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First 5BBC Weekend Trip of 2015 A Great Success

Submitted by Allan Friedman on Fri, May 22, 2015

No biggie for this club, right? Congratulations to the team 16 cyclists including the leaders that put this together and made it happen.

A model for others to follow. Lots of pics on Facebook, check them out and if you were on the trip, please add more!

And here is a summary of the experience from the creative spark behind it and the leader who pulled it all together with the team that went, well done Shawn et al!

The 2015 5BBC Montauk Triple Metric Century weekend trip was a huge success! Sixteen members started Saturday and rode 65 miles (more or less) from NYC to Southampton. The suitcases had been collected ahead of time and transported out by car, so it was easy riding!

In Southampton, a charming Victorian farmhouse (with a jacuzzi for those tired muscles) became our home away from home for the weekend. Sunday we had a gorgeous ride of about 65 miles out to the Montauk lighthouse, sampled the local beer and seafood, then fought some headwinds back to Southampton (with a stop for lobster rolls on the way!).

Monday, we closed down the weekend with another 65 mile ride back towards NYC. It was an incredible, friendly, supportive group of riders and much fun was had by all.

We can't wait to do it again next year! And I can't wait to try and join it next year too!

The Best Laid Plans...

Submitted by David Meltzer on Tue, Feb 10, 2015

I had never cycled up to Rye before. I did some research and it seemed like an interesting ride. The scout with Nathalie Pham was great...good bike trails, a tasty pub meal, sitting on the back porch of John Jay's house and some scenic Rye sights. We found a hole in the schedule and listed the ride. The Facebook event was published, cue sheets were made, and we were ready to roll.

And then weather happened. Snow and sleet blanketed the area during the week. Not a lot, just enough to make it sloppy on top of the already existing snow fall. We followed the weather. Weather Underground, The Weather Channel, The New York Times and local TV were all consulted. Of course, they all presented different versions of what Sunday would be like. No rain. 20% chance of rain. Starting in the morning, afternoon, evening. Temperatures as high as 47 with no wind. Or was it 35 with a 10-15 MPH wind? By Friday we did not know.

As sturdy winter riders, we made the call to do the ride. We were going up to Rye! Or so we thought. You know those forecasts saying a high of 47 degrees – they lied. It was a cold group of nine that started, and a colder group of seven who finished. But, undeterred, off we went.

We used the Grand Concourse to head up through the Bronx. The bike lane was buried under the snow. Motorists were digging out and icy snow boulders littered the way. We had the whole panoply of road conditions – ice, slush, sand and yet, it was still passable. HOLE ! Yes, the new crop of potholes was impressive as well.

Onto the Mosholu trail. Well, the sidewalk actually as the trail was covered over. And then we could ride no further. Several inches of slush blocked our way and so we portaged. But it was only for about 50 feet and the trail was then plowed out. We gathered at the Allerton Fields for a bathroom break and pep talk. Yes, it is colder. Yes, the roads are somewhat worse than we expected. But – we are going to Rye. There was talk of a mutiny.

We continued on, with the Mosholu trail being somewhat cleared. Then the Pelham Parkway trail being a slushy, icy mess. No way I wanted to take a group further north. We had a compression stop and determined that it was not safe to head to Rye. Fortunately, the Bronx is full of wonders. We ended up going to see Lourdes of the Bronx, which was only a few miles away. The request was made to pray for warmer weather.

I had decided the head to Arthur Avenue for lunch – but my Sweep had other ideas. And a good point listens to his Sweep. Scouting a different ride we came across an amazing restaurant, Taqueria Tlaxcalli in Parkchester. Too small for a large group, but just right for seven hungry cyclists. We were soon chowing down on posole, burritos, tortas, and other delicacies in the cozy warmth of the restaurant – Paul, one of our new riders had a bowl of soup the size of a hot tub. The intended ride to Rye was soon forgotten.

For me, some of the lunch was spent figuring out the route home. A new cue was rapidly scribbled on the back of the old. Streets I had never travelled on before. We passed public housing and a colorful block of brownstones. Rode by a raging waterfall on the Bronx River. We zig-zagged through the South Bronx before hitting the Willis Avenue Bridge [although a local barbershop identified the street as “Willy Avenue] and home.

