Quale - Winter, 2000 Want to see
more?
You can now visit Freewheel’n.
These are also submitted and published in the South Jersey
Wheelmen’s monthly newsletter. You can read my latest
release by visiting this site after the middle of each month.
Snow has
arrived!! Yes, we
here in the Northeast have received anywhere from 6 to 10 inches
and more of snow. The first few days of January were very
mild...in fact a record high temperature was set. Those days are
now gone and along with them are any thoughts of getting some
early season rides completed. RePete did get about 25 miles
ridden before the thermometer fell. Now is a good time to plan
our year ahead. In with those plans we should include cycling
events and volunteer activities.
With this thought, RePete will shortly be releasing updated Quest Tours. Once again, the Peach
Blossom leads off the weekend rides.
This is a favorite as it offers a choice of distances of either
40 or 65 miles. We also may get to see the pink and white blooms
as we pass miles of orchards. There are a pair of tours to Smithville...that
historic town which has recently been restored. Those that have
passion for challenging climbs can take in the Atlantic
Highlands Tour. Others may like the
flat backroads of the Piney Hallow
route. A new tour that also features flat countryside is the Friendship.
We will ride into Philadelphia to witness the First
Union (Core States) Race. History
beckons us as we take a tour to Fort
Mercer. The charm and beauty of autumn
are part of the 4 Lakes Tour.
You still want more! Well then...take in any of the many Outback
or Just Tour’n
rides. These are short mid-week, evening tours. A total of 72
tours in all!! These are provided in cooperation with the Outdoor
Club of South Jersey and the South Jersey Wheelmen. Two premier
cycling clubs that support the interest of the cyclist.
An example is the Convention that is held annually by the South
Jersey Wheelmen. Over the years these Conventions were held in
Easton, Maryland; Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; Ocean City,
Maryland and many other locations. The most recent was held at
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. These are scheduled in October and
provide many an opportunity to ride and socialize just before the
cool weather arrives. Below are some photos taken during this
weekend event. RePete regrets the photos may not be the best...he
does better at cycling.
The arrival of a group that biked to Rehoboth
Beach from South Jersey!!!
This past year was a terrible cycling year for RePete. The effort
to located suitable employment after my firm merged left little
time for my favorite activity. I do thank all of you that
participated in my rides...hope and expect to see many returning
as well as new faces. In order to be a good rider, we all need to
be aware of safe riding techniques. Below is another installment
that will get all of us back safely.
RePete is a confirmed roadie...none of those off-the-road trails
for him. Riding on the road does mean having the knowledge and
awareness of safe riding techniques. Different aspects of sharing
the road with motorist. This is the third in this series:
“Getting
Across Non-Standard Intersections.”
Not all intersections are of the standard “crossroads”
type. Thought the same principles of lane positioning apply to
all intersections maneuvers, some situations can be confusing and
deserve a second look.
Entering the Road
Bicyclist sometimes will ride against traffic or take unusual
routes across intersections to get to their lane positions.
Don’t do it! Instead, look for a good place to enter, where
you can start out with a normal intersection maneuver: a left or
right turn or a lane change to merge into traffic.
When entering the road from a narrow driveway, ride down its
middle. A pedestrian could be approaching on the sidewalk, from
either side, and a car could be about to enter the driveway from
either direction. By placing yourself in the middle, you can see
in both directions equally well.
Even when preparing a right turn onto a rural highway, look both
ways. A car approaching from your right can pull out to pass very
quickly and head for you in the lane you’re about to enter.
On and Off Ramps
When you’re riding along a road and an on-ramp comes in from
the right, stay in your normal lane position. Traffic from behind
you on the ramp will firs pass to your right and then to your
left.
When you’re passing an off-ramp, exiting drivers may
hesitate to pass you on the right. It’s effective to stay a
little farther to the left than usual and make a left-turn
signal.
A one-way roadway can have on- and off-ramps to the left side.
When entering on a ramp from the left, ride along its left side,
then the left side of the roadway until you can cross to your
normal lane position. When exiting on a ramp to the left, cross
to the left before the ramp and ride on the left side of the
ramp.
Sometimes two roadways will join or divide, but the total number
of lanes will stay the same: for example, a couple of one-lane
roads can join into a single two-lane on-way road, In high-speed
traffic, it’s best to ride along the edge, as with ramps.
When entering or exiting from the left in slower traffic, you may
ride on the right of the left road, so you avoid having to cross
as many lanes.
Traffic Circles
The right lane of a traffic circle is a right-turn lane used by
entering and exiting traffic. Enter the traffic circle in the
right lane if you’re going to turn right at the first exit.
But if you’re going past the first exit, change lanes to the
inside as you enter the circle. Ride around at the outer edge of
the inside lane. Change back to the outside lane as you approach
your exit. Use your normal tactics and hand signals for lane
changing.
It’s especially dangerous to cross an exit of traffic circle
in the right lane. Bicyclist who always keep to the right will
tell you that traffic circles are very dangerous.
Two Left Turns in a Row
Don’t head for the right side of the street after the first
left turn. You may not have time to change lanes to the left
again. Finish your first left turn in the correct lane to begin
your second left turn.
Left Turns on One-Way Streets
If a one-way street is two or more lanes wide, laws in most
states allow you to ride at either side. When you make a left
turn from a one-way street onto another one-way street, it’s
easiest to ride around the corner on the left.
__________________________________________________
Click here to read Part 1 - Where to Ride on the Road.
Click here to read Part 2 - Riding Though Intersections
__________________________________________________
My thanks
to John S. Allen for writing “Street Smarts -
Bicycling’s Traffic Survival Guide”
__________________________________________________
H E L P !! Are there any editors out there that are interested to
help with this site? RePete needs your help! If you know some
HTML coding, or simple can provide articles of interest to us
cyclist...then email me and volunteer you services. Your name
will become forever a part of this ever growing web site as a
guest editor. You can submit most anything...just ensure there is
a cycling tie-in. Don’t be shy...email me now!!
Safe Cycling!!!
RePete
2/1/00
Then there are the Quale sites where topics are varied, like the
highly imaginative Tales of Pauline.
Also visit the Quote site that contain your comments. Here you
will find submissions on Bicyclist Against Helmets and many other
issues and links. Additionally, don’t forget to visit the South Jersey
Wheelmen and the Outdoor Club of
South Jersey web sites.