The All Things Cycling Thread

[VolStrom]

Not even close. I ride streets myself. I am suggesting riding with the expectation that drivers do not like you, resent you being on the road in the first place because they might have to slow down, and giving yourself the best odds of staying alive by riding very alert and not antagonizing drivers. It doesn't take much to piss them off, you know this.

The guy in the video was having horns blared at him. The truck driver was pissed, the next guy just hit him on purpose. In this case maybe not riding almost on the dividing line would have spared him the irrational assault by an ass in a car.

Just because a bicycle can use the road just as a car does, doesn't mean they have to be dicks about it. I don't condone anything I saw in that video, but if you have a miles worth of cars backed up behind you, pull over and let them by! Common curtesy goes a long way.

 

[kiddiedoc]

Just because a bicycle can use the road just as a car does, doesn't mean they have to be dicks about it. I don't condone anything I saw in that video, but if you have a miles worth of cars backed up behind you, pull over and let them by! Common curtesy goes a long way.

This. Legally, you can drive below the speed limit too, but if you are driving 20 mph on a two lane road, you're going to aggravate most people. I can't understand why some road cyclists take the "up yours" approach toward those in large, metal, motor-driven vehicles.

 

[sona]

This. Legally, you can drive below the speed limit too, but if you are driving 20 mph on a two lane road, you're going to aggravate most people. I can't understand why some road cyclists take the "up yours" approach toward those in large, metal, motor-driven vehicles.

It doesn't make sense. You can be right all day long, have every law on your side, even every rational person but it won't do you a bit of good when some ass is in a hurry and you piss them off.

I am 100% for cyclists and believe they have an absolute right to be on the road. I ride on the road myself, my 14 year old ride on the road as well. I want cyclists to be hyper aware so their next ride doesn't have 4 wheels instead of two. Being right means nothing. The car will win every time. Expect drivers to be aggressive and / or blissfully unaware and ride accordingly.

In this case, the cyclist hadn't been on a bike since he was a kid, was riding a road that explicitly allows bikes to use the entire lane, and he got rammed by an angry driver. All I am saying is, whatever the law says you are allowed to utilize, err on the side of caution because again, being right doesn't count for anything on the road.

 

[VOLatile]

Just because a bicycle can use the road just as a car does, doesn't mean they have to be dicks about it. I don't condone anything I saw in that video, but if you have a miles worth of cars backed up behind you, pull over and let them by! Common curtesy goes a long way.

From the video, I think I can reasonably under there were only two cars back there. I would ride two abreast in there were only two back there. It takes less time to pass one bike length versus two anyways. Change lanes completely and go by.

Besides, they were solid yellow so technically should not be passing at that moment anyways no matter how much room was given.

 

[VOLatile]

Not even close. I ride streets myself. I am suggesting riding with the expectation that drivers do not like you, resent you being on the road in the first place because they might have to slow down, and giving yourself the best odds of staying alive by riding very alert and not antagonizing drivers. It doesn't take much to piss them off, you know this.

The guy in the video was having horns blared at him. The truck driver was pissed, the next guy just hit him on purpose. In this case maybe not riding almost on the dividing line would have spared him the irrational assault by an ass in a car.

Gotcha. I ride in the middle of the lane where I'm most visible and out of the debris area along the side of the road. That's the most defensive way to ride.

 

[VOLatile]

Not even close. I ride streets myself. I am suggesting riding with the expectation that drivers do not like you, resent you being on the road in the first place because they might have to slow down, and giving yourself the best odds of staying alive by riding very alert and not antagonizing drivers. It doesn't take much to piss them off, you know this.

The guy in the video was having horns blared at him. The truck driver was pissed, the next guy just hit him on purpose. In this case maybe not riding almost on the dividing line would have spared him the irrational assault by an ass in a car.

Gotcha. I ride in the middle of the lane where I'm most visible and out of the debris area along the side of the road. That's the most defensive way to ride.

 

[VOLatile]

This. Legally, you can drive below the speed limit too, but if you are driving 20 mph on a two lane road, you're going to aggravate most people. I can't understand why some road cyclists take the "up yours" approach toward those in large, metal, motor-driven vehicles.

That approach is because the vast majority of drivers we encounter are dickheads but are all talk. They yell at us or throw things, but that's as far as it goes, usually. The culture in America is to hate people unlike yourself, which includes people riding bikes (or driving cars).

 

[kiddiedoc]

That approach is because the vast majority of drivers we encounter are dickheads but are all talk. They yell at us or throw things, but that's as far as it goes, usually. The culture in America is to hate people unlike yourself, which includes people riding bikes (or driving cars).

