... for sunday's Tour De Cure.
Took the day off yesterday. I had intended to get at least a mile or two so I wouldn't miss out on 20 points towards the National Bike Challenge but, it was good to be off the bike. First day off since the 12th of May. Not all hard days but a good string of intensity and one really long ride. Looks pretty silly compared to the PROs and their 200 mile ride. But they're Pro for a reason. I'm pro in other stuff. I just ride bikes, sometimes longer and faster than others but it is a recreation for me, not an occupation.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
200 not on 100 the film
As with most Todd and Chandler productions they take a long time to get from footage to final product.
This is pretty damn good though.
Grab a couple cups of coffee and kick back, turn up the sound and hit full screen. Keep an eye out for Chaboom.
200 Not On 100 from cycloWHAT? on Vimeo.
This is pretty damn good though.
Grab a couple cups of coffee and kick back, turn up the sound and hit full screen. Keep an eye out for Chaboom.
200 Not On 100 from cycloWHAT? on Vimeo.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Monday, May 27, 2013
A sunset ride...
as the temps are cooling down and just before the sun started setting,
i headed out on the black blue, needed to assess the impact of 140 miles or rain on the bike (rear shifting is janky and the bike is still dirty and the chain was a bit dry).
i headed out on the black blue, needed to assess the impact of 140 miles or rain on the bike (rear shifting is janky and the bike is still dirty and the chain was a bit dry).
Friday, May 24, 2013
as a post script to the ride to New London CT and back....
Wanted to add this as a bit of a post script, but felt it should stand alone after i started to let the words flow.
Last year I did the 155 mile ride to Woods Hole and back with Russ and Myles. That was a lot more challenging, and just as rewarding. So this length seems, sort of no big deal.
Why bring that up? Not sure. But one thing above all is certain, I've done a lot of these long crazy rides with other people. Andrew, Dean, Brian, Cameron, Russ, Myles, and a few of them alone. Some times I'm the stronger rider but it almost seems despite something I wind up having to suck a wheel, or apologize at the top of the hill, or after cracking when we turn into the wind and I get shelled.
incidental symmetry
that's what I'm calling the ride.
We leave from Peng's undergrad institution and ride to mine and back.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Tomorrow, New London and back
That's the plan. Peng isn't letting me off the hook with the potential threat of weather. "It won't be any worse than the giro this year. At least it looks like it'll be reasonably warm."
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
after no riding
it has been all riding, everywhere, all the time.
And unless the weather really throws a humdinger at us the next couple days will be a pretty big test.
And unless the weather really throws a humdinger at us the next couple days will be a pretty big test.
Monday, May 20, 2013
more reason to
poke fun at those compression garment wearers.
sure there's some benefit to prevent DVT when flying, that's pretty well established.
But compression tights? And no, it isn't just so i don't have to see SkinnyWhiteDude walking around the team hotel in his see through crotch compression tights.
Here's the conclusion
Eur J Appl Physiol (2013) 113:1585–1596
Bottom line: compression garments help you feel recovered but even though you feel recovered you are not. pretty critical distinction. There are obviously times when it is beneficial to pile on and add training load on tired muscles, but there are times when you need to make sure you let it all recover before going at it again.
compression garments seem to be kind of a bad idea, at least after looking at this...
just something else to think about (new published data)
heddwch
G
sure there's some benefit to prevent DVT when flying, that's pretty well established.
But compression tights? And no, it isn't just so i don't have to see SkinnyWhiteDude walking around the team hotel in his see through crotch compression tights.
Here's the conclusion
Conclusions
Typical indicators of EIMD including muscle soreness,
loss of muscle function, elevated CK and cytokine
activity were evident in the present study, even though the
level of muscle damage appears to have been low and the
inflammatory response was subtle. This may in part be
due to the training status of our subjects and their high
level of adaptation to the exercise stimulus performed,
and the timing of the blood sampling which may have
precluded complete capture of the cytokine changes and
any potential impact of altered circulation. Even so,
muscle soreness was reported, mild loss of muscle function
was evident and there was some indication of an
acute-phase inflammatory response. Based on the perceptual
data, subjects always felt better recovered when
CG were worn, however, the restoration of muscle function
post-exercise and the biomarkers investigated showed
no evidence of enhanced physiological recovery. Additional
information in the initial hour and between 1 and
24 h post-exercise may provide further insight into the
true cytokine response to the intermittent exercise and the
impact, if any, of the garments worn. Given the heavy
promotion of compression garments to athletes and the
general belief that they are of benefit, any positive psychological
aspect of wearing the garments should be
viewed with caution. As such, in the absence of a completely
blinded control trial, the potential for an overestimation
of the treatment effectiveness should also be
considered. Apart from the perceived response of subjects,
the biochemical and physical responses observed in
this study provide no evidence of a benefit on the
recovery process of highly trained team-sport athletes
wearing lower-body CG for 24 h following exercise.
