My response is more toward the direction of this thread. Most of my friends ride Harleys, and quite frankly, I wish my Triumph had that level of workmanship. But at the same time, I generally ride between 2500 and 3500 miles per year on my bicycle. I am one of the so called lycra clad homosexual liberals, even though I have been married (to a woman) for 34 years, and although I didn’t officially join Free-Republic until the early 2000’s, I was lurking here during the Clinton deposition. I have spent a good amount of money on my bicycle, and even when I tell myself I am going on an easy ride, I find myself pushing to improve my performance. I know roads that aren’t friendly to riding, and I avoid them as much as I can, but I also know I have as much right to the roadway as any other vehicle. (All motor vehicle laws apply to bicycles) When I ride outside a bike lane it is because it is littered with car parts, saw blades, broken bottles, ...etc. I know it irritates motorists when they have to slow for a cyclist, and I try to minimize my interference as much as possible, but I am also really annoyed with “Freepers” who classify people the same way liberals do.
“I am one of the so called lycra clad homosexual liberals”
Say what?
If you’re a considerate cyclist who attempts to cooperate with automotive traffic you’re fine by me. But, being in California I’m certain you’re aware of the sort of cyclists who have FReepers riled up. Riding four abreast blocking a whole lane during rush hour, blowing through red lights, arrogant and intentionally disruptive. They aren’t conservative, they hate cars and want to cause problems. I’ve tangled with them in the Bay Area myself, they were whistle-blowing prissy control freaks who attacked merely because of the car I had rented to drive down to Monterrey, no other reason at all.
Bicycles are alright, but I don’t understand the lycra. Seeing men in that stuff is like seeing them in ballet outfits.
You see, I’m on a remote part of the Rockies. Most of the year, something like traditional Mongolian clothing would probably be best (but with better boots and goggles—frequent high winds, spraying ice and way below zero).
The nearest highways are two lanes with no shoulders, many blind curves, hills and 65 mph speed limit. Packs of summer bicyclers make those roads extremely dangerous for everyone near them. Elevations 9,000 to over 11,000 feet, too. The temperature can drop from 65 F to 35 F or less within minutes during summer, when storms come through.
Most of them are tourists in groups. The passes are even worse. But where you’re at, the situation is probably very different from the situation here.