Haha, some truth to that. There are probably others that would be non-discriminatory in their anger towards anything going slow on the street (bikes, grannies, tractors, dump trucks, street sweepers...)

 

[Carl Pickens]

In defense of the guy that was hit..... he's a biking noob.... apparently that was his first ride since he was a kid.

 

[VolStrom]

From the video, I think I can reasonably under there were only two cars back there. I would ride two abreast in there were only two back there. It takes less time to pass one bike length versus two anyways. Change lanes completely and go by.

Besides, they were solid yellow so technically should not be passing at that moment anyways no matter how much room was given.

How do you know there were only two cars? The video stopped after the second car hit the cyclist, there could have been any number behind him and this could have been the first straightaway where cars could see to pass.
There's a simple rule in my life, if you're riding on a road with cars, keep right and pull off whenever you can to let cars pass.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

I deal with a fair number of commuter cyclists. They generally do not obey the rules of the road but seem to have a good sense of self preservation that militates against opportunities for accidents. I give the three feet and pass only when it's apparently safe to do so but if I misjudge something and wind up having to choose between a head on collision with another car or taking out someone on a bike it's a no brainer.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

Not even close. I ride streets myself. I am suggesting riding with the expectation that drivers do not like you, resent you being on the road in the first place because they might have to slow down, and giving yourself the best odds of staying alive by riding very alert and not antagonizing drivers. It doesn't take much to piss them off, you know this.

The guy in the video was having horns blared at him. The truck driver was pissed, the next guy just hit him on purpose. In this case maybe not riding almost on the dividing line would have spared him the irrational assault by an ass in a car.

You are obviously a sensible person who understands some things about human behavior. I don't ride bikes on highways, seldom even on neighborhood streets these days, but I do walk downtown Nashville quite a bit. It amazes me how little responsibility people are willing to take for their own safety. I see so many people with earbuds inserted and eyes focused downward on a small screen while crossing busy streets in a town filled with construction vehicles that cannot stop on a dime, and new arrivals and visitors who don't really know street directions or traffic flow. It's as if these folks think that the general rule that a pedestrian always has the right of way will shield them from harm. I don't know where this comes from. It's just reckless.

 

[SWIL]

Knoxville guys - any local bikes shops around the area that allow you to demo their bikes on the trail? I'm taking my sis out on her first single track ride and want to procure something nice for her (she doesn't own a bike)

 

[sona]

Knoxville guys - any local bikes shops around the area that allow you to demo their bikes on the trail? I'm taking my sis out on her first single track ride and want to procure something nice for her (she doesn't own a bike)

Cedar Bluff Cycles on Kingston Pike does have a rental program. I am not sure on the prices. They are a Trek shop.

http://cedarbluffcycles.net/

River Sports Outfitters has their rental prices listed. I think they are mostly Cannondale.

https://www.riversportsoutfitters.com/bike-shop/

There are a lot of shops here and I suspect most have a rental program if you are looking for a particular brand. Have fun

 

[golfballs]

I've been having lingering knee pain for a couple years. Starts hurting after 10mi. Really frustrating. Physical therapist said I have a muscle strength imbalance ... quads and hamstring are too strong relative to glutes so riding puts too much stress on my knee. Seems weird and I've been trying to do more exercises to strengthen them but still can't get over it

 

[VOLatile]

There's a simple rule in my life, if you're riding on a road with cars, keep right and pull off whenever you can to let cars pass.

I'm not pulling over for every damn car that thinks they need to pass. I have places to be, too.

 

[SWIL]

Cedar Bluff Cycles on Kingston Pike does have a rental program. I am not sure on the prices. They are a Trek shop.

http://cedarbluffcycles.net/

River Sports Outfitters has their rental prices listed. I think they are mostly Cannondale.

https://www.riversportsoutfitters.com/bike-shop/

There are a lot of shops here and I suspect most have a rental program if you are looking for a particular brand. Have fun

Very cool - thanks man! Looks like Cedar Bluff is demoing Fuel EX 8's! Should fit the bill

 

[kiddiedoc]

Knoxville guys - any local bikes shops around the area that allow you to demo their bikes on the trail? I'm taking my sis out on her first single track ride and want to procure something nice for her (she doesn't own a bike)

I think Echelon has demos, too. For her first ride, I'd highly recommend Loyston Point for a good long loop, or there is a very manageable short track off Northshore near the Concord road roundabout. You can get there from the Cove park Greenway.

 

[sona]

Very cool - thanks man! Looks like Cedar Bluff is demoing Fuel EX 8's! Should fit the bill

Welcome. Have fun in Knox!

