BQ article on Ghost Riding - just say no!
10-17-18, 11:05 AM
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Did it when I recovered a stolen bike. I had been out on a ride and noticed my stolen bike leaning against a house on the edge of town.
Notified the residents that I was taking my bike back and ghost rode it home. No one tried to stop me.
Notified the residents that I was taking my bike back and ghost rode it home. No one tried to stop me.
10-17-18, 01:06 PM
#27
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Anyone doing this has much better reflexes or a curious lack of imagination regarding that time-honored question: "what could go wrong?"
Anything and everything, that's what. Make sure ya got your insurance premiums paid up
DD
10-17-18, 01:12 PM
#28
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I have not ghost ridden with a bike in a long time but have ghost ridden a bicycle with my 125 motorcycle in Cambodia but that is risky also so I just strap'em on the back now.
IMG_20180918_144102726_HDR by Bwilli88, on Flickr
IMG_20180918_144102726_HDR by Bwilli88, on Flickr
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Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...
Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...
10-17-18, 01:43 PM
#30
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Amateurs 
(Not mine btw)
I have found it easy/impossible depending on the bike being transported. On my own tall bike it's next to impossible to bring another smaller bike, especially if it is as twitchy as a road bike.
On the other hand, low-trail bikes that track steadily like Dutch 'oma' bikes (example above) are really easy.
(Not mine btw)
I have found it easy/impossible depending on the bike being transported. On my own tall bike it's next to impossible to bring another smaller bike, especially if it is as twitchy as a road bike.
On the other hand, low-trail bikes that track steadily like Dutch 'oma' bikes (example above) are really easy.
Ben
10-17-18, 03:26 PM
#31
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I did it once about a decade ago when I busted the chain on my brifter road bike (before my CV awakening) while wearing bike shoes with speed-play cleats, so walking the bike was actually waddling. About 1 mile from home I went by a "free bike" (A Schwinn Mesa runner with Free Sign) ) that was in need of TLC but rideable. I took off my bike shoes and strapped them to the rack on the MTB and ghost rode the last mile in stocking feet, in addition to the ghost ride I got some ghost shifting from the rusty dry MTB drive train. I stuck to back roads and probably wouldn't have done it but for the seeming necessity at the time. That free bike later became a project I built for my then (now ex) wife. As has been said above I survived but probably wouldn't do it again.
Ghost bike as found
I didn't know about drive side shots back then!
After refurb
Ladies like a basket
Ghost bike as found
I didn't know about drive side shots back then!
After refurb
Ladies like a basket
Last edited by ryansu; 10-17-18 at 03:32 PM.
10-17-18, 03:32 PM
#32
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(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
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(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
10-17-18, 03:36 PM
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I didn't think thsi was ghost riding. I thought that was when you sent your bike off downhill without anyone on it.
10-17-18, 04:08 PM
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I have done it and will only do it again if 1) I'm on flat terrain 2) with no traffic 3) am not in a hurry.
I was scared to ride much faster than a walking pace anyway. Ghost riding is spooky!
I was scared to ride much faster than a walking pace anyway. Ghost riding is spooky!
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
10-17-18, 09:41 PM
#35
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Funny, I often find myself shaking my head at the proclamations of Mr. Heine but I enjoyed this one.
At the shop where I worked in Santa Cruz we used to deliver bikes this way during the day-before-Christmas rush when there were just too many bikes for the boss to deliver them all with his van. No injuries reported during my tenure.
We use this method quite often for getting the second bike to the pit at cyclocross races.
Somehow I've managed to make it to the ripe old age of 66 while engaging in this sort of behavior. Some of my non-bicycling friends seem to think that just riding a bicycle is taking your life in your hands. To each his/her own.
Brent
At the shop where I worked in Santa Cruz we used to deliver bikes this way during the day-before-Christmas rush when there were just too many bikes for the boss to deliver them all with his van. No injuries reported during my tenure.
We use this method quite often for getting the second bike to the pit at cyclocross races.
Somehow I've managed to make it to the ripe old age of 66 while engaging in this sort of behavior. Some of my non-bicycling friends seem to think that just riding a bicycle is taking your life in your hands. To each his/her own.
