Don’t ride through standing water!

(Thanks Lyndy )

I saw one cyclist riding in the rain other than myself.  He was dressed in “roadie attire” on a bike with no fenders.  He was pretty wet with the “dirt stripe” up the back of his jersey …. not enjoying the moment.  But I was quite dry and relaxed, enjoying the cooling effect of the rain.

I’m always surprised by the lack of cyclists who refuse to ride in the rain.  I find riding in the rain can be a better ride sometimes than riding in the hot afternoon sun.  There are just certain types of equipment that make the ride more than tolerable …

Check out an older article I wrote on rain gear options for the commuting cyclist:   http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/08/25/dealing-with-the-rain/

 I haven’t changed my gear — still use my CampMoor bike cape and water shoes, and of course my bike has full fenders.  I arrive either at work or at home with nothing to dry out but my feet …

Rain should not be a reason keeping your from continuing to commute by bicycle.  It just takes a little planning and a little gear to render rain a non-issue.

It’s Florida — it’s going to rain.  Just be ready for it … and enjoy!

But it got me thinking, “What do the statutes say?”

316.610  Safety of vehicle; inspection.–It is a violation of this chapter for any person to drive or move, or for the owner or his or her duly authorized representative to cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved, on any highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles which is in such unsafe condition as to endanger any person or property, or which does not contain those parts or is not at all times equipped with such lamps and other equipment in proper condition and adjustment as required in this chapter, or which is equipped in any manner in violation of this chapter, or for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required under this chapter.

(1)  Any police officer may at any time, upon reasonable cause to believe that a vehicle is unsafe or not equipped as required by law, or that its equipment is not in proper adjustment or repair, require the driver of the vehicle to stop and submit the vehicle to an inspection and such test with reference thereto as may be appropriate.

(2)  In the event the vehicle is found to be in unsafe condition or any required part or equipment is not present or is not in proper repair and adjustment, and the continued operation would probably present an unduly hazardous operating condition, the officer may require the vehicle to be immediately repaired or removed from use. However, if continuous operation would not present unduly hazardous operating conditions, that is, in the case of equipment defects such as tailpipes, mufflers, windshield wipers, marginally worn tires, the officer shall give written notice to require proper repair and adjustment of same within 48 hours, excluding Sunday.

As you can see, the statute applies to all vehicles, not just motor vehicles.  So if an officer decides your treadless bicycle tires are unsafe, he could have your bike impounded.  Or if he felt they were merely problematic he could require you get them replaced within 48 hours.

Ain’t the law just gloriously crazy sometimes?

Some notes about the video:

• In the first 20 seconds we encounter diagonal RR tracks which require us to use most of the lane to cross safely (perpendicular). Our consistent, prominent lane position has encouraged the passing motorists to file into the left lane, giving us the ability to make this maneuver without having to negotiate a merge.
• We pass several cars approaching from side streets. We are in a prominent position, making us clearly visible to those drivers. There is a slight downhill grade on this stretch of road, a cyclist of average ability can easily achieve 20mph (we are soft-pedaling and probably going close to that speed). Crossing crash-risk increases with cyclist speed.
• There is standing water several feet from the curb in a few places. We don’t have to alter our lane position to avoid it.
• If there was a bike lane on this road, it would be several feet to the right of where we are riding. And motorists would most likely be less tolerant of our lane position. (No one honked at us.)
• From 1:10 to the end of the clip (2:31) only one car passes. We had the road to ourselves almost all the way to Princeton (I cut the video just before I rode up next to Brian to discuss where we should go next).

The City of Winter Park wants to stripe a bike lane on this road. Why? Because, it’s low-hanging fruit in the game of “let’s look like we’re accommodating cyclists while we brick all their preferred routes.” But that stripe and all its detriments will be there 24/7, while the road only has heavy traffic for a few hours a day M-F.

I understand cities wanting to be progressive. What I don’t get is cyclists who know better promoting things that don’t benefit cyclists in order to convince more people to ride.  A month ago, I read an article which extolled the virtues of bike commuting beautifully. It hit all the high points—fitness, money-savings, freedom, being connected to the community, feeling like a kid again—but the author fell into the trap to which so many of us are vulnerable: “How do I convince other people to ride, too?” Apparently, the virtues are not enough. He wrote:

The addition of bicycle lanes on the major arteries of town would be of great benefit to riders. Though it may not create more actual space, it will encourage drivers to be aware of a cyclist’s claim to their pavement.

