tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post5184751706341144261..comments2024-01-18T09:29:42.707-05:00Comments on Biking in Heels: On my soapboxCyclerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12072776738519243521noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-50043331081631567582010-03-21T11:28:31.791-04:002010-03-21T11:28:31.791-04:00I am so very envious that you guys are finally exp...I am so very envious that you guys are finally experiencing Spring. Here in Vienna it is still cold and nothing is blossoming. And with the BA strike, I am beginning to have doubts that I will ever get home!<br /><br />Regarding cycling the wrong way: It is so weird, because in Vienna those streets that do not have paths and lanes but "sharrow" markings, actually instruct cyclists to cycle <i>against</i> traffic. Granted, these streets are small and the speed limits are low, but it still feels dangerous and of course counterintuitive to me after Boston. <br /><br />Regarding helmets - It's difficult not to respond when you state your own opinion in the form of a recommendation to readers who are new cyclists. I also discourage helmet discussions on my site, but then I don't make recommendations to my readers <i>not</i> to wear helmets. Anyhow, I will just go so far as to say that I do not agree with that portion of your advice.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-45259961765768996682010-03-19T21:41:08.089-04:002010-03-19T21:41:08.089-04:00I'm sensing that the winter has toughened up C...I'm sensing that the winter has toughened up Cycler a bit. IMHO, uniformly excellent advice. And, actually, YOU CAN ride in street clothes considerably further than five miles, though it may not be much fun on those days when it gets over 100F.<br /><br />Clipless pedals also provide benefits for those of us that have a long haul to ride to work. For moderate distances, my own preference is for toe clips, which allow the cyclist to use sensible street shoes.Steve Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13650405341304401203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-76959148065361050512010-03-19T14:05:08.995-04:002010-03-19T14:05:08.995-04:00You definitely are way more open-minded than Tony ...You definitely are way more open-minded than Tony Kornheiser on ESPN. He didn't stop at the clothing, but suggested motorists "tap" cyclists to show their displeasure. Lance Armstrong has called him out and Kornheiser is muy remorseful, to prevent a hemmorage of more fans and sponsors.<br /><br />Sorry, I wasn't comparing your qualm with that.Jefehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18001520110617628401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-53522494980432754632010-03-19T11:30:54.976-04:002010-03-19T11:30:54.976-04:00Jefe, I'm not trying to be rigid about clothi...Jefe, I'm not trying to be rigid about clothing- I did mention that if you were riding a long distance, or at high speed (which I'm assume you do when you're going on a road bike on a group ride) spandex makes sense. But obviously I feel strongly that people could be riding transportationally for short distances, and that that kind of riding is easily accomplished in normal clothes.cyclerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10331461189944538729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-34614751579412683182010-03-19T10:15:19.518-04:002010-03-19T10:15:19.518-04:00My husband and I ended up in the ER because of a p...My husband and I ended up in the ER because of a particularly virulent stomach bug that's going around Boston. Best wishes to the Scientist to feel better soon.Charlottehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08036691849337099909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-83583591072435950172010-03-19T09:26:59.882-04:002010-03-19T09:26:59.882-04:00You were brave to lug that case of wine home. As f...You were brave to lug that case of wine home. As far as the soapbox, it's your blog and you can say whatever you want. The politness and safety points are fine, but when you get rigid about clothing you are veering off into Bike Snob NYC territory. Clothing varies by bike and purpose. When I'm out on my road bike for a group ride, I'm not going to put on a tweed suit. (I don't own one anyway.) I clip in all my bikes because I like to, and SPD cleats work fine when I want to walk around. If what you are saying is that a lycra singlet may not flatter every new cyclist, I agree, but they are entitled to their Giro fantasies too.Jefehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18001520110617628401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-69285988120756616782010-03-19T00:32:54.946-04:002010-03-19T00:32:54.946-04:00A well-reasoned, sensible and helpful list of sugg...A well-reasoned, sensible and helpful list of suggestions. I'm guilty of some of the misdeeds listed and infuriated when I'm the victim of others... I'm going to try to put these in action!<br /><br />mikespokes.blogspot.comMikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03825454524437359677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-82322007940486577492010-03-19T00:07:23.192-04:002010-03-19T00:07:23.192-04:00Great post! I'm especially with you on the nin...Great post! I'm especially with you on the ninja comments. As somebody who does ride at night much of the time (I'm not off work until 8:30 pm!) I HATE seeing people bicycling without lights. If even I can't see them... you can bet the cars can't either.Miss Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01390795013644405649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-8104493221394945912010-03-18T23:20:22.738-04:002010-03-18T23:20:22.738-04:00Amen! This is a great list and advice. I, too, h...Amen! This is a great list and advice. I, too, have noticed scads of new cyclists who don't follow the rules and I worry about their safety. This should be required reading.<br /><br />p.s. Yay spring!Dottiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03984050970208363927noreply@blogger.com