Originally Posted by
genec
Oh, so being a few feet further out will help you when "a vehicle suddenly approaches..." and you swerve out of the way right into that motorist passing you on the left... Yeah! So much safer!
Ride in the left wheel track. When approaching a driveway/business entrance. More visibility for you, and anyone coming out of the driveway/business entrance.
Originally Posted by
genec
Bottom line, cycling can be dangerous anywhere you are on two wheels. I fall about every time I go on rough off road trails. Not a car in sight. Ohhhh the danger. I have fallen on well built bike paths... hit a bunch of small, dark jewelry beads... they were like ball bearings. Any cyclist on the road has to maintain 360 degree situational awareness... what's happening in front of you, at the next intersection, at the left oncoming lane, the parked car next to you, and in front of you... any any approaching traffic behind you, in your lane AND the lane next to that lane.
It is how you acclimate yourself, and react to those risks. That can play a part in your survivability. Yes, A cyclist has to maintain 360 degree situational awareness at all times.
Originally Posted by
genec
HOWEVER... ride on a sidepath, and all the action is in front of you... until you come to an intersection... as you approach, you look around. Of course if there is a driveway every 100 feet, well you may as well be on the road. But if you have a mile or more of sidepath... that's a mile of not staring at a mirror. Even a 1/4 mile of not watching for overtaking traffic is relaxing.
On a sidepath, anything can still happen. From a chunk out of the riding surface(or when I hit a traffic light foundation, when a traffic light had been moved, but the old foundation left in place). To an animal suddenly appearing out of nowhere.
Originally Posted by
genec
I have done plenty of long trips on long isolated country roads (of course no sidepath, and often little shoulder) and the indication of approaching traffic was being able to hear those tires from a long way back... but between those rare vehicle approaches... there were wonderful long gaps of stress free cycling. Cycling that is like heaven.
You just glide along care free... seriously "
Just
Riding
Along."
I get small similar
JRA "shots" when riding on good paths and some local, available sidepaths. JRA. (sorry, city folks.)
I don't hear the tires, but the engines, from a fair distance.
Originally Posted by
genec
Being vehicular, on the typical non-country road, requires constant focus and vigilance.
It is a totally different feeling. Sure, you get good, you stay alert, and you live.
But it isn't JRA!
The same thing applies to riding in urban/surburban traffic.
Originally Posted by
genec
Truth be told, I'll take the long, quiet, isolated, country journey anytime. (spinning for hours, up and down hill and dale
) But you gotta get to the country to have such a ride.
I have been on country rides before. Yes, It is less traffic-populated. But the situational awareness cannot be any less. Because the risk of animals being in the road, goes up.