You never know when you are planning a ride what conditions will arise during the day. I have had bridges shut down. Police investigations close roads. And of course, the inevitable cries of “We're Hungry!” I really did want to go to Rye – and we will at a later date. But, sometimes you just have to take it as it comes and change stuff around. Through it all, it was a very fun ride. Thanks to our intrepid riders: Paul, Bill, Babby, Elyssa, Rudy and of course my Sweep and scouting partner, Natty. Well done everyone.

The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living for a Human Being

Submitted by Carl Allan Salonen on Sun, Feb 8, 2015

The cool inky darkness of a late September morning slipped past me like motor oil as I plunged my pedals earthward, propelling myself up the moderate incline of the bridge to another borough. 2%, my Garmin tells me. Feels more like whole milk, not 2%.

I hate riding this bridge, yet it is a lifeline to most of the cycling events in New York City. This bridge causes dual anxieties: at once, it is both a lonely ride this early in the morning, yet a ride to be terrified to share the roadway on. The bike and pedestrian path is very narrow and at its pinnacle, there's a very short fence: the rats hold high hurdle events on it. It would not take much to fall hundreds of feet into the icy maelstrom below.

This bridge, it creeps me out every time I cross it. Cross it, I must. It seems pointless to ride a subway for an hour to get to a starting line when a ten minute bike ride through Harlem serves the same purpose.

I'm lit up like a Christmas tree when I ride this time of the morning, in an hour that I can count on the fingers of one hand. It's quiet. It's peaceful. I ride slowly, deliberately feeling each millisecond of each pedal stroke, assessing how my legs feel. Sometimes, the bridge wins and I end up walking my bike part way across, a function of too much too soon before I've warmed up. Most times, my bike wins.

The noise and vibrations of the roadway transcend to the bike path, as the bridge is a major trucking thoroughfare. Sometimes, the chain link fences along the roadway will rattle as if a gangbanger dragged a 2x4 along the metal wires, a function of heavy wheels and metal bridge joints in the road bed.

And did I mention the stairs? There are stairs to climb or descend, depending on your point of view.

This year, I've had three bikes.

I've had my warhorse, my black Trek Sapphira, since 2008 when I decided that my mid-40 paunch had to go. It's stuck around longer than I thought but then so has Sapphira. Sapphira is heavy for a road bike, about 25 pounds, but I don't really mind, because this is New York and there are no hills. 

Just bridges.

There was Shadowfax, a gorgeous white Cannondale that was scary fast, and felt like the outline of a bike under me. When I climbed the few hills I've climbed on him, all I could feel were his handlebars. Even the pedals seemed to melt under my feet. He was a joy to ride until that one fateful morning on the LIE service road when he was hit by a FDNY utility truck. I had to put him down, but 'Fax probably saved my life. All I came away with was a bruise, not even road rash. I was lucky, and I know it, and I also know that it took me a month to feel anywhere near comfortable in traffic again. 

The blue girl, Tiamat, has not been on a real ride yet. I only just purchased her to replace Shadowfax and I've been busy with other things. I've got a feel for her pedals and gearing, tho. I'm ready once the ice melts and the streets dry up. 

I made a choice in 2014 to do the "touristycle" thing: all the NYC rides that attract people from all around the world: the Gran Fondo's 50 miles to Bear Mountain and Five Boro Bike Tour, Escape New York and yes, the City Century.

In their own ways, each of these beat me, or more to the point, I let them beat me. The accident didn't help, to be sure. It's a little disconcerting when I realize how close I came to being dead, and never even saw it coming until it happened. I heard a screech, felt something smack me on the ass, and next thing I know, I've got a new bike. A split second, maybe a hundredth of a second, was all that stood between me and a grave. That threw me off any momentum I had built training to that point. That was what? The end of June? 

But more than that, I learned last year that I didn't even know what I don't know. 

Its funny. I pride myself on my "nosce te ipsum", knowing myself. And I suppose I should have known that, once in these events, I would go flat out. That's who I am: I have two speeds -- full out, and fuller outer. I'm too old for the fullest outest speed.

So I burned out. I cracked hard on some hills. I finished them all but I forgot the first rule of riding which is to ride within yourself. 

