Great Afternoon for a Ride

Commuting vs Riding

I've had a bit over a year to experience bicycle commuting. I do not ride to work every day for several reasons:

• Weather: I won't ride in snow, ice, heavy rain, high winds, or thick fog -- these roads are fairly busy and drivers are minimally attentive.
• Clothes: If I run out of spare clothes at the office and can't fit a change into my backpack.
• Fatigue: My shortest route is 15.5 miles one way. I always plan to ride at least 16 MPH, while I'm usually closer to 17. Ambling along at a slow pace isn't an option. So after a couple of round-trip days, or extra hard rides due to speed or conditions, I drive in.
• Tolerance: Some days I just don't want to deal with the close calls and other frustrations. These days are rare but they happen.

I'm averaging 3 days a week commuting, 33-39 miles each round-trip day, 17 MPH average over typical rolling terrain (800-1000' elevation gain) while wearing a backpack between 5 and 10 lbs.

Here's what I've learned in the past year:

• Baby wipes are great
• Short hair helps
• Beat the school traffic
• Carry enough food
• Stage one more set of clothes than you think you'll use
• Buy and use chamois cream
• Tough tires are good (my current favorites are Continental Grand Prix All Season, 700x25mm)
• Saddle bags have a place
• Panniers don't
• Headlights are critical
• Tail lights should be as bright as possible
• Ride a few extra miles to avoid busy roads
• Change the route enough to keep it interesting
• Don't be afraid to rest (i.e. "Not Ride")
• Secure your bicycle inside
• Always have a rescue plan
• Don't ride in snow, ice, heavy rain, high winds, or thick fog
• Wave at other riders. Every one.
• Riding for transportation can become a drudge, and rob some of the enjoyment riding brings. Fight to keep the joy.

Feeling Strong

Every so often the right combination of energy, enthusiasm, capacity, and will merge to form a good ride.

It's not necessarily the fastest ride, since you never feel torn up, or wrung out, or at the edge of endurance or pain threshold.

But you feel good -- the pedals turn easily, the pavement rolls by quickly. Breathing is rhythmic, the HRM ignored, the wind a steady accompanist.

I wish I know how to create those conditions at will.

I certainly can't predict them.

Some days I roll out thinking, "I'm beat -- I don't feel like pushing today..."

Other days I can't wait to ride. I'm sure it will be a fast, strong ride.

And then I feel like I'm pedaling in wet cement.

But the strong days -- as infrequent as they seem to be -- are what make all the other days worthwhile. You've put in the miles, made the climbs, pushed against the headwinds, felt the sting of ice.

Today you reap the reward -- flying under your own power.

Forget the HRM, the speed, the KOMs, and the PRs.

Feel strong, use it, enjoy it.

So you can recall it next time you're not so strong.

It will come again.

Someday.

Continental Grand Prix All Season Road Tire Review

My daily commute varies from 15.5 to 18.5 miles each way over varying road surface including several miles of shoulder filled with glass, debris, gravel, and dead critters.

Typical Shoulder Debris

I've been running Vittoria Rubino Pro 3 tires (23mm) but after several inconvenient flats (wire shards and glass) it was time to go tougher during the winter.

Continental Gatorskins are the standard tough tire, but I've never liked the ride, which I find disconnected and sluggish.

During nice weather I prefer Vittoria Open Corsa CX III or Continental Grand Prix 4000 IIs -- each is fast, grippy, light, and works well pumped up to 100-130 PSI. Neither is intended for the rigors of commuting.

A normal, non-commute ride is intentionally planned for smooth, less-traveled roads. These rides happen in daylight. A flat is an interruption, but that's about it.

Commuting implies a limited subset of routes to get from home to work in a reasonable time. The roads might be busy, the shoulders filled with debris, and the surfaces variable (from smooth pavement to cinder rail-trail).

Junction Rail Trail Entrace

 For several moths in the year all or a large part of the ride is conducted in the dark.

Our experience with the Conti GP All Season on our tandem has been good. I decided to try a 25mm rear, 23 mm front.

Since the majority of my riding is now in the dark I usually can't spot debris until it's too late. No matter - these tires just roll on through.

I have 500 miles on the pair and there is no visible wear yet. I run them at 90 PSI each. I'm not chasing KOMs this time of year but I haven't noticed any slowing due to tires.

