Newbie from London

[acekicker77]

Fantastic, I'm going to tattoo all those points down on the inside of my forearm and follow religiously. Thanks guys :-)

 

[Jimmy Doug]

But don't read them while riding!

 

[martint235]

keep out of the gutters riding secondary with a good primary position when needed (pinch points/at the head of junctions etc)
Signal clearly any turns or maneuvers
Ride with confidence

All this and all the above plus:

Come along to Hyde Park Corner at the Wellington Arch at 9.30am on any Sunday and join the Sunday ride!!! (which Ian somehow forgot!!)

Oh and welcome!!!

 

[slowmotion]

There's loads of good stuff here....

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12757785/revamped draft.pdf

 

[bedrock]

A little mirror. I've been cycling for 25 years without, and I've just starting using one. Brill! Wonder how I ever managed before - I feel much safer.

That's interesting. I've never used a mirror nor considered buying one. How do you think it improves safety?

To the original post, I recommend a high-visibility cycling vest. Nowadays I wouldn't cycle without one.

 

[billy1561]

Treat all other road users as idiots and expect the unexpected. This is harsh on 99% of other road users but may well save you from a nasty accident one day.

Also, watch out for idiot teenage girls who jump out from the pavement to scream an obsenity in your face while giving a one fingered salute as you innocently ride home from work. As happened to me yesterday

Above all have fun and enjoy it

 

[Jimmy Doug]

That's interesting. I've never used a mirror nor considered buying one. How do you think it improves safety?

Yeah, I know why you're sceptical about mirrors - I had always been. My line of thought was: if a car is coming up from behind and is going to hit you, there's nothing you can really do about it anyway. How it helps me is that I can see the cars coming, and I can tell if they've taken into account that I'm on the road. It's great seeing them putting their indicators on and moving to give you space. Rather than the "Oh, I hope this next car's seen me" or the "Oh, I hope he's going to give me enough room" feeling you get everytime you hear a car coming up from behind, you feel more comfortable and relaxed knowing that they're about to overtake you sensibly. You can see the cars coming from a long way too - you can see them long before you actually hear them (I'm talking about cycling on the open road here - not in a crowded city) so it gives you time to assess them as they approach: how fast are they going, have they seen you - do you need to take avasive action. Another advantage (for me) is that as a touring cyclist I can use it to shave when I'm wild-camping . So, yeah, I'd recommend a little mirror to anyone. Mine fits in the bottom of the handlebars, replacing the handlebar tape cover. It's a bit like this (but smaller):

 

[Jimmy Doug]

I've got another little tip - particularly good for urban cyclists. Get an Air Zound. They only cost a few quid, and they're really excellent. Again, as a tourist cyclist, I have found another use for them. They're great for scaring dogs! Here's a review.

Actually, I'd like to point out in all seriousness that, despite all we've been saying, cycling is a lot safer than most people think. You've definetely got more chances of surviving the ride than not surviving it. You may end up in hospital for a couple of weeks, but you'll survive!

 

[arallsopp]

Yeah, I know why you're sceptical about mirrors - I had always been. My line of thought was: if a car is coming up from behind and is going to hit you, there's nothing you can really do about it anyway. How it helps me is that I can see the cars coming, and I can tell if they've taken into account that I'm on the road. It's great seeing them putting their indicators on and moving to give you space.

This is exactly my finding too. Before I got a mirror, I would regularly see the car that just close passed me weaving its way through the traffic ahead of me, sitting wide in the lane at lights, or squeezing through gaps smaller than safe. With a mirror, I get an ambient awareness of these things going on behind me, so am able to position myself accordingly *before* the problem vehicle reaches me.

Its not something I was particularly aware of, until I started pootling around on my wife's bike (no mirror). Blimey. Its like cutting off half your senses. As a rule, only a natural predator can afford to restrict itself to forward facing vision.

Andy.

 

[Jimmy Doug]

As a rule, only a natural predator can afford to restrict itself to forward facing vision.

That sums it up well.

 

[Jimmy Doug]

Now, I think at this point it's customary to start another helmet debate

 

[martint235]

Yeah, I know why you're sceptical about mirrors - I had always been. My line of thought was: if a car is coming up from behind and is going to hit you, there's nothing you can really do about it anyway. How it helps me is that I can see the cars coming, and I can tell if they've taken into account that I'm on the road. It's great seeing them putting their indicators on and moving to give you space. Rather than the "Oh, I hope this next car's seen me" or the "Oh, I hope he's going to give me enough room" feeling you get everytime you hear a car coming up from behind, you feel more comfortable and relaxed knowing that they're about to overtake you sensibly. You can see the cars coming from a long way too - you can see them long before you actually hear them (I'm talking about cycling on the open road here - not in a crowded city) so it gives you time to assess them as they approach: how fast are they going, have they seen you - do you need to take avasive action. Another advantage (for me) is that as a touring cyclist I can use it to shave when I'm wild-camping . So, yeah, I'd recommend a little mirror to anyone. Mine fits in the bottom of the handlebars, replacing the handlebar tape cover. It's a bit like this (but smaller):

Where can I get one of these? All I seem to be able to find are Blackburn models with a longer stem that I think would just get knocked by my knee all the time

 

[Jimmy Doug]

Where can I get one of these?

My favourite store

Note that my knee does sometimes knock the mirror when I leave the saddle to climb. But that's no trouble, I just put it back into position after. Can't use it climbing anyway.

 

[Enrico]

Welcome to the forum, I'm also based in London.