For instance, on the Fondo I found myself racing the sweep wagon, the vehicle that organizers will send out along the route at a pace that should coincide with the slowest possible speed a rider can finish in the allotted time. That was a little embarrassing, particularly as it caught me just ahead of the finish line, but I guess they figured by the time they stopped me and loaded my bike, I could have been across the line on my own steam. My legs were jelly when it passed me, but when it passed me, I found the few strands of muscle fiber left and cranked my way over the finish. Despite cracking on the mountain and spending a lot more time walking than I would care to admit, I climbed back on was determined to at least grab a morsel of dignity from the day.

But there was a lot more to the season than just these rides. I made several training rides that I'm very proud of, including the ride that saw my bike destroyed (if I had finished that ride cleanly, it would have topped out somewhere north of 85 miles and would have positioned me perfectly for a century). I did some other tours and rides that I completed, not just finished, in style. Beer at the finish is a powerful incentive. 

I saw some beautiful sunrises, and took some awesome photos. I met and chatted with hundreds of people, many of whom I've seen from time to time out on their bikes, too. I had a lot going on in my life, and though cycling has always been a way to put those aside, this year it almost became an encumbrance: gearing up, watching weather reports, maintaining my bikes, figuring out routes (that one, especially after the accident, was troubling). 

By October, the oily darkness smeared across the sky earlier and lingered. I rode into December, but once, maybe twice a week. I reveled in the freedom even if it now meant keeping one eye and one ear cocked to the rear. I resisted unhitching after that final ride, December 26, as what stood before me was a long winter sat on a stationary bike to work on my climbing legs. Stationary bikes bore me. I might as well be a hamster in a cage. I miss the trees rushing past and the occasional flirting glance from another cyclist, the nod and smile to the pedestrian who I stopped for, the wave to the driver who was kind enough to make sure he stopped for me at the intersection. 

And the quiet. I miss the quiet. It's funny how on a bike even the noisiest city on the planet can wrap you in a little cocoon of silence and introspection. I focus on my breathing, and in a moment, it's me, my bike, and the ride. In a city like New York, you have to carve those moments out for yourself, as tethered as we are to our smartphones and e-mail. 

It's 2015. Let's gat to it already! 

5BBC Volunteers Needed for Bike New York

Submitted by Shawn Carney on Mon, Jan 19, 2015

Bike New York has announced that the Five Boro Bike Tour will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2015. If you're interested in volunteering, there's a place for you!

The TD Five Boro Bike Tour brings 32,000 cyclists of all skill levels from around the world on a tour through the five boroughs of New York City. Did you know that it's also the world’s biggest charitable bike ride? The proceeds fund BNY's free bike education programs, like the Bike Path Cruise Rides that teach New Yorkers valuable bike skills. 

Five Borough Bike Club members often volunteer to lead BNY's Bike Path Cruise Rides, help out with the BNY Bike Expo, and marshal or provide other support on the day of the TD Five Boro Bike Tour!

If you're interested in participating in any of these activities, please sign up for the new BNY Volunteer Management System. Even if you've volunteered with Bike New York in the past, this system is new so you'll need to create an account, too. Once you've signed in and set up your profile, you can browse the various volunteer opportunities available.

Thanks for your interest and your time.

 

5BBC Web Site - Did You Know?

Submitted by Amy Niebel on Sun, Jan 18, 2015

The 5BBC web site is your site! The content you see on the site is largely created by members like you and we want your contributions! Do you have a great article you’d like to share with the club? You can! Do you want to give your local bike shop props by having them listed on the Affiliated Bike Shops page? You can do that too! Did you see a great web site that the Club would benefit from seeing? Feel free to share on the Links page!

You can add content one of two ways:

  • At the bottom of each page, you will see a red “Add ...” button.
  • In the black menu bar at the very top of your browser window, you will see a menu item “Content>Add content>(content type)” where “content type” may be Link, Announcement, etc.

Bear in mind that if you don’t see an option to add something, it may be because you are not logged in or you do not have a role such as Leader or Board Member.

Our wonderful Communications Coordinators will review the submitted content and may suggest revisions or approve. Once approved, it will appear on the site for everyone to see.

Please do not hesitate to ask help@5bbc.org if you’d like to add content and do not see an option to do so.

Have fun!

