Getting Started

Well, this is my first blog entry, so we'll see where this takes us. I have enjoyed reading the Rusted Tour blog, and have always found it well written, and humorous, as well as far reaching in its diversity.



I am an avid road cyclist, and ride nearly every day. As a roadie, I share the road with our four wheel friends. I encounter every kind driver you can imagine, so each entry will relate to my experience on the road on each ride.

First, a little about me. I ride between 100 and 200 miles each week during the season. I ride almost exclusively alone. I do not like riding in groups on the open roads. I do not like they way the ride in packs, making it difficult, if not impossible for drivers to pass. I ride as far to the right in the lane as possible, always trying to give traffic room to get around me. If there is a shoulder outside the white line, that is where I ride. I ride at all times of the day, whenever I can fit one in based on my work schedule.

I do not always obey traffic rules; I do not stop at all Stop signs. I obey the rules of the road when the conditions merit. Again, I am as respectful to traffic as possible. But there are certain conditions where stopping is not required, or may in fact not be prudent.

I NEVER ride on the sidewalk. The word "walk" should be enough explanation. Too many joggers, old ladies, and women with strollers and dogs on leashes there for me. I seldom if ever ride on a trail, unless I know for a fact that it is completely paved. My bike is a ROAD bike, not a TRAIL bike. It does not safely handle on unpaved trails.

Second, it is all about the bike. I wear cycling shorts and jerseys featuring a sponsor, but unlike most riders, I actually ride events for the sponsor. I am not a paid athelete, but I do ride for an organized team at events around the country. I strongly prefer that my kits and accessories match my bike, helmets, glasses, the works! It is an illness, I am good with that. Sponsor kits do not always match, but I am good with that too.



I rode a quick 22.5 miles yesterday without major incident. The weather here is just getting nice again, the temps in the mid-60's at ride time. The warmer weather is making people upbeat and excited. So the only issues to report are some exuberant teens screaming the usual stuff, like"go Lance!" and the like.



I wanted to ride today, the weather is really nice, but it is St. Patricks Day, and all that goes with it. Did not want to share the road with texting drunks.....too dangerous for me.


Case in point, just saw on the news that a person was just involved in a huge car wreck not far from my home on a road I ride regularly. The car was wrapped around a tree and the driver was killed. No indication about alcohol, but just another reason to us two wheelers to stay off the road, and out of harms way. My thoughts go out to the family of the young person killed in this tragic accident.

Riding tomorrow, will report on the driver reactions, and my observations after the ride.