In Winter months and with bike commuters, night-time cycling is sometimes a necessity. Fortunately, there are measures to increase a cyclist’s presence and thereby minimize their chance of collision or fall. This past generation of cyclists have benefited from the development of LED lighting. Small, lightweight units that project a powerful forward light beam rivaling… Read More »Bike Riding in the Nighttime
We now return to the discussion point in Item Three, and the cyclists’ low visibility with other road users. Since cyclists suffer the greater consequence of not-being-seen, they must take necessary survival and preventive measures to increase their visibility. Clothing for cyclists is traditionally bright-colored and gaudy–for this reason. Make it a practice to wear… Read More »Color as a Bike Safety Aid
Falling from a bicycle is inevitable. No matter how carefully or skillfully a cyclist may be, fate or circumstance will eventually find all cyclists touching terra firma. This discussion gives safety tips on how to fall during that millisecond before you hit the pavement. Athletics in contact sports are told, while falling, to “tuck-and-roll” by folding their arm over their head… Read More »How to Fall
Probably the leading cause of bike group crashes is one rider’s front wheel touching the rear wheel of the rider ahead. And a “touch” is all it takes for the trailing rider to fall almost instantly. If rider manages to make a clean fall with minor injury, a cascade of trailing cyclists may cause a chain reaction of injured riders and damaged bikes.… Read More »Watch That Wheel!
Should I pull until I’m almost exhausted? Answer: No. Team time trial studies has convincingly shown that a lead rider should ride until an arbitrary 70% of reserve energy is consumed. Then, when safety permits, step out. You’ll recover much faster when you don’t reach the point of exhaustion. Let your teammates share the load.… Read More »More on Group Ride Safety and Tactics
The lead rider–the person who is pulling the group–has the most important role in that group. That person is most responsible for the overall safety and riding efficiency of the the entire group. Don’t worry, the responsibility is shared when each lead rider takes his/her turn as “lead-dog.” Due to its importance, we’ll devote quite… Read More »Responsibilities of the Group Ride Lead Rider
Earlier mention was made that intersections were the most hazardous point of any vehicle travel. Driver Training Instructors preach the mantra, “Left, Right, Left,” for students first learning to drive, and when approaching an intersection. Cyclists are in much greater hazard at intersections. It takes at least twice as long as a motorist for a… Read More »Safety Blog: Cycling Safely Through Intersections
A “pace line” is a linear group of cyclists all drafting off the lead rider. Rotating the pace line is something discussed later, here we’ll talk about basic rules for pace lines. Not doing these things, is distracting at best, hazardous all other times. This is a topic that has countless components. We’ll begin with… Read More »Safety Blog: Pace Line Safety and Etiquette
By Phil Coleman When riding alone, you’re responsible only for own safety, in a group you’re responsible for everybody’s safety. In a group, nobody sees everything in front, side, and back. Somebody sees at least one of these and has a duty to call out hazards they see. Example: The lead rider sees a car… Read More »Safety Blog: Communication
Call to Brevet riders to consider joining RUSA Randonneurs USA (RUSA) acts as a liaison between American randonneurs and the French organizations controlling brevets and Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP). RUSA publishes a quarterly newsletter for all members, as well as a yearly randonneuring handbook full of useful information and tips. No requirements, other than a $20 membership… Read More »Randonneurs USA Membership