Eur J Appl Physiol (2013) 113:1585–1596
Bottom line: compression garments help you feel recovered but even though you feel recovered you are not. pretty critical distinction. There are obviously times when it is beneficial to pile on and add training load on tired muscles, but there are times when you need to make sure you let it all recover before going at it again.
compression garments seem to be kind of a bad idea, at least after looking at this...
just something else to think about (new published data)
heddwch
G
just... thinking, this morning
Chaboom mentioned this TED radio hour episode. I had time, once I finally got to the coffee today (home coffee maker is broken, may be irreparable i hope not) to listen. The only downside is I ate all my Lunch already. It is going to be an interesting day, if insanely busy starting in a few minutes.
back to the radio...
back to the radio...
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Radish Greens are the new Beetroot
So, finally managed to eat enough/excess calories two days in a row leading up to the smackdown.
Kind of has always been a problem lately. but i got it. Timing of eating today was pretty good. Got way too busy this morning to drink the coffee early, so that consumption was biased to the afternoon. Hopefully i'll sleep.
Weather was SUPER crazy windy (but protected much of the ride in the trees and hills in Rehoboth).
And it was spitting rain at the start and had just dumped a bit before the ride. I don't think it actually rained on us but those with bare legs or at least shins got a nice belgian tan. After about a mile I didn't notice the spray from the tire soaking my ass. An Ass Saver would have been nice. So would have remembering to grab the clip on selfish fender. No worries. Only Derdowski had a selfish fender. We were all eating tire spray.
8 rolled out, two more joined in.
Not the most insanely fast pack but no one was a slouch, dropped on on the Pine run the first time, and dropped one, and lost one to go back and wait for dropped guy. Becca and Kyle showed up mid-ride and becca torched it up the steep side of rocky hill. Well that or she did a kick ass job of getting back in the group on the way down the backside. I dunno, i went over rocky hill both ways first. 2nd on hillside too (led all the way until peng passed me on the final pitch syl went by but i was having non of that and pipped him at the line).
I was feeling good. Maybe it was hauling logs in the trailer yesterday, or the weather. But no. I'm going to credit it all to the radish tops i put in my breakfast sandwich today. It could have been dropping the stem, and not by a little. Like slamming that fucker. Handles like crap out of the saddle. Fine sitting down. So low. Like a deep drop track bike feeling. Bars are still 46 c-c (whikked whyde kehd)
Fox made a somewhat unwise but conservative choice and went with the heavy tights and winter jacket. Arm warmers, base layer and knee warmers. Hey we all gain experience the hard way at times. And if you ask me what to wear and I nail it, expect a minor bit of gloating.
Anyway - it was a good ride.... ending with a bit of a belgian tan always works.
Cooling down into this headwind? not so much but still was good to not feel terrible on the bike.
yeah yeah - maybe the full week off the bike wasn't as terrible for my riding as I let my self to think.
dinner is done, made dinner and wrote the blog post. MULTI-TASKING FTW (maybe, dinner might be less than popular with some of the family, but tough, that's what we're having, that is what there is to eat. Short order cook for breakfast, maybe lunch, never dinner, (okay, almost never).
heddwch
G
Kind of has always been a problem lately. but i got it. Timing of eating today was pretty good. Got way too busy this morning to drink the coffee early, so that consumption was biased to the afternoon. Hopefully i'll sleep.
Weather was SUPER crazy windy (but protected much of the ride in the trees and hills in Rehoboth).
