Cycling Tips & Stories

We have had some light rain this past week that meant some additional challenges for bike transportation. Fortunately, I have some rain pants so I came out of it ok. The problem is that if you ride long enough in the rain your feet are still going to be soaked to the skin. So either a pair of Wellington boots is needed for a fresh pair of socks and shoes kept at one’s destination is required. . . .

One issue that has come up on my daily trips by bike is that some stop lights in the turning lane are not triggered by bike. Thus when this happens I am in a situation where I am trying to comply with the law but am forced to go the red light. Hopefully the city will rectify this in the near future. . . .

The month began by attending the Sustainability Fair. At that event I attended a discussion class on techniques for biking in traffic. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical about the suggestion that at every intersection bikers should take the entire lane of traffic. Up to that point my approach had been to either take the lane or to move past cars on the right depending the characteristics of each intersection. But as a result of the class I have pretty much stuck to taking the entire lane and it has worked out well. . . .

Interesting day today. For first time this month I had to go to a work event away from the radio station. Ironically, given what I am part of with my fellow LCDC participants I was broadcasting live from a car dealership helping them to sell cars!! Compared to many of my fellow participants I have a relatively easy commute each day as about 3 1/2 miles of my journey are on the trail. Today, to get to the car dealership I had to negotiate the Business Loop and Providence Road. I took the back route and thank goodness for the Ped bridge over I 70 on Providence, would not fancy that crossing on the bridge with the traffic!