Message Board

After recent unfortunate events, and in the previous post, the question has come up again, "How should we be riding?". It has come to my attention again and again especially after an accident. Often, we typically hear about the group racing off or not staying together and being unsave. The fact is that the group racing off or not staying together has absolutely nothing to do with being safe or unsave or the cause of the accidents that have happened!

The "way we should be riding", alone or in a group, is first and foremost safely!! What does that really mean? To each of us I'm sure it's a little different. To me, it means the following (not necessarily in order):

1.) Knowing and admitting your ability level and stanying with the group that best fits you and your are comfortable riding with.
2.) Just because there is a group that races off doesn't mean that everyone has to try to keep up with that group.

A side note: Our Club has become more and more diverse over the years and it has grown. Do you realize our Club is now 285 large. There is such a conglomeration of riders in the Club today and we have a number of various rides that include different abitily levels. On any given Saturday no matter what route you choose, there is a group with an ability level for you. You can choose a difficult route, a fast route, a casual route, or a moderate route and you'll find "A" riders, "B" riders and sometimes even "C" riders on any one of those routes to "stay with". Choose your route and group carefully!!

3.) Keep you head up and stay alert!!
4.) Point out obstructions
5.) Call out sever obstructions, glass, rocks, etc.
6.) Call out changes in pace (slowing, stopping, etc.)
7.) Probably above all, ride with COMMEN SENSE! When a Stop Light is changing to yellow or in the yellow state, that's our signal to STOP!! We MUST STOP TRYING TO RUN THE LIGHT just to keep up with the group in front. If we haven't made it though the light with "our" group we maybe with the wrong group! Ask yourself...........
8.) Know who you're riding with and there riding treats. Not everyone rides the same, not every bike starts or stops as fast as other.

I'm sure I could think of a few others but I thinkl you get the hint!!

Do we have fast riders out there? Sure we do! Does that mean they are unsave? Not necessarily! Does it mean it's a more dangerous ride? Sure it is! But you can't dictate peoples riding style. You MUST be accountable for yourself!!!

Thank you for allowing me to voice my opinion!