I want to ride on beautiful rural roads.... but cars scare me.

[froglegs]

I've had a mountain bike for a few years and have ridden it off and on. In the last several months I've stepped up my exercising effort (running & weights too) so I found myself riding the bike more and more, and started really looking forward to riding it. It quickly became my favorite form of exercise. I've been wanting to go longer distances, and I usually ride on the road, so recently I got a road bike. I absolutely love it, although I am still getting used to the different feel and I am still pretty timid going downhill.

I've mostly been sticking with familiar "safe" routes in and around my town. However, living on the central coast of CA, there are many beautiful roads I would love to explore on my bike. Many of them are in rural areas and have low traffic, but they also have no bike lane or shoulder. People tend to go 40 or 50mph or sometimes much faster if they can get away with it. It just doesn't seem safe. I know people ride their bikes on these roads all the time..... but how do you get over the fact that one driver failing to "share the road" could end your life? Family members sharing their fears about me getting hit are not helping). Please tell me how I can overcome my fear so I can get the most out of the beautiful area I live in.

[DirtDiva]

Go riding on the scary bits with someone experienced... Wear bright colours so drivers have no excuse not to see you... Don't be afraid to take the lane (i.e. ride in the middle) where necessary if that is the only way you can be sure drivers will see you... Drive the route first so you know what to expect... Keep these more nervous parts of rides shorter as you build up your confidence so you are not stressed out for the entire ride...

[elk]

It's damn scary....if i get on a traffic-y road, I'm going to get one of these:

http://nordicgroup.us/s78/flags.html

I read that the more attention you call to yourself via bright colors etc, the safer you are. Makes sense!

elk

http://www.flashback.ca/products/accessories.html
one place I found to buy them...

[cyclingmom01]

After you've been on the road a couple of times, the fear will hopefully subside. And once you've ridden on some beauiful rural roads, you may find that you don't want to ride in town. Be cautious and enjoy.

[Kalidurga]

I felt the same way a year ago, froglegs. I started out road riding through parks in the area, specifically US Civil War battlefields. That way I could get used to cars, but at low speeds. Then I took the plunge and went on a rural road ride with a more experienced fellow TE'er (MDHillSlug) and that changed everything. There are still certain roads that I don't think I'd ever ride by myself and would be hesitant to ride even with a group, but I've been hitting (no pun intended) other, more rural roads by myself and becoming much more comfortable on them.

A few things I've learned for myself (which may or may not apply in your situation):

- Starting out with an encouraging buddy or group, as DirtDiva suggested, is very helpful. I'd still be riding nothing but rail-trails and towpaths if it weren't for my TE buddies
- If you have a state or national park nearby, try riding the park roads. There's less and slower traffic, though the drivers can be even more oblivious than usual.
- The type of rural road can make a difference. I've found that I'm more comfortable on narrow roads with no dividing line. Cars generally have to go more slowly on those roads and drivers are prepared to move out of the way of other vehicles. Once there's a dividing line, though, not only does the speed increase, but some drivers seem to feel that they can't cross over that line, which means we cyclists have to squeeze over.
- Whenever possible, make eye contact and wave at drivers. Most folks driving around rural roads are pretty friendly. If you're friendly back, they're much less likely to run you off the road. It also helps to lodge the idea in their minds that there are cyclists out there to be aware of and watch out for.

This has also been very helpful: BicycleSafe.com: How Not to Get Hit by Cars. While it applies mostly to town or city riding, the basic thought-processes can be applied to riding anywhere. Take the lane, always signal your intentions, think about things from the driver's perspective, etc.

And, last, a tip I read in the RoadBikeRider newsletter, but have not yet tried: Wear a red/white/blue jersey, or one with an American flag pattern. Folks living in rural areas can tend to be very patriotic, and the person who suggested this idea figured that, while they might run you off the road, they'd never want to hurt an American flag. If anyone ever tests this idea, I'd love to know whether it works.

Good luck, froglegs. When you do make it out on those beautiful Cali roads, take some photos to share with us!

[rij73]

Wear a red/white/blue jersey, or one with an American flag pattern. Folks living in rural areas can tend to be very patriotic, and the person who suggested this idea figured that, while they might run you off the road, they'd never want to hurt an American flag.

OMG, that is brilliant!!! I bet it's true!