These are excellent commuter-trainer tires. I can highly recommend.

Warm (OK, Hot) Weather Commuting

It's been hot here lately....

In the mornings the temperature has been hovering around 70, with temps on the evening ride in the high 80s to mid 90s.

As is usual for Southeast Pennsylvania, the humidity has been high, resulting in summertime weather report monotony:"Hazy, Hot, and Humid"

Hazy, Hot, and Humid

Since I ride year round and remember how cold and dark it was a few short months ago, how slowly my Michelin-man profile moved through the cold winter air, and how many layers of clothing were required to avoid frostbite.

A few short moths ago....

Still, riding in the heat does have unique challenges and even dangers.

So here are a few tips:

• Use lightweight, breathable, high-end cycling clothing
• Unless your commute is very short or you ride very slowly, plan on wearing cycling clothing and let it wick away your perspiration. No cyclist should be wearing anything made of cotton shirt, socks, or shorts -- you're just asking for chafing!
• I've been very pleased with clothing from Pearl Izumi, Louis Garneau, Giordana, and Voler. Performance and Nashbar have good products but the cut is more club and I'm a thin roadie.
• Wear a wicking undershirt and beanie

• This used to be standard among the pros but I still use a thin, cycling-specific undershirt such as the Sugoi RS base layer.
• I use a number of different caps, but the Headsweats Skullcap is the lightest. When it's REALLY hot a few squirts with the water bottle helps cool things down. The white material helps reflect sunlight that gets in through the vents of my Giro Synthe helmet.
• Freeze water in your bottles overnight

• When it's really hot I fill a bottle to 1/3-1/2 capacity and then put it in the freezer. In the morning I add fresh water and go. It helps to have cold (or at least cool) water to drink. An insulated bottle will help a bit but when it's 90 F or more, don't expect it to stay cold for long.
• Avoid long climbs in the afternoon
• If I'm going to do hills I ride those in the AM. In the afternoon I'm maxed out with the sun and the heat reflecting off the pavement. I save the hard efforts for mornings.
• Keep the cadence up
• This might seem counter-intuitive but it works. Pushing a big gear slowly (75-80 RPM) results in a bigger work effort (and heat load) for slower speeds. A slightly lower gear and higher cadence keeps the speed up and provides a cooling breeze. It also imposes less stress on the body.
• Get to work early enough to cool down a bit before changing
• This can be tough to pull off, but if you work in an office, it's good sense to cool off a bit before changing into your work clothes. If you can't do this, reduce your effort level the last mile or so so you're cooling down as you approach work.
• Spray your cycling shorts with alcohol before hanging them to dry
• This provides two benefits: 1) sanitizes the shorts so you're less likely to develop saddle sores, 2) helps reduce drying time.
• Hang everything to dry (!)
• This is likely work-area dependent but if at all possible hang your kit to dry, otherwise saddle sores will be your lot and you will not like it.
• Pre-hydrate
• I try to drink a bit before I leave so I don't have to carry two bottles. I usually don't take my first drink until at least 20 minutes into even the hottest rides.
• Back off hard efforts a bit when the temperatures exceed 85 F
• This should be "common sense" but we all think we're getting a "better workout" in the heat. You're not -- your body is unable to cool as effectively and so you are not capable of as much work as you would be in less stressful temperatures. Dial it back a bit and save the hard efforts for the morning.

Cote de la Montange, Quebec

Cycling Quebec City

Janet and I have been spending a week in Quebec City for the last few years as our vacation getaway. Quebec was where I spent each summer of my childhood and I only have fond memories. It's a beautiful town in a gorgeous spot (the French knew where to plant cities!). While French proficiency is not required, even a tiny bit (Yes, no, please, thank you, and hello) helps.

One of our favorite activities is bicycling. We have a Cannondale road tandem and I ride a Cannondale CAAD 3. We usually ride the tandem a couple of mornings and I ride solo the other days.

Quebec is a great place to ride due to the extensive paved bike paths all around the city.

