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Main
Date: 23 Jan 2006 09:07:13
From: Ken M
Subject: Who commutes on a 'bent?
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And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do
most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.
Ken
--
You never have the wind with you - either it is against you or you're
having a good day. ~Daniel Behrman, The Man Who Loved Bicycles
Homepage: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/
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Date: 16 Feb 2006 09:50:21
From: stratrider
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
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Edward Dolan wrote:
> Here is an entire thread that would have been better accomplished on email
> between Jim and Mort. Is there anything here at all that is of interest to
> the newsgroup? I think not.
>
Hello Ed. The Schuylkill Trail is an excellent bikeway that many in
the greater Philly area and beyond are not aware of. So while I agree
that perhaps Mort and I should have taken this conversation offline,
our brief public exchanges do highlight a great bikeway and the
locations at which a cyclist can enter and exit. In my opinion, Philly
is a great city to visit particularly on a bike. And the Schuylkill
Trail is largely what makes it great.
Regards,
Jim Reilly
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Date: 16 Feb 2006 13:39:11
From: Edward Dolan
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
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"stratrider" <jreilly@enter.net > wrote in message
news:1140112221.769161.41760@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
> Edward Dolan wrote:
>
>> Here is an entire thread that would have been better accomplished on
>> email
>> between Jim and Mort. Is there anything here at all that is of interest
>> to
>> the newsgroup? I think not.
>>
>
> Hello Ed. The Schuylkill Trail is an excellent bikeway that many in
> the greater Philly area and beyond are not aware of. So while I agree
> that perhaps Mort and I should have taken this conversation offline,
> our brief public exchanges do highlight a great bikeway and the
> locations at which a cyclist can enter and exit. In my opinion, Philly
> is a great city to visit particularly on a bike. And the Schuylkill
> Trail is largely what makes it great.
>
> Regards,
> Jim Reilly
Ah yes, and what you have written above should have been written earlier. It
is general information which may be of interest and of use to others on the
group. Who knows, even I some day may find myself in Philadelphia and I will
remember this bit of information from you and put it to good use.
Regards,
Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota
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Date: 13 Feb 2006 19:04:40
From: mort
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
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wrote:
<But truth to tell, in the next life I would like to be a Great Sequoia
Tree. >
Why not just admit you're stumped?
Mort
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Date: 13 Feb 2006 13:28:19
From: mort
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
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<Is that Mort as in Mortimer or Mortician? >
If you are really so st you should be able to tell my profession
from the name.
Mort
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Date: 13 Feb 2006 16:34:04
From: Edward Dolan
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
|
"mort" <mortdubois@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1139866099.803713.231870@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Edward Dolan wrote:
> <Is that Mort as in Mortimer or Mortician?>
>
> If you are really so st you should be able to tell my profession
> from the name.
>
> Mort
At least this time you top posted but you neglected the attribution, so I
had to supply it. Please learn how to post, why don't you?
'Mort' as a word in many languages has to do with death, hence my allusion
to you as being DEADLY dull. But the thought occurs to me that you may be
Mort the Mortician. There used to hilarious jokes around when I was kid
about undertakers. Remember Digger O'Dell of radio fame? Mortimer Snerd was
the name of the world's dumbest puppet of Edgar Bergen, also of radio fame.
This all goes back to the 1940's mostly.
My genius is of an order so high that I find that I can no longer connect
with the common run of morons and imbeciles. I am like a great lone eagle
who perches on a high mountain overlooking the rest of creation and
occasionally soars over the plains of idiocy down below but which I do not
enter.
But truth to tell, in the next life I would like to be a Great Sequoia Tree.
I believe only that is suited to my Greatness. The rest of you can be weeds
and dandelions at my base where I won't even have to notice you. Instead I
will let the occasional eagle nest in my high branches. Yea, as a Great
Sequoia Tree I will only converse with the Lone Eagle. At last, the best of
all possible worlds will have been realized.
Regards,
Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota
I should have been a pair of ragged claws
Scuttling across the floors of silent seas.
T.S. Eliot - The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock
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Date: 13 Feb 2006 10:36:00
From: mort
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
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And how has your comment improved this thread?
Mort
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Date: 13 Feb 2006 14:24:38
From: Edward Dolan
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
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"mort" <mortdubois@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1139855759.965276.90950@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> And how has your comment improved this thread?
>
> Mort
All top posters are idiots!
