I want to ride on beautiful rural roads.... but cars scare me.

[froglegs]

I've had a mountain bike for a few years and have ridden it off and on. In the last several months I've stepped up my exercising effort (running & weights too) so I found myself riding the bike more and more, and started really looking forward to riding it. It quickly became my favorite form of exercise. I've been wanting to go longer distances, and I usually ride on the road, so recently I got a road bike. I absolutely love it, although I am still getting used to the different feel and I am still pretty timid going downhill.

I've mostly been sticking with familiar "safe" routes in and around my town. However, living on the central coast of CA, there are many beautiful roads I would love to explore on my bike. Many of them are in rural areas and have low traffic, but they also have no bike lane or shoulder. People tend to go 40 or 50mph or sometimes much faster if they can get away with it. It just doesn't seem safe. I know people ride their bikes on these roads all the time..... but how do you get over the fact that one driver failing to "share the road" could end your life? Family members sharing their fears about me getting hit are not helping). Please tell me how I can overcome my fear so I can get the most out of the beautiful area I live in.

[DirtDiva]

Go riding on the scary bits with someone experienced... Wear bright colours so drivers have no excuse not to see you... Don't be afraid to take the lane (i.e. ride in the middle) where necessary if that is the only way you can be sure drivers will see you... Drive the route first so you know what to expect... Keep these more nervous parts of rides shorter as you build up your confidence so you are not stressed out for the entire ride...

[elk]

It's damn scary....if i get on a traffic-y road, I'm going to get one of these:

http://nordicgroup.us/s78/flags.html

I read that the more attention you call to yourself via bright colors etc, the safer you are. Makes sense!

elk

http://www.flashback.ca/products/accessories.html
one place I found to buy them...

[cyclingmom01]

After you've been on the road a couple of times, the fear will hopefully subside. And once you've ridden on some beauiful rural roads, you may find that you don't want to ride in town. Be cautious and enjoy.

[Kalidurga]

I felt the same way a year ago, froglegs. I started out road riding through parks in the area, specifically US Civil War battlefields. That way I could get used to cars, but at low speeds. Then I took the plunge and went on a rural road ride with a more experienced fellow TE'er (MDHillSlug) and that changed everything. There are still certain roads that I don't think I'd ever ride by myself and would be hesitant to ride even with a group, but I've been hitting (no pun intended) other, more rural roads by myself and becoming much more comfortable on them.

A few things I've learned for myself (which may or may not apply in your situation):

- Starting out with an encouraging buddy or group, as DirtDiva suggested, is very helpful. I'd still be riding nothing but rail-trails and towpaths if it weren't for my TE buddies :D
- If you have a state or national park nearby, try riding the park roads. There's less and slower traffic, though the drivers can be even more oblivious than usual.
- The type of rural road can make a difference. I've found that I'm more comfortable on narrow roads with no dividing line. Cars generally have to go more slowly on those roads and drivers are prepared to move out of the way of other vehicles. Once there's a dividing line, though, not only does the speed increase, but some drivers seem to feel that they can't cross over that line, which means we cyclists have to squeeze over.
- Whenever possible, make eye contact and wave at drivers. Most folks driving around rural roads are pretty friendly. If you're friendly back, they're much less likely to run you off the road. It also helps to lodge the idea in their minds that there are cyclists out there to be aware of and watch out for.

This has also been very helpful: BicycleSafe.com: How Not to Get Hit by Cars (http://bicyclesafe.com/). While it applies mostly to town or city riding, the basic thought-processes can be applied to riding anywhere. Take the lane, always signal your intentions, think about things from the driver's perspective, etc.

And, last, a tip I read in the RoadBikeRider newsletter, but have not yet tried: Wear a red/white/blue jersey, or one with an American flag pattern. Folks living in rural areas can tend to be very patriotic, and the person who suggested this idea figured that, while they might run you off the road, they'd never want to hurt an American flag. If anyone ever tests this idea, I'd love to know whether it works.

Good luck, froglegs. When you do make it out on those beautiful Cali roads, take some photos to share with us!