Brent
10-18-18, 11:31 AM
#36
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I bought a bike for its crank one time. Tires wouldn’t hold air but had planned on ghost riding it home over a mile away. I had to hold the front end up slightly for the wheel to turn. It was the longest mile I’ve ever ridden and my shoulder was damn sore afterwards.
Gugie’s comment about riding one and walking back to ride the other one reminds me of an old car commercial...
Gugie’s comment about riding one and walking back to ride the other one reminds me of an old car commercial...
10-18-18, 09:01 PM
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
10-18-18, 09:26 PM
#39
aka: Mike J.
If I’ve done it then I survived, but as others have said - not recommended.
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10-19-18, 12:23 AM
#40
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Done it a number of times when younger & suffered no consequences, but I'm older now and have since had a radial fracture of my humerus, so would avoid the practice. Don
10-19-18, 01:51 AM
#41
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How typical that this guy has an opinion on the best way to push a spare bike. I bet he suggests doing drills. Has he recommended a tire pressure or F-R weigh distribution for the unloaded bike? How supple must its sidewalls be? Will it “plane”?
10-21-18, 11:47 AM
#42
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I've probably ghost-ridden 200 bikes over the years, the longest jaunt was an uphillish 16 miles after abandoning a training ride to visit a yard sale out of town!
I've tossed one, due to the bike taking on a hop with the steering flailing as I tried to hold up the front of the bike by it's stem. It was a Goodwill Miyata One-Ten find, so no great loss since the damage was mild.
I wiped out while ghost riding a mountain bike I was donating to a co-worker who was car-less. The handlebars contacted each other and I lost some skin off my elbow and needed a few stitches.
So beware of subtle/hidden bumps at speed!
Prevent any near-contact of handlebars!
Don't lift up to control the steering, this makes the bike less stable!
Jan is following in Grant's footsteps iir, and in both cases I saw no warnings accompanying the article or video.
I've pushed many a bike home with flat tires. This is more difficult and can result in a dislodged tire.
Going down steeper hills can be tricky. Applying asymmetric knee force to the toptube can seemingly allow some increase in the steepness of descent.
Putting a blinkie on any bike that is being ghost-ridden seems prudent.
I've tossed one, due to the bike taking on a hop with the steering flailing as I tried to hold up the front of the bike by it's stem. It was a Goodwill Miyata One-Ten find, so no great loss since the damage was mild.
I wiped out while ghost riding a mountain bike I was donating to a co-worker who was car-less. The handlebars contacted each other and I lost some skin off my elbow and needed a few stitches.
So beware of subtle/hidden bumps at speed!
Prevent any near-contact of handlebars!
Don't lift up to control the steering, this makes the bike less stable!
Jan is following in Grant's footsteps iir, and in both cases I saw no warnings accompanying the article or video.
I've pushed many a bike home with flat tires. This is more difficult and can result in a dislodged tire.
Going down steeper hills can be tricky. Applying asymmetric knee force to the toptube can seemingly allow some increase in the steepness of descent.
Putting a blinkie on any bike that is being ghost-ridden seems prudent.
10-21-18, 01:46 PM
#43
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This is what I think ghost riding bikes is... wouldn't do it now but as kids I thought it was funny, especially if you did it to your friend's bike.
10-21-18, 02:49 PM
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More importantly however, the creator of that viddie should rethink the title, because we had some serious ghost rides once upon a time. Terrain assist? Maybe.
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
10-22-18, 11:14 AM
#45
Newbie
Ghost Riding (not on public roads)
This is a common method of getting a second bike to and from the pit for CX races. Not recommended for any type of riding with car traffic however for reasons of lack of control (access to both brakes)..
The Goats
The Goats
10-22-18, 11:19 AM
#46
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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10-22-18, 11:39 AM
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It's a useful skill if one of your buddies dismounts to answer a call of nature....you can take his bike several hundred meters down the road....
10-22-18, 01:57 PM
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Putting a blinkie on any bike that is being ghost-ridden seems prudent.
10-22-18, 02:53 PM
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My bike garage is 4 blocks from my house so I end up ghost riding bikes back and forth regularly. Haven't crashed or damaged a bike yet but do get accused of bieng a thief ocassionally.
- If bikes are unequal sizes then ride the smaller of the 2 unless one is a drop bar then ride the flat bar bike.
- If the ghost bike starts to wander then just lift the front wheel off the ground and get it back on track.