When to call it a day?

[mrushton]

I spent over 35 years commuting and a lot of them on fixed. Going to get some early rides in when I can. I'm injury free luckily but had some moments with motorists. However age is a factor now as its harder to go uphill. But I need to put some extra miles in on longer/flatter routes as well

 

[Jameshow]

Same could be said for dying in the shower

Don't what ever you do go for a number 2 or jump into bed....

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Don't what ever you do go for a number 2 or jump into bed....

Elvis found out the former to his cost

 

[Webbo2]

One of my club mates Rosemarie was killed on a club run today. She was a very experienced cyclist having cycled from North Yorkshire to Barcelona last year amongst other rides.
Her partner Dave aged 75 posted his feelings on the club WhatsApp page I was in tears about his loss.
When talking through this with Mrs W she said she worries if she will see me again when I go out on my bike.
You start to think.

 

[sevenfourate]

One of my club mates Rosemarie was killed on a club run today. She was a very experienced cyclist having cycled from North Yorkshire to Barcelona last year amongst other rides.
Her partner Dave aged 75 posted his feelings on the club WhatsApp page I was in tears about his loss.
When talking through this with Mrs W she said she worries if she will see me again when I go out on my bike.
You start to think.

As someone who’s lost a friend on-road: in a cycling accident - I’m so-so sorry for your loss.

I cycle early, I don’t and likely wouldn’t do large groups and I try to stick to what I think and hope are quieter roads. In an aid to reduce my time spend around other bigger / heavier motorised traffic and be as safe as I can. And of course I’m as vigilant as I’m able. And wear a helmet for all rides; as well as having full lights on at night, along with same in flashing mode during daylight hours……

The most danger I knowingly put myself in - is a stretch of main road I have to use when commuting; and joining up some quieter lanes - with no alternative.

My wife also knows / dislikes this point - and insists and infact chases me for an “I’m here safely” text upon arrival at work.

Godspeed Rosemarie 🚲

 

[esoxlucius]

You start to think.

You do indeed start to think. How many stories such as this one do we have to listen to before it's us who are the subject of the story. This is tragic news and something I certainly won't be sharing with the wife over breakfast this morning. She frets so much when I'm out. Even more so at the minute because we're currently on holiday in Zakynthos, an island which I love cycling around but she knows that cycling abroad can come with extra risks.

 

[sevenfourate]

You do indeed start to think. How many stories such as this one do we have to listen to before it's us who are the subject of the story. This is tragic news and something I certainly won't be sharing with the wife over breakfast this morning. She frets so much when I'm out. Even more so at the minute because we're currently on holiday in Zakynthos, an island which I love cycling around but she knows that cycling abroad can come with extra risks.

Don’t call it a day this week ! Enjoy……☀️

 

[esoxlucius]

Don’t call it a day this week ! Enjoy……☀️

I do indeed intend to enjoy my stay here and cycling won't be given up by me, not this week, or any other week for that matter.

There is an old saying isn't there that goes something along the lines of, "well, at least he went doing what he enjoyed doing most." There's maybe a selfish element of truth in that from the actual cyclists perspective, but little comfort for loved ones who have to endure the aftermath.

 

[sevenfourate]

I do indeed intend to enjoy my stay here and cycling won't be given up by me, not this week, or any other week for that matter.

There is an old saying isn't there that goes something along the lines of, "well, at least he went doing what he enjoyed doing most." There's maybe a selfish element of truth in that from the actual cyclists perspective, but little comfort for loved ones who have to endure the aftermath.

I’m absolutely with you. At this point - after a long lay off - cycling has gone from something in the stable of hobbies to be dipped into when felt like - to something I truly enjoy, can see and feel the mental and physical benefits of; and in anything like decent weather - really look forward to. I’m also aware this wont be the case ‘forever’ of course…..

You’ll have to fight me to take that away - or chisel the handlebars out of my cold hands.

Have a great one. Ride safe 😉🚲☀️

 

[teeonethousand]

My condolences ...it's very sad and it does and should make everyone think. My brother died cycling so I have some sense of it.

Personally I ride alone or in a pair, I don't ride weekends and certainly not bank holidays...sunny makes it worse. I live in North Yorkshire and the Moors and Dales are too attractive to weekenders and motorcycles...and bunches of cyclists.

Giving it up is a personal choice to be respected but for me I just try to manage the risks .

 

[wakemalcolm]

I remember when commuting in my twenties realising that I was having about 1 fairly dangerous spill each year but ultimately getting away with it.

Eventually I wised up and decided that an extra 10 minutes in the canal tow path each day was better than waiting for my number to come up on the roads.

I'm not sure whether it's down to better infrastructure or routing software that knits together bits of trails, but I very rarely ride any distance on roads these days.

On that basis, I can't see me calling it a day any time soon, but it's a tragedy of unimaginable proportions that @Webbo2 has described.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Don't what ever you do go for a number 2 or jump into bed....

…At same time

 

[Punkawallah]

…At same time

Or mistake what you went into the room to do . . .

 

[yello]

My state of health has curtailed me but I've no intention of calling it a day. That said, the roads I ride are largely traffic free though I have noticed an increase over the years - as you'd expect. Some in my former club are switching to gravel citing roads being more dangerous. I don't see it like that and think they don't realise just how fortunate they still are! All context and perspective innit.

 

[katiewlx]

absolutely you start to think more about it, maybe its a sign of growing older, but I know it has affected me when someone you know is killed out cycling,and its quite scary sometimes to be sat on a bike with drivers giving you absolutely no room, and thinking is this it, is this how I go when you hear the next vehicle approach ?

I saw something earlier this week about how drivers dont intentionally set out to harm cyclists, and its just all an accident if they do because theyre really just nice people ultimately, and I thought no I completely disagree with that, its a choice they make behind the wheel of a car to drive they way they do, that does harm me, even if they dont physically hit me with their vehicle (and Ive encountered that twice in the past couple of months), simply by not giving the room, or having the patience to cope with a cyclist on the road, that harms me.

like its interesting Ive not been that keen to go on a ride this weekend at all, did a few miles yesterday which were ok but my heart wasnt it, because its the first real sun of the year, school holidays, I live in area near the coast and I know whats everyone going to be doing, driving or riding their motorbikes to the coast, fast, and theyll probably be hot and bothered and desperate to get their as quick as they can on narrow roads. yeah not really interested in sharing the roads with that kind of traffic mix, because it will be an unpleasant experience for me , that absolutely could turn into something far worse.