And it was spitting rain at the start and had just dumped a bit before the ride. I don't think it actually rained on us but those with bare legs or at least shins got a nice belgian tan. After about a mile I didn't notice the spray from the tire soaking my ass. An Ass Saver would have been nice. So would have remembering to grab the clip on selfish fender. No worries. Only Derdowski had a selfish fender. We were all eating tire spray.
8 rolled out, two more joined in.
Not the most insanely fast pack but no one was a slouch, dropped on on the Pine run the first time, and dropped one, and lost one to go back and wait for dropped guy. Becca and Kyle showed up mid-ride and becca torched it up the steep side of rocky hill. Well that or she did a kick ass job of getting back in the group on the way down the backside. I dunno, i went over rocky hill both ways first. 2nd on hillside too (led all the way until peng passed me on the final pitch syl went by but i was having non of that and pipped him at the line).
I was feeling good. Maybe it was hauling logs in the trailer yesterday, or the weather. But no. I'm going to credit it all to the radish tops i put in my breakfast sandwich today. It could have been dropping the stem, and not by a little. Like slamming that fucker. Handles like crap out of the saddle. Fine sitting down. So low. Like a deep drop track bike feeling. Bars are still 46 c-c (whikked whyde kehd)Fox made a somewhat unwise but conservative choice and went with the heavy tights and winter jacket. Arm warmers, base layer and knee warmers. Hey we all gain experience the hard way at times. And if you ask me what to wear and I nail it, expect a minor bit of gloating.
Anyway - it was a good ride.... ending with a bit of a belgian tan always works.
Cooling down into this headwind? not so much but still was good to not feel terrible on the bike.
yeah yeah - maybe the full week off the bike wasn't as terrible for my riding as I let my self to think.
dinner is done, made dinner and wrote the blog post. MULTI-TASKING FTW (maybe, dinner might be less than popular with some of the family, but tough, that's what we're having, that is what there is to eat. Short order cook for breakfast, maybe lunch, never dinner, (okay, almost never).
heddwch
G
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
morning food short
Most overlooked and delicious parts of both the radish and the beet? The tops.
Beet green look like chard or red spinach and taste not unlike them and get eaten a bit.
Radish tops man i love them. My personal favorite green almost. Right up there with lambs-quarter (a colloquial name for Chenopodium album). I'm actually eating them this morning in a ham, habanero cheese, and egg sandwich.
They even hold up well in breakfast scrambles.
And yes, while often i'll just get beet root w/o the tops, i'll always sort through the radish bunches looking for the ones with the best and fullest greens.
A very flavorful addition to any green salad or burger or anywhere spinach might more commonly be used.
Diversity in food and reduction in waste. Don't let the bunch of radishes get all slimy from the tops, eat the tops before they turn. Radish roots are also a brilliant addition to burritos, sliced, hot or cold, they add a bright complex crunch that enhances the flavors, esp good in fish tacos.
heddwch
G
Beet green look like chard or red spinach and taste not unlike them and get eaten a bit.
Radish tops man i love them. My personal favorite green almost. Right up there with lambs-quarter (a colloquial name for Chenopodium album). I'm actually eating them this morning in a ham, habanero cheese, and egg sandwich.
They even hold up well in breakfast scrambles.
And yes, while often i'll just get beet root w/o the tops, i'll always sort through the radish bunches looking for the ones with the best and fullest greens.
A very flavorful addition to any green salad or burger or anywhere spinach might more commonly be used.
Diversity in food and reduction in waste. Don't let the bunch of radishes get all slimy from the tops, eat the tops before they turn. Radish roots are also a brilliant addition to burritos, sliced, hot or cold, they add a bright complex crunch that enhances the flavors, esp good in fish tacos.
heddwch
G
Saturday, May 11, 2013
bothered
more than i should that i only managed to ride 18 miles this week.
one day.
mentioned it before, and despite having a pretty damn remarkably good day today, well above the average and venturing into the awesome, the damn albatross is weighing me down.
but man good day - write about the positive right? helps to dispel the negaive?
supposedly.
one day.
mentioned it before, and despite having a pretty damn remarkably good day today, well above the average and venturing into the awesome, the damn albatross is weighing me down.
but man good day - write about the positive right? helps to dispel the negaive?
supposedly.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Sunscreen Recommendation Time
I won't link to a specific place to purchase it, this is not a paid product endorsement, it is not a way to generate revenue.
