How can you tell.....

I feel ya Crankin! Fastest I've hit so far is 35.5mph (on a 'safe downhill'), I was feeling quite proud until I heard others after the ride talk about hitting upwards of 45mph. I know what prevents me from descending well is my head. I have this reoccuring thought that when I'm flying downhill, I'll hit a sharp rock and bust the front tire and go airborne into a ravine or face first into a tree. Yes, quite graphic I know, but nonetheless it's that thought that keeps me fearful of going downhill.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BikeHN

I feel ya Crankin! Fastest I've hit so far is 35.5mph (on a 'safe downhill'), I was feeling quite proud until I heard others after the ride talk about hitting upwards of 45mph. I know what prevents me from descending well is my head. I have this reoccuring thought that when I'm flying downhill, I'll hit a sharp rock and bust the front tire and go airborne into a ravine or face first into a tree. Yes, quite graphic I know, but nonetheless it's that thought that keeps me fearful of going downhill.

---

Are you me? Well, for me it's potholes. There are lots of them (and poor attempts at their repair) around here.

In my mind, this is what clues me to a person who is either 'new' or may not be exactly new, but not that serious about riding:
-does not wear a helmet
-wears a helmet but does not fasten it
-cannot turn head to check behind without going off course
-cannot drink from water bottle without getting wobbly
-entire kit is spanking new - bike, clothes
-wears underwear under cycling shorts
-odd wearing of clothes - once saw a guy with a long cotton sleeveless shirt tucked into a pair of cycling shorts
-rides too fast for the situation (although these might not be new, just knobs who don't care about their safety or others)
-is not at ease with clipping in and out - really fears stopping
-someone who weaves around, is unpredictable in their riding
-takes being passed personally - hard to imagine that it is an experienced rider - or maybe just someone with a very large ego!
-someone whose bikes is overflowing with gadgets and gear, or has huge panniers for a day trip (granted, my husband is experienced, but he cannot seem to go for a day ride without packing the kitchen sink. All I need is my wallet, my keys, my cell phone, and my undersaddle kit. )
-training wheels (LOL) ;)

I look in a mirror :)

Or down at my right leg, where there is ALWAYS a mark from my chain, even if I haven't gone 10 feet yet.

I'm not new to cycling, but in about 3 weeks all of my gear is going to be brand new. So be careful who you are poo-pooing and calling newbies. :p

I've had a hybrid bike for about 9 years. Rode it a lot for the first five years, pulling my daughter behind me in a Burley. When she got too big for the Burley, I didn't get to ride much because she was too little to keep up with me on rides obviously, and I didn't want to go off by myself on rides in the evenings when my husband finally got home from work. So haven't ridden much for the past 3-4 years, until this year.

This summer I've ridden several 20-30 mile rides, most with my husband on his hybrid bike. We decided a couple of weeks ago that we needed and deserved nice road bikes. And today he ordered them. In about three weeks, I'll be riding a 2011 Dolce Elite Apex Compact. :D

My helmet is also 9 years old (I know:eek:) and I'll be getting a new one to match my new bike colors as soon as I can find one. I bought new gloves because I lost one of my old ones. I'm getting new shoes because I'm going to have clipless pedals. I guess I can still ride in my bike shorts that I have; no need to buy new ones of those. ;)

But I guess when I take a drink and can keep from wobbling, you'll all know I'm an old pro. LOL

Me, too.
I started riding in 2000.
Guess I'll always be a newbie to some.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by oxysback

When their helmet is on backwards I'd guess they were new. Yes, I've seen this on a supported ride. :/

---

THAT is the best thing i've heard in a long time!!! i wonder if the helmet is more protective that way? ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Aquila

I look in a mirror :)

Or down at my right leg, where there is ALWAYS a mark from my chain, even if I haven't gone 10 feet yet.

---

i thought that was JUST ME! that happens to me EVERY ride! what the heck? :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by trista

I don't think a helmet is something that comes with experience. I think it's a cultural thing. In the cycling-as-a-sport/hobby culture you see a lot more helmets than in the cycling-as-transportation culture. I rode my bike daily to and from college for 4 years and never even owned a helmet, and never saw one on a fellow student on a bike. I lived in Europe for years and don't recall seeing a helmet on the heads of the many cyclists you see everywhere, going to and from the market or whatnot. I see Latinos here in Indy riding to and from work (I assume, since they are wearing uniforms) without helmets... I doubt that they are new to their bike, they just don't wear helmets.

---

Interesting observation--you may have a good point. Doesn't change the fact that riding w/o a helmet is reckless, however.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by buffybike

Interesting observation--you may have a good point. Doesn't change the fact that riding w/o a helmet is reckless, however.

---

picture your brain as an egg and then drop said egg on the sidewalk. That is your brain without a helmet.

I am pretty unabashed about calling anyone who rides without a helmet an organ donor. it's a good thing whhen they take themselves out of the gene pool voluntarily.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Muirenn

I do believe a person who doesn't wear a helmet is not an experienced, i.e., knowledgable cyclist.

---

I am always taken aback when out riding when I see someone (usually male) on an expensive road/racing bike, full kit and NO helmet. I really do not understand those who ride motorcycles without a helmet. Indiana has no helmet law, but really, don't they understand what happens to the skull when it hits the ground unprotected? Perhaps this comes from a belief that it can never happen to them?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Muirenn

-.....
-They have to walk bicycle across at a traffic light because they are in too high a gear and don't understand your instructions for how to downshift.

---

I will still walk my bike at most busy intersections. Not because of my shifting, but because it still takes me a little longer to start than other cyclists and I don't want to p*ss off impatient drivers. I am working on this, but in the end, will do what feels safe to do.

This is the nice thing about my country roads - I just don't yet care for urban cycling. I suspect that this is entirely related to experience though, as I get more, I will become more confident on urban roads. I just don't see the fun in having to stop for a light at every block or so... Of course there are busy intersections in the country, they are just further apart :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Catrin

I will still walk my bike at most busy intersections. Not because of my shifting, but because it still takes me a little longer to start than other cyclists and I don't want to p*ss off impatient drivers. I am working on this, but in the end, will do what feels safe to do.

---

Catrin, you are right to do this and I don't think it's indicative of a lack of skill or experience.

I have a friend who is a long-time NYC bike messenger. He hates the same intersections I hate.

It's very interesting to talk to him about biking because he has nothing to prove -- having made his living on the mean streets for years. He's usually not wearing a helmet when I see him -- so nothing to do with experience.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Muirenn

.....When she got to my side I changed gears for her by turning the wheel and shifting. Then she was able to ride.

Sigh. Quite a difference from being safe and cautious:)

---

No offense taken, just wanted to point out that there is more than one reason to walk an intersection.

That being said, it has not been all that long since I had the same problem as she did - but I at least knew how to turn my wheel and shift it into an easier gear for starting. I finally got wise and figured out that I actually can start in almost any gear - as long as I am not going up-hill. Then again, how I start prevents that from even being possible anyway :)

:pwhen I went to Speedplays I fell over on a perfectly level and smooth bike path because I forgot to kick out! I had ridden with toe clips for years and did what I always did to get my foot out of the clip--only this time it didn't work because I was attached to the pedal. So I just fell over on my side at near zero speed.:eek: At that point I had been riding for 10 yrs! Talk about embarrassing! :p