Scarey Semi Experience

[tygab]

I have felt the same way, my husband and I did a bunch of riding in British Columbia near Squamish last summer. While the roads were not very heavily used, they were used by heavy trucks (logging trucks, and the occaisional hay truck). I had been riding oh, 4 months or so at the time. Needless to say as the loggers rolled by (some closer than others), it always freaked me out that I could look to my right and see nothing but truck wheel. I just held my line and kept pedaling when they'd go by.
I think taking whatever road you need is the best option. Trucks and cars have to share, even if they don't want to. But I know that is easier said than done.
The good thing, is once I was back in Mass riding the backroads, cars seemed more my equal. But we still hear too often of riders lost due to inattentive or drunk drivers.

But don't give up; enjoy each ride you get to go out on, and enjoy each safe return a little more...

[cosc]

Living in SD my road choices are mostly shoulderless. Years ago I used to ride the interstate when the shoulders were better and sp. limit lower. Those many big trucks would suck you around even with a big shoulder. On no shoulder roads when I notice 2 cars of opposite direction meeting close to me I get out in the middle of lane to hopefully slow car in back until safe to pass. I watch closely in my rear view mirror and ride accordingly. Yes, debris, broken glass alway shows up at the worst possible moments. I often just have to ride through it. I feel much safer wearing brillantly bright clothing for visibility. I try to ride roads with little traffic. Sometimes I have to load my bike to ride roads I feel are safer to ride with high winds, sand, gravel and possibly icy patches. Keep lovin that biking!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Using a mirror really does help you avoid certain situations altogether, or at least it can prepare you for what's coming so you can be READY to take evasive action if needed.
Also, wearing really BRIGHT helmets and clothes helps too. I have gotten some screaming neon yellow apparel to wear (jersey, vest, and windbreaker), and I do feel somewhat safer now. It creeps me out to see how invisible my DH often is when he's riding ahead of me on the road. His dark green, silver-grey, and navy colors just blend right in with surrounding buildings and woodland trees, etc. He just disappears! But despite my frequent suggestions, he simply refuses to wear bright colors and so there's not much I can do.

[emily_in_nc]

Using a mirror really does help you avoid certain situations altogether, or at least it can prepare you for what's coming so you can be READY to take evasive action if needed.
Also, wearing really BRIGHT helmets and clothes helps too. I have gotten some screaming neon yellow apparel to wear (jersey, vest, and windbreaker), and I do feel somewhat safer now. It creeps me out to see how invisible my DH often is when he's riding ahead of me on the road. His dark green, silver-grey, and navy colors just blend right in with surrounding buildings and woodland trees, etc. He just disappears! But despite my frequent suggestions, he simply refuses to wear bright colors and so there's not much I can do.

Yikes! I am completely with you on the bright clothing, Lisa! On the road, that makes so much sense. Save the earthy colors for the trails or bike paths...

I've noticed many times a road cyclist in navy or black at nearly dusk when I was driving and realized I didn't see them 'til the very last minute. Quite scary, really. I try to dress as brightly as possible - yellow, red, pink, white, whatever, on the road. It also helps that my Bike Friday has a bright red Tailrider bag on the back rack. I'm hard to miss!

I hope you can get your DH to change his mind about this - it could save his life.

Emily