>When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me- Emo Philips
>All city bikes weigh fifty pounds. A thirty-pound bicycle needs a twenty-pound lock. A forty-pound bicycle needs a ten-pound lock. A fifty-pound bicycle doesn't need a lock. ~Author Unknown
This week we have two topics, which you may have noticed by the quotes above and below.
For basic errands you wouldn’t ride your multi-thousand $ bike, you’d take something more humble. However, you don’t have to have the worst bike in the rack either. A simple fact I’ve learned from camping in the Sierras is that in case of a bear attack you don’t have to be the fastest runner, you just don’t want to be the slowest. This philosophy also works when you park your bike. Don’t stand out as the most expensive, and don’t have the weakest lock. Here’s a basic bit of lock intel, if you use a decent cable lock AND a decent U-lock at the same time you are no longer the weakest member of the herd. There are specific tools to kill U-locks, and other tools for cables. A bike thief is a predator looking for the easiest most-expensive bike to grab. Make yours tougher than the others, and you achieve success. Also, if your U-lock is over five years old it may be time to upgrade. Locking your bike to the most solid anchor is very important. Smaller trees? No. Chain link fences or posts. Avoid! If you lock up to a pole make sure it’s really anchored to the concrete, a theft ring in New York cut and sleeved 3” poles in the neighborhood. When someone locked up and left, one guy lifted the pole up thru the lock and the reset it with the bike gone. Be suspicious, check out your hitchin’ post!
>The sound of a car door opening in front of you is similar to the sound of a gun being cocked. ~Amy Webster (As you ride along a line of parked cars in traffic...)
Riding safely in traffic takes equal parts of intelligence and visibility, and possibly some luck. I cannot possibly communicate everything you should do to be safe, but I can advise you toward being prepared. Get your head "set" that no one is looking for you, you will have to make eye contact with drivers, and watch closely what they’re doing in intersections. A helmet is obviously needed, and a full set of reflectors. Going up in cost, please find a way to use: 1. Reflective tape on your bike and helmet. 2. A bright flashing LED light on the back of you. 3. A reflective vest. 4. A headlight that illuminates far ahead. 5. And a back-up flashlight. Do your best to watch all vehicles near you with the strong suspicion that they are your enemy. Be careful, and make sure they know where you’re going in intersections. Always be careful!
These are only recommendations toward basic safety and are in no way a complete guide to cycle ownership or traffic safety. Please consult your local Sport Chalet for any specific questions that you may have in these aspects.
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