Stinger9oh

A few hours ago I had seat post failure on the top of a fairly remote mountain road. The shock of feeling the bottom fall out made me think that my frame was failing. I lost control and decided to make for a shallow ditch filled with redwood duff. The vegetation on the berm also helped with a soft landing so that there was no damage to me or my bike. Bless the redwoods!

Once I figured out what happened, I started looking for the parts of the seat mount. I found the two plates and the culprit: a broken mount bolt. Then I knew that the rest of my ride would not be as planned. The descent is steep and winding; I just did not feel safe trying to do it standing or sitting on the top tube. So I decided to walk. Hooray for cleat covers!

There is very little traffic on this road and it was about a half hour after the incident that a motorcycle came by and stopped immediately. The motorcyclist handed me his cell phone before I could even ask. What a good person. However, because of the remote location we couldn't get a connection. He promised to call my friend as soon as he was down on the flats. Sure enough, about 40 minutes later I spotted my friend driving up as I was walking down.

This is not the first time that a motorcyclist has offered me help. Once I was fixing a flat in a remote area nearing sundown. A passing motorcyclist stopped to offer help. He offered to take me home so that I could get my car. I told him that I only had a few more strokes of the pump and I would be on my way. I am really grateful to these motorcyclists who were ready to take action to help me out. God bless motorcyclists.

Rich

anikuma

Thats agreat story. Where do you live?! I have to plan my move back home soon. Cycling and rowing friendly area preffered

smoore

Anikuma,
For cyling AND rowing you want to move to Gainesville, GA. Some of the greatest cycling (and motorcycling) roads in the country, home of the this year's world kayaking championships and venue for the summer Olympic rowing events. I love it.
Steve

Laggard

I tend to have sympathy for motorcyclists. They're in the same boat as us. Getting doored, cut off, ignored and in general not seen.

I don't have sympathy for 145 db Harleys though.

anikuma

Not a bad idea, I am leaning to onatrio, Onatario rowing assoc. seems to have their act together. Hopefully I can get some coaching in too. My brother adives me not to go to GA, out of humor.

Stinger9oh

I live in Watsonville, CA, between Santa Cruz and Monterey. Cycling is great around here, but no rowing, I think, because we are right on the ocean. However, the whole San Francisco Bay area is very cycling friendly and I'd imagine the bay gets a lot of rowing groups.

Rich

anikuma

I know there are few people on the board from the toronto area. How are the rides in that area?

wabbit

Stinger9, isn't watsonville the place where they grow all the strawberries?

I find that motorcyclists, even the toughest- looking ones give us the least amount of problems on the road. THey never yell or curse at you, they give a wide berth, never hassle you and even sometimes smile! I notice they wave at each other- like cyclists!

Stinger9oh

Yes, indeedy! Also, raspberries, blackberries, as well as artichokes, brussels sprouts, mushrooms, and any thing else that likes cool ocean air. Do Watsonville strawberries make it all the way up to Canada?

It is definitely an area of agricultural contrasts. With the help of toxic fumigation, strawberries are produced 9 months of the year. On the other hand, Watsonville and the surrounding areas have one of the highest concentration of organic farms in the USA.

Thanks for asking, Wabbit.

Rich

Merckxrider

In a descent, a bicycle is a motorcycle without an engine. At least this is what it feels like on twisting back country roads at 40 mph.

chip

You see a lot of small motorcycles In third world countries
they may be more danderous If hit by a auto..they take
up less room easier on gas maybe more people should do that In north america