The biking thread
- Thread starter Bram Turismo
- 4,884 comments
- 268,921 views
but good job on the 100km đź‘Ť
Gejabo
Premium
- 2,577
- Arnhem
- Gejabo
- 30,007
- Thailand
Guilty.
Although I take all precautions and slow down to do so. The way a 4-way junction works here makes it that only one of the 4 sides are moving at any time so getting across one is relatively simple on a red.
I've never blown a red at a T junction, it's just too risky. Pedestrian crossings here don't even require a road user to stop unless there is somebody on or by the crossing so I jump most of them reds as well.
To be honest I think it depends on the way the roads work. I wouldn't think about doing what I do here in the UK because the roads work differently. Never hopped a red in China either, just too dangerous.
- 4,140
- United States
I never jump lights, I either get off my bike or wait, now stop signs? I stop if I'm in front of cars. I sometimes ride along side with the vehicle that has the right of way (which is next to me) to avoid stopping. I just go with the flow of the cars.
Is that really bad?
Is that really bad?
Carlos
Premium
- 6,453
- Netherlands
Usually when it's red, I slow down and check for cars, then go.
You probably do too, since riding bike in Arnhem city is pretty cool. I cycled from the train station Arnhem to the Postbank, and back. Back is pretty cool because the road into the city goes down a bit, so you can get a nice speed. Maybe even faster than the cars there
- 30,007
- Thailand
I find riding through traffic faster than the cars feels safer. With more speed I can choose a better route through it rather than waiting for an opportunity to come if I was going slow.
Going slow is boring and best reserved for family rides and returns from a big ride.
Going slow is boring and best reserved for family rides and returns from a big ride.
- 1,457
- Exeter
- Emptyone-77
I just feel in terms of effort and time, it takes negligible effort to get going again from lights, plus the waiting isn't too much of a problem. Though both places I live are quite small so traffic lights aren't too frustrating.
Never mind it gives drivers reasons to discriminate against cyclists for not obeying road rules.
Never mind it gives drivers reasons to discriminate against cyclists for not obeying road rules.
- 30,007
- Thailand
@Emptyone, I agree with what you're saying but several of the lights I cross on my commute can be red for up to 5 minutes. They're situated on a highway.
The fact that they only allow one direction of travel at each light change makes crossing them easy. If I'm approaching a set of lights and the counter is more than minute I'll happily get up on the pavement and 'cheat' my way across the junction (only works with T junctions) but because it's 6 something in the morning and nobody is around. I couldn't do it during normal daytime hours obviously.
It really does depend on where the lights are and the traffic flow at that time whether I run a light or not. Despite taking mucho risks in traffic I don't fancy doing it on a red and being totally in the wrong when I get a broken leg; I'd have nobody to swear at.
The fact that they only allow one direction of travel at each light change makes crossing them easy. If I'm approaching a set of lights and the counter is more than minute I'll happily get up on the pavement and 'cheat' my way across the junction (only works with T junctions) but because it's 6 something in the morning and nobody is around. I couldn't do it during normal daytime hours obviously.
It really does depend on where the lights are and the traffic flow at that time whether I run a light or not. Despite taking mucho risks in traffic I don't fancy doing it on a red and being totally in the wrong when I get a broken leg; I'd have nobody to swear at.
- 4,481
- Vancouver, BC
- GTP_Grand_Prix
Dirt and gravel are still surprisingly do-able.
- 636
- Alexandria, MN
- TurboLefty78
Awsome scenery. Looks like a fun place to bike.
So yesterday I decided to stop in at my local pro bike shop to pick up an energy gel for my extended ride home. A friend of mine who works there doing all the new bike assemblies asked me to visit him in the warehouse before I left, that he "had something to show me".
So I did, and was greeted with this:
It wasn't even fully assembled yet, and I got to help him set the front wheel and dial in the brake. I asked how much it weighed so he had me hold the all carbon fiber frame while he released it. Wow! Even with those monster tires on it it's lighter than mine is! And those tires have molded in holes in the tread blocks so you can screw in studs for icy riding traction. Wicked! So yea, now I want one, badly.
So yesterday I decided to stop in at my local pro bike shop to pick up an energy gel for my extended ride home. A friend of mine who works there doing all the new bike assemblies asked me to visit him in the warehouse before I left, that he "had something to show me".
So I did, and was greeted with this:
It wasn't even fully assembled yet, and I got to help him set the front wheel and dial in the brake. I asked how much it weighed so he had me hold the all carbon fiber frame while he released it. Wow! Even with those monster tires on it it's lighter than mine is! And those tires have molded in holes in the tread blocks so you can screw in studs for icy riding traction. Wicked! So yea, now I want one, badly.
