puma

On Your Left x5,x10, x20…

When was the last time I took matters into my own hands? When did I do something solely for myself but for the benefit of all? When did I last take a risk? When was the last time someone looked at me with green jealousy and black anger? Yesterday.
When will it happen again? The next time I hop on a piece of aluminum attached to two wheels and dive into congested urban traffic. Every time I take my sleek “bianchi green” cannondale onto the pavement I’m taking a risk, I’m actively making a statement, I’m upsetting every driver on the road, and having a wonderful time. For all those indoor spinners, park trail faithfuls, and even mountain bikers expand your horizons and hit the road. Follow the more traveled path and see it in a whole new light. Urban riding offers more thrills, challenges, and new experiences than any other pastime.
Since Lance Armstrong first won the Tour de France in ‘99 prospects for the American cycling circuit have soared from an almost underground existence to making the sight of a fit jerseyed cyclist on Clayton Rd. a common occurrence. But why all the honking and animosity? Why do most people prefer the safety of a lame park trail to the excitement and rush of the road? Despite what Lance and his predecessor Greg Lemond have done for us, most people still prefer the trail of a city or national park. I’ve tried to figure this out, but I refuse to believe the conclusions I’ve come to, that my fellow Americans are lazy wimps who can only enjoy the rush of a roller coaster at the proverbial American amusement park and prefer the lightweight recreation of the 5-mile loop around a park. According to national polls bicycling is America’s number one sport; where is everyone? Perhaps they remember the joy of riding as a kid, still putting that pleasure at the top of their list but haven’t figured out how to mature their interest. Let me persuade you that the average cyclist is proud and haughty for no reason. We know something that you do not.
Ever been envious of a pair of chiseled legs? Cyclists never have. Ever sighed at the saying, “Someone who takes a risk may not live long, but someone who never takes a risk doesn’t live at all.” Cyclists have not. Ever known what it feels like to go 50mph at the expense of your own strength. Cyclist have. I’d wager that most people would love to be fit, risk takers, and the envy of others, but do not see cycling as the way to go about it and I’ll admit there are a few crucial obstacles that must be conquered before hitting the road.
Safety, being the number one opponent to road riding, should not be taken lightly but achieving it is not the impossible. Remember how after actually getting your driver’s license increased your confidence ten fold and driving no longer had as much of an element of fear as it did before. In fact, the more driving the easier it got. Biking is the same way. It takes common sense, basic traffic rules and a lot of self-confidence. You are more likely to get hurt if you think it is going to happen. Most commuters from the college student to the professional often find their moment of hesitation to be their last. True some people should never be allowed near the black pavement, setting a horrible standard for the road cyclist. A biker going against traffic or riding down the middle of a lane not only potentially endangers themselves but generates a hatred for anyone pumping their legs over 20 lbs of metal, as well as increasing the fear of the potential road rider. It only takes one bad move for an opponent to disclaim an already despised sport. If you are lacking in the self-confidence department, cycling is great way to boost it. I’m not saying you will go out there like a deer in head lights and come out a bike messenger, but learning basic rules to urban riding and using common sense will promote your skill and enjoyment of a satisfying ride.
Fitness tends to be the second big red flag excuse for sticking to the gym or the park. Everyone can ride and you don’t have to have the physical strength to ride as fast as car to be legally on the street. You’ll never be that fats and no one expects it. We all learned at an early age to balance our weight on two wheels, why abandon it because that big hill up ahead might make your heart feel like it is going to burst and slow you down to a mere 5 mph. All the better. If we have learned anything from Lance, a four-time Tour winner and cancer survivor, it is that anyone can ride and ride well. Biking is not about being in shape it is about getting in shape. No one starts off a racer but if desired it can happen. The more you ride the fitter you get, the faster you get, and the more envious the driver’s around you will be. If nothing else has convinced, ride to support your high-carb diet. Even an hour ride at 10 mph will burn about 500 calories. Ride and Burn!
A driver’s vengeance often scares the hopeful roadie. But what a better way to get back at the same person who probably cut in front of you in rush hour traffic or drove past you so fast that your car rocked than annoying him or her with your legal right to share the road. Honking your horn or flashing your lights will not phase your four-wheeled opponent; but making them share a lane with a bike will keep them cursing for hours. The beautiful thing about road biking is that you have all the privileges of a car but the rights of a pedestrian. No one wants, “hit a pedestrian ticket” on their insurance. Go ahead and take advantage of the right that the Department of Transportation gave you: ride.
There are a lot of rules to play and follow in road cycling. Road riding challenges you, promotes a non-oil dependent community, enhances fitness, boosts self-confidence, and ups physical endurance. Be hipper and fitter. We have caught Europe’s attention by winning “their” sport, so saddle up on a seat of hard leather and pedal! Join the growing population of urban cyclists and for the first time feel fully confident about a life-changing decision.

Chris L

Actually, there are statistics all over the place to say that safety is a big benefit of riding on the road. Safer than riding on bike paths, safer than driving a car on the road, safer than being a couch potato! Having done over 100,000km of this in virtually all sorts of conditions, the only thing that surprises me about this is that people who partake in far more dangerous activities as a matter of course still find reason to question my actions.

orguasch

I will still ride my bike inspite of all the danger that ride along it

TandemGeek

Did you write this piece just for this list or was it something you previously wrote for another purpose and decided to share?

Just curious if there was a target audience / purpose other than sharing your thoughts with us.

Pete Clark

Puma:

Will you post here again?

VegasCyclist

I find it interesting when people think that they are somehow safer when in a car, than on a bike.....

my reply to those people? we're all going to die someday

nice post puma... I did enjoy it

puma

It was a persuasive essay that I had to "publish"
My facts and opinions, I'm sure are debatable, but oh well
I just love to ride, so I wrote about it.

hayneda

Well spoken.

The myth of "how dangerous" road riding is, is perpetrated by the motoring organizations and naturally takes hold due to peoples normal fear of that which they cannot see--overtaking traffic. While it's certainly not "comfortable" to be passed two feet away by a 3000lb machine going 50 mph or more, there is nothing all that unsafe about it. If anyone is worried about being hit while road cycling, they should pay attention to intersections where the vast majority of accidents (involving either cars or bike) take place.

Dave

VegasCyclist

indeed, however it seems like more people believe that in their 2 ton vehicle they are wearing some coat of armor.... and while on a bike you are lacking the "armor"

although in the same respect people seem to be more careless in cars, and move faster increasing the engery of the impact. sure you can get injuried or die in either situation... but again we're all going to die someday

nick1111

Does the same apply to standing on the edge of a 100-story building.

Anders K

Did you guys win???

georgesnatcher

My worst crashes where I was injured were all with a mtb on trails. Yes I have crashed on the roads but those have been more road rash type injuries. The two times I ended up in a hospital were off road.
To me not riding is risky. I was on the "road" to a heart attack before I took up riding again. When I did have a heart problem both the Doctor and my partner both said that cycling probably saved my life.