(no subject)

[minervasolo]

Being unable to cycle in a straight line probably should have warned me I was being a bit ambitious. Also, I'm scared of cars. More so than when I was trying to drive one (and I was fairly terrified then). My bike is fairly knackered too, which doesn't help. And morning traffic in York is fairly busy. I was doing my best to ignore it, which kind of wasn't helping with hte whole road awareness stuff, but if I'd focused on the large fast metal things coming up behind my I'd have (a) frozen and fallen off the bike or (b) tried to get on the pavement and fallen off the bike. Falling I'm not actually scared off (the only time I have so far was trying to get off the bike) since I've done that countless times, but getting hit by a car? I don't think there are meny people who can say they've done that countless times.

1 - everyone else on the road is a maniac

Cycling proficiency rules:
2 - look both ways before crossing the road
3 - look behind you before you signal
etc

My rules:
2 - get the bus

So instead of going swimming today, I'm relearning to ride a bike. Including such unchartered territory as "looking behind me" and "taking my hands off the wheel". And also trying not to cry at the thought. Oh, I so needed more sleep.

Things to purchase:
- helmet
- bike chain
- cycle clips
- new bike?

We'll probably be going swimming at the Yearsley instead on Friday, if anyone wants to join us in the afternoon.

Comments

[ultharkitty.livejournal.com]

Swimming on friday soudns great. I'll have to see whether I have a meeting then or not (nothing's been arranged, but it's something I'm being paid for so if they want a meeting they get one!).

*hugs* You'll be fine once you've had some practice. May I reccommend the riverside path? No cars, hardly any maniac joggers, and lots of geese. There's a danger of falling in, but there's a wide verge so that probably won't happen :P

[minervasolo.livejournal.com]

I'm okay on that, it's the getting to and from I'm currently having difficulty with. I've just sort of realised how little I know about cycling on roads, and how little I'm capable of with regards to cycling. I wobble tremendously when I take my hands off of the handlebars, because I'm used to putting most of my weight on them. I need to get used to sitting back first, which is what I'm struggling with at the mo.

[ohajiki.livejournal.com]

I've had about three minor clippings with cars in York and I can advise cycling off-road for practice. Try cycling on the grassy bit between the cycle-path and the tow-path by the ouse, the bumpiness will improve your balance. Try guiding the handlebars with the base of your hands only or putting your hands closer together like so (with the "@" being your hands) >----@--O--@-----

[minervasolo.livejournal.com]

Thank for the advice, I'll give it ago. Well, once this lot of bruises have faded, anyway!

[catalyst0.livejournal.com]

Good luck with the cycling! Having commuted by bike to and from university in Montreal when I was living up there, I sympathize. Traffic is challenging! Two bits of advice, the first probably pretty obvious :)

1. Practice practice practice, in low-traffic areas. You're absolutely right about people being maniacs. :) And even if they're good drivers, then might just not see you. I know I've been in situations where I've had to turn/stop/dodge/eat potholes suddenly because someone didn't see me, and the idea of having to do that without dozens of hours on the bike... *shudders*.

2. Most invaluable piece of technology for traffic cycling: a rear-view mirror. They make ones that slide into the end of the handlebars. It makes a huge difference. It allows you to keep track of what's approaching behind on a constant basis, without having to take your eyes off the road in front of you. And an eye-flick is much faster and safer than turning your head. That doesn't mean you don't have to look behind you periodically as well, but... basically, you look behind you at the times you would anyway (when turning, when the road narrows, etc.), but use the mirror to track traffic the rest of the time.

Good luck, and have fun!

[minervasolo.livejournal.com]

Ooh, mirror. That sounds useful. So far my greatest acheivement is a bike chain, so I can actually leave the bike places. I've convinced myself I'll cycle into uni tomorrow, which should be fine, but it's going to be interesting cycling back just as the school on the route lets out.

This week's been madly busy, but hopefully next week I'll have some more time to get practise in. The advantage of York is people learn to expect kamikaze cyclists, especially in the centre of town where you don't get manycars. The problem is getting there: there's a huge four lane road between me and the centre!