Here are a few of our favorite places to ride:

Boulevard Champlain Bike Path (Route Verte) Loop (13 Miles)

Route map

This pathway is very popular with locals -- it's flat, scenic, and provides many places to stop and enjoy the view of the St Lawrence river, bridges, and the escarpment on either shore. The path is usually crowded with walkers, roller bladers, joggers, and cyclists of all different levels so if you want to hammer, go early. You may spot some large ships making their way up or downstream. There are a series of outdoor public sculptures as you approach the bridges. The mostly-green cantilever bridge is the Quebec Bridge, completed in 1917, after the first attempt at building a span collapsed, killing 75 workers (more on the Quebec bridge here)

The taller suspension bridge is Pont Pierre Laporte, completed in 1970. The Quebec bridge has a train deck and auto deck. Pont Pierre Laporte is a highway bridge (the longest non-toll suspension bridge in the world).

Quebec City to Beauport to Petit Pre Out and Back (28 Miles)

Route map

This ride follows paved bike path east of Quebec. The route is flat and scenic once you move away from the roads and bridge just east of town. You will pass the Montmorency Falls and then ride along the route of the earliest settlements in New France. If you are feeling strong take one of the roads to the left and climb the escarpment at Boischatel, Ange Gardien, or Petit Pre.

Island of Orleans (Ile d'Orleans) Loop (41 Miles)

Route map

This is a long, tough ride around the beautiful Island of Orleans. The island sits in the center of the St Lawrence river and has a microclimate that has created an ideal environment for farming. You will pass villages settled in the 1600s, and churches standing since the 1730s. There are many tourists stops along the way and several beaches, where hardy folk bathe in the south channel of the St Lawrence (tides are in effect here, so a "beach" now might be underwater later in the day).

The roadway is narrow. While most locals know to slow and pass safely, there is the occasional person in a hurry. Be careful and establish a position in the lane that forces drivers to negotiate around you.
The landscape becomes more rural the further west on the island you are, so be prepared with all essentials as you may not have access to a depanneur or tabagie ("convenience store").
This is a ride any serious cyclists should do at least once.

GP Quebec Partial Course Loop (6 Miles)

Route Map

I recommend you do this early on a Saturday or Sunday morning or you will be mixing it up with traffic on some of the listed streets. The best time to ride this route is an hour before the GP Quebec race starts, but that's only one day a year. While it's short, it can be combined with other routes to extend the mileage. But it's a tough loop with two hard ascents up significant grades (over 10%).

Tough Guy

I try to commute by bicycle 2-3 days a week from Mount Joy to Lititz. A one-way trip of 16-18 miles takes about an hour (depending on the route and energy level and winds). I take as many back roads as possible to avoid cars and slowing down traffic (the direct route on state route 772 would be suicidal).

At least twice a week i encounter some new jackass who thinks its 'fun" to harass or threaten a cyclist. I ride to the right, keep my speed up, and do whatever it takes to avoid being an impediment to traffic.

Nevertheless, enough of them are driving with some inner rage that turns them to into homicidal jerks.

Yesterday morning I encountered one of these embarrassments to the gene pool on the quiet stretch of Auction road that runs through the tiny collection of houses known as "Junction." The speed limit here is 25. I was travelling 20.5 through the S curve just before town.

As soon as I exited the curve I could hear the truck coming up fast and close.

I moved over as far to the right as possible (even though there was NO oncoming traffic), and then mush-brain decides to pass me two feet from my left.

Two feet at 20+ MPH is CLOSE. There are rocks, potholes, broken glass, and sticks on the right side of all the roads.

As you can see in the following stills from the video I captured, he passes close (very close -- the mirror was within inches of my head) and then PULLS OVER TO THE RIGHT and applies his brakes.

The fish eye lens of the GoPro makes it appear a bit further than it actually was, but the roadway here is 17' wide. the centerline is 8.5' from the right edge. A Ford Pickup is 8.7' wide (104.9").

You'll see in the still below that the minimal IQ driver of this pickup truck is completely in the right lane:

Jackass PA Plate: ZBD-5414

So that leaves less than 8" from the side of his truck to the edge of the road surface.

Taken 7:12 AM, 11 May 2016 on Auction Road in Manheim Borough.

Less than 2' away. Clearly intentional.

Wannabe Cop

Commuting is hazardous, especially when idiot drivers ignore the law and basic safety. This moron backed up to argue with me. Of course I captured it all on video.

