Second, don’t let temperature or weather dictate your “off-season” perception. I think if you begin to think of off-season and REBUILDING you will get superior results.

Many of my customers who race all year, tend to stagnate and burn out and drift from fundamentals. You may be best to take 2-3 months of rebuilding and reconditioning each year. Maybe more.

Again, to each his or her own. This is just what I have learned from my work over the past decade.

Hope this helps my friend.

I’ll have to remind myself of this pledge come Dec.

Listened to your “Riding Safety and Green Bubble Protection” podcast.

My tips: Personally I try riding at the same time each day, so motorists get to expect me there. I started riding to work every day in the summer, when the mornings were still light and am sure it has paid off. Also leaving just half an hour earlier is paying off, as there is only a quarter or less of the usual traffic, which also means that my lights stand out in the dark, rather than get engulfed with all the other lights!

Great idea to do one on safety. Keep up the brilliant work!

Sigrid

For lights, I use 2 flashers on the back, one flasher on the front, and a 600 lumen helmet light. I like the helmet light because I can get drivers attention at cross streets and oncoming traffic making left turns across my path and make sure they see me. I’m going to check out the marine tape, that sounds like a great idea.

Group riding in large groups that take the whole road for a mass of bikes is a lot of fun, but save it for planned rides or races that have permits to do it and law enforcement for escort. As cyclists we are often our own worst enemies when it comes to getting along with traffic. When someone stops to wait for you smile and wave. When some one cuts you off, let it go.

Finally, I have to continually ask myself why I am out riding and remind my self that slowing or stopping (even when I have the right of way) to cautious or polite - does not lessen the workout. In-fact stopping and starting can increase the workout because I am constantly accelerating.

Signals help everyone fellow riders so that they don’t hit the pothole of gravel in a corner and signals for other road users (cars) so they know what your intention is.

Calling attention to yourself like bright colors is a good point but also by acting like a vehicle on the road. Stopping at Stop signs and red lights, signaling turns, taking the lane if you need to and then moving right when it is safe to do so.

One point regarding the motorists who take pleasure in harassing cyclist I will give a friendly wave when they look back to see your reaction (they almost always look back) and I use all of my fingers not just one. This confuses them and they seem to give a wide berth next time. Maybe they think I’m crazy or the game isn’t fun anymore.

Peter

Ed

About lights, my pesonal rule is that I will not leave the house on the bike without lights mounted because I almost always wind up getting back around dusk and all it takes is one flat before I’m suddenly in the dark. Just my 2 cents.

John

Cheers,

Dan

Mak’em see you!