The addition of extra space on a major artery can be of benefit — although, make no mistake, the primary benefit is to motorists. When that space already exists, as suggested above, adding a stripe is of exclusive benefit to motorists, while causing numerous problems for cyclists:

• It causes that area in which you were probably already riding to collect debris.
• It reduces your legitimacy to control your environment and encourage greater passing clearance when traffic is light.
• It discourages fast-moving cyclists from riding farther left, which they need to do for increased visibility and recognition by crossing and turning motorists.
• It causes motorists to pay LESS attention to you because you are out of the way, on the other side of a line, and not a factor for which they need to concern themselves. As a result, motorists are less likely to move over, so they pass you closer.
• Motorists are expecting you not to leave that area, so any time you have to make a lateral move, it must be done with more negotiation than if the stripe was not there.
• Motorists are more likely to pass you and then turn right across your path.
• They are more likely to not register you and turn left across your path (you are also more likely to be hidden from view by same-direction motorists who have just passed you).
• Motorists at side streets are also more likely to look past you, as their focus is on the primary traffic lane.
• It attracts the wrong-way riders who believe that line is giving them a safe haven.
• It lures novice riders into feeling safe when they have no idea how to position themselves safely at intersections. This is especially problematic in a commercial area like U.S. 17-92 North of Orange Ave.

A wide curb lane is ALREADY a bike facility. It accommodates cyclists of ALL speeds. You don’t need a painted line to legitimize your claim to pavement. The law does that. If you ride confidently and respectfully, you’ll be treated with respect by the majority of motorists.

There are some places where the stripe can offer psychological comfort without as many operational detriments to the cyclist. Where there is less urban density and few cross streets, the crash risk decreases. But typically, traffic speeds are higher and there are more large vehicles, so the conversion of an existing wide lane would be inadequate. Wide curb lanes are ~14 ft. A standard bike lane requires several feet more.

Most cyclists don’t want to be concerned with these details, but it’s important for all of us to understand these things. We must be careful what we ask for in a culture that prefers us out of the way and is inclined toward giving us miminum-to-inferior “accommodations.”

Promoting cycling should not be done at the expense of an environment which supports the best practices of safe and effective cycling. It should not be done at the expense of the cyclists who have taken the time to learn the best practices of safe and effective cycling. It should certainly never be done with an illusion which could lead the cyclists who have not yet learned the best practices of safe and effectve cycling into danger.

Like this: Cyclist, 22, Dies After Being Hit by Truck Near Dupont Circle

I’m trying to free your mind, Neo. But I can only show you the door. You’re the one that has to walk through it.

—Morpheus, from The Matrix

Thursday afternoon, I had the honor of riding with Brian DeSousa of Dual Chase Productions. We rode a pre-planned 10 mile route around urban Orlando, then improvised for an additional 11 miles … much of which we rode in the pouring rain.

It will take me a while to edit and optimize the all of the video, but I must say, it is amazing! It is the Dance on video. The Redpill cyclist’s view of the road.

Here’s an overview:

In loop 1, we rode an average speed of 15.5 mph. Our total time was a little over 52 minutes, 13 minutes of that was spent waiting at red lights (and one Amtrak train). The motorists spent more time than us waiting at red lights because they drove faster between them. We had the road to ourselves for at least half, maybe more, of the time. It’s funny how much more noticeable that is when you’re shooting video for the purpose of capturing motorist interactions. Traffic seems to come in 40-second waves. We did not have a single honk or close pass for the entire route (you can hear honking on Colonial, but it’s not at us; it’s motorists honking at each other).

In loop 2, we started out to do the same route with the camera facing backwards. We stopped to visit Mighk Wilson, whose Metroplan Orlando office is near the route. Then the sky opened up. Brian didn’t think the video would work with raindrops on the lens, so we headed back to my office on Edgewater Drive. We encountered some bad motorist behavior near South Ivanhoe—impatient drivers passing on the right in the caution-stripe and making it difficult to merge. They do this to me in my car, too! Motorists think they are on I-4 already and routinely ignore the 25 mph speed limit. And we got a honk on Lakeview Dr., which seemed odd until we looked at the video. The motorist behind us chose not to pass and a pick-up truck driver behind that car got pissed off about it. It’s not clear if he was honking at us or the driver behind us. The center turn lane was wide open for passing.