Just a genuine recommendation for something that really actually finally works.
It isn't perfect, no, it is harder to wash off, some people don't like the way it feels, but does it work? Yes. It is the only stuff that I've found to work.
I've been using it exclusively I think since 2009 maybe? Now it seems the formulations are Paraben free even. IT HAS GOTTEN BETTER.
Recently I've said a few things about it so I'll just cut and paste.
you can always check what i've said before http://www.gewilli.com/search?q=%22blue+lizard%22 still stand by it all. Shit I should send in a sponsor resume and ask them for a new Gallon of the Sensitive.
What kind of sunscreen are people using?
only thing i use now is Blue Lizard Sensitive. none of those fucking hormones that get used up.
I'm pretty fair skinned and it got to the point where I just said f'it and bought a gallon of it (found it on sale on line for $140 iirc but that was a couple years ago)
I can cover up with it and spend all day in the sun, at the beach, swimming or anything and feel like i stayed inside at least from the skin sensations.
Stuff doesn't wash off. You don't need to keep re-applying it.
Downside, it isn't the cleanest chemical concoction but it isn't really any different than most lotions or shampoo. It also takes a bit to wash off (good for sports activities).
I've tried most all of the other Zinc oxide ones and they don't work very well for me. And I just flat out refuse to use the chemical absorbing type, those are some nasty ass compounds, and based on how my skin feels I think they do more to just prevent you from reacting and getting a sun burn than actually preventing damage from the sun. The Blue Lizard stuff actually seem pretty solid.
Never would have tried it if I didn't get a free sample. Put it on one day before spending the whole hot june day walking around with the girls at a park in the sun all day. Got home and for the first time ever wasn't sunburnt, and two didn't feel like a french fry that had been left under the heat lamp all day.
Put it this way. Summer camp for the kids. YMCA camp with pool. In and out of the pool 2-3 times a day. She's as pale as me. Cover her in Blue Lizard in the morning before we leave. She doesn't re-apply all day. Camp counselors are baffled that she didn't want to put more on.
She's the only one the next day w/o sunburn.
Tan lines slowly developed over the summer. But i mean SLOWLY.
The oldest went through the routine of burning where she didn't put more on (back usually, sometimes legs) before I discovered the Blue Lizard. It works for all day bike rides too. Put it on once. Sweat city but no sun burn.
Thursday, May 09, 2013
have a nice day
could be the subtitle to this speech:
It is the time of year when Commencement speeches are given. Colleges and universities pick bright, talented charismatic speakers, to deliver inspirational and thought provoking messages to the graduating class. Some colleges start calling these students right after or even during graduation to ask for money (rumor i heard last night).
And with all these academic mills churning out more and more individuals with less and less significant pieces of paper and a pat on the back saying "good luck" one might think that there would be so many more amazing speeches going viral.
DFW's This is Water speech isn't the best crafted in the whole length, isn't the most masterfully delivered. But it is good, and the core of it is brilliant.
The remastered and super high production value movie takes that 22 odd minute long speech and creates an under 10 minute visual masterpiece of some of the most key elements of the full unabridged version.
In this, a rare case, an abridged version stands nearly up to the source.
Skip the first one if you like, but if you aren't going to sit and listen to the whole speech, give this a watch.
Why?
Because it is fucking brilliant.
When you get done with those and feel like watching a nice little 17 min speech by the CEO of Twitter check it out here http://youtu.be/oqRPesTumlA very much a related subject. Probably not accidental, but the meaning and philosophy are not far off and very complimentary.
heddwch
It is the time of year when Commencement speeches are given. Colleges and universities pick bright, talented charismatic speakers, to deliver inspirational and thought provoking messages to the graduating class. Some colleges start calling these students right after or even during graduation to ask for money (rumor i heard last night).
And with all these academic mills churning out more and more individuals with less and less significant pieces of paper and a pat on the back saying "good luck" one might think that there would be so many more amazing speeches going viral.
DFW's This is Water speech isn't the best crafted in the whole length, isn't the most masterfully delivered. But it is good, and the core of it is brilliant.
