Crash on my morning ride - scared now

[Andrea]

What are the roads like in your area? I generally stay off of MUTs (or just use them as a connector between roads) for that very reason.

[alpinerabbit]

I don't know how well they'll work on a smooth path, but for MTBing, a bear bell has been recommended to me.

http://kanyonkris.blogspot.com/2008/...gle-bears.html
or
http://www.coghlans.com/images/productBig/481.jpg

This was designed to keep away the furry creatures with an option of being silenced with an attached magnet, but it works with pedestrians too.

[Geonz]

Hmmm... if pedestrians ignore or turn left... I would change what I say. 'Round here I *know* people don't have the "on your left" cultural training -- many are English as second or ninth language (lots of students), so I'm about "good mornign!" or singing something.... but basically , I avoid paths if I want to ride steadily. If that's the way I've gotta go, then I figure I"ll average 7 mph.

I have an airzounds horn and need to replace my bear bell... the latter does work reasonably well with pedestrians and I jus thave it on my top tube and knock it about with my knees. I've long planned to hook up an MP3 player with speakers and do sound effects (when my brakes were uber-squeaky I had *no* trouble getting people or squirrels to pay attention).

Winter riding is about gear (and gradually getting it and gradually trying colder and colder) and layers and studded tyres. There are sites devoted to it and some great www.bikejournal.com forum threads about it.

[OakLeaf]

Sue, how does the airzounds horn work? Is it easy to pump up, does it hold a charge from one day to the next or need re-inflated every day, how many blasts is it good for?