 

[SWIL]

I think Echelon has demos, too. For her first ride, I'd highly recommend Loyston Point for a good long loop, or there is a very manageable short track off Northshore near the Concord road roundabout. You can get there from the Cove park Greenway.

thanks, doc. Does Bakers Creek have any beginner sections?

 

[sona]

thanks, doc. Does Bakers Creek have any beginner sections?

There are some trails there that are not downhill runs. I have seen obvious beginners on those but I don't really know them well. For the most part I just ride to get to the start of Barn Burner so I don't know most of the connecting trails and loops there. There are probably much better options for a beginner in Knoxville. I imagine if she is ok as far as fitness goes but lacking in skills you can find something that works for her. You can check out the trail descriptions here: http://www.outdoorknoxville.com/places/trails/south/baker-creek-preserve

Kiddiedoc has a good suggestion for a beginner ride, check out the Cove he mentioned above near the traffic circle. The main loop there is just a nice little woodsy ride. There are seriously technical sections if you want to hit them but the they are all marked well so easily avoided. Technical in that area means rocks, lots and lots of off-camber rocks. Across the way at Concord Park where the older trails are, she will likely have an issue with all of the roots. I would avoid that side entirely.

Check out the Ijams Nature Center trails also. Many trail options there. Now, what I would do is find her a nice ride at Baker (not the downhill course) and then drop her off at SoKno Taco while you go and rip the downhill runs

Link to Ijams, also has almost every other trail in the area listed: http://www.outdoorknoxville.com/places/trails/south/ijams-nature-center-trails

 

[SWIL]

There are some trails there that are not downhill runs. I have seen obvious beginners on those but I don't really know them well. For the most part I just ride to get to the start of Barn Burner so I don't know most of the connecting trails and loops there. There are probably much better options for a beginner in Knoxville. I imagine if she is ok as far as fitness goes but lacking in skills you can find something that works for her. You can check out the trail descriptions here: http://www.outdoorknoxville.com/places/trails/south/baker-creek-preserve

Kiddiedoc has a good suggestion for a beginner ride, check out the Cove he mentioned above near the traffic circle. The main loop there is just a nice little woodsy ride. There are seriously technical sections if you want to hit them but the they are all marked well so easily avoided. Technical in that area means rocks, lots and lots of off-camber rocks. Across the way at Concord Park where the older trails are, she will likely have an issue with all of the roots. I would avoid that side entirely.

Check out the Ijams Nature Center trails also. Many trail options there. Now, what I would do is find her a nice ride at Baker (not the downhill course) and then drop her off at SoKno Taco while you go and rip the downhill runs

Link to Ijams, also has almost every other trail in the area listed: http://www.outdoorknoxville.com/places/trails/south/ijams-nature-center-trails

A small change of plans - will be hitting Raccoon mtn next Sat all day - we're going to setup shuttle and bomb it all day =D

but gotta leave Knoxville fairly early Sunday morning so I won't be taking sis on anything.

Might have time to sneak in 1 hour somewhere - preferably close to I75 S below K-town.

What's my best choice? Ijams?

 

[kiddiedoc]

A small change of plans - will be hitting Raccoon mtn next Sat all day - we're going to setup shuttle and bomb it all day =D

but gotta leave Knoxville fairly early Sunday morning so I won't be taking sis on anything.

Might have time to sneak in 1 hour somewhere - preferably close to I75 S below K-town.

What's my best choice? Ijams?

The South Knox Loop is awesome, and I park at Ijams, but the whole loop is more of a 2 hour+ affair unless you are pretty dang fast. If you are wanting a shorter ride, go to Baker Creek on the west side of the loop, where you can access the downhill runs and hop over to what is my favorite area of the loop via Red Bud trail (Marie Myers Park).

http://www.outdoorknoxville.com/urban-wilderness

Alternatively, Haw Ridge is just a few minutes up Pellissippi Parkway off the Edgemore Rd exit on the way south on 75.

Hope you enjoy your rides!

 

[Bassmaster_Vol]

Just got my bike and completed my first ride. I'm so out of shape I feel dead after only 12 miles 😂. Thing that hurts the most are my shoulders. Y'all have any tips for that?

 

[kiddiedoc]

Just got my bike and completed my first ride. I'm so out of shape I feel dead after only 12 miles 😂. Thing that hurts the most are my shoulders. Y'all have any tips for that?

12 miles is a pretty good ride for me, depending on the track. Ride more, try not to tense up your neck and shoulders or squeeze too firm with your hands.