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-   -   Bad habits (https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/193983-bad-habits.html)

Coyote! 05-14-06 12:36 PM

OK, here's one I finally broke myself of after several near misses.

It goes like this. You're on a quiet road and hear [and then see in your mirror] a car coming up behind. You ease just a little to the right if you've got the room and let them pass. THEN you ease back to the left, dropping kinda' into the car's wake. . .ONLY to find there was a second vehicle behind the first!!! D@mn!

As I say. . .I finally stopped that maneuver.

grolby 05-14-06 12:43 PM

Looking down at my chainrings to see if I've downshifted from big to middle. This isn't because I'm a moron, it's because my set up was half-step and granny until maybe a week and a half ago, and it was sometimes difficult to tell if I had actually downshifted. I almost smeared myself across the back of a van doing this, so I'm trying to break the habit. Besides, the jump between my middle and big chainrings is now 12 teeth, so I can't miss it when I downshift.

The Rob 05-14-06 01:42 PM

Looking down, trying to identify odd drive-train noises. This is sure to bite me in the a$$ one day.

Maelstrom 05-14-06 01:42 PM


Originally Posted by DigitalQuirk
Taking my hands off the handlebars and riding hands-free.

Doing wheelies and catwalks with my mountain bike.

I'm probably too old to be doing stuff like that.

Blasphemy...you are never to old.

Maelstrom 05-14-06 01:43 PM


Originally Posted by RobCat
Looking down, trying to identify odd drive-train noises. This is sure to bite me in the a$$ one day.

I do that, or did. I used to do it when riding single track. I actually ended up in an accident because of it.

donnamb 05-14-06 03:54 PM

Not drinking enough water.

Get distracted by:

interesting bikes/xtracycles/trailers
attractive males on bikes
cute dogs on paths and sidewalks
interesting/attractive plants along the ride
boats on the river
things people are wearing that might be handknitted

Coyote! 05-14-06 04:30 PM

Well, here's another one that it only took ONE time to cure myself.

Ok, I'm bopping down the road and a pretty little red leaf gets caught in my front brake. It goes, "bzzzzzzzz". Well I reach down to extract it and three fingers get caught between the pad and rim. . .sending a fourth finger into the spokes. It goes, "BZZZZZZZZ-SON-OF-A-B!TCH!!!" and after coming to a leisurely stop I pull out a bloody mess. Nice scar.

Once is all it takes.

the beef 05-14-06 05:01 PM

Staring at the speedometer. I almost got into a 40 mph crash coming down a hill because of it.

MetalClydesdale 05-15-06 10:22 PM

My current bad habits are pushing myself too hard trying to get back to the shape I used to be in and chasing gorgeous women in tight spandex.

My former bad habits were far worse, running stop signs, drafting logging trucks, bunnying curbs and picking fights with better cyclists than myself only to get my legs torn off.

Ok, I still do that last one. ;)

Maelstrom 05-15-06 10:40 PM

I don't like to climb. I would rather hike a bike then ride up some stuff...My thrills come from the downhill...

Cavedog 05-16-06 08:54 AM

Bad Habit
 
-Focusing on getting to my destination at the expense of the world around me. I.E., -not- stopping to smell the flowers.

-Yelling at drivers. I'm gonna get my butt stomped one of these days. Or worse.

-Weaving, looking down to stretch my neck, peeking down oncoming female riders tops and almost headering into a tree....

wabbit 05-16-06 03:45 PM

hahah... i always get a kick out of that when i unzip on a hot day and see the guys going in the opposite direction looking....i could have no teeth for all they care or look like shemp and they'd still oogle. But I'm just as guilty of oogling.

I actually did stop the other day because I heard this honking noise and looked up and saw a flock of canada geese!

genec 05-16-06 04:48 PM


Originally Posted by wabbit
hahah... i always get a kick out of that when i unzip on a hot day and see the guys going in the opposite direction looking....i could have no teeth for all they care or look like shemp and they'd still oogle. But I'm just as guilty of oogling.

Jeeze... you gals do this on purpose... oh man we don't have a chance do we. Heck yeah we look... and now I find out that you do it just for kicks.

Well, I never...
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Actually I probably did. :D

gawnfishin 05-16-06 05:17 PM

I ride a bike made in Tiawan. (sp?)
I don't really care how I look when I'm riding
I really fixate on female "bottom brackets"
I have never had a photo of my bike taken or me on my bike or me in my non-matching non-team clothing
I still live & ride in Louisiana

sunlike_lady 05-17-06 04:05 AM

how about counting the cars that pass by.... that's awful!

stapfam 05-17-06 05:19 AM


Originally Posted by MetalClydesdale
My current bad habits are pushing myself too hard trying to get back to the shape I used to be in and chasing gorgeous women in tight spandex.

Now when you get into shape- you'll be able to catch them- Then what do you do?

(Gorgeous from the back is often the best view)

Blackberry 05-17-06 06:17 AM

My bad habit--reading this message board when I should be on my bike.

The Rob 05-17-06 08:33 PM


Originally Posted by Maelstrom
I don't like to climb. I would rather hike a bike then ride up some stuff...My thrills come from the downhill...

Not fond of climbing either, but I used to mash up the wall outside our apartment every day...until I got the $160 bill for a new cassette and chain (and labor, of course). That's a bad habit: Grinding your drive-train and your bank balance down in the course of salving a fragile ego. I walk it up these days (well, most days).

MetalClydesdale 05-17-06 09:13 PM


Originally Posted by stapfam
Now when you get into shape- you'll be able to catch them- Then what do you do?

Usually check for wedding rings. I'm not sure why but it seems I rarely see good looking woman on a bike who isn't also wearing a wedding ring. Maybe it's a trick to keep from being hit on by hyper-agressive rodie's.:D

If there isn't a ring, then I usually try to stay even with them and look cool until they get tired of me and take off.

mechBgon 05-17-06 09:27 PM

Making motor noises when accelerating. WHERE did I get this one from?! :eek:

Sometimes following vehicles a bit closer than I ought to.

Using the big-to-big combo ALL the time for stoplight launches, and doing rear upshifts without easing up on the pedals much. Although hey, it's my equipment I'm hammering...


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