[rij73]

Wear a red/white/blue jersey, or one with an American flag pattern. Folks living in rural areas can tend to be very patriotic, and the person who suggested this idea figured that, while they might run you off the road, they'd never want to hurt an American flag.

OMG, that is brilliant!!! I bet it's true!

All these ideas are great. I've been going out to Connecticut on weekends with DH to ride the beautiful country roads and get some hill practice. I could never do it by myself. DH is more experienced, and knows all the roads out there from riding them on BMX and mountain bikes as a kid! :eek: He rides a little farther out in the road than me cause he's more confident, and that makes me feel safer. So, find a more experienced buddy! Maybe through a cycling club or LBS or something...

[onimity]

I know how you feel, it took me a long time to get comfortable riding on the road for the same reasons...

I agree with the others that you should start by riding with a more experienced rider and wear clothing that makes you super-visible.

I think it's natural to be scared that a car coming up behind you may not see you since you can't see them, but statistically this is just not how cyclists typically get hit be cars. The most common cases are things that you can prevent by being alert, usually at intersections or when the cyclist is, say, riding the wrong way down the street. Be alert, be predictable, and getting a mirror to see what is coming up behind you may be a big help as well. It made me feel a lot more confident to be able to see cars behind me. There is a great mirror for mountain bikes by mirrorcycle.

Finally, you *should* be afraid of cars, they can kill or hurt you very badly. But if you are confident and safe the likelihood is really low; a healthy dose of fear will help you to stay alert and safe.

This article (http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/health/risks.htm) had a big impact on me...

Anne

[mimitabby]

I'm still scared. It depends on the road. If it's a road where there is no shoulder, and cars drive fast, I'm not going to like it. We have lots of roads around here so i have good choices.
country roads are great because there are a lot less cars. That fear you have is good, it might save your life.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Wear screaming yellow clothes, get a mirror and USE it. Plus all the other very good suggestions that have already been made! :)

Keep in mind that "safe" routes around town have many more traffic intersections and driveways....those places are where LOTS of bike/car accidents happen. So maybe it's partly a perception thing that makes you think that shoulderless rural roads are "more" dangerous. I tend to think it's just because you are USED TO riding certain types of routes and thus you feel they are "safer". Your nervousness will get less as you ride those country roads, believe me. :)

By the way- where do I feel the absolute SAFEST riding?- on the sides of high speed highways with lots of traffic zooming past. Why?? Because there are no intersections, no hidden driveways, no blind curves, cars all going straight, fairly wide shoulders...and the cars can all see me from a million miles away. People always ask me "Don't you get scared riding on those fast highways?"...funny.

[elk]

http://cgi.ebay.com/bike-safety-flag-American-bracket-mount-bicycle-flags_W0QQitemZ280113421791QQihZ018QQcategoryZ22689QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Here...an American flag as bicycle safety flag!!
brilliant.

elk

[IFjane]

- Whenever possible, make eye contact and wave at drivers. Most folks driving around rural roads are pretty friendly.

And, last, a tip I read in the RoadBikeRider newsletter, but have not yet tried: Wear a red/white/blue jersey, or one with an American flag pattern. Folks living in rural areas can tend to be very patriotic, and the person who suggested this idea figured that, while they might run you off the road, they'd never want to hurt an American flag. If anyone ever tests this idea, I'd love to know whether it works.

Good luck, froglegs. When you do make it out on those beautiful Cali roads, take some photos to share with us!

All good suggestions, froglegs - good luck out there!

Kali, I agree completely with waving at drivers. I try to wave at EVERY car that passes me, either coming or going (most riding done on unlined country roads). It has gotten to the point that now many drivers wave first so I know it is making a difference.

One of my riding buddies swears by the American Flag theory & wears jerseys with flags on them most of the time. I can't say that I am definitely safer when he's there, but I don't mind!

[elk]

one more thing....

I ALWAYS wear an orange safety vest, and I'm at the door handing one to DH when he goes out for a ride. You can buy all kinds of them them on ebay pretty cheap.