Carlos
Premium
- 6,453
- Netherlands
Have been using this bike for a decade at least, recently put PHAT slicks on it, much nicer up hills and through silly chicanes.
What a place to go riding đź‘Ť
Carlos
Premium
- 6,453
- Netherlands
Went back to the store to make seat height a bit better and give the seat a more forward position. Had some troubles with blood not flowing in parts where you really do want blood flowing. But that is now solved and man this is so much better. I guess you were right all along @Shaun đź‘Ť
And got myself something
My Sidi's hurt my feet pretty bad after a while, and I convinced myself I really need lighter shoes (do I?). The color is a bit in your face but it suits the bike
And got myself something
My Sidi's hurt my feet pretty bad after a while, and I convinced myself I really need lighter shoes (do I?). The color is a bit in your face but it suits the bike 
Again 
- 1,046
- Nottingham
I'm looking for a new bike, however, I have a small budget around ÂŁ100. So I was thinking about an old road bike or a mountain bike. Any Ideas.
Carlos
Premium
- 6,453
- Netherlands
What do you want to do with the bike? And what do you think about fixies?
- 5,491
- Vic, Australia
- gundalini
Good to hear you got your seat into a position more comfortable for you @Carlos. đź‘Ť
I read so many different theories and methods about bike setup while trying to get mine right. In the end I just forgot everything I read and went with trial and error until I was comfortable. Everyone is different so what works for one doesn't work for all.
Once you are fully happy with the setup measure and right down all the critical distances.
Saddle tip to bars, saddle height to bottom bracket etc etc. That way if you need to change something on your bike or ride another bike you can set it up quickly.
Interesting you went from Sidi to Lake.
I went the other way and much prefer the Sidi's (Genius 6.6), fit my foot so much better. They are a narrow shoe though so a lot of people don't get along with them unless they get the wide version.
The Lakes served me well though and I still have them as a reserve for rainy weather.
Meanwhile I'm very busy renovating my house which means I haven't had much time to ride recently
. Did go today though to have a break and the Garmin messed up a bit, Strava shows me going to Antarctica .
Strangely the distance was correct just over 50km.
I read so many different theories and methods about bike setup while trying to get mine right. In the end I just forgot everything I read and went with trial and error until I was comfortable. Everyone is different so what works for one doesn't work for all.
Once you are fully happy with the setup measure and right down all the critical distances.
Saddle tip to bars, saddle height to bottom bracket etc etc. That way if you need to change something on your bike or ride another bike you can set it up quickly.
Interesting you went from Sidi to Lake.
I went the other way and much prefer the Sidi's (Genius 6.6), fit my foot so much better. They are a narrow shoe though so a lot of people don't get along with them unless they get the wide version.
The Lakes served me well though and I still have them as a reserve for rainy weather.
Meanwhile I'm very busy renovating my house which means I haven't had much time to ride recently
. Did go today though to have a break and the Garmin messed up a bit, Strava shows me going to Antarctica .Strangely the distance was correct just over 50km.
- 30,007
- Thailand
After hours spent detailing my bike last weekend two days of commuting have left it in the state it was in before I cleaned it. There is so much crap on the roads here!
I don't mind riding in rain, I don't mind the wet roads either, but the amount of grit and crud that cakes the rear of the bike is horrendous. I'm glad I use WD as a finishing coat otherwise I'd be worried about the paint getting corroded.
Looks like I'll be washing it again tomorrow. I don't mind too much, I just wish it was a gradual build up of dirt like it used to be. Now I'm going from gleaming to grubby in one single rainy ride.
I don't mind riding in rain, I don't mind the wet roads either, but the amount of grit and crud that cakes the rear of the bike is horrendous. I'm glad I use WD as a finishing coat otherwise I'd be worried about the paint getting corroded.
Looks like I'll be washing it again tomorrow. I don't mind too much, I just wish it was a gradual build up of dirt like it used to be. Now I'm going from gleaming to grubby in one single rainy ride.
- 30,007
- Thailand
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the cleaning process but I usually don't have time during the week. In the dry I go months without any proper maintanence other than oiling the chain and cables.
Thanks to the wet roads I have to literally spend hours cleaning out the crap. It also isn't ideal that I don't have a garage and my yard is too small; I have to clean it on the doorstep.
Thanks to the wet roads I have to literally spend hours cleaning out the crap. It also isn't ideal that I don't have a garage and my yard is too small; I have to clean it on the doorstep.
