'Cyclecraft' - The Book or Experience?

[trustysteed]

Who has actually read and/or bought the book or who relies on their own common sense?

 

[trustysteed]

mods, please can this be moved to cafe?

 

[Origamist]

The Book or Experience?

Both - the two are not mutually exclusive.

 

[blazed]

Only douchebags read these books.

 

[Arch]

Both - the two are not mutually exclusive.

+1

There's no either/or. From cyclecraft I've learned how and when to take up an assertive road position. From experience I've learned not to ride down the inside of a left turning bus. And so on....

As far as I can tell, there's nothing wrong in Cyclecraft. So I continue to recommend it, just as I recommend the Highway Code. But as with driving, I firmly believe that one never stops learning, and that's where experience comes in.

 

[Weegie]

Only douchebags read these books.

Where's the harm in trying to improve your skills? I'm going to read this book. If I learn a few things, great. If I don't, then I know my common sense is working for me.

Or are you saying the books teach BAD techniques?

 

[Jonathan M]

Both - the two are not mutually exclusive.

+1.

 

[trustysteed]

i can't edit the poll to include a 'both' option, sorry!

 

[Jonathan M]

Only douchebags read these books.

Bit like the driving douchebags who display no apparent knowledge of the Highway Code, which they should all have read to achieve a driving licence?

 

[Molecule Man]

I have never read (or even seen) Cyclecraft, but I have heard a lot about what it recommends on internet forums and elsewhere.
It seems to coincide quite closely with what I have learned through experience alone over the last 20 years.
Maybe if I had read it when I started cycling, I might have avoided some scary moments when I started off cycling regularly in towns and cities.

 

[Arch]

I have never read (or even seen) Cyclecraft, but I have heard a lot about what it recommends on internet forums and elsewhere.
It seems to coincide quite closely with what I have learned through experience alone over the last 20 years.
Maybe if I had read it when I started cycling, I might have avoided some scary moments when I started off cycling regularly in towns and cities.

Yes, and that's the point - 20 years worth of experience in a book. Add in your own common sense (for those that have it) and you can only benefit.... And I think for many people, having a manual like that to follow will give them the confidence to gain the experience (just as training might).

Trusty, do you want the poll edited to include "both"?

 

[trustysteed]

Trusty, do you want the poll edited to include "both"?

yes please, Arch, seems like an option quite a few people would have chosen.

 

[Arch]

Done.

 

[trustysteed]

ta!

 

[Arch]

I don't think I can/should shift votes to represent people who've already voted - it'll have to stay as is for that....