PA Plate JPZ-1937

Video of the confrontation:

Here's What a Jerk Drives: Beige 2002 Honda Odyssey, PA plate: HFG-3592

Here's a picture of a driver who passed me doing at least 70 MPH southbound on Auction Road  at 5:53 PM on Wednesday, April 14th:

The 2002 Honda Odyssey that nearly killed me on Auction Road

Here's the video:

The vehicle appears further than it actually was due to the fish-eye lens on the GoPro mounted on my front handlebars. The yellow lane divider line is 8.8 feet from the right edge of the roadway. However i am riding 2' from the right edge due to the broken pavement all alpng the edges of this road.

There is NO WAY the driver has provided 4' distance from a cyclist as required by Pennsylvania law:

Four Foot Buffer Requirement: When passing, drivers must allow at least four (4) feet between the right side of the vehicle and the left side of the bicycle [75 Pa.C.S. § 3303 (a) (3)] . When safe to do so, it is legal to cross the center double yellow line if necessary to provide the required four feet when passing a bicycle [75 Pa.C.S. § 3307 (b.1)].

My handlebars are 42 cm (1.3 feet) wide. Seated on the bicycle in normal riding posture I am approximately 1.5 feet wide (I'm 6'1", 180 lbs).

If I'm 2' from the right edge and 1.5' wide = 3.5' to my left edge.

The lane is 8.8 feet to the edge of the grass.

That leaves 5.3' of distance between me and the centerline.

Yet in the image above you can see the Odyssey is straddling the centerline.

A 2002 Odyssey is 76.3" wide (6.4 feet)

Assuming directly over centerline that 3.2' in the 8.8" wide lane, there's 2.1' between my left edge and Honda's right edge.

This 2002 Honda Odyssey van has Pennsylvania registration: HFG-3592.

I will post a video this evening. In the video his speed is apparent as he has to brake when he runs up behind the vehicle in the distance.

So I sent an email to the Manheim Borough Police Department with the picture of the car attached (which clearly displayed the license plate).

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UPDATE

I was contacted by the MBPD Police Chief who explained they can't really issue a citation if they can't positively identify who was driving. They have the vehicle info and traced it but the driver wouldn't be obvious given the addresses. They will follow up and ask me to testify if it goes to court.

I'd happily participate.

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Some police departments get it. The Bangor, Maine PD certainly does:

Drivers and Cyclists

Lancaster County: Yesterday's Commute

Going anyway...

Bike commuting is sometimes a challenge.

Of course there's the need to haul food, clothing, and other supplies (in my case it's a combination of staging on days I drive in and riding with a backpack).

Then there's the early morning starts (If I'm rolling by 0630 I can be at work in time to change and get some breakfast before the calls start).

It's often cold in the mornings so there's more clothes to wear, hang, wash, carry up hills and push through the air.

Hazards

There is the occasional moron driver, who believes it's far too difficult to move off their selected path more than 3' feet (This specimen is usually driving twice the posted speed limit and is horribly upset if confronted). Laziness, stupidity, or viciousness -- or perhaps all three -- compels this driving style.

Of course I have rear blinkers, reflective bands, a bright day-glow jersey, and decent head lights, so seeing me shouldn't be a challenge.

Alas it is, for some poor souls.

Anyway, the one benefit of early morning rides is lack of wind. Most days.

This morning served up a fresh northeast breeze at 7-9 MPH. It may not sound like much but it's just enough to knock a mile or two off the average speed and increase the perception of required effort.

Downhills aren't as fast and uphills aren't easier.

About halfway into the ride I thought, "I don't want to do this."

Uh Oh

Most days I look forward to the ride -- it's a bright spot when I can breathe fresh air, feel strong and active, see the countryside pass by, and enjoy the sunrise.

But a very busy week of work and a couple of hard days on the bike (wind in March -- imagine that) sapped me of some enthusiasm.

This is where cycling is a microcosm of life. There are moments when you just want to throw your hands up and say, "I'm done."

But I'm somewhere on Long Road with no bus stop, no taxi, and no one nearby to push me up this next little rise. It's me and this assembly of aluminum, synthetic ribber, spandex, nylon, electronics, and cork bar tape and the only entity on the planet moving me form where I am to where i need to be is me.

I shift down and spin -- 85... then 87, then 90, now 94 RPM.

The road levels.

The sky ahead is bright with sunrise pink-orange glow.

There are no cars. Cows stand in the field munching fresh grass.

The wind abates for a moment.

One More Mile

So I make a deal -- Get to the end of this road....

Or what?

Just work on that. We'll talk later.