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Submitted by David Meltzer on Mon, Nov 24, 2014

The Winter riding season is upon us.  The short sleeved jerseys are packed away.  The shorts will likey not see the light of day until sometiime in April.  For many, this is a time for hibernation.  But, your club is not only Five Boroughs - it's also Four Seasons.  So...why ride when there is an Arctic chill in the air?  For me, the answer is obvious - I am a cyclist.  It is something that I enjoy doing during the other seasons, and if dressed properly, enjoy it during the Winter.  There is a little of the "man versus elements" thing going on inside my brain.  But, for the most part it really is fun.  The rides are shorter, the groups are smaller, and the sarcasm is still contageous.

The first thing to consider is proper clothing.  Summer is easy, grab a pair of shorts, a jersey and hop on the bike.  Winter does require some planning.  The basic skill is layering.  A good silk or lightweight base layer above and below, heavy long sleeved jersey, heavier sweat pants, vest and a windproof jacket normally works for me.  Of course a riding cap or balaclava that covers the ears.  [Ed Pino has a helmet with built in ear flaps for colder days.]  Feet and hands are essential to keep warm.  For my feet, I normally wear a pair of silk socks and a pair of heavier wool or athletic socks. My bike has dual pedals, so in the colder days I eschew the clip-ins and wear regular hiking type boots.  Their insulation works far better on cold days than my clips that are designed to circulate air.  Some take the over boot route, these fit over your bike shoes and are available both on line and in many local bike shops.  Hands are also essential to keep warm.  Unfortunately, mittens are out.  Last year I rode in $8.00 skiing gloves that I got from Modells.  This year I am thinking in investing in some lobster gloves.  Finally, I am a big proponant of the sleeve.  It keeps my neck warm, and I often pull it up over my chin.  Lightweight layers will both keep you warm, and prevent you from looking like the Michelin Man.

Winter rides will usually find me with a thermos on my bike with a hot beverage.  Warmth from the inside out does a lot to restore the spirit on a cold cold day.  A nice cup of hot coffee, tea or apple cider during a short compression stop always seems to revive me.  And of course, you do sweat during the winter so along with the thermos it is necessary to take regular water as well.  Yep, dehydration can happen in the cold too.  Winter food stops, with hearty warming food, are a club tradition.  Last year's 17 degree "Deli Good Ride" featuring matzoh ball soup.  Hot borscht on a cold day at Cafe Glechick.  Last year we were in the Polish Slavic Center having their standard hearty food.  When we looked out the window, it appeared that we missed the start of a snow storm.  The ride back was one of my favorite rides of the year, as we all began to sing "Biking in the Winter Wonderland."  It was like biking inside a snow globe - beautiful.

For many years, Ed DeFraites has been our "Dean" of winter riding.  His "Frostbite Series" is a club staple, usually leaving City Hall Sundays at 10:00.  [His secret is flannel lined jeans].  Other leaders also are now stepping forward and listing rides as well.  This winter I will be doing Poe and Pho, The Good, The Bad and the Gaudy, and bringing back the Brooklyn Donut Massacre.   And I am sure that Bill Mastro has some cold weather tricks up his sleeve.  I hope that other leaders will also step up and continue to lead throughout the Winter.  Remember, as sometimes weather conditions make it unsafe to ride, Winter rides are indeed cancelled somewhat more frequently.  So, if the weather looks iffy, make sure to check the web and Facebook pages for notifications.

Hopefully, the Weather Gods will smile down upon us this winter and there will be no need to keep the bike on the hook.  Winter riding can be fun.  Join us and see for yourself.

MEL

 

 

 

 

A Word From Our Sponsor

Submitted by David Meltzer on Wed, Oct 8, 2014

Most of you know my story. Kat Baur invited me to the Dyker Heights Lights ride. I always thought of my self as a lone wolf. To my surprise, I had a great time. I went to a cool place, I got some exercise. And, best of all, I made some friends. I joined that night. The next year, I took the Leadership Course with Ed Pino and Liz Baum, and pointed my first ride – Brooklyn Beer Geeks. During the past two years I have been Vice President of the 5BBC, and have continued to host rides all over the City and in all four seasons. It has been, both literally and figuratively, one hell of a ride.

Four years later, with your support, I will become the next president of the 5BBC. I am excited to take on the job, but wonder why Liz Baum looked like the happiest person at the General Meeting. I want to thank Liz for all that she has done for this club. She has helped train so many of our leaders. She has given her knowledge, time and energy leading the Club as president for the past two years. Thank you Liz.

