View Poll Results: How superstitious are you? Which of the following do you do, even if only occasionall
I avoid talk about not getting flats to prevent causing them



20
23.53%
I don't talk about crashing or catastrophic mechanical problems during or before an important ride



15
17.65%
I do not predict a ride will go successfully to avoid jinxing myself



15
17.65%
I have rituals (on or off the bike) to help all things go right



15
17.65%
I carry something for good luck



10
11.76%
I carry extra supplies (e.g. tubes) to prevent me from having problems in first place



47
55.29%
I think people who do any of these things are nitwits



32
37.65%
Other



11
12.94%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 85. You may not vote on this poll
How superstitious are you?
#1
Thread Starter
Portland Fred
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,553
Likes: 54
Bikes: Custom Winter, Challenge Seiran SL, Fuji Team Pro, Cattrike Road/Velokit, РOS hybrid
How superstitious are you?
I'm not talking about what you know intellectually. Rather, do you actually observe superstitious cycling practices to prevent bad luck or to cause good luck?
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Morro Bay, CA
Dunno if you call this superstition, but I believe every car is doing their best to kill me without making it look like it was their fault. It's my job to make sure they can't do it. Perhaps it's more of a healthy form of paranoia than a superstition.
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,257
Likes: 5
From: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON
Bikes: Bianchi, Miyata, Dahon, Rossin
I can't see any kind of flat inducing debris or pot holes until I'm within 5~10m of it.
I always have spare tubes and a repair kit on me when I ride.
latest flat I got was from a piece of bent scrap metal lying on the road.
probably was around 6in long and 2in wide. kicked it up with my front and punctured my rear.
I always have spare tubes and a repair kit on me when I ride.
latest flat I got was from a piece of bent scrap metal lying on the road.
probably was around 6in long and 2in wide. kicked it up with my front and punctured my rear.
__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
#9
trois, mon frère
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville/Miami, FL
Bikes: '01 Gary Fisher Wahoo, '08 Giant TCR C2
#11
I do have those little rituals before and after a ride. For instance, I always sacrafice a virgin before the ride. Always make the ride goes smooth. Evidence: The first time I did not sacrafice a virgin was yesterday. Yesterday was the first flat I have ever gotten.
#12
Mitcholo
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,850
Likes: 0
From: Oost Vlaanderen in mind, Cleveland in body
Bikes: 2010 Mitcholo w/ Sram Force/Red
I now NEVER drink anything but water or sport drink before a race.
I also take a dump on the way to the race. I leave too early from home base to pinch one off at max effort, and it's just bad juju to poo at the race.
I also take a dump on the way to the race. I leave too early from home base to pinch one off at max effort, and it's just bad juju to poo at the race.
#14
Thread Starter
Portland Fred
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,553
Likes: 54
Bikes: Custom Winter, Challenge Seiran SL, Fuji Team Pro, Cattrike Road/Velokit, РOS hybrid
#16
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
From: Cyclist hide away
Bikes: Beach crusier, Specialized FSR mt., retro Raleigh rebuild. Trek Madone 4.5, Schwinn steel frame Frankinstein. BMX rebuild, Specialized rock hopper,
It's all about the lucky socks ! End of conversation.
#19
Over the hill

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 24,625
Likes: 1,385
From: Los Angeles, CA
Bikes: Pinarello Nytro, Momentum Transend
I shave my legs on the day of a time trial.
I request the number 13 and pin it right side up.
I talk about flat tires and crashing while riding.
I always put my socks and shoes on left foot first.
I also don't win races
I request the number 13 and pin it right side up.
I talk about flat tires and crashing while riding.
I always put my socks and shoes on left foot first.
I also don't win races
__________________
It's like riding a bicycle
It's like riding a bicycle
#20
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 8,546
Likes: 5
From: Boulder, CO
Today I was out on the club ride, and the guy I toured with this summer was there too. I was riding my road bike, not my touring bike
I remarked to him "now I can say it, I didn't get a single flat on that whole tour" (2400 miles of loaded touring).
90 minutes later.... yeah. flat tire. first one all year. sigh.
I remarked to him "now I can say it, I didn't get a single flat on that whole tour" (2400 miles of loaded touring).
90 minutes later.... yeah. flat tire. first one all year. sigh.
#22
Elite Fred

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,953
Likes: 44
From: Edge City
Bikes: 2009 Spooky (cracked frame), 2006 Curtlo, 2002 Lemond (current race bike) Zurich, 1987 Serotta Colorado, 1986 Cannondale for commuting, a 1984 Cannondale on loan to my son
Never talk about crashing! This cannot be emphasized enough. Talking about flats is the baby brother of this.
I always squeeze the front brake, then the back brake, and then bounce the front wheel twice before every ride. This includes commuting rides. I do this to make sure that neither brake cable is screwed up and that my front wheel quick release is secure. I have on occasion detected major problems before a ride by doing this that caused me to take a different bike that day. The reality is that I do it as an OC thing.
I don't ever talk about rides before I do them. If I could see the future I would use that for bigger financial gain.
I wear my HTFU wrist band on every non-commuting ride so it is my good luck charm. It reminds me to do the obvious. Also the last time I forgot to do so I had a horrible crash on a training ride and got to ride in an ambulance. That was also the first ride with a new pair of gloves, but I have ridden with those gloves since then without incident. The HTFU wrist band seems to be doing its job!
I always squeeze the front brake, then the back brake, and then bounce the front wheel twice before every ride. This includes commuting rides. I do this to make sure that neither brake cable is screwed up and that my front wheel quick release is secure. I have on occasion detected major problems before a ride by doing this that caused me to take a different bike that day. The reality is that I do it as an OC thing.
I don't ever talk about rides before I do them. If I could see the future I would use that for bigger financial gain.
I wear my HTFU wrist band on every non-commuting ride so it is my good luck charm. It reminds me to do the obvious. Also the last time I forgot to do so I had a horrible crash on a training ride and got to ride in an ambulance. That was also the first ride with a new pair of gloves, but I have ridden with those gloves since then without incident. The HTFU wrist band seems to be doing its job!