The pedals spin. I turn onto a slight downhill grade. Speed picks up. I get on top of the gear, pushing steadily. 20, now 21 MPH. The road rises -- the Garmin hangs at 17.8.

I make it to the end and forget the deal. Negotiate the bends, make it through the light, fly down the stretch, wait for a break in the traffic -- keep going...

I forget about my momentary lapse of will until I turn onto Highland road, a short little deal that climbs up the backside of Kissel Hill.

It might be 8 % but it's not that long but this morning I dread it like a second lap on Alpe D'Huez.

So what?

Shift down, keep the pedals spinning, get up this thing.

The backpack feels like I'm carrying an anvil inside a 5 gallon bucket of water.

I crest the hill, go over the next little rise, descend into Lititz, take the fast track north on 501, staying ahead of the truck that really wants to pass me.

I'm a mile form the office. I can low crawl the rest of the way. Now get going!

A few more blocks and I roll into the parking lot. 18.2 miles have been covered since I rolled out in the dark away from our warm, spacious house.

That wasn't so bad...

It should be 72 F when I ride home tonight.

That will be nice...

Momentary lack of will forgotten, new horizons beckon -- why did I doubt?

I doubted so I can remember this the next time I face the will-sapping questions that penetrate even the strongest will. Can you do this? Why are you doing this? Just stop...

Get thee behind me, Satan.

Road Cyclists, Drivers, and The Law

Road cyclists who log lots of miles tend to have fairly frequent interactions with discourteous and even homicidal drivers. About once a week I have some pass very close or at very high speed. About once a month someone will pass on a blind corner of hill and then dive back right (towards me) when faced with incoming traffic.

Every so often I catch the driver at a light or stop sign. It never goes well.

Here are the usual brilliant retorts:

• "All you guys think you own the road!"
• "Get off the road! You don't belong on the road!"
• "You guys roll through stop signs all the time!"

(I have to ask which "you guys" they are referring to, since there are no "you guys" --just me)

This results in cognitive dissonance ("This guy on a bike dares reply to ME, a Driver!!?!"). Unable to engage in discussion,  they commence expletive-filled tirades and drive off.

This before I have the opportunity to tell them I own two cars and a motorcycle and probably drive more and pay more taxes then they, and that they are, in fact, not owed Total Road Ownership.

It's very frustrating.

So I think I'm going to print up a bunch of cards and hand them out when I catch these idiots (I also carry a few other items to ensure the encounter doesn't go too far).

Fortunately, in 2012 the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code was amended to enhance safety for cyclists and guide motorists' behavior with respect to cyclists.  The key provisions are:

Four Foot Buffer Requirement: When passing, drivers must allow at least four (4) feet between the right side of the vehicle and the left side of the bicycle [75 Pa.C.S. § 3303 (a) (3)] . When safe to do so, it is legal to cross the center double yellow line if necessary to provide the required four feet when passing a bicycle [75 Pa.C.S. § 3307 (b.1)].

Right to Lane of Travel: Bicycles have the right to be in the lane of travel and there is no requirement that a bicycle be ridden at the right side of the right lane. It is only where a bike is moving at less than the prevailing speed of traffic that a cyclist must take reasonable steps to avoid impeding traffic [75 Pa.C.S. § 3364 (b) (2)]. While this can and should include moving as far to the right as is practicable, the law specifically states that a bicycle need not move to the right where:

1. it is unsafe to do so due to road conditions [75 Pa.C.S. § 3301 (c) (2) and 3505 (c)],
2. the road is only one lane in each direction [75 Pa.C.S. § 3301 (c) (2)],
3. the right hand lane is for turns only and the rider is going straight [75 Pa.C.S. § 3301 (b) (2)],or
4. the bicycle needs to move left to make a left turn [75 Pa.C.S. § 3301 (c) (1)].

Prohibition Against Forcing Off the Road: It is illegal to force a bicyclist off of the road. A driver may face criminal charges.

No Right/Left Hook: No turn by the driver of a motor vehicle shall interfere with a bicyclist proceeding straight on a roadway or shoulder [75 Pa.C.S. § 3331 (e)].

May Proceed Through Red when Traffic Signal does not detect Bicycle: Standard traffic signals sometimes do not detect bicycles. A cyclist may treat the signal as malfunctioning and proceed with caution [75 Pa.C.S. § 3112 (c) (2)]

PA VEHICLE CODE (TITLE 75)