Yesterday, I gave DH one and I watched him ride away; I could see his vest all the way down the street...impossible to miss.

Rivendell sells the triangle that straps on your back.

Or/ AND/ that flag that sticks out....

On Monday another cyclist was killed here....you can't stop living, but you can;t be too careful either...

[elk]

http://www.teamestrogen.com/categories.asp?catID=55

TE carries lots of the things I just mentioned:o (thanks Fredwina)

[RoadRaven]

Isn't it interesting, froglegs, I feel MUCH MUCH safer on rural roads than town ones...

The others have given great advice - ride with someone else if you can - but behind each other, not parallel to each other.
Bright/ high vis clothes a must.
And always carry a cell phone and let someone know where you are going and/or how long you think you'll be.

Do have a go - I lurve country roads
:)

[onimity]

This:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=24206

Is another of my favorites. The gray portion of the back is mesh, so it is cool even in the summer and can be worn over everything. Plus, it has a great pocket. :) My parents were worried about my sister & I riding on roads until they saw us from over a mile away one day...they still worry, but much less.

Anne

[PscyclePath]

Ditto on what Lisa said...

Also from Forester, et al, you're 2.6 times more likely to have a crash riding on a bike path or multi-use path than you are if you get out, mix it up, and ride in rush hour commuting traffic. (The underlying reason being the mixing of bikes with pedestrians in the same space. Pedestrians have no rules, they can dart, stop, turn at will, where at least cars and bikes are supposed to be following the same rules of the road.)

Check and see if the local bike clubs or advocacy groups are holding the LAB "Road I" course or its equivalent in your community. This is an excellent way to get used to riding out on the road, whether on a road bike, mountain, bike, or whatever... and more than 2/3rds of the class focuses on time-in-the-saddle experience.

[Zen]

And, last, a tip I read in the RoadBikeRider newsletter, but have not yet tried: Wear a red/white/blue jersey, or one with an American flag pattern. Folks living in rural areas can tend to be very patriotic, and the person who suggested this idea figured that, while they might run you off the road, they'd never want to hurt an American flag. If anyone ever tests this idea, I'd love to know whether it works.


I didn't read that but kind of came up with the idea myself. I call it the Redneck Principle when I wear my U.S. Army jersey:p 4484
But sometimes I wonder if that star looks like a bulls-eye:eek:

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Here's where I get some but not all of my Brooks Nightlife line of screaming yellow stuff:
http://www.terrybicycles.com/search.html
Just punch in "nightlife" and they'll all come up.

(And if you do web shopping searches you can find some of those pieces cheaper elsewhere.)

[aly]

I feel the same as you about the rural traffic, but I get more relaxed and feel more confident each time I ride. I'm thinking about getting a mirror, since the cars are often quiet and spook me when I don't expect them- it would also help me stop looking behind me and swerving into the road.

We have lots of crazy sports bikes and expensive fast cars zooming all through the rural roads where I ride, however, it's worth dealing with. I absolutely love the central coast and would also be eager to ride all the time if I lived there. I think you'll be happy and much more comfortable than you expect. You're so lucky to live up there!

[indysteel]

Isn't it interesting, froglegs, I feel MUCH MUCH safer on rural roads than town ones...

The others have given great advice - ride with someone else if you can - but behind each other, not parallel to each other.
Bright/ high vis clothes a must.
And always carry a cell phone and let someone know where you are going and/or how long you think you'll be.

Do have a go - I lurve country roads
:)

I'm with Road Raven here. I "cut my teeth" riding by myself out in the country. My nearest misses with cars have been in town, including on this past weekend where the car intentionally buzzed me (an oversized pickup with the American flag painted on the back window incidentally). I'd much rather ride country, rather than town or city, roads. Of course, out in the country there's another hazard, at least in my neck of the woods. Loose dogs!

The suggestions you've gotten are good ones. You might check around at bike shops or local clubs to see if there are any regularly uses rural bike routes in your area. For instance, I do a route quite frequently that one of the shops uses for its weekly training ride. The people who live and/or travel on those roads are used to seeing cyclists and are generally more aware.

