Originally Posted by
kendall
I'm certain you're overestimating the distance on that. Longest side on the triangle is 3 miles at the absolute max.
Stick on main roads and dont dress like a hood.
I grew up in San Francisco's TL, and would hang out with friends in the triangle to take a break.
Ken.
I pretty sure I am as well, but it's not specifically the iron triangle, more the remnants of it. I go to high school at Bishop O'Dowd if you have any where that is.
Originally Posted by
sci_femme
Hmmmm, lessee...
Given you are 15, I should be about your Mom's age. Aside from her emotional investment in you she has good reason to be nervous, not neurotic. Let's review the evidence, shall we?
I skirt pretty gritty neighbourhood myself, on the other side of the country. I saw a .22 shell on a sidewalk. I have been shooed off by a police officer to a sidestreet to take a detour during a day-long stand-off. Due to broken glass bottles and other k-rap if I have two weeks between flats - I am doing superb. Freeway underpasses are a separate story - hold your breath...
I ride just ahead of rush hour on main streets, to ensure plenty of eyes but not much traffic yet, and vary my riding days. You will be a regular target, like a clockwork, twice a day, every day, and this is my main problem.
Take a longer route. It is not quite clear if it is 20mi RT or one way. 10 mi one way is good exercise and will take about 35-40 min, comparable to most school bus rides, 20 mi one way is nearly unsustainable.
AND WEAR A HELMET!!!!!
Ride Safe and Have fun
SF
Originally Posted by
meanwhile
The real danger isn't your riding into a gang fight, but someone mugging you for the bike. It's not an unrealistic fear, especially if the bike is obvious thief-bait. A lot would depend here on the exact route - how busy it is and how visible you would be, etc.
Originally Posted by
chipcom
1. Dress in a manner where you will not draw undue attention to yourself...no spandex, no wild jerseys, no fancy helmets, no fancy shoes, no fancy bike.
2. Always act like you know what you are doing and like you belong there.
3. Pay attention to your environment...avoid trouble when spotted or even if you just feel hinky.
4. Mind your own business
As long as you don't look like a potential victim or a potential threat or a potential dickhead, you'll be fine - in any neighborhood.
These are all good suggestions, and I don't wear my chamois to school. Some of the jocks would go ballistic.
So what I'm seeing really is just don't act or dress like a target and mind my own business. Seems simple enough.