Is that Mort as in Mortimer or Mortician? I think the latter as the only sin
connected with newsgroup posting as far as I am concerned is to be deadly
dull. That you have been! But don't feel badly about it. Mr. Tom Sherman,
one of the most prolific posters to ARBR, is almost consistently being
deadly dull. However, every now and then, he posts something that piques my
interest, so I continue to read him even though I have to plow through all
his dross like a horse in harness.
The main mistake that almost everyone makes when they post to a newsgroup is
that no matter how much you are responding to a single person, you should
also be saying something that is of interest to others. If what you are
saying is of interest to only one person, then you should go to email.
Regarding this thread, you should have commented on bike trails in PA more
generally and/or on commuting more generally in order to bring others into
the discussion.
The Great Ed Dolan (that's me!) never writes to just one person. Take this
present message of mine for instance. I have taken the entire Usenet world
to task for being idiotic, moronic and imbecilic when it comes to how to
post to a newsgroup. It is not just for you, it is for everyone who is
reading it. I will always try to generalize everything I say in order to
bring others into the conversation.
Regards,
Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota
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Date: 08 Feb 2006 19:47:05
From: mort
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
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jreilly@enter.net wrote:
> Hello Mort. I commute on a Stratus (7 miles one way) in and around
> Reading, PA. Have you (or do you) ever ride the Schuylkill River
> Trail?>
Regards,
> Jim Reilly
> Reading, PA
Yes, twice a day: in the morning between Conshohocken and Norristown,
and in the evening from Norristown to Manayunk. It's a great trail
with very little traffic, especially in the winter.
Mort
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Date: 09 Feb 2006 07:45:57
From: Edward Dolan
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
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"mort" <mortdubois@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1139456825.328891.127520@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
> jreilly@enter.net wrote:
>> Hello Mort. I commute on a Stratus (7 miles one way) in and around
>> Reading, PA. Have you (or do you) ever ride the Schuylkill River
>> Trail?>
>
> Regards,
>> Jim Reilly
>> Reading, PA
>
> Yes, twice a day: in the morning between Conshohocken and Norristown,
> and in the evening from Norristown to Manayunk. It's a great trail
> with very little traffic, especially in the winter.
>
> Mort
Here is an entire thread that would have been better accomplished on email
between Jim and Mort. Is there anything here at all that is of interest to
the newsgroup? I think not.
Before we reduce ourselves to idiotic chitchat, we need to think for a
moment if what we are going to say to one another is of any earthly interest
to anyone but ourselves. If it isn't, then go to email. Why plague the
entire group with senseless personal discussion that only the two of you
are interested in?
A good question to ask yourself before you post to this newsgroup is to ask
yourself if the Great Ed Dolan would be interested in reading what you have
written. If not, then forget about it. Go to email. That is what it is there
for.
Regards,
Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota
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Date: 29 Jan 2006 12:38:53
From:
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
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I have been eating TastyKakes since I was a kid... But I don't know
what a black and white shake is?
Jim
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Date: 29 Jan 2006 15:31:01
From: gotbent
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
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<jreilly@enter.net > wrote in message
news:1138567133.211986.164590@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>I have been eating TastyKakes since I was a kid... But I don't know
> what a black and white shake is?
>
> Jim
>
>
It been a loooong time since I lived in Philly, but in the 60's when I went
to college there, it was a vanilla shake with chocolate ice cream.
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Date: 29 Jan 2006 16:38:11
From: Ken M.
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
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gotbent wrote:
> <jreilly@enter.net> wrote in message
> news:1138567133.211986.164590@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
>>I have been eating TastyKakes since I was a kid... But I don't know
>>what a black and white shake is?
>>
>>Jim
>>
>>
>
>
> It been a loooong time since I lived in Philly, but in the 60's when I went
> to college there, it was a vanilla shake with chocolate ice cream.
>
Sounds pretty good, I haven't had a good shake like that since I moved
down south.
Ken
--
You never have the wind with you - either it is against you or you're
having a good day. ~Daniel Behrman, The Man Who Loved Bicycles
Homepage: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/
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Date: 27 Jan 2006 12:29:13
From:
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
|
Hello Mort. I commute on a Stratus (7 miles one way) in and around
Reading, PA. Have you (or do you) ever ride the Schuylkill River
Trail? Two to three times a year I like to pick up the trail in Oaks
and ride it through Valley Forge Park, Norristown, Coatesville, and
ultimately into Manyunk. Then I take Kelly Drive (and sometimes
WestView Dr) into the Art Museum, turn around, and come back. It's a
fast flat ride!
Regards,
Jim Reilly
Reading, PA
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Date: 27 Jan 2006 15:17:21
From: oldslowbenter
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
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Of course you make stops to load up on TastyKakes and a black and white
shake for hydration?
