One of the best things about cycling is bring in the new blood.
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This is a much bigger conversation but there’s high anxiety, aggressive behaviour and a serious “me first” attitude.
That said- I can honestly say that nearly every ride I experience something that makes me shake my head...
The most common is usually cars passing me, crossing the opposing lane and heading into oncoming traffic... either forcing the other driver to stop- or worse- panicking and then swerving back into their lane and nearly taking me out... it’s a regular event.
(I had a guy actually run me into a ditch two years ago out near Jordan)
Its gotten to the point where I’ve actually started thinking about wearing a GoPro just in case...
]]>Bicycle Commuting is all about safety even though I need the cardio and the the fun!
First thing I do when I wake up is check the weather AP on my phone and then stick my nose out the door.
Today is 41F and Cloudy with a 14Km wind from the NE.
Looks like I am riding again for the third commute this week and the 6 consecutive ride day this week. I am going to try to go a little longer today to push my milage over the 1000 mile mark. Tomorrow is supposed to rain.
I am experiencing a slow leak in my front tire. I fill it up between rides but I really need to get it fixed this weekend. Fixing you bike during Covid is a different experience.
]]>As our company is making PPE non medical face masks, I am at work every day.
The main difference with riding now is wearing a mask. My choice of mask is a buff or neck mask which is easily pulled up over my face whenever another person is close. When there is no one near I pull it below my chin. Masks do restrict breathing so it is nice to be able to remove it and get some air.
The other difference is there are more bikes, runners and walkers on the path then last year!
]]>It was windy, cold and cloudy and it was drizzling 30 miles west of here but still not a reason or excuse not to ride
There was nothing special about the ride. Several other riders were out today including my 88 year old friend Martin who had a hip operation last year. If Martin can ride in this weather then there is no excuse for me not to ride.
My ride goal for the year is 5050 miles and the goal is looking unattainable at this point.
I am glad I rode today.
Year to Date Mileage 3694/5050.
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There are so many distractions that keep you off the commuter path. Work, weather, travel, school, mid term exams, family crises etc. Plus some days you just don’t feel like riding.
When I was away I did ride a stationary bike every day. Not exciting but better than nothing,
I did ride to work today, it was very different then the last ride and it was great.
There were issues though. My best to bike had flats in the rear tire which are my first flats for the year. So today I rode on my basic road bike which was just fine. Having a back up bike (or two) is useful.
The weather has changed since the last commute so gloves, long sleeve base layer and a light wind jacket were needed.
The rest of the week is not looking too good for riding but we shall see.
Miles to Date 3574 it is going to make the 5050 mile goal difficult.
If you have to ride home in the rain you are going to get wet. There are some basic things you can do to make the ride safer.
Make sure you pack anything like computers in plastic bag inside your pack. Use your lights front and back, tires should be a little under inflated as they will skid less if they are a soft, forget about wearing glasses as the water droplets will obstruct your vision. Not wearing glasses creates another problem as you will not have eye protection.
Ride slower than usual and be double aware of cars and ride a route that does not have a lot of cars if possible. If the weather is warm the rain ride can be pleasant.
When you get home spray down your bike with the hose.
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I always get carried away with what I carry. In my pack I would carry a computer, computing gear, food, cloths, sometimes shoes, books etc. Sometimes the pack weights between 20 and 30 pounds which is more than my bike. This not only slows you down but it is uncomfortable and might even hurt your shoulders.
The trick is to try to keep your pack as light as possible. Only haul necessities to and from work. Try to keep less than 10 pounds in the pack.
Make sure a lot of thought goes in to your pack, the ultra cheap pack packs don’t have proper padding or airflow…. Buy a good one… it will cost over $100.00.
There was a fair amount of riders on the path, many wearing their Big Move bicycle jerseys. Many of the regulars were on the path too including one of my favourites "Martin" who is 90 and still rides his bike on the path. Lots of walkers and runners too, many of whom I recognize. Almost everyone greats you when passing and the ones who don't... don't matter.
There has been a heavier traffic of ships through the canal and I stopped to take this photo of the MS Hamburg Great Lakes Cruise Ship (formerly the Columbus) passing by the Homer Bridge. I think this is the biggest cruise ship on the Great Lakes and can carry 420 passengers.
Today was a cool day to ride.... even if I was a little late for work.
]]>On Sunday September 8 the 11th Big Move Bicycle Ride for Cancer will be held in support of the Walker Family Cancer Center. It is a fun day with multiple protected rides. 350 volunteers and multiple police cruisers will protect the riders 533 riders who are currently registered to ride. The Ride has already raised over $200,000 to support our local Cancer Hospital and the administration fee for the ride is less than 15% which is much lower than almost any other ride in Canada.
This is our biggest local Bicycle Ride and it is growing. The ride is not a race and it is for every type of rider, especially new riders and riders who just want to "push" their ride a little further.
Our company has been involved with this ride since it began 11 years ago and will have a team of 16 riders. Many of our riders will be in the first group to finish the 75K ride but all of our riders are going to have a great riding day on Sunday as will all the participants in this ride.
Plus the Bib Shorts that the ride is promoting are an amazing value and 100% of the sale goes to the support our local Cancer Center.
]]>My first commuter buddy was Phil, latter Richard joined the morning ride it was great. We rode together for years until occupations and the routines changed.
Today Phil met me on the path and we did the extended commute up the hill together. We even passed some of the older walkers on the path that used to pass 10 years ago. After that we had breakfast outside.
It was a great start to the day.
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However there are a few idiots out there, not too many but more than enough.