Leadership is a team sport. And I feel that we have assembled a great slate of nominees for the 2014 Board. Working together, we hope to give all of you all those things I loved about my first ride. Going to cool places, getting some exercise, and enjoying the company of our fellow cyclists. Here is our team:

Vice President – Shawn Carney

I was cramping, exhausted, with sagging spirits. Shawn hung back, made me laugh, and reached her arm out to help push me up a hill. Her Graffiti rides are always some of the year's highlights. That's the kind of person I want leading the 5BBC. As Veep, Shawn can apply herself to any projects that her mind and creativity think up. Also, I am pleased to announce that Shawn will continue in her role as club assassin. You best pay your dues.

Treasurer – Eliz Peters

When you lead a ride with Eliz, you realize how detail oriented she is. She doesn't cut corners when it comes to planning or execution. An experienced Captain and Marshal, a good flat fixer and a cool head in any situation. She is always cautious, observant and looks out for others. These are all qualities one would want in a Treasurer. She is also the single most irritated person if have ever met about motorists parking in the bike lane.

Secretary – Andrea Mercado

Andrea's value is far more than merely the person who has to turn the kaleidoscopic discussions of a 5BBC Board Meeting into a coherent document. She is a person who has the experience and sense of club history that a relative newbie like me lacks. 'Drea, if I blather on too long during a meeting – just give me a kick under the table.

Day Rides Coordinator – Bill Mastro

Day rides are the heart and soul of the 5BBC. Every weekend we have rides going in all directions. All five boroughs. New Jersey. Upstate. Long Island. Each ride must be designed and led by club leaders. The Day Rides Coordinator is the guy who gently nudges leaders to post their rides. Bill also leads by example, developing and pointing some of our most interesting rides. One final note – I made Bill do this. Sorry Bill, but you are just the best person for the job. Thanks also to Fritz Van Orden and Geoff Cohen for their wonderful efforts this past year.

Leadership – Manny Sanudo and Ed Sobin

Every 5BBC ride is designed by a leader. Every ride is pointed and swept by a leader. Emergencies during the ride are handled by a leader. Training great leaders is one of the core needs for the Club. Manny and Ed are responsible for molding good cyclists into great leaders. Join the Leadership Class of 2015. Become a 5BBC Leader.

Membership – Mark Guralnick

Every Friday many of us head to our Facebook pages to see the meal that Mark and Joanne had on their weekly ride and dine. Is it any wonder why Mark gravitated to the 5BBC? After being a frequent tripper, Mark now steps up to his first official role with the Club. Welcome aboard.

Weekend Trips – Jim Zisfein and Doug Von Hoppe

One of the things that our members always clamor for are more weekend trips. Over the last few years, this has been a week spot for the club. In the upcoming year, we plan to have some fun weekend trips. Let's go to Bash Bish Falls in the beautiful Berkshires [how is that for alliteration] Let's take a Friday off and go to Montreal. Want to make this a reality? Contact Dr. Jim or Doug. Pitch in and help out. Let's have an adventure together?

Our Media Team – Wendy Frank, Alfredo Garcia, Allan Friedman and Peter Engel:

Getting the word out. Every week our members get the Weekly Updates and Events from Allan. Alfredo is the editor of our features magazine, The Bicycletter. Peter Engel is doing whatever it is that you do in the Twittersphere. Wendy's media witchcraft secured the 5BBC mention in local blogs, bicycling magazine, New York 1 and the Daily News. Over the past years we have a sensational new web site and a vibrant Face Book Community with over 1,300 likes. Simply put – our media team ROCKS !

They Also Serve – Join our Volunteering Community.

Throughout the year, there are always events that require volunteers to make sure things happen. Ed Raven and Steve Bauman head our efforts during Summer Streets. Bob Castro heads our partnership with Bike New York, where our leaders host Cruise Rides to teach adults how to ride. Ken Williams gets the Holiday Party together. We have numerous Captains and Marshals on the Five Borough Bike Tour, the TA Century, The Epic Ride and numerous other events. We have people manning a table at the Bike Expo. If you have skill, talent, time and desire – contribute to making the club, and the cycling community, a better place.