<jreilly@enter.net > wrote in message
news:1138393753.544560.193590@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Hello Mort. I commute on a Stratus (7 miles one way) in and around
> Reading, PA. Have you (or do you) ever ride the Schuylkill River
> Trail? Two to three times a year I like to pick up the trail in Oaks
> and ride it through Valley Forge Park, Norristown, Coatesville, and
> ultimately into Manyunk. Then I take Kelly Drive (and sometimes
> WestView Dr) into the Art Museum, turn around, and come back. It's a
> fast flat ride!
>
> Regards,
> Jim Reilly
> Reading, PA
>
>
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Date: 26 Jan 2006 19:01:31
From: mort
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
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I commute from one suburb to another (outside Philadelphia) on a Gold
Rush. It's about 12 miles each way. I like the Gold Rush as I can put
a lot of stuff in the Aerotrunk on the back (bright yellow). I always
wear safety yellow with reflective stripes, use 3 headlights (white
flasher, LED down low, and 10w helmet light), and 2 unsynchronized
blinkies in the back, reflective wheel sidewalls, safety yellow cloth
triangles on the inside of the fairing, you name it. Cars do see me.
I'll ride on the right side most of the time, take a lane at
intersections, and am very careful to communicate clearly to cars where
I intend to go. It feels just as safe to me as driving. LWBs can be
good commuters if you aren't in heavy traffic and you have a place to
park them at each end of the trip.
Mort
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Date: 26 Jan 2006 16:38:02
From: S. Delaire \Rotatorrecumbent\
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
|
Most all my commute (approx. 5,000 / yr.) happens on a bent. Have access to
any style. In traffic I prefer the long one. The wheel if front of the feet
(for me) feels safest in the emergency situation in that the bike takes the
impact not my feet.
Commuting is fun and a great way to stay in shape for the occasional race.
Speedy
Ken M wrote:
> And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do
> most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
> touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
> designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.
>
> Ken
> --
> You never have the wind with you - either it is against you or you're
> having a good day. ~Daniel Behrman, The Man Who Loved Bicycles
>
> Homepage: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/
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Date: 24 Jan 2006 15:09:48
From:
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
|
Ken M wrote:
> And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do
> most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
> touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
> designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.
>
I have been commuting through Reading, PA, a small (pop 70,000)
industrial city with fairly narrow streets with cars parked on both
sides. I commute on a LWB Stratus with no problems. For me, the low
BB gives me a secure feeling. I have ridden through the same city on
my Strada but prefer the LWB. For me, the narrower the street, the
more lane I take. I don't want the motorist behind me to believe
he/she can pass me on my left at the same time an oncoming car is
approaching. The only other comment I would add is my reliance on my
hearing as I approach intersections. I listen for cars before I can
see them.
Jim Reilly
Reading, PA
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Date: 24 Jan 2006 14:00:08
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
|
Jeff Grippe wrote:
>
>
> You and I are in sync on this topic Ed. I was riding on busy, heavily
> trafficked roads (the "official" bike routes where I live). I felt safe
> because I had my blinky light and was on an official bike route. My safety
> was an illusion. The woman who hit me says she didn't see me and I believe
> that she really didn't. Her judgment was lacking, however, in that she
> couldn't figure out that people were changing lanes because I was there and
> moving slowly. My expensive reflective white ski pants and my blinky light
> did not make me visible enough.
>
> In this country drivers are not taught to respect cyclist. To be fair, many
> cyclists are also pretty poor at sharing the road. All in all, in this
> country, cars and bikes don't mix well.
>
> Jeff
Frankly, I think that just as cyclists defer to peds, cars should AS A
MATTER OF COURSE defer to cyclists.
The fact that it isn't done is because everyone is a ped, including
motorists, so the DMV and DOT should emphasize us cyclists much more in
their literature and their tests before we ride up with torches and
pitchforks.
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Date: 24 Jan 2006 09:40:56
From: Jeff Wills
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
|
Arnold Ligtvoet wrote:
>
> > Is the car largely frowned upon over there?
>
> Nope not frowned upon. In the city it's getting near impossible to park
> (or expensive up to almost 4 US per hour). Outside the city you'd be
> pretty sure to end up in a traffic jam. On an average day we get about
> 200 kilometers of traffic jams. Please keep in mind that the whole of
> the Netherlands only measures about 120 kilometers by 250 (or so).
>
One of my favorite memories of my visit to Amsterdam (about 8 years
ago) was seeing a mid-Seventies Cadillac Coupe de Ville (the epitome of
the Large American Automobile) driving alongside one of the canals.
