I rode every day during last week - even though bugs . One day my hair looked great, two days it had tell-tale ridges from my helmet, and then I stopped checking. I got wet in the rain.
But then Friday came, and it was sunny. Riding under those blue skies, with birds singing in the trees, was like a reward for all that came before - and a reminder of why I ride. (Except for the sun breaking out, it was a pretty typical week.)
I hope you had a moment like that, too, and that you鈥檒l keep riding, even though BTWW has passed. I especially hope that鈥檚 true if you鈥檝e just started cycling, and that you'll keep pedalling even without the celebration stations and goodies.
I asked some bike-riding friends what tips they would give to new riders, or what they wished they had known earlier. Here's what they said (with a couple points of my own thrown in):
- Don't ride on the sidewalk, it's actually twice as dangerous as riding on the road.
- Be confident, clear and decisive so drivers aren't trying to guess what you'll do next.
- Don't be afraid to take the lane on narrow streets so that cars don't try to pass you when it's unsafe.
- Consider taking a . (I opted for the one-day course.)
- Train tracks are super slippery when they are wet, so to be very careful riding over them on rainy days.
- The best route by car is rarely the best route by bike.
- Know how to fix a flat.
- Shoulder check before moving.
- Be visible, communicate and signal, plan ahead.
- Know the .
- Look though the rear windows of parked cars for exiting drivers/passengers.
- Get a bell, and use it when passing people - on multi-use trails and in bike lanes - and parked cars.
- Nothing says 鈥淏ike!鈥� like a blinking light - opt for one on the front and on the back.
- It's OK to walk your bike in crosswalks at intersections, rather than riding.
- Fair-weather riding still counts.
That's a long-ish, by no means exhaustive list. But it doesn't mean riding is hard or complicated!
You can ride one day a week.
You can take the bus or car part way.
You can ride only when it's sunny.
Sure, there are things to be aware of (cars, wet metal rails, high winds lifting your skirt), but with a little planning - of your route or wardrobe or whatever - it can be worked around. So just ride.