[PscyclePath]

I didn't read that but kind of came up with the idea myself. I call it the Redneck Principle when I wear my U.S. Army jersey:p 4484
But sometimes I wonder if that star looks like a bulls-eye:eek:

I have the same problem with mine, I guess... but I write it up to being an Army vet in a primarily Air Force community...

... At least there's no Navy bases here! ;-)

Tom

[aicabsolut]

I've been buzzed lots of times on lots of different roads. I just stay as far to the right as is safe. I look behind me all the time. I make sure the driver behind me sees me turn around, and I use that to clue them in that I'll need to come out farther to avoid an upcoming hazard or something. I will take the lane when necessary, and I check behind me even more.

I think mirrors provide a false sense of security. I'm all in favor of just learning how to look behind you and hold a line. Use your ears and your eyes.

Rural roads are my favorite riding terrain, even on some of the higher speed ones.

[annie]

I ride in town ONLY to get out of town or to get to work. Otherwise, it's backroads, country roads for me. I am much more uncomfortable in town, riding the busy streets.

I think you've been given some great advice here, on how to deal with riding on the rural roads. I can't think of anything to add. All I want to say is that once you try it and get used to it, I believe you'll never want to go back to riding in town. I encourage you to give the rural roads a chance.

Annie

[froglegs]

Hi everyone, thanks so much for all the advice, encouragement, and links. It is especially comforting to find out that cycling isn't all that dangerous from a statistical standpoint, and it makes sense that driving in town would be more dangerous, with all the intersections and driveways. I definitely feel better about venturing out of town. There are a few roads in particular that I know a lot of cyclists use, so I think I'll start with those. :)

[Tuckervill]

I got buzzed by a dump truck while in Maine a couple of weeks ago. He tried to pass me in full view of a pickup coming towards us on a bridge. God forbid he should have to slow down or something!

Dump trucks always seem to be going way faster than they have to be for safety. I think they must try to get as many loads in a day so they get paid more. I'll bet they're not penalized for being unsafe, either.

He probably wouldn't have hit me, but would have hit the pickup if something had gone wrong. It was still scary, though.

Karen

[latelatebloomer]

I ride rural roads by myself all the time, and in defense of my country neighbors, with very little exception, I have found drivers to be cautious and courteous. For one thing, it seems almost everyone knows someone who rides now, so that inspires care. Also, rural drivers are used to unusual stuff on the roads - tractors, horses, wildlife, big ol' LLB on her bike again.
I think it's VERY important to be visible (see my post about unsafe jersey colors?) and I also avoid rush hour, when traffic is heavier and faster and drivers are sleepy/hungry/more distracted. I start my weekday summer rides at 6pm and have the roads to myself, also Sat & Sunday mornings, it's like riding through a ghost town.

2 tips - ride where your right tire would be if you were driving your car. It keeps you more visible, and gives you a little wiggle room for moving to the right even if there's no shoulder tot he road. Keep your eye (and mind )on the road no matter how breathtaking the scenery. If you start to get into a spot of trouble, LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO and pedal yourself there! I wish I'd known this one right away - I learned the hard way that if I look were I don't want to go, that's exactly where I'll end up...maybe literally!:eek:

And I'm STILL in the process of riding where I feel safest and adding new roads gradually. If I start to feel "iffy" I listen to my intuition and head back to a one of my "steady" roads. and when I'm having a strong, confident ride that day, my bike will want to wander a bit, and I'll give her her head.

[sundial]

I ride the back roads the farmers travel and I have really enjoyed it. They have been pretty courteous for the most part but on one occasion I had to get off the road for a combine that wanted to be a road hog. :mad:

Arkansas is notorious for having bad roads and roads with little to no shoulders, so I don't cycle on major highways very often. The few times I have I rode with an experienced rider and it was pretty exciting. It also boosted my confidence.

I think the more often you do it, the more confident you'll become. Just keep a cell phone with you, personal protection, Road ID, money, nutrition and spare tubes and you should be good to go.