After seeing all of the little Fiats and so on, it looked like a
supertanker in a bathtub!
FWIW: I regularly commute on my Tour Easy recumbent. I live in the
Portland, Oregon area, one of the best places in the U.S. to ride a
bike.
Jeff
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Date: 24 Jan 2006 12:34:54
From: Victor Kan
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
|
Ken M wrote:
> And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do
> most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
> touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
> designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.
I commute year round during fair weather, switching between my HPVs (DF
road bike, Bacchetta Strada SWB high racer, Trimuter tadpole trike),
though when it's dark and the roads are in bad shape (like now), I go
mainly with the trike.
This is in the Raleigh-Durham area of NC, mostly on high volume,
45-55mph speed limit rural roads and state highways that go through
office park country.
--
I do not accept unsolicited commercial e-mail. Remove NO_UCE for
legitimate replies.
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Date: 24 Jan 2006 05:06:43
From: Jeff Grippe
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
|
"Ken M" <kencmjr@netzero.net > wrote in message
news:oYOdnXsHJaCLfkneRVn-iQ@giganews.com...
> And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do most
> 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational / touring
> rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB designs
> might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.
>
> Ken
> --
> You never have the wind with you - either it is against you or you're
> having a good day. ~Daniel Behrman, The Man Who Loved Bicycles
>
> Homepage: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/
>
>
>
I used to commute to and from my train station in White Plains, NY by bent
trike. The trike I rode was a Tricruiser and it was selected for that
purpose because it was higher and more visible. I used a Greenspeed trike
for touring. It was easier to transport and more comfortable to spend an
entire day in. Stability wasn't a problem but traffic was. When I am able to
ride again I will be using a Lietra for commuting. I will stick to the least
trafficked roads I can find (which means I will ignore the "official" bike
route completely).
Jeff
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Date: 23 Jan 2006 20:49:53
From: Johnny Sunset
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
|
Mike Rice wrote:
> ...
> I have mirror-cylcle (sp?) mirrors on both sides and use them
> consistantly.
<http://www.mirrycle.com/ > I presume.
--
Tom Sherman - Fox River Valley (For a bit)
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Date: 24 Jan 2006 10:34:53
From: Mike Rice
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
|
On 23 Jan 2006 20:49:53 -0800, "Johnny Sunset"
<sunsetss0003@yahoo.com > wrote:
>
>Mike Rice wrote:
>> ...
>> I have mirror-cylcle (sp?) mirrors on both sides and use them
>> consistantly.
>
><http://www.mirrycle.com/> I presume.
Yes, exactly. Thanks for the correction.
Indiana Mike
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Date: 23 Jan 2006 21:36:47
From: Arnold Ligtvoet
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
|
Ken M wrote:
> And what kind of 'bent is it?
I do my commuting on an Optima Baron (low racer).
> And what city do you commute in?
I commute between Amstelhoek and Hoofddorp, although I wonder if anybody
here has ever heard of these places. Hint : they are in the Netherlands...
> Or do
> most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
> touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
> designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.
I use mine for both. Luckily the Netherlands is quite well suited for
riding bikes (flat) and has a fairly well maintained network of bicycle
tracks. I ride to work about two to three times a week and tour about
two to three times a month..
Arnold.
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Date: 23 Jan 2006 22:51:42
From: Cully_J
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
|
"Arnold Ligtvoet" <news@ligtvoet.org > wrote in message
news:11tafiue9f9018e@corp.supernews.com...
> > Or do most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
> > touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
> > designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.
>
> I use mine for both. Luckily the Netherlands is quite well suited for
> riding bikes (flat) and has a fairly well maintained network of bicycle
> tracks. I ride to work about two to three times a week and tour about
> two to three times a month..
>
> Arnold.
That's one of the things I really liked about Amsterdam. *Everybody* rides a
bike.
Is the car largely frowned upon over there?
Cully_J
http://comatimes.blogspot.com/
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Date: 24 Jan 2006 14:59:51
From: Arnold Ligtvoet
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
|
Cully_J wrote:
> "Arnold Ligtvoet" <news@ligtvoet.org> wrote in message
>> I use mine for both. Luckily the Netherlands is quite well suited for
>> riding bikes (flat) and has a fairly well maintained network of bicycle
>> tracks. I ride to work about two to three times a week and tour about
>> two to three times a month..
> That's one of the things I really liked about Amsterdam. *Everybody* rides a
> bike.
