Please, please be careful

[Debs]

My lungs and vocal cords are directly accessible and quite useful (plus, we don't get that many occasions to use them like that so it's somewhat empowering... if it works!!!).

I second this. Don't hesistate to YELL! This has saved me more than once.

The number of drivers who fail to look both ways on turns, look over their shoulder through the blind spot, and check their mirrors is astounding.

[Grog]

This is extremely sad RR... Thank you for reminding us to be even more careful than we are...

[Tiffanie]

Sad and scary stories, all of them. My thoughts go out to everyone having been through any of this.

[pooks]

What a tragedy, RR. My thoughts and prayers go out to all involved.

Here is a bicycle safety site (maybe it's old hat to everyone here?) that absolutely advocates taking up the entire lane. Since I'm a brand new rider I've been surfing for any and all info I can find, and this seemed particularly useful to me:

http://bicyclesafe.com/

[plantluvver]

This thread has made me really reflective.

I am thinking that most cyclists are interested in safety info, and if they want can learn about it. But they are only half the concerned population.

Are advocacy groups trying to educate motorists? I don't think motorists would seek out the information, but if it could be put in front of their noses? Most insurance companies have a magazine that goes out to policyholders. And I'lll bet there are women's magazines that would print a heroic story of recovery, and it could be underlined just how fast bikes can go.

Of course there are motorists who are jerks, or drunk, or airheads, but still, it is worth a try for those non-cycling motorists who just don't know better.

In my opinion, the streets will only be safer for us when we need to worry more about crashes with other bikes. I really hope that someday we have a future when some streets can be converted to BIKE ONLY traffic.

Mary

[RoadRaven]

Thank you Bikerz, Pooks, Tiffane and Grog for your specific kind thoughts...

I still don't know when the funeral is... either tomorrow or Monday I suspect...

I just hope that any in the club that are nervous or unsure or racked with sorrow do not stop cycling... Vincent was the kind of guy who loved cycling and was just so very happy to see new people along, or to see people he had rode with improve.
He would be devastated to think that his crash would mean anyone would stop or limit their cycling.

I'm still a bit numb over this... its great to get some time out and read through the threads... thanks everyone for being there, even if only to read my words and to think of Vincint and those close to him for just a moment.