These guys can yell profanities, tell you to get off the road or get up close and give you the horn. The natural response is a hand jester or to yell something back …. which is the exact thing not to do. Getting into a physical confrontation with these guys would not prove anything, be a complete waste of time and might cause a “face adjustment” for either you or the driver.
The best thing to do is to hold your breath and let it pass….. I think I need to learn this trick one day!
The second half of the ride seemed to take longer. The ride home yesterday was even longer.
Bicycling with a friend is always better.
]]>I would ride it for at least six months before considering a new purchase. After that you will have a better idea how to choose your new bike. It is best to love the new bike so take some time riding the old one to find out what you like and want in a bike.
]]>Most places are bicycle friendly these days, most restaurants, super markets convenience stores (I stopped at a butcher shop and bought a steak a hour later).
However not Taris on the Water!
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As the days are getting shorter riding in the dark is going to become more likely. Especially if you stay late at work. In the dark months I can leave for work in the dark and ride home in the dark.
Wednesday night I went to an event after work with every intention of getting home before the sun drops but that just did not happen.
I have all my bikes equipped with good lighting. The front light is 500 Lumens and not only lets cars sees me but it is strong enough to illuminate road debris and hazards. The flashing red rear light is visible for over a mile during the day so it is very visible at night. These two lights are expensive but they keep you safe and that is worth it. There are many inexpensive versions available for under $20 and they are better then nothing but to be safe you need to spend about $70 to $100 for each of these lights.
Wearing some reflective gear is important too.
This year I have had to ride home in the dark 5 times. Once for a 10 mile country road ride. Each ride was uneventful and the cars along the way were very respectful.
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BIKE SECURITY
I don’t use a lock on my bike mainly because my bike is never out of my line of sight, until it is in a secure place.
Last night after work I took a forty mile overnight ride on my favourite bike with a heavy back pack. I stopped at a corner store for refreshment. It was a small store and I put my bike in the rack and went inside. There was another person inside the store who left and looked at the bike rack . I watched this person pick it up bike and try to ride off with it.
I ran out of the store after him heavy pack, cycle shoes and all and yelling and chased him until he fell from the bike (having clip pedals slowed his get away). He crashed the bike and protectively covered himself for the beating he as expecting (but that did not happen). I just yelled a little let him go and checked on the bike for damage (there was none). I was lucky but very angry! I wend back into the store with my bike (at the store owners request) finalized my purchase and rode another ten miles to my destination.
I was very lucky!
I could have lost my favourite bike, got into a fist fight with a low life (and maybe some of his friends), which I would have probably lost and been stranded 30 miles from home, I was very lucky!
So my advise on bike security is never let your bike out of eye sight! If you can’t bring your bike into a store or a restaurant find another place to spend your money. Also always be in control of your temper getting in a fight with a low life is never going to have positive out come!
I find that riding more than 6 consecutive days it becomes fatiguing and I have "sleepy spells" during the day. So a day off is always nice.
Planning to go for a long ride today after work, maybe 40 miles.
]]>We decided that her safety issues were not up to date. No lights, no bells and a really old helmet. So we got everything updated, great helmet, new bell (law in NY) and I brought her and her husband a day light rear flasher. We also discussed proper shoes.
Safety is a huge issue in commuting especially in NYC where there are cars everywhere.
]]>Instead I rode the next morning to Point Abino (or Crystal Beach) with a much smaller pack. It was my longest ride of the year, had two quick stops but it felt good arriving at Point Abino. At the second rest stop I met some people that I "almost knew" (I knew the ladies brother). I always feel like I have lost 5 pounds of ugly belly fat after a 40 mile ride.
Did not ride Sunday but had a great 22 mile really ride this morning. As I am heading to NYC today I doubt I will be riding again till Friday.
Point Abino Lighthouse photo shown here was taken a few years ago. Due to high water the light house is on an island now.
]]>This is a very mixed group the ages range from 30 something to 60 something year old riders, male female, teachers, dentists, fire fighters business people, semi pro riders one rider was a support worker for a team in the Tour. The leader of the group is or was a Semi Pro Rider in the day. I am the slowest rider in this group.
Last nights ride read 34 miles on my phone but it went very fast and felt like less mileage.
Although this is the Wed Wine Ride we always finish the ride have something to eat and drink a few beers. There are 10-15 riders in the group and every Wed Night I feel like I have that many best friends for the night.
Great camaraderie and all because we all love to ride bikes!
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So I missed an opportunity to ride.
]]>What makes this ride cool is crossing the International Peace Bridge into the US. I have done this many times in the past but there has been construction work on the bridge and the Bridge Commission is claiming that the Peace Bridge is now bike friendly. Maybe what they meant is that is will be soon but not yet. I had trouble finding the entrance and went from the road entrance the permitter side walk which is almost big enough for a car but it was littered with debris. The border crossing guy was not prepared either and would have preferred me to take the regular toll booths, to let me cross he needed to bring me through his office. Still very fun to cross the bridge into another country.
So no commuting today but two memorable rides.
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I broke off from the group just when it was getting dark and rode 6 miles home. Riding at night is not advisable but sometimes unavoidable and this was the second time this month that I rode in the dark. My bikes are equipped for night riding with the best lights you can buy front and rear. The rear flasher has a two mile range and the front light is strong enough to light up 20 feet ahead of you. Pot holes and road debris are extreme danger at night plus you want the cars to see you. The ride home was uneventful and it was great to get back home.
]]>At the Homer Bridge we saw the Edward M Cotter heading south. Probably back to Buffalo. it is amazing old fire boat. seemed to have some sort of a celebration for the boat at Lock 3.
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