Uhhh, the Netherlands are bigger than Amsterdam ;-) However I do agree
that a lot of bikes are ridden (also outside Amsterdam). The only
problems are that bikes tend to get stolen a lot of the times and the
wind is always against you. Both problems actually go away when riding
recumbents: nobody (at least most thieves) knows how to ride them and
the wind is less of a factor.
> Is the car largely frowned upon over there?
Nope not frowned upon. In the city it's getting near impossible to park
(or expensive up to almost 4 US per hour). Outside the city you'd be
pretty sure to end up in a traffic jam. On an average day we get about
200 kilometers of traffic jams. Please keep in mind that the whole of
the Netherlands only measures about 120 kilometers by 250 (or so).
When I commute I know for a fact that it will take about 25 minutes to
work. When I go by car the minimum up to now is just under 15 minutes
and the all time high is 1.45 hours!
Arnold.
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Date: 23 Jan 2006 20:37:08
From: Ian Smith
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
|
On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 09:07:13 -0500, Ken M <kencmjr@netzero.net > wrote:
> And what kind of 'bent is it?
Trice XL NT.
> And what city do you commute in?
I don't. The nearest city is London, but my commute is from one small
town, through 5 miles of countryside, to another small town.
> I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
> designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.
Being a trike, the trice is not the best at picking its way alongside
stationary queues - when I come across queues I generally sit in them,
whereas on a bike I'll filter down the queue. Generally, I arrange my
route to avoid queues (I have four possible routes, all between 5 and
7 miles, which I choose between depending on the traffic news, the
weather, and intuition).
regards, Ian SMith
--
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Date: 23 Jan 2006 20:11:45
From: Mike Rice
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
|
On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 09:07:13 -0500, Ken M <kencmjr@netzero.net > wrote:
>And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do
>most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
>touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
>designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.
>
>Ken
I commute 8 months of the year on my Tour Easy LWB recumbent. It's
only six miles each way, and really helps me enjoy the day. I ilve in
a medium sized town (60,000 or so) and have ridden just about every
major road in my county, including the busiest intersection we have,
and at rush hour. I probably should have found an alternate route, but
it was no problem as long as I 'took the lane' when approaching stop
lights. If I was too far to the right at a stop some idiot would pull
up beside me leaving too little room for comfort or safety.
I have mirror-cylcle (sp?) mirrors on both sides and use them
consistantly.
Indiana Mike
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| | |
Date: 24 Jan 2006 05:10:21
From: Jeff Grippe
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
|
"Mike Rice" <jodymike@gte.net > wrote in message
news:uqdat1ppd0ba3ptkjjivbioku5040nfrkg@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 09:07:13 -0500, Ken M <kencmjr@netzero.net> wrote:
>
>>And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do
>>most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
>>touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
>>designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.
>>
>>Ken
>
> I commute 8 months of the year on my Tour Easy LWB recumbent. It's
> only six miles each way, and really helps me enjoy the day. I ilve in
> a medium sized town (60,000 or so) and have ridden just about every
> major road in my county, including the busiest intersection we have,
> and at rush hour. I probably should have found an alternate route, but
> it was no problem as long as I 'took the lane' when approaching stop
> lights. If I was too far to the right at a stop some idiot would pull
> up beside me leaving too little room for comfort or safety.
>
> I have mirror-cylcle (sp?) mirrors on both sides and use them
> consistantly.
>
> Indiana Mike
>
Mike my friend,
I too 'took the lane' when necessary. It is why I got hit. I was also
worried about being sideswiped if I was too far to the right. Please be
careful. There are plenty of things that some idiots can do to you when you
take the lane as I can testify. I would think about that alternate route if
I were you. I now know that your feeling of safety is an illusion. In this
country, the more you can stay away from cars, the better. Please learn from
my experience.
Jeff
|
| | | |
Date: 24 Jan 2006 10:43:54
From: Mike Rice
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
|
On Tue, 24 Jan 2006 05:10:21 -0500, "Jeff Grippe" <jeff@door7.com >
wrote:
>
>"Mike Rice" <jodymike@gte.net> wrote in message
>news:uqdat1ppd0ba3ptkjjivbioku5040nfrkg@4ax.com...
>> On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 09:07:13 -0500, Ken M <kencmjr@netzero.net> wrote:
>>
>>>And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do
>>>most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
>>>touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
>>>designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.
>>>
>>>Ken
>>
>> I commute 8 months of the year on my Tour Easy LWB recumbent. It's
>> only six miles each way, and really helps me enjoy the day. I ilve in
>> a medium sized town (60,000 or so) and have ridden just about every
>> major road in my county, including the busiest intersection we have,
>> and at rush hour. I probably should have found an alternate route, but
>> it was no problem as long as I 'took the lane' when approaching stop
>> lights. If I was too far to the right at a stop some idiot would pull
>> up beside me leaving too little room for comfort or safety.
