Quote Originally Posted by Quail
Thank you! This is some great advice!. I knew this place was awesome.

I think I will look into the mirror which some of you suggested, and make myself get a little over that white line. Of course, caution and safety are always the most important (I'm not going to win any chicken games here) but being consistently in the lane is probably safer overall than riding crazy-like on the shoulder. Every time I ride I get a little more confident that not all drivers are horrible and out to get me. Every nice person who lets me make a left turn makes up for a gravel truck that blew me off the road...right?

Thanks again!
I may have read what you wrote wrong... but are you saying that opt to ride on a really dangerous part of the road (potholes, gravel, etc... dangerous for a bike with skinny tires)... in order to get out of the cars way?

What comes to my mind is this... if you slip on that gravel... and a car is passing... you will be hit if you fall into the lane of traffic.

You are putting yourself in a potentionally (? spelling) dangerous situation by riding on a portion of the road that may cause you to fall.

Ride where it is safe, while giving the car room to pass on the left side of you. If they hit you, the *hope* at that point, is that you will fall off of the road into the sholder (? spelling).

Now, here are the rules that I learned:

1) When you are on a road that is more than 1 lane... hold your ground in the right hand lane. DO NOT ride close to the side, because cars will try to pass you in your lane, which is very dangerous. Instead, hold your place and make them pass in the left lane, because they have one!

2) When you are on a 1 lane road... go as far over the right (that is safe), and allow the car the ability to pass you on your left.


Finally... this is for EVERYONE... and something I learned from a friend many years ago... if you are going to ride alone... HAVE ID ON YOU! I will even go as far to say to have your insurance card on you as well.

My friend fell on a road... he was knocked out... and if hadn't had ID on him, it would have been a bit until someone figured out who he was and who to call.

Think about it... IF you were to get knocked out while riding alone... will someone know who to call.... or if you have insurance?