Looking Ahead

In the four years that I have been in the 5BBC, I have seen the Club grow in numbers, grow in spirit, and grow in fun. I am proud to have done my part. I have met amazing people. I have gone on some rides that I could not have imagined doing only four years ago. I have learned interesting things about my City and about myself. I hope that in the upcoming year, we continue to move forward. We continue to be “New York's Friendliest Bike Club.”

See you on the road.

David MEL Meltzer

Cross Town Streets: Should I be on the left or right?

Submitted by Geoffrey Cohen on Sun, Sep 14, 2014

 

As a New York City cyclist, bike commuter, and all around “let’s ride everywhere” kind of person, I regularly enjoy, while riding cross town, the mystery of wandering bike lanes that seem to move, without rhyme or reason, from one side of the street to the other, and then back again, as if simply restless and seeking a different view.  I think about this conundrum.  

 

I also think about my deeply held goal number one for cycling:  Arrive safely at my destination.

 

The two meet and swirl around my addled brain, seeking some sensible output that will offer me both a greater chance of arriving safely where ever I’m going and provide some rational explanation that explains why the lane jumps from the right to the left side of the street and back again.  As I lock my bike, I look back at the lane and start thinking.  

 

When riding the usual single lane city streets, where am I safest?

 

Being left handed, my natural urge is to holler from the hill tops “Go Left Young Man!”, yet I decide I should think with more than my dominant hand and delve deeper.  I start asking myself questions:

 

When a car is occupied, where are the people inside most likely to be sitting?  This may seem like a trick question, and you may say to me, “well in England...” 

 

However we are not in England, so I confine my examination to our more immediate surroundings.  Most cars, I realize, have a driver.  In these United States, that driver sits in the front left seat.  Also, as we know and as has been shown through studious observation, few Americans coordinate their travel; most cars on our roads are occupied by only one person.  Yes, that same driver sitting on the left.  

 

Thinking even deeper, I realize that most of the time the driver opens the door at his or her side, rather than crawling across the front of the car to the far door. 

 

If I ride on the left, I am far less likely to be doored by an inattentive driver seeking to leap from his vehicle without taking the second or two to look back and see if I am blithely riding down the road and near his car.  The driver in on the other side of the car when leaping out, so I am safest if I RIDE ON THE LEFT.

 

That seems to be a pretty compelling argument for staying to the left.  Let’s look further.

 

Those other cars, not the parked ones, the ones that now and then move along the roadways when not stopped in lines of traffic, have the driver sitting on...hmmm, looking above, I noted that the driver sits in the driver’s seat in the front left side of the car.  Taking that a step further, and assuming that most motorists truly do not seek to run me and my kind down, where would I position myself to best be seen by a driver?    How about right next to the driver?  Riding on the left, the driver has the best view of me; sees where I am; sees how close he or she is to me, and can most safely maneuver by me while allowing me the usual and customary 3 feet of clearance, unless of course the driver is in an SUV, in which case the driver affords me the SUV usual and customary clearance space of 6 inches or so.  RIDE ON THE LEFT.

 

There must be some reasons against riding on the left.  I again start thinking, my brain going into overdrive, smoke billowing out my ears.  Safe from the driver’s door, I wonder what could befall me when riding on the left?

 

Reason number one hit me.  Not exactly at the time I was thinking about my answer, but on three different occasions in our fair city.  Passengers, delighted to having avoided the various tolls and parking fees the driver has just spent a small fortune paying, joyfully throw their door open, smashing into my (fill in appropriately) arm/hand/knee or simply right in front of me so I can enjoy the experience of quickly dismounting my bicycle and flying through the air, at least for the second or so that precedes what is most often a rather inelegant landing.  

 

Do I ride on the right to avoid those passenger doors?  Again, I return to the statistics.  There are more drivers than passengers.  STAY TO THE LEFT.

 

There must be other reasons!  

 

I know, the right hook!  When you ride on the right, and you are close to the vehicle, you are often in the driver’s blind spot, making you susceptible to the dreaded right hook, where the driver turns into you.  This can have dire results for the cyclist.  STAY ON THE LEFT.

 

What about the dreaded left hook?  Does that occur while riding on the left?  Yes, it can happen.  However you are next to the driver and better able, if you are aware and attentive, to see what the driver is doing.  And there is a chance the driver will see you since you are often within 36 inches of the driver.  This gives you added chances to avoid a collision.  STAY ON THE LEFT.