>>
>> I have mirror-cylcle (sp?) mirrors on both sides and use them
>> consistantly.
>>
>> Indiana Mike
>>
>
>Mike my friend,
>
>I too 'took the lane' when necessary. It is why I got hit. I was also
>worried about being sideswiped if I was too far to the right. Please be
>careful. There are plenty of things that some idiots can do to you when you
>take the lane as I can testify. I would think about that alternate route if
>I were you. I now know that your feeling of safety is an illusion. In this
>country, the more you can stay away from cars, the better. Please learn from
>my experience.
>
>Jeff
>
Thanks for the concern, Jeff.
Let me explain that my version of 'take the lane' involves eye contact
with the driver I will merge in front of, hand signals, and seeing an
acknowledgement from said driver. I am talking about approaching red
lights on very busy state highways with narrow shoulders (usually the
narrow shoulders are only at the light), a situation I sometimes must
deal with as some of my destinations are on said roads. If I do not
see that the driver expects me to merge, then I stay as far to the
right as possible. When I don't get to merge successfully I feel
crowded and definately less safe waiting for the light to change, I
always worry that the car beside me might make an unsignaled left
turn. So I watch the drivers and, more importantly, the front wheels
of the vehicle to make sure my intended path will be safe.
All in all I feel much safer waiting the light as a vehicle in the
line of vehicles than as an extra crammed in beside the line of
vehicles.
Indiana Mike
|
| | | | |
Date: 24 Jan 2006 13:36:00
From: Jeff Grippe
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
|
"Mike Rice" <jodymike@gte.net > wrote in message
news:vn0ct1ldhahu9jqm6i1t90glbdrq67u2lb@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 24 Jan 2006 05:10:21 -0500, "Jeff Grippe" <jeff@door7.com>
> wrote:
>
>>
>>"Mike Rice" <jodymike@gte.net> wrote in message
>>news:uqdat1ppd0ba3ptkjjivbioku5040nfrkg@4ax.com...
>>> On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 09:07:13 -0500, Ken M <kencmjr@netzero.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>>And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do
>>>>most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
>>>>touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
>>>>designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.
>>>>
>>>>Ken
>>>
>>> I commute 8 months of the year on my Tour Easy LWB recumbent. It's
>>> only six miles each way, and really helps me enjoy the day. I ilve in
>>> a medium sized town (60,000 or so) and have ridden just about every
>>> major road in my county, including the busiest intersection we have,
>>> and at rush hour. I probably should have found an alternate route, but
>>> it was no problem as long as I 'took the lane' when approaching stop
>>> lights. If I was too far to the right at a stop some idiot would pull
>>> up beside me leaving too little room for comfort or safety.
>>>
>>> I have mirror-cylcle (sp?) mirrors on both sides and use them
>>> consistantly.
>>>
>>> Indiana Mike
>>>
>>
>>Mike my friend,
>>
>>I too 'took the lane' when necessary. It is why I got hit. I was also
>>worried about being sideswiped if I was too far to the right. Please be
>>careful. There are plenty of things that some idiots can do to you when
>>you
>>take the lane as I can testify. I would think about that alternate route
>>if
>>I were you. I now know that your feeling of safety is an illusion. In this
>>country, the more you can stay away from cars, the better. Please learn
>>from
>>my experience.
>>
>>Jeff
>>
>
> Thanks for the concern, Jeff.
>
> Let me explain that my version of 'take the lane' involves eye contact
> with the driver I will merge in front of, hand signals, and seeing an
> acknowledgement from said driver. I am talking about approaching red
> lights on very busy state highways with narrow shoulders (usually the
> narrow shoulders are only at the light), a situation I sometimes must
> deal with as some of my destinations are on said roads. If I do not
> see that the driver expects me to merge, then I stay as far to the
> right as possible. When I don't get to merge successfully I feel
> crowded and definately less safe waiting for the light to change, I
> always worry that the car beside me might make an unsignaled left
> turn. So I watch the drivers and, more importantly, the front wheels
> of the vehicle to make sure my intended path will be safe.
>
> All in all I feel much safer waiting the light as a vehicle in the
> line of vehicles than as an extra crammed in beside the line of
> vehicles.