The remastered and super high production value movie takes that 22 odd minute long speech and creates an under 10 minute visual masterpiece of some of the most key elements of the full unabridged version.
In this, a rare case, an abridged version stands nearly up to the source.
Skip the first one if you like, but if you aren't going to sit and listen to the whole speech, give this a watch.
Why?
Because it is fucking brilliant.
When you get done with those and feel like watching a nice little 17 min speech by the CEO of Twitter check it out here http://youtu.be/oqRPesTumlA very much a related subject. Probably not accidental, but the meaning and philosophy are not far off and very complimentary.
heddwch
Wednesday, May 08, 2013
HB Saul Bass
i had to sit through a ging add talking about "new home page every day" with pictures and stuff.
Oh you have pictures? Well how about this?
sure i'm more of a google fan and very much not so enamored with microsoft or apple, my bias presents a reaction that may not be typical.
I've long since given up trying to be someone "normal" but it isn't easy coming to terms with being comfortable with who I am. Very different, but conflicting in a way.
Oh you have pictures? Well how about this?
sure i'm more of a google fan and very much not so enamored with microsoft or apple, my bias presents a reaction that may not be typical.
I've long since given up trying to be someone "normal" but it isn't easy coming to terms with being comfortable with who I am. Very different, but conflicting in a way.
How to turn left and why i did what i did and
as a pre-amble that last post, about the turning - it was more of a story about flying off the handle maybe a bit too excessively and judgmentally than the specifics of the law in that instance. but. even given that i don't believe my interpretation to be illegal or incorrect, and still find the brash judgement of a couple of brothers out on a bike ride to be more pushing on the illegal side of things, and i feel confident in my approach to the intersection as not being illegal or wrong and more right than splitting lanes and stopping in front of and next to while between cars when not in a designated bike lane.
But somewhat compelled as an exercise in communication, and in an attempt to work out here, a way to more easily illustrate this 'style' of riding I'm going to try and set it out.
There are great books out there. Safe Bicycling pamphlete is out there. Usually a nice yellow book, 30-50 pages long or so. I got one or two for free at one point. They are out there and here's a section on one.
So yeah that is a pretty consistent write up, totally in line with my interpretation of the RI laws.
Here's the deal. When there is a wide road, say one lane in each direction, plenty of room on the side of the cars that are stopped to filter forward w/o coming unduly close to the cars, by all means filter forward. Passing you again will generally not be an inconvenience and won't be noted unless you're riding like a dumbass self-endangering moron.
Now say that nice wide road, goes from one lane in each direction to one turn lane and a travel lane in each direction. Same curb width. Now you have three lanes of cars (when traffic is heavy, say like it was that other night). There is no room for you to filter forward on the right. There is no room for a car to safely pass.
That's when you become traffic. You were traffic before but you have the right to protect your space by taking the lane. This becomes nearly not a problem for many because it is easy on most bicycles to keep up with the flow of traffic on this block when it is congested. The lights are well timed to empty the block, even on bike. You never have to wait more than a cycle.
So once through the light I always merge in, take the lane and follow the cars and the majority of them turn left at that intersection but there are always enough going straight to fill the right lane back to the turn lane split. And to filter forward you have to split the lanes and it is tight. Very tight. Possible but tight. And then what? When you get to the front along side the car you might be fine but maybe the driver is so intent on the light that they don't see you. Or You decide you can go faster and then get run over.
It may not be technically illegal but it is super inconsiderate, aka a selfish rage inspiring action, and dangerous to your personal safety. I'm not overstating that qualification. It really pisses motorists off. We don't need anyone, in two wheels or four, inciting anger or rage in people driving cars.
Just
Don't
Need
So for me, having gotten in line with the cars, stuck my left arm out to merge into the turn lane (having taken the lane prevents a car from overtaking me anyway) and while the car behind me is a few feet further from the intersection there is little delay or slowing of their progress. We turn left from one lane into two. I turn left from my lane and merge visibly over to the right lane and again take the full lane down to the start of the bridge and the bike path.
No one passes me more than once, no vehicles are impeded, I have high visibility and a higher degree of safety.
Splitting the lanes and rolling to the front and parking yourself on your bike in the crosswalk in front of the cars turning left? doesn't help. That or running the red light because it is about to change to green? that doesn't help either.