After looking at the video, we discovered that the rain was not causing problems for the image, so we decided to improvise and add some more miles. This put us on the road in rush hour traffic. We were able to film good intersection position at Edgewater and Princeton Sts., while another cyclist caught up from behind, demonstrating bad position and skimming the parked cars in the block between Princeton and Smith. We almost ran into him as he passed us on the right as we were preparing to turn right on Vassar St.

Just like on the first loop, we spent a lot of time on the road alone. Even though traffic was a little more dense in the waves, they were still spaced with long intervals of empty road. We claimed the lane everywhere and motorists changed lanes to pass or waited behind us to turn right. There were no honks and no close passes. It was beautiful. And it was exactly what I experience every day, with only occasional exceptions. Now, thanks to Brian, I can show it to you.

I’ve replaced the original embedded video with a more refined version edited by Brian (this one has sound). This is from loop 2, Orange Avenue North from Winter Park St. to 17-92. A few notes:

• There is a transition after we stop at the light at 17-92, Brian cut out some waiting time. We actually stayed in the queue for one light cycle, advanced with the queue and then decided to filter forward (something I rarely do because it makes me nervous). We were turning right on 17-92 (and there’s zero risk of being hooked there). Passing a queue should be done with caution and consideration.
• If the box truck behind me (at the beginning) seems intimidating, imagine the alternative: He could have squeezed past us in the narrow lane and right-hooked us.
• Also take note of the white van. He is the first vehicle to pass us at the corner of Clay and Orange Aves. We pass him in the queue at 17-92 (he’s been there 2 light cycles and he’s still four cars back from the intersection). So, the 22 seconds he waited to pass us made zero difference in his trip.
• Notice how long the gap is between waves of traffic. Yet, it’s peak rush hour and traffic is stacked up at the light.

Take the red pill. Free yourself from the mythologies of danger and delay that keep cyclists in the gutter. Leaving the matrix gives you access to the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adTpGj2MFec

See more Dual Chase videos here.

And I sure do love fenders!

Here’s a sneak preview… more pics and a review will follow when the bike is complete.

from BicycleClothing.com

Right after Tropical Storm Fay, maybe this is timely …

In Florida, if you commute in the summer, you stand an excellent chance of getting caught in the rain. You may want to keep yourself dry as well as what you are carrying on your bike. There are several different methods for dealing with the wetness factor. Let’s examine them:

Your Body:

First, let’s deal with your overall body (minus feet — a separate issue for them). What can we do? Rain isn’t going to hurt anyone, so some folks don’t ever worry about the rain. They accept getting wet as part of the overall experience of riding. I never remember being especially worried about rain when I was a kid, going anywhere and everywhere by (Schwinn Stingray!) bicycle. Every puddle was splashing adventure! So, if you are not worrying about getting anything you are carrying wet — including yourself — the rain can be a relief from the summer afternoon heatwave. This assumes that wherever you end up, someone will hand you a towel at the end of your ride and a dry pair of shoes. If that’s the case, then great — no cost for any rain gear for you

Some folks are like cats — can’t stand to be wet for any reason (probably hate baths too . For them, the only option is full raingear. This includes pants, jacket, helmet and shoe covers. I’ve seen this recommendation on a lot of bicycle forums and blogs. I sense that a lot of folks who recommend this option have not cycled in Florida summer heat. While this may be an excellent option in winter (cooler) weather, in the summer you liable to work up as much sweat and be as wet (and hotter) than if you just let the rain hit you. Gortex and other foul-weather gear claim to be breathable — that is, it won’t let moisture in while letting sweat out. The reality is that there’s only so much Gortex can do to exchange the moisture buildup from sweat — it can help but it certainly does not keep you from sweating. Gortex-styled raingear is not cheap by any means, and you can forget using the cheaper all-plastic variety of raingear with zero breathability unless you want a sauna everytime you ride.

