The following cycling wisdom would take years of trial and error to learn on your own. Leave your cafe java server a good tip, tie your hair in a pony tail and let it whip in the wind. As you bicycle by, friends will recognize your new demeanor and say it’s scholarly.
Top Ten Danger Zones! Watch for these while cycling.
1. Drivers turning suddenly.
2. Potholes.
3. Loose gravel.
4. Car doors.
5. Pedestrians and the scantily clad.
6. Dogs.
7. Wet angled iron railroad tracks.
8. Drainage grates.
9. An unaware cyclist.
10. The un-strapped helmet.
Wisdom
1) Railroad crossings should be approached carefully, walk over rails that are angled or wet to prevent a crash especially if you have a load.
2) Slowdown when approaching gravel, gear up for more control.
3) Be predictable when riding, avoid sudden turns and prevent a mishap.
4) Handle your bike during turbulence caused by vehicles or a bridge, lean opposite and counter the force. Luke, there is a disturbance in the force.
5) Be alert while cycling, develop a sixth sense to respond to your environment, for example: If you hear a transport behind you in the distance, wave, and the driver will give
you plenty of room.
6) Be equipped. It’s an brainy cat and mouse game. Load as much gear as possible for comfort and options, at the same time reduce the amount of weight as possible for ease
of travel. Some tricks are: Use a single item for many uses, mail home gear that isn’t really used. Pack efficiently. Buy daily groceries at your last stop.
7) Einstein invented drafting! He escaped academia for a day but a party of lab-coat professors chased him for more formulas and recipes. Einstein discovered that riding single file in a group created a hole in the air, his colleagues could reduce their cycling effort 50% in a headwind.
8) Know where you are going to spend the night, especially if you’re Irish. You will welcome a planned destination, a shower and a hot meal as your reward.
9) Carry some food for daily staples such as pasta, rice, cereal, bagels. Also carry food for immediate fuel such as fresh fruit, fig newtons, energy bars. You can travel up to 2 hours on a full tank. Bottles of water or energy drinks are necessary, drink every 15 minutes.
10) A fellow cyclist who rides 200km in a day evolves somewhat differently at camp, than the rest of us. Beware of jabba the hut!
Much More To Follow …
For More On Cycling In The Fraser Valley And Beyond Check Out Bicyclelane.com
Two Other Great Cycling Sites:
Cycling Organizations:
Fraser Valley Mountain Bike Association
Gary Harder
604-853-4563
bgharder@shaw.ca | www.fvmba.com
Bike Brewery
Justin Bryans
2 -33147 South Fraser Way
info@bikebrewery.com | www.bikebrewery.com
Cycling British Columbia
Keith Ryan, Chief Executive Officer
604.737.3164
keith@cycling.bc.ca | www.cycling.bc.ca
Canadian Cycling Association
Steve Lacelle, Chief Operating Officer
613.248.1353 ext. 2601
steve.lacelle@canadian-cycling.com | www.canadian-cycling.com
Lifecycles
Harv
604.859.2453
info@lifecyclesbikes.com | www.lifecyclesbikes.com
Wentings Cycles
Peg Wenting
604.826.1411
pwenting@shaw.ca
Abbotsford Cycling Facilities:
Downes Bowl
Blueridge and Townshipline Roads
challenging terrain | spectator capabilities
Ledgeview Mountain/McKee Peak
Clayburn, McKee Road
In the proces of becoming parkland | In Development | many popluar trails | Rides Range from Challenging to Extreme | Please do not trespass onto private land | VIEW MAP
Sumas Mountain
Lower Sumas Road to Batt Road
FVRD Park & Crown land | Numerous Trails that vary in difficulty level including the KnobGobbler an officially approved trail | New Renovations | Technical Features
For a complete look at Cycling in Abbotsford Click Here.