All these ideas are great. I've been going out to Connecticut on weekends with DH to ride the beautiful country roads and get some hill practice. I could never do it by myself. DH is more experienced, and knows all the roads out there from riding them on BMX and mountain bikes as a kid! He rides a little farther out in the road than me cause he's more confident, and that makes me feel safer. So, find a more experienced buddy! Maybe through a cycling club or LBS or something...

[onimity]

I know how you feel, it took me a long time to get comfortable riding on the road for the same reasons...

I agree with the others that you should start by riding with a more experienced rider and wear clothing that makes you super-visible.

I think it's natural to be scared that a car coming up behind you may not see you since you can't see them, but statistically this is just not how cyclists typically get hit be cars. The most common cases are things that you can prevent by being alert, usually at intersections or when the cyclist is, say, riding the wrong way down the street. Be alert, be predictable, and getting a mirror to see what is coming up behind you may be a big help as well. It made me feel a lot more confident to be able to see cars behind me. There is a great mirror for mountain bikes by mirrorcycle.

Finally, you *should* be afraid of cars, they can kill or hurt you very badly. But if you are confident and safe the likelihood is really low; a healthy dose of fear will help you to stay alert and safe.

This article had a big impact on me...

Anne

[mimitabby]

I'm still scared. It depends on the road. If it's a road where there is no shoulder, and cars drive fast, I'm not going to like it. We have lots of roads around here so i have good choices.
country roads are great because there are a lot less cars. That fear you have is good, it might save your life.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Wear screaming yellow clothes, get a mirror and USE it. Plus all the other very good suggestions that have already been made!

Keep in mind that "safe" routes around town have many more traffic intersections and driveways....those places are where LOTS of bike/car accidents happen. So maybe it's partly a perception thing that makes you think that shoulderless rural roads are "more" dangerous. I tend to think it's just because you are USED TO riding certain types of routes and thus you feel they are "safer". Your nervousness will get less as you ride those country roads, believe me.

By the way- where do I feel the absolute SAFEST riding?- on the sides of high speed highways with lots of traffic zooming past. Why?? Because there are no intersections, no hidden driveways, no blind curves, cars all going straight, fairly wide shoulders...and the cars can all see me from a million miles away. People always ask me "Don't you get scared riding on those fast highways?"...funny.

[elk]

http://cgi.ebay.com/bike-safety-flag...QQcmdZViewItem

Here...an American flag as bicycle safety flag!!
brilliant.

elk

[IFjane]

- Whenever possible, make eye contact and wave at drivers. Most folks driving around rural roads are pretty friendly.

And, last, a tip I read in the RoadBikeRider newsletter, but have not yet tried: Wear a red/white/blue jersey, or one with an American flag pattern. Folks living in rural areas can tend to be very patriotic, and the person who suggested this idea figured that, while they might run you off the road, they'd never want to hurt an American flag. If anyone ever tests this idea, I'd love to know whether it works.

Good luck, froglegs. When you do make it out on those beautiful Cali roads, take some photos to share with us!

All good suggestions, froglegs - good luck out there!

Kali, I agree completely with waving at drivers. I try to wave at EVERY car that passes me, either coming or going (most riding done on unlined country roads). It has gotten to the point that now many drivers wave first so I know it is making a difference.

One of my riding buddies swears by the American Flag theory & wears jerseys with flags on them most of the time. I can't say that I am definitely safer when he's there, but I don't mind!

[elk]

one more thing....

I ALWAYS wear an orange safety vest, and I'm at the door handing one to DH when he goes out for a ride. You can buy all kinds of them them on ebay pretty cheap.

Yesterday, I gave DH one and I watched him ride away; I could see his vest all the way down the street...impossible to miss.

Rivendell sells the triangle that straps on your back.

Or/ AND/ that flag that sticks out....

On Monday another cyclist was killed here....you can't stop living, but you can;t be too careful either...

[elk]

http://www.teamestrogen.com/categories.asp?catID=55

TE carries lots of the things I just mentioned (thanks Fredwina)

[RoadRaven]

Isn't it interesting, froglegs, I feel MUCH MUCH safer on rural roads than town ones...

The others have given great advice - ride with someone else if you can - but behind each other, not parallel to each other.
Bright/ high vis clothes a must.
And always carry a cell phone and let someone know where you are going and/or how long you think you'll be.

Do have a go - I lurve country roads

[onimity]

This:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=24206

Is another of my favorites. The gray portion of the back is mesh, so it is cool even in the summer and can be worn over everything. Plus, it has a great pocket. My parents were worried about my sister & I riding on roads until they saw us from over a mile away one day...they still worry, but much less.

Anne