek:

And who are you to call me out with your self-righteous attitude?

You obviously are a model citzen and model cyclist. Too bad we can't all be like you. Your attitude is part of the reason why people don't get into cycling and why motorists have problems with cyclists.

Why is riding past the big church in Clarkston (Clarkston International Bible) such a mess, regardless of what day?
On Sunday there are the after church crowds. During the week there is the mass exodus after the English classes. Everyone thinks the street behind the church is a giant sidewalk and parking lot. It's part of the bike path. I've given up on riding through that section when the crowds are there. :notamused:

I mostly stay on the Silver Comet. Haven't found many other places around the ATL that are enjoyable to ride.

What happened to summer? Kind of cold today. Had to close most of the windows and turn off the ceiling fans. :o
Saw a guy riding on N. Decatur Rd. wearing a hi-viz jacket and full finger gloves. Is it that cold?

This is a longshot but.......I saw a group out this morning about 5:30a, heading east on Mt Vernon Road, just east of Vermack. Does anyone happen to know who it might be?? There were about 8-10 riders I think.

Madras Thursday Night Ride for all you folks.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=...118382454&ap=1

It's fast, but all are welcome. 6:00PM tonight and every Thursday until the end of DST.

Could be this group. The ride is on the SBL ride calendar. They ride Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday mornings.

"5:30 am ON THE DARK SIDE (2NE - Dunwoody High School)

Headlights and taillights required! Meet at Dunwoody High School. This is a "Hang of Drop" ride. Train at 23+ mph with the "A" group or at 20+ mph with the "B" group. It is a 4 x 6 mile circuit, so ride length can be shortened for individual needs. Ride goes regardless of temperature. No ride if raining. Go to DunwoodyCycling.com to learn about other early morning training rides. Check to confirm holiday schedule changes. For more information, visit our website DunwoodyCycling.com, or email Martin, or call 770-352-0860."

Great Ron, thanks!

I'm finally riding the Comet regularly again. For the most part, I ride Cobb during the week and try to stay in Paulding/Polk on the weekends (since the Cobb section is way too crowded). There's one intersection, I believe around the 15 mile mark that always bugs me. It's a 4-way stop and I never have any problems with the cars stopping. The main problem is they wont f****** go. They'll get to the sign WAY before me, but just sit there. I have wave them through, sometimes a couple times, before they'll go. Does anyone else have this problem? Traffic laws and traffic laws and whether I'm on a bicycle or not, if they get to the stop sign first, they need to go first.

They're just being nice..... :)

Yes I've had the same problem at that intersection. In the interest of improving the overall traffic flow, especially behind the overly-polite (idiot) driver, I usually take him or her up on the offer. But cautiously. This behavior isn't unique to the Comet. I've seen it at other places too. But it is dangerous for the driver to encourage behavior that is counter to the usual right-of-way laws: dangerous for all concerned. I really wish they wouldn't do that.

whew finally got back on the road today. been a long time recovering since 2/2. was fun (the ride not the recovery). I had forgotten how much fun. did a quick 7 mile loop around the 'hood. have utterly lost all my bike legs during the recovery. have to rebuild. should be fun.
I had a few dings/dents in the bike from the accident but not until I got home did I realize there were a few other things loose on it. I did check the bike over and had a tune up (wheels were a mess and needed professional attention.) after the accident but missed a few things. now I have a most annoying click in rear axle that WAS NOT there before the accident, I swear. grrr... do I dump good money on this low end bike or do I bite the bullet and get a new one? last fall I was out looking at cannondales (son has one and raves about it) and Jamis' unfortunately the accident set back a lot of plans and cleaned out the savings too. bummer that part. so I will be hunting for a while before I can buy anything. oh fun.
At least for a while I am able to ride on my bike. will see if I can do the commute sooner than later.

Glad you're back to riding. :thumb:

You weren't riding the trainer while recovering to stay in shape?

Yeah, it's also a liability thing. If I go and they run into me, it's my fault, because they were at the stop sign first. And I suppose I just don't trust drivers that much. Ah, well. Just one thing we have to put up with whether we like it or not.

I'd say that depends on two things: 1) The frame on your current bike (does it fit well, do you like how it looks, does it seem durable, is it made of the material you prefer, etc.) 2) Do you enjoy fixing up old things?

I love taking old bikes and fixing them up. So if I liked the frame, I'd keep it and start swapping components.

unfortunately the shoulder hurt so much I didn't ride on trainer. doc also forgot to mention it when he said no riding.... my bad for not asking. oh well back to the drawing board. two rides this weekend and today is a rest day. more like a pooped day. am amazed I was riding 22 miles/day everyday and never thought twice about it and still put in 8 hour work day. my two piddling little rides this weekend and I can barely stand up. bleh. onward.

For those of you that ride the Freedom/Stone Mountain bike path a lot, how safe would you say it is (in terms of crime)? This past Spring my friend and I rode it a few times from GA Tech to Stone Mountain but I've never ridden by myself. My friend won't be at Tech in the fall, so I'll have to train alone, and I just got a road bike so I'd like to build up the mileage. And I'm looking at my class schedule and it seems like I'm either going to have to train in the morning or in the afternoon.

I'd have to wake up at 5:30 AM if I wanted to get a sufficiently good ride in, but this early in Atlanta? Are most of the thugs still asleep then?

Or I can ride around 3:00 PM, but it's kind of hot and I'm sure they're awake by then. Any advice?