 

I look above at the various conclusions; and they all point the same way....ride on the left!  It is the safest way to ride!!!!

 

 

 

Cross Town Streets: Should I Be On the Left or Right?

Submitted by Geoffrey Cohen on Sun, Sep 14, 2014

As a New York City cyclist, bike commuter, and all around “let’s ride everywhere” kind of person, I regularly enjoy, while riding cross town, the mystery of wandering bike lanes that seem to move, without rhyme or reason, from one side of the street to the other, and then back again, as if simply restless and seeking a different view.  I think about this conundrum.  

I also think about my deeply held goal number one for cycling:  Arrive safely at my destination.

The two meet and swirl around my addled brain, seeking some sensible output that will offer me both a greater chance of arriving safely where ever I’m going and provide some rational explanation that explains why the lane jumps from the right to the left side of the street and back again.  As I lock my bike, I look back at the lane and start thinking.  

When riding the usual single lane city streets, where am I safest?

Being left handed, my natural urge is to holler from the hill tops “Go Left Young Man!”, yet I decide I should think with more than my dominant hand and delve deeper.  I start asking myself questions:

When a car is occupied, where are the people inside most likely to be sitting?  This may seem like a trick question, and you may say to me, “well in England...” 

However we are not in England, so I confine my examination to our more immediate surroundings.  Most cars, I realize, have a driver.  In these United States, that driver sits in the front left seat.  Also, as we know and as has been shown through studious observation, few Americans coordinate their travel; most cars on our roads are occupied by only one person.  Yes, that same driver sitting on the left.  

Thinking even deeper, I realize that most of the time the driver opens the door at his or her side, rather than crawling across the front of the car to the far door. 

If I ride on the left, I am far less likely to be doored by an inattentive driver seeking to leap from his vehicle without taking the second or two to look back and see if I am blithely riding down the road and near his car.  The driver in on the other side of the car when leaping out, so I am safest if I RIDE ON THE LEFT.

That seems to be a pretty compelling argument for staying to the left.  Let’s look further.

Those other cars, not the parked ones, the ones that now and then move along the roadways when not stopped in lines of traffic, have the driver sitting on...hmmm, looking above, I noted that the driver sits in the driver’s seat in the front left side of the car.  Taking that a step further, and assuming that most motorists truly do not seek to run me and my kind down, where would I position myself to best be seen by a driver?    How about right next to the driver?  Riding on the left, the driver has the best view of me; sees where I am; sees how close he or she is to me, and can most safely maneuver by me while allowing me the usual and customary 3 feet of clearance, unless of course the driver is in an SUV, in which case the driver affords me the SUV usual and customary clearance space of 6 inches or so.  RIDE ON THE LEFT.

There must be some reasons against riding on the left.  I again start thinking, my brain going into overdrive, smoke billowing out my ears.  Safe from the driver’s door, I wonder what could befall me when riding on the left?

Reason number one hit me.  Not exactly at the time I was thinking about my answer, but on three different occasions in our fair city.  Passengers, delighted to having avoided the various tolls and parking fees the driver has just spent a small fortune paying, joyfully throw their door open, smashing into my (fill in appropriately) arm/hand/knee or simply right in front of me so I can enjoy the experience of quickly dismounting my bicycle and flying through the air, at least for the second or so that precedes what is most often a rather inelegant landing.  

Do I ride on the right to avoid those passenger doors?  Again, I return to the statistics.  There are more drivers than passengers.  STAY TO THE LEFT.

There must be other reasons!  

I know, the right hook!  When you ride on the right, and you are close to the vehicle, you are often in the driver’s blind spot, making you susceptible to the dreaded right hook, where the driver turns into you.  This can have dire results for the cyclist.  STAY ON THE LEFT.

What about the dreaded left hook?  Does that occur while riding on the left?  Yes, it can happen.  However you are next to the driver and better able, if you are aware and attentive, to see what the driver is doing.  And there is a chance the driver will see you since you are often within 36 inches of the driver.  This gives you added chances to avoid a collision.  STAY ON THE LEFT.

I look above at the various conclusions; and they all point the same way....ride on the left!  It is the safest way to ride!!!!

5BBC on a Global Scale?