There was nothing illegal about my actions, and my course of proceeding through the intersection. I stayed to the right, as far right as practically possible, which means if I want to turn left i need to be on the right middle of the turn lane. And on narrow roads where it isn't safe to pass I have full legal right in RI to take the lane, again, I'm not a lawyer or a police officer a judge a lawmaker... but i'm aware of it and am actively working personally to follow the laws, to ride in a manner that is not lawless.
Stop Signs?
yeah. If i don't stop for each one, I am prepared to stop at every single one.
Red lights? I stop and wait, even if there is no cross traffic. Why? BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.
The nice thing is now in Providence most all the lights will trigger by your presence, even if you're on a bike. The timer lights (if there are any) well you're stuck. If you ride super low spoke count wheels with carbon rims and a carbon bike you may not be able to trip the induction coils, but if you have a training/commuter wheel even on a plastic bike and you ride over or stop the bike on the induction coils embedded in the pavement, you will trigger the light in your favor.
Like that crazy old dude on the recumbent. He ran all the red lights. I caught up to him every time and I wasn't even going that fast and I was waiting for the lights.
Time gained is never worth the risk.
There's right and there's dead right.
You may feel you are right, but if there's a chance you're gonna be dead? yeah well that ain't right no matter what.
Okay now I made a few lightly annotated photos of these two intersections described above.
Okay here's this one. Blue box is where you have a looong line of stopped cars. plenty of room to pass on the right. Loads of room in fact. Could paint a bike lane in there if you wanted to. There is a light there and the traffic is one way on the cross street. My direction of travel is the green arrow. That Yellow Box So that's where we go from two travel lanes into three. It is narrow as you can see from the satellite shot. Not much room. Jumping in behind the first or second car at the light is usually how I proceed through. Why? well that way I have one car in front acting as a rolling shield, and if I'm riding right behind a car then the car behind me doesn't get the impression that I'm slowing them down at all.
So i'm sitting behind the first car there (a subaru wagon IIRC). A mini-van is in the right lane (where the white van is in this satellite shot). These guys filter through the traffic. It is all cars, parked, end to end all the way back to the intersection pictured above. I want to turn left. Onto the one way.
The guys roll through, and one of them rolls into the red box area in front of the car infront of me.
There was room to be next to or behind me and roll through 'together' w/o any animosity or pissing off the cars. Yes, normally I wouldn't have even said anything and just let everyone else around me judge them for their behavior and hope they could understand that some people are trying.
Was this a worthwhile process? Probably not. But it i what it is. You can't change the past, you have to react and move on, you can't plan the future, but you can deal with what you were given at the time.
I've had plenty of confrontations with motorists when i'm taking a whole lane with the trailer. They ask "is that legal? can you really do that?" well the polite ones do.
some just yell. But, as solobreak used to like to point out, count the number of cars that give you room, that don't yell, that don't try and run you off the road. And I have, it is refreshing.
it is true (and legal), I can take a lane, more so if there are two lanes of travel in the same direction. esp if there isn't room for a car to pass safely without changing into the other lane.
I will put away the soap box, and let the internet get back to more trivial stuff.
heddwch
G
There are great books out there. Safe Bicycling pamphlete is out there. Usually a nice yellow book, 30-50 pages long or so. I got one or two for free at one point. They are out there and here's a section on one.
page 20
http://www.cityofchicago.org/dam/city/depts/cdot/bicycling/publications/bike_chicago_english.pdfTurning Left from a Left-turn
Lane: Follow these steps for making left turns
just like cars do.
From the right side of the street, look behind
you for a gap in traffic. ➊ Start looking a halfblock or more before the intersection.
When traffic allows, signal left and change
lanes. ➋ If you can’t find a gap and you’re
sure of your skills, get a driver to let you in by
making eye contact and pointing. Don’t change
lanes until you’re sure the driver will yield!
Go to the middle of the left-turn lane. ➌ If
there’s more than one turn lane, use the one
farthest to the right—unless you’re making
another left turn immediately.
If there’s a car already waiting to turn left, get
behind it. ➍ (Never put yourself next to a car
in the same turn lane!) Don’t be afraid of
oncoming cars that are stopped facing you, waiting to turn left.