>
> Indiana Mike
I was on a stretch of road that mostly has a bike lane. I was in the 50
yards where there was no bike lane and so I took the lane. It was not the
few cars who were right behind me that got me. They saw me and moved into
the left hand lane. It was someone several cars back who didn't realize that
cars were moving into the left hand lane because I was there. You know your
roads better than I do. All I'm saying is that being safe and sharing the
road with cars is not completely compatible.
Jeff
|
| | | | |
Date: 24 Jan 2006 06:06:02
From: Edward Dolan
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
|
"Mike Rice" <jodymike@gte.net > wrote in message
news:vn0ct1ldhahu9jqm6i1t90glbdrq67u2lb@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 24 Jan 2006 05:10:21 -0500, "Jeff Grippe" <jeff@door7.com>
> wrote:
>
>>
>>"Mike Rice" <jodymike@gte.net> wrote in message
>>news:uqdat1ppd0ba3ptkjjivbioku5040nfrkg@4ax.com...
>>> On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 09:07:13 -0500, Ken M <kencmjr@netzero.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>>And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do
>>>>most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
>>>>touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
>>>>designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.
>>>>
>>>>Ken
>>>
>>> I commute 8 months of the year on my Tour Easy LWB recumbent. It's
>>> only six miles each way, and really helps me enjoy the day. I ilve in
>>> a medium sized town (60,000 or so) and have ridden just about every
>>> major road in my county, including the busiest intersection we have,
>>> and at rush hour. I probably should have found an alternate route, but
>>> it was no problem as long as I 'took the lane' when approaching stop
>>> lights. If I was too far to the right at a stop some idiot would pull
>>> up beside me leaving too little room for comfort or safety.
>>>
>>> I have mirror-cylcle (sp?) mirrors on both sides and use them
>>> consistantly.
>>>
>>> Indiana Mike
>>>
>>
>>Mike my friend,
>>
>>I too 'took the lane' when necessary. It is why I got hit. I was also
>>worried about being sideswiped if I was too far to the right. Please be
>>careful. There are plenty of things that some idiots can do to you when
>>you
>>take the lane as I can testify. I would think about that alternate route
>>if
>>I were you. I now know that your feeling of safety is an illusion. In this
>>country, the more you can stay away from cars, the better. Please learn
>>from
>>my experience.
>>
>>Jeff
>>
>
> Thanks for the concern, Jeff.
>
> Let me explain that my version of 'take the lane' involves eye contact
> with the driver I will merge in front of, hand signals, and seeing an
> acknowledgement from said driver. I am talking about approaching red
> lights on very busy state highways with narrow shoulders (usually the
> narrow shoulders are only at the light), a situation I sometimes must
> deal with as some of my destinations are on said roads. If I do not
> see that the driver expects me to merge, then I stay as far to the
> right as possible. When I don't get to merge successfully I feel
> crowded and definately less safe waiting for the light to change, I
> always worry that the car beside me might make an unsignaled left
> turn. So I watch the drivers and, more importantly, the front wheels
> of the vehicle to make sure my intended path will be safe.
>
> All in all I feel much safer waiting the light as a vehicle in the
> line of vehicles than as an extra crammed in beside the line of
> vehicles.
>
> Indiana Mike
Mike, forget all of the above and listen to Jeff. If we can learn from his
experience then we are ahead of the game. If not, we are doomed to repeat
the experience ourselves. Trust me on this. It is just a matter of time
until some fantastically stupid driver will run right over you. He will of
course claim that he didn't see you and all that so-called eye contact will
have turned out to be nothing but a chimera on your part.
Find better and safer roads to bike on.
Regards,
Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota
|
| | | | | |
Date: 24 Jan 2006 13:42:20
From: Jeff Grippe
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
|
"Edward Dolan" <edolan@iw.net > wrote in message
news:RpidnUOVuYO0hUveRVn-tw@prairiewave.com...
>
> "Mike Rice" <jodymike@gte.net> wrote in message
> news:vn0ct1ldhahu9jqm6i1t90glbdrq67u2lb@4ax.com...
>> On Tue, 24 Jan 2006 05:10:21 -0500, "Jeff Grippe" <jeff@door7.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>"Mike Rice" <jodymike@gte.net> wrote in message
>>>news:uqdat1ppd0ba3ptkjjivbioku5040nfrkg@4ax.com...
>>>> On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 09:07:13 -0500, Ken M <kencmjr@netzero.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do
>>>>>most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
>>>>>touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the
>>>>>LWB
>>>>>designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.
