Hey _ Get out of the Road

I have heard this before from others that are in no way involved with the bike community or understand why bikers really need to rule the road. Someone who when they think about going shopping -or- out to the restaurant or mall, they know nothing about biking or thinking about another mode beyond the dinosaur. Bikers rule. They all`ways do. No doubt about that. But not everyone understands this.

When a bike rider is on the road, I slow down. I watch. I give them space. Not everyone does this though. Most people are questioning whether there is enough space on the street for a bike and a car. I think it is logical. Cars now are mostly composed of plastic and other light metals and still: Car is big & Bike is small. Cars will usually win the crash.

We need signs on busy streets where a complimentary and designated bike lane parallel's this busy street with a little something like, " 1 block Left - safe bike lane." I still drive a car. I see bikers on many streets where one block away is a safe biking street with designated bike lanes.

Biking is a privilege that I think I respect. I understand that some busy spaces demand a bit more from me. I choose my streets wisely while biking with the understanding that I am often the equivalent of an ant running on an popular asphalt running path. Squashable!

Into the Forest we must

Had some great rides this last Saturday down at Lebanon. A friend mentioned the Trek Demo was going to be present so we could test some bikes. We quickly found that there was a hussle to get the Full suspension CARBON Mt. bikes and we would have to wait for more to come back off the trail.

Into the Forest we must

We had our gear on and took off on the trail. About 4 minutes into it we hear these two guys on nice Trek's coming up to pass us. Saying things like:

• These bikes are so light.
  
• Oh you just wait till the hill.
  
• They track so well.
  
• The seat is always right under you.
• I feel Nothing
  

I feel nothing.

This usually means that you are not getting enough feedback from the bike on the trail because you are maybe an inexperienced rider and you have no idea what you are getting into. We hear a few more comments from them. I keep repeating, "I feel Nothing." Trek geeks are out of site.

About 3 minutes later we notice the same Trek geeks letting us pass. We got past them right at the top of a hill and headed to the first real down-hill section. I was flying on the loose leafs, a few steps -- little air. Then, I hear those nice new Trek demo bikes right behind us and going very fast. I don't look back. I hear chain on frame. Lots of chain-frame-shake from the bikes behind me.

I stop at the next pass and comment about these 2 guysl. 1st they pass us. Then they are right on our backs. Then they fly off the trail on these crazy expensive and light Treks. We did not see them crash but we figured it was going to happen. Continuing down the single track....

Not to far down the trail, a small group of us got to talking. I asked if they saw the Trek geeks. "Oh yah," he says. One of them(I can only imagine which one) dislocated his shoulder. His shoulder was completely tweaked.

And then we all started on own stories about cracking helmets, breaking bones, tweaking fingers.