Turn just like a car does. ➎ After the turn,
move into the right lane—unless another
vehicle is there or you’re making another left
turn immediately
So yeah that is a pretty consistent write up, totally in line with my interpretation of the RI laws.
Here's the deal. When there is a wide road, say one lane in each direction, plenty of room on the side of the cars that are stopped to filter forward w/o coming unduly close to the cars, by all means filter forward. Passing you again will generally not be an inconvenience and won't be noted unless you're riding like a dumbass self-endangering moron.
Now say that nice wide road, goes from one lane in each direction to one turn lane and a travel lane in each direction. Same curb width. Now you have three lanes of cars (when traffic is heavy, say like it was that other night). There is no room for you to filter forward on the right. There is no room for a car to safely pass.
That's when you become traffic. You were traffic before but you have the right to protect your space by taking the lane. This becomes nearly not a problem for many because it is easy on most bicycles to keep up with the flow of traffic on this block when it is congested. The lights are well timed to empty the block, even on bike. You never have to wait more than a cycle.
So once through the light I always merge in, take the lane and follow the cars and the majority of them turn left at that intersection but there are always enough going straight to fill the right lane back to the turn lane split. And to filter forward you have to split the lanes and it is tight. Very tight. Possible but tight. And then what? When you get to the front along side the car you might be fine but maybe the driver is so intent on the light that they don't see you. Or You decide you can go faster and then get run over.
It may not be technically illegal but it is super inconsiderate, aka a selfish rage inspiring action, and dangerous to your personal safety. I'm not overstating that qualification. It really pisses motorists off. We don't need anyone, in two wheels or four, inciting anger or rage in people driving cars.
Just
Don't
Need
So for me, having gotten in line with the cars, stuck my left arm out to merge into the turn lane (having taken the lane prevents a car from overtaking me anyway) and while the car behind me is a few feet further from the intersection there is little delay or slowing of their progress. We turn left from one lane into two. I turn left from my lane and merge visibly over to the right lane and again take the full lane down to the start of the bridge and the bike path.
No one passes me more than once, no vehicles are impeded, I have high visibility and a higher degree of safety.
Splitting the lanes and rolling to the front and parking yourself on your bike in the crosswalk in front of the cars turning left? doesn't help. That or running the red light because it is about to change to green? that doesn't help either.
There was nothing illegal about my actions, and my course of proceeding through the intersection. I stayed to the right, as far right as practically possible, which means if I want to turn left i need to be on the right middle of the turn lane. And on narrow roads where it isn't safe to pass I have full legal right in RI to take the lane, again, I'm not a lawyer or a police officer a judge a lawmaker... but i'm aware of it and am actively working personally to follow the laws, to ride in a manner that is not lawless.
Stop Signs?
yeah. If i don't stop for each one, I am prepared to stop at every single one.
Red lights? I stop and wait, even if there is no cross traffic. Why? BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.
The nice thing is now in Providence most all the lights will trigger by your presence, even if you're on a bike. The timer lights (if there are any) well you're stuck. If you ride super low spoke count wheels with carbon rims and a carbon bike you may not be able to trip the induction coils, but if you have a training/commuter wheel even on a plastic bike and you ride over or stop the bike on the induction coils embedded in the pavement, you will trigger the light in your favor.
Like that crazy old dude on the recumbent. He ran all the red lights. I caught up to him every time and I wasn't even going that fast and I was waiting for the lights.
Time gained is never worth the risk.
There's right and there's dead right.
You may feel you are right, but if there's a chance you're gonna be dead? yeah well that ain't right no matter what.
Okay now I made a few lightly annotated photos of these two intersections described above.
Okay here's this one. Blue box is where you have a looong line of stopped cars. plenty of room to pass on the right. Loads of room in fact. Could paint a bike lane in there if you wanted to. There is a light there and the traffic is one way on the cross street. My direction of travel is the green arrow. That Yellow Box So that's where we go from two travel lanes into three. It is narrow as you can see from the satellite shot. Not much room. Jumping in behind the first or second car at the light is usually how I proceed through. Why? well that way I have one car in front acting as a rolling shield, and if I'm riding right behind a car then the car behind me doesn't get the impression that I'm slowing them down at all.