[RolliePollie]

When I first started riding the rural country roads around here, I was scared to death! But over the last few months, I've come to love riding the poorly paved, shoulderless roads for so many reasons...beautiful scenery and light traffic to name a few. But I would not ever consider riding without my helmet mirror! Although I can generally hear traffic coming up behind me, I want to know what kind of car it is, if there's more than one back there, etc. Plus there are some nearly silent cars out there, like the Prius, and you don't always hear them coming. It's helpful for me to know that the big pick-up truck that's about to pass me also happens to be pulling an extra large horse trailer. Or that the loud vehicle I hear really is a monster logging truck who I know is not going to slow down or move over. I still look over my shoulder before crossing streets, left turns, etc., but that helmet mirror really makes me feel safer.

I hope you can get out on those country roads and enjoy yourself. I used to literally shake from the fear, but now I'm in love with my rural routes. Good luck!

[Tri Girl]

go get 'em froglegs! Go hit those country roads and enjoy yourself.

I'm with sara- I always wear my mirror (and my neon blinding green safety vest). Sure I look dorky, but cars can see me and I can see them. I love my mirror, because I've found that if I ride in the tire place on the road, when a car is coming up behind me I move over and most cars are very appreciative that I've moved over for them. I rarely have been buzzed when doing this. When I first started riding, I never did that and got buzzed a lot more. I think it's because they see that I'm giving them room so they give me room. Don't know if that's the case or not, but it makes me feel better anyway. :p

[RolliePollie]

I love my mirror, because I've found that if I ride in the tire place on the road, when a car is coming up behind me I move over and most cars are very appreciative that I've moved over for them. I rarely have been buzzed when doing this. When I first started riding, I never did that and got buzzed a lot more. I think it's because they see that I'm giving them room so they give me room. Don't know if that's the case or not, but it makes me feel better anyway. :p

I've noticed this same phenomenon! I get buzzed a lot more often if I'm already riding really close to the side of the road when a car comes up behind me. I agree that maybe drivers are perceiving us as doing them a favor by moving over. And many times, I'm riding in the tire place out by the center line because the entire right half of the lane is broken pavement. Then I really have to move over for cars, and maybe they do appreciate all that effort I'm making to get out of their way! At any rate, all this is possible because of that handy dandy little helmet mirror.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I've noticed this same phenomenon! I get buzzed a lot more often if I'm already riding really close to the side of the road when a car comes up behind me. I agree that maybe drivers are perceiving us as doing them a favor by moving over. And many times, I'm riding in the tire place out by the center line because the entire right half of the lane is broken pavement. Then I really have to move over for cars, and maybe they do appreciate all that effort I'm making to get out of their way! At any rate, all this is possible because of that handy dandy little helmet mirror.

I agree 110%. Plus, when you use your mirror and then move over when a car is coming, they then know that you are aware of them coming up behind, and I think they appreciate knowing that you know and are not going to swerve out unexpectedly. Sometimes a car just slows way down behind me ion rural roads and I know they are hesitant to pass me (though there is room) ....I see them in my mirror and wave them on to pass me and I KNOW they really appreciate that. Cars really appreciate it when you do things that show you know they are coming up behind you and its ok to pass you.
My helmet mirror broke last month and I had to go for one ride without it. It was AWFUL- it was just like driving a car without any rearview or side mirrors. NO THANKS.

[froglegs]

This morning I went for a ride on a windy, hilly, narrow road flanked by vineyards, ranches, and oak trees. I went to a nearby town and back, about 24 miles round trip. It was SO FANTASTIC. I felt WAY more comfortable out there than I ever do in town. There were very few cars, I was able to hear them coming (haven't had time to buy a mirror yet, going to today) and they all gave me plenty of space. At one point, after going up a particularly long hill, I accidentally dropped my water bottle and it rolled across the road. There happened to be a car passing by, and the driver slowed all the way down to avoid running over my bottle. I thought that was very nice.

I went by myself, but I knew that the route I was going was frequented by cyclists, and I saw TONS of them. I will definitely be going on that ride again, maybe a little farther next time. :D

I want to say thanks to everyone here, if not for all of you, it probably would have taken weeks for me to work up the courage to do this!!