Submitted by Mark Guralnick on Sun, Sep 7, 2014

Every year, my wife, Joanne, and I use our vacation time to do what we love to do most… ride our bikes. We have taken about twenty bike tour vacations over the years with three different companies. We have traveled to Hawaii, New Zealand, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Poland, Slovenia, Austria and that doesn’t include our tours in the continental US.

Why do I think of these trips as 5BBC on a global scale? The bike tour companies and 5BBC share so many of the same values: riding to scenic and/or historic places, supported rides, go at your own pace, great food, meeting new people who have at least one common interest as you: riding.

Our most recent bike tour was to Slovenia, Italy and Austria. A bike tour representative met us at the airport in Ljubljana, Slovenia and shuttled us to the hotel. Depending on when the flight arrived, you had as much as half a day to sight-see in Ljubljana.

The next morning our guides met us at the hotel. There were two guides, one from Slovenia and one from Italy. At this time we also met the other travelers, fourteen in all, representing most parts of the US: the Northwest, Southwest, North Central, South Central and the Northeast.

We were shuttled to the start of our first ride, which was very short (about 8 miles). The first ride is always designed to get familiar with the rental bikes. The company asks for your height before the trip to know what size frame you would need. They also ask if you prefer a road or hybrid bike. They provide the helmets (helmets are required, just like 5BBC). Any operational or comfort issues usually turn up on the short ride, so you will be ready for a longer ride the next day.

After this first “warm-up” ride, there is usually a wine and cheese reception at the hotel so that everyone can introduce themselves and the guides give an orientation of what the week will look like. The biking part of the trip is usually six days.

Before each ride, the guides review the day’s route and provide cue sheets, just like 5BBC. They point out the scenic highlights on the cue sheet, as well as tell us where to expect hills or tricky turns. If a guest doesn’t feel like riding a long uphill, the support van will pick up the rider and load the bike onto the van until the top of the hill, so the rider can resume riding. This is a vacation, and nobody has to do all the mileage on the cue sheet if they’re not comfortable with it.

These trips are not designed for the riders who favor “quick spins”. They are set up so that you can stop, take photos, spend time and learn about the beautiful locations that you are riding through. The daily mileage for a trip like this is usually 20-40 miles. The guides provide options for riders who would like additional mileage and/or hills so that they feel satisfied at the end of the day.

One guide rides in the van, the other guide is on a bike as the sweep. The guide in the van will stop at various locations on the route to set up a snack table of fresh fruit, nuts, cookies, water, etc. You never go hungry on these trips.

The day typically starts with breakfast at 7:30, the day’s route review at around 8:30 and wheels down by 9:00. By the time you are ready to ride, each of the bikes has been examined by the guides (their own 2-minute bike check).

Does everyone ride as a group? Rarely, since most ride at different paces. Some people find other riders at a similar pace, others ride solo, and many couples ride together.

There is no point-drop-sweep system, but the van will try to be in locations where a rider might miss a turn. The sweep rides with the slowest rider of the day and stops to fix any flats or other mechanical issues.

Most of the meals are included in the trip price. There are usually a couple of dinners on your own and about half the lunches, too. The tour company takes you to excellent restaurants where you can order off the menu. The first wine/beer is included as well. All breakfasts are paid for. There are 1-2 picnic lunches prepared by the guides with food from the region. My favorite picnic lunch was the one on our Provence, France bike tour with local bread, cheese, meat and veggies.

Most of the accommodations are at inns or small, local hotels but occasionally, you stay at a fancier resort. On this trip we spent two nights in every hotel. So the rides will be out-and-back or you will be shuttled by van/bus to the start location and shuttled back.

The luggage is carried in a trailer and handled by the guides for the entire trip. When we arrive at a new hotel, our bags are waiting for us in our rooms.

On the Slovenia/Italy/Austria trip, we got to experience three different cultures living so close together. One day, we rode through the three countries without having to go through passport control… thanks to all being members of the EU.

Even though we were in the Alps with spectacular vistas in this tour, we were riding in the valleys, so it was not difficult riding. In fact, the tour was rated “easy” on the company website.

The tour companies also provide local cultural tours, such as walking tours of cities or sites, wine tasting, pasta cooking classes, hikes, ferry rides, etc..

Bottom line, if you love cycling, good food, sharing laughs and great scenery, then you should consider bike tour vacations.

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