Now the next big intersection and the one where there was the "encounter" is here
The guys roll through, and one of them rolls into the red box area in front of the car infront of me.
There was room to be next to or behind me and roll through 'together' w/o any animosity or pissing off the cars. Yes, normally I wouldn't have even said anything and just let everyone else around me judge them for their behavior and hope they could understand that some people are trying.
Was this a worthwhile process? Probably not. But it i what it is. You can't change the past, you have to react and move on, you can't plan the future, but you can deal with what you were given at the time.
I've had plenty of confrontations with motorists when i'm taking a whole lane with the trailer. They ask "is that legal? can you really do that?" well the polite ones do.
some just yell. But, as solobreak used to like to point out, count the number of cars that give you room, that don't yell, that don't try and run you off the road. And I have, it is refreshing.
it is true (and legal), I can take a lane, more so if there are two lanes of travel in the same direction. esp if there isn't room for a car to pass safely without changing into the other lane.
I will put away the soap box, and let the internet get back to more trivial stuff.
heddwch
G
Tuesday, May 07, 2013
yeah... that guy
i'm that guy
but before you read why i say that - read the prequel:
http://www.gewilli.com/2013/05/how-to-turn-left-and-why-i-did-what-i.html
but before you read why i say that - read the prequel:
http://www.gewilli.com/2013/05/how-to-turn-left-and-why-i-did-what-i.html
stall speed approaching
pretty close to needing to sound the alarm
more throttle
something
nose down
figure it out
the captain of this thing well he's not so totally unlike that dude with the Millennium Falcon, the unshaven jackass or the tall wookie, take your pick.
more throttle
something
nose down
figure it out
the captain of this thing well he's not so totally unlike that dude with the Millennium Falcon, the unshaven jackass or the tall wookie, take your pick.
Thursday, May 02, 2013
nuts
could use a handful of them right about now... need a bit of a fuel boost.
Gonna have to make due with racing home early to get the car to get the girls to get them where they need to go.
Smackdown last night was good. Derdowski proposed a bit of a route tweak and it was awesome. I liked it a lot.
10 people showed up for the ride, no Tyler though, no Big Tom or Peng (both at Coll Nats), Becca was turning in her masters or something sort of important. But we had a good pile of folks and pretty well matched or at least a nice representation of fast enough to make the ride fast and hard.
But yeah - no time for writing, but i'll get an email asking where it is if i don't get something up. I'll write it up if i get a chance.
maybe
These links...
this one first..
Making Lunch with Pollan and Moss
follow up here:
http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/02/a-nutritious-meal-even-faster
make the time
How? Bittman's cook books help hugely to make it happen. But be careful if you do it right suddenly Wholefoods becomes the cheapest place to buy the food you need for base ingredients.
Oh funny, walking around yesterday there were two women on a bench with 32 oz red drinks in clear cold cups from starbucks. Skinny one asks the not skinny one "Are this healthy you think?" not skinny one replies "Sure they are made with Green tea, just some sugar in them, so yeah, they are."
Funny sad.
heddwch
G
Gonna have to make due with racing home early to get the car to get the girls to get them where they need to go.
Smackdown last night was good. Derdowski proposed a bit of a route tweak and it was awesome. I liked it a lot.
10 people showed up for the ride, no Tyler though, no Big Tom or Peng (both at Coll Nats), Becca was turning in her masters or something sort of important. But we had a good pile of folks and pretty well matched or at least a nice representation of fast enough to make the ride fast and hard.
But yeah - no time for writing, but i'll get an email asking where it is if i don't get something up. I'll write it up if i get a chance.
maybe
These links...
this one first..
Making Lunch with Pollan and Moss
follow up here:
http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/02/a-nutritious-meal-even-faster
make the time
How? Bittman's cook books help hugely to make it happen. But be careful if you do it right suddenly Wholefoods becomes the cheapest place to buy the food you need for base ingredients.
Oh funny, walking around yesterday there were two women on a bench with 32 oz red drinks in clear cold cups from starbucks. Skinny one asks the not skinny one "Are this healthy you think?" not skinny one replies "Sure they are made with Green tea, just some sugar in them, so yeah, they are."
Funny sad.
heddwch
G
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