October 8 and 9 rides

[Jen12]

How many people say this when what they mean is "I didn't look properly?" I hope not to offend anyone by saying this, but so many SUV drivers seem unaware of the damage that they can do in such big vehicles. I hope that lady is ok, and I hope that you are not too shaken too.

Wow! I don't drive an SUV, but I know that I have a big blind spot in my car. It drives me crazy when other motorists sit there and I can't speed up or slow down to get them out of that spot. In certain areas where I know that cyclists are frequent, I'm extra careful when driving.

For those of you who drive large vehicles...do you have a bigger blind spot than with a smaller car? I'm curious.

Anyway, I hope the cyclist is okay. That's not a good way to start a weekend.

[Becky]

For those of you who drive large vehicles...do you have a bigger blind spot than with a smaller car? I'm curious.

My personal car is average-sized, but I drive various trucks and SUVs for work. IME, the size of the blind spot doesn't seem to correlate to the size of the vehicle. It's more of an individual vehicle thing. "My" Dodge Durango had great side/rear visibility, but a horrendous front blind spot due to the size of the drivers-side front pillar. Left hand sweeps and turns were always fun. The pickup trucks are generally no worse than my car, even with a cap, but require lots of side mirror use due to the cap and the truck's length.

[Roadtrip]

No riding, even tho it's SUPER nice outside, which makes me want to ride that much more. Recovering from a cold and breathing/chest isn't right.

Visited the doc about shoulder that has been hurting since my crash five weeks ago and now have an MRI scheduled. Doc thinks potential torn Labrum. We'll see when the scans are done.

Shannon

[Owlie]

Yikes, pll!

I did 24 miles this morning. Beautiful day, though I spent the first half-mile freezing because I forgot my wool base layer. It's amazing how deconditioned I am after not riding (to any significant extent) for a month...

[PamNY]

pll, hope the cyclist is okay.

We had a warm, summerlike day and I had a delicious time visiting the monk parakeet nest and looking for the female hawk who has a (possible) new mate. Found her but didn't see him.

A pedestrian family frustrated me on the way home -- they were crossing the greenway; I saw them from a long way away and slowed; they just stood there so I finally started up again -- at the exact instant they decided to cross without even a glance in my direction. I truly am sympathetic to and aware of families with multiple little ones and strollers and such, and I honestly don't expect them to change their behavior for my convenience, but these people were a special kind of annoying.

More summer weather tomorrow!

[pll]

pll, hope the cyclist is okay.

By the time I headed home, she had stood up and walked to the side of the road, where she was standing and talking to a couple of the EMTs (who were not actively treating her). Her friend was on the phone. One of the EMTs had picked up the helmet and moved the bike, which upset the policemen.

[redrhodie]

I did a fast 18 mile ride this morning before traffic gets busy. It's crazy here this weekend. My rides have been around 30-40 miles long all summer, and I almost forgot how much I like riding under 20 miles. I think there's a real benefit to shorter rides where you make yourself almost puke. I feel really good right now.

I didn't get my clothes quite right, and ended up roasting. It's warming up fast, and may hit a record 85º today. I should have left the arm warmers at home.