I have very little traffic, so my perceived safety is not a big issue. I have been reading about a how to encourage more biking and there are differences between males/females, distances and about bike paths/lanes. Are we not traffic?
That said I go an additional 3/4 mile going and nearly 2 miles coming home to avoid unpleasant traffic (route 28 and 105) Why do I go out of my way? First, it is a small percentage of my ride. I'm so slow that in my hour or so ride 5-10 more minutes aren't very important in my decision about where to ride. I'm commuting but I'm having fun doing so and the road ought to be scenic and enjoyable.
Now that I've got Neck road back I have a great trip in. I have most cars give me an exaggerated pass (pulling way over to the left lane to go by me). A study shows that cars are more likely to come close to bikers with helmets, presumably because they think these bikers are more proficient and predictable. Perhaps my riding isn't as smooth as I think it is and my blinky light and bright colors warn folks.
The switch to standard time has made the morning commute brighter but the afternoon is now in twilight. Perceived safety by others is a concern (I don't like defending my transportation as a matter of conversation). I've been using a mag light on the front and my Niterider SOL has been returned, supposedly repaired. We'll see how it goes tomorrow. There have been a few (and I mean less than 1/2 dozen) cars come close enough for me to touch (not even close enough to be a "close call"). One happened on the way home yesterday, the car went a few more hundred yards and pulled into a drive way. The driver (later middle aged man) was leisurely walking around his car on the way in. He had to rush by me,... for what? He didn't save any time staying near me, I didn't delay him. I had a momentary inferiority sense, well he's coming home from his hard day at work and was thinking only of home and comfort. But that's where I was heading as well. I was just enjoying the route a bit more, going slower. This might be the reason I continue to bike commute. Not savings, not health, but perspective on time.
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| From New bike pictures |
It is clearly fall, with the leaves dropped from most trees. The colors are wonderful, and the low light coming home has allowed me to keep smiling most of the way. After a brief cold snap in October its been cool (30-40s) in the morning but not freezing. I did get neoprene booties and they are wonderful. My fingers are a bit cool, and I seem to go from freezing on my torso to sweating in little time. Need to start out a bit cooler and warm up as I go along. My car doesn't warm up this quickly.
My mileage
for October was less than Sept., probably due to less around town travel (to meeting, post office, etc.) and we missed again this first day (too much unloading from the shed to get going in time). I'd love to get the "tank" cleaned up and kept on the porch for short errands. Travel with family is an event. Worthwhile but logistics are a bit more deliberate than piling into a car. In other mundane information: I had a mini tune up (the derailler fix) at Southcoast. Gary tightened bits, straightened wheels and fixed the shifting (turned out to be the lever up front was loose!). A great change. I've also raised my seat as my knees began to ache a bit. Now my back was unhappy coming home yesterday. Seems as though there is constant fiddling to be done with bikes. I'm not too put out, but it is an advantage with most cars, maintenance is only every few weeks, even months. Of course I've never had a 20+ year old car.