>>>>>
>>>>>Ken
>>>>
>>>> I commute 8 months of the year on my Tour Easy LWB recumbent. It's
>>>> only six miles each way, and really helps me enjoy the day. I ilve in
>>>> a medium sized town (60,000 or so) and have ridden just about every
>>>> major road in my county, including the busiest intersection we have,
>>>> and at rush hour. I probably should have found an alternate route, but
>>>> it was no problem as long as I 'took the lane' when approaching stop
>>>> lights. If I was too far to the right at a stop some idiot would pull
>>>> up beside me leaving too little room for comfort or safety.
>>>>
>>>> I have mirror-cylcle (sp?) mirrors on both sides and use them
>>>> consistantly.
>>>>
>>>> Indiana Mike
>>>>
>>>
>>>Mike my friend,
>>>
>>>I too 'took the lane' when necessary. It is why I got hit. I was also
>>>worried about being sideswiped if I was too far to the right. Please be
>>>careful. There are plenty of things that some idiots can do to you when
>>>you
>>>take the lane as I can testify. I would think about that alternate route
>>>if
>>>I were you. I now know that your feeling of safety is an illusion. In
>>>this
>>>country, the more you can stay away from cars, the better. Please learn
>>>from
>>>my experience.
>>>
>>>Jeff
>>>
>>
>> Thanks for the concern, Jeff.
>>
>> Let me explain that my version of 'take the lane' involves eye contact
>> with the driver I will merge in front of, hand signals, and seeing an
>> acknowledgement from said driver. I am talking about approaching red
>> lights on very busy state highways with narrow shoulders (usually the
>> narrow shoulders are only at the light), a situation I sometimes must
>> deal with as some of my destinations are on said roads. If I do not
>> see that the driver expects me to merge, then I stay as far to the
>> right as possible. When I don't get to merge successfully I feel
>> crowded and definately less safe waiting for the light to change, I
>> always worry that the car beside me might make an unsignaled left
>> turn. So I watch the drivers and, more importantly, the front wheels
>> of the vehicle to make sure my intended path will be safe.
>>
>> All in all I feel much safer waiting the light as a vehicle in the
>> line of vehicles than as an extra crammed in beside the line of
>> vehicles.
>>
>> Indiana Mike
>
> Mike, forget all of the above and listen to Jeff. If we can learn from his
> experience then we are ahead of the game. If not, we are doomed to repeat
> the experience ourselves. Trust me on this. It is just a matter of time
> until some fantastically stupid driver will run right over you. He will of
> course claim that he didn't see you and all that so-called eye contact
> will have turned out to be nothing but a chimera on your part.
>
> Find better and safer roads to bike on.
>
> Regards,
>
> Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
> aka
> Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota
>
>
>
You and I are in sync on this topic Ed. I was riding on busy, heavily
trafficked roads (the "official" bike routes where I live). I felt safe
because I had my blinky light and was on an official bike route. My safety
was an illusion. The woman who hit me says she didn't see me and I believe
that she really didn't. Her judgment was lacking, however, in that she
couldn't figure out that people were changing lanes because I was there and
moving slowly. My expensive reflective white ski pants and my blinky light
did not make me visible enough.
In this country drivers are not taught to respect cyclist. To be fair, many
cyclists are also pretty poor at sharing the road. All in all, in this
country, cars and bikes don't mix well.
Jeff
|
| |
Date: 23 Jan 2006 10:04:52
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
|
Ken M wrote:
> And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do
> most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
> touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
> designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.
>
> Ken
> --
> You never have the wind with you - either it is against you or you're
> having a good day. ~Daniel Behrman, The Man Who Loved Bicycles
>
> Homepage: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/
I plan on doing "variable fair-weather commuting" on an SMGTe (an SWB
design) this late spring/early summer in NYC. I'm sure it can be done
without too much hassle, especially once I "master" the 'bent, but it
would be through some bad neighborhoods, not to mention with even more
traffic than I care for (I who think traffic is "safe," if annoying,
since hit-and-runs seem much less likely) on my upright.
I'll let you know how that goes -- stay tuned! Same bat-channel, same
bat-time....
|
| |
Date: 23 Jan 2006 14:35:31
From: Dave Larrington
Subject: Re: Who commutes on a 'bent?
|
In article <oYOdnXsHJaCLfkneRVn-iQ@giganews.com >, Ken M
(kencmjr@netzero.net) wrote:
Usually, though it's waiting for parts ATM.
> And what kind of 'bent is it?
HP Velotechnik Speedmachine
> And what city do you commute in?
London, UK
> Or do
> most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
> touring rides?
No, I have my Trice XXL for that.
> I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
> designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.
I did use a (borrowed) LWB for a while and it was not an experience I
would care to repeat.
--
Dave Larrington - <http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/ >
uck Wa
|
|