From CATOregon.org

The trick is to find some kind of rain gear that sheds rain and yet still allows for a reasonable amount of air exchange to keep the sweat sauna syndrome at bay. I found the solution that works for me — a bike-specific rain poncho or rain cape. Here are a couple of links to these ponchos:

From Campmor.com

from BicycleClothing.com

OK, they are dorky-looking! But they work!

These ponchos start out just like any other poncho — a hood for your head, and the rest of the ponch simply draped over the body. However, using a regular poncho leaves a bit to be desired. Its hard to keep the poncho from billowing in front and in back as you cycle and it does little for exchanging air to keep you from sweating. Cycling ponchos or capes have special features that address the billowing issue as well as air flow. First, most encorporate some type of attachment feature at the back of the poncho so the backside can be secured either to the rider or to his bike. Secondly, the front of the ponch usually has some type of “thumb loop” that allows the rider to slip around his thumbs (or bike). This creates a sort of “sloping tent” as the ponch streches out from your hands (on the handlebars) to your head, and then secured on the backside. Underneath, however, is wide open, and it’s here that air can circulate freely, keeping the sweat factor down. Bike ponchos are much cheaper than Gortex raingear, easier to store on a bike, and for me offer the best compromise of a dry ride without the sweat build-up. The only negative — the tent-like front offers a lot of wind resistance. You’ll find you go slower than you might want.

Your Feet:

Shoes get wet. It’s very, very hard to keep your feet dry. Some people use baggies, some neoprene socks over the shoes, some nylon overshoes. Here’s an example:

From CAT ORegon

I think that if you are caught in a downpour, and you hit a few puddles on your ride, then your feet are going to get wet. My solution — let ‘em!! I wear fast-drying water-shoes for my daily commute (I don’t have clip-in pedals). The few times I’ve had my shoes wet on my commute in to work, they were dry by the time I left to go home (I keep my dress shoes at work, but you could of course keep them dry in a water-proof bike bag or pannier). Here’s an example:

From SwimOutlet.com

Bags and Panniers:

Next, bike bags and panniers — ideally should be waterproof or at least hightly water resistant. My bike bag is only water resistant, so I keep several Glad zip-lok storage bags inside. On commutes where I think I might see some rain, I simply stick my wallet, cellphone, etc. inside the bags, zip them up, and then place inside the bike bag. Never had a problem with anything getting wet.

Fenders:

From Phred.org

Finally, fenders for your bike. Yes, they aren’t cool. But yes, they work wonderfully well keeping dirt and water off your bicycle and off of you. I found that only full fenders give you all the benefits — those “short” fenders don’t cut it. I’ve noticed I can still get wet with regular fenders if I don’t keep my wheels straight. Many folk attach an extra (usually homemade) “splash guard” or “mud flap” extension at the bottom of their fenders for that extra protection.

Final Thoughts:

I find biking in the rain a small blessing (unless it is lightning — I’m not a fan of Ol’ Sparky). It usually means the sun is blocked, the temperature is cooler, and I find myself alone on many parts of my commute. And yes, every once in a while I cut through a puddle to remind myself that biking in the rain can still be fun.

Eric mentioned sticks. There are lots of them out there and those little ones are likely to be a nuisance for days. There are lots of branches, leaves, sand piles and puddles, too. Many of the residential streets still have debris all the way across because they don’t have enough traffic volume to sweep it aside. The bike lanes catch all the debris swept aside on higher-volume roads (fulfilling their purpose of keeping all things undesirable out of the way of more important people).

The ground is saturated, so every rain shower now results in standing water on the road. I was on several roads this afternoon where the right half of the lane was underwater. I also saw a lot of new potholes today—all this rain has left some craters in the pavement large enough to swallow your front wheel. Do not ride through standing water—you don’t know what’s in there! Even if you know the road well, its condition may have changed in the past few days. Remember, you are entitled to the full use of the lane. No matter how wide the lane is, it is not “practicable” to ride through debris or standing water.

Be careful out there.

When it stopped raining today I went out to look at the damage in my neighborhood. Riding around, I heard this odd sound that I couldn’t locate. When I got home I took a harder look and found a twig jammed in the bottom idler pulley.