[jusdooit]

I don't use a mirror and rarely have difficulty hearing cars. A great place to search for routes in your area is mapmyride.com. You can also use it to track your own routes, or map out new ones.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I have tried out several ride mapping sites, and I like mapmyride.com the best too. It can also show you the elevations of a ride you are planning, so you are not surprised by unexpected huge hills, etc.
I love it! :)
Be sure to check the "follow roads" box and it will mark precisely right along on the road as you click.

[aicabsolut]

go get 'em froglegs! Go hit those country roads and enjoy yourself.

I'm with sara- I always wear my mirror (and my neon blinding green safety vest). Sure I look dorky, but cars can see me and I can see them. I love my mirror, because I've found that if I ride in the tire place on the road, when a car is coming up behind me I move over and most cars are very appreciative that I've moved over for them. I rarely have been buzzed when doing this. When I first started riding, I never did that and got buzzed a lot more. I think it's because they see that I'm giving them room so they give me room. Don't know if that's the case or not, but it makes me feel better anyway. :p

I do that too, but I just use my eyes. Not a mirror. When I pass someone with a mirror, I admit I get a little nervous, because I know there are a ton of cars with mirrors who never see me -- the ones that pull out of parallel parking spaces into me or nearly door me. Sure, those drivers may not be using their mirrors. It's just that I expect a cyclist without a mirror to look behind before coming farther out in the road. One with a mirror may just check the mirror, and if they don't see me, well, that could really suck for my front wheel. I will say something to someone I'm passing who doesn't expect me there, but I generally don't start hollering at them from behind.

***flame suit on***

I'll look back, and if the car follows for a long time on a windy country road, when it's clear, I'll wave them by.

[KnottedYet]

I use my dingy-bell from behind, then holler "one bike, passing on your left" when I'm close enough that they'll hear me, but well before my front wheel is anywhere near them. (I like my front wheels... I also like my facial bones right they way they are! ;) )

Froglegs: congratulations!! Sounds like a lovely ride, and a very considerate car when your water bottle went AWOL.

[latelatebloomer]

As my buddy Trekhawk says, Good on you, mate! A toast to you for facing your fear and letting friends help you through it. MANY happy miles to you! (another little tip - yoga/stretching to keep your back and neck nice and flexie, so that quick look behind you is fluid, easy, and has a lot of range.) :D

[emily_in_nc]

froglegs,

Congratulations on your rural ride! I too have been struggling with this fear. I used to ride 1000s of miles yearly on rural roads with very little fear, but I had a serious accident (fractured my pelvis in three places) when two dogs ran out at me on a rural road about 6 miles from home in April '05. After my surgery and recovery, I was just getting back to tentatively riding again that fall, when my father died in an auto accident (also on a rural road near his farm) in Oct. '05. After that, I couldn't bring myself to ride on the road for a long, long time. I just felt way too vulnerable. I took up mountain biking in early summer of 2006, but didn't get back out on my road bike until August of '06, and the first few rides I was almost shaking from fear.

I still struggle with occasional anxiety when I am out there on the road, especially about the possibility of a dog or dogs running out, and to a lesser extent over cars and trucks, but I'm dealing with it the best I can. And the more I ride, the less I get overwhelmed by fear. I've definitely lost my innocence, but if that makes me a safer, more careful rider, then that is a silver lining in all this. I just can't let my life be ruled by fear, no matter how tempting it sometimes is! I'd just miss riding too much -- my passion for this activity runs very deep.

Emily

[RoadRaven]

Hey hey hey again froglegs!

Wll done, glad you enjoyed it, glad you had a go

I am a big fan of rural roads... pleased you have found them to be not soooo daunting
:)

[elk]

I wanna go too...;-) You've inspired me.

[froglegs]

Wow, that is a great site (mapmyride.com). Great for my running too! I am really looking forward to Friday, the next time I can go for a ride........ I'm starting to sound like an addict...I need my fix!! :eek: