Originally Posted By: dailydriver
Originally Posted By: andrewg
Of course I know that a competitive cyclist has little choice IF they want to be in the proper condition. Where did I say that I was a former racing cyclist? I think in my whole life I raced maybe....twice? I cycled for fun. Regardless what purpose one has in mind....riding on a roadway shared with motor vehicles is dangerous as heck and not worth it for me. My life is more important than a race or any competition. Once you are dead....it's all over. For me, I don't want my eulogy to be something like..."At least he died doing what he loved". If it's all the same, I'd rather forget cycling on the road and opt for a safer outlet for my competitive spirit. Why the attitude in your post anyway? I was just expressing my opinion.
Sorry if you sensed any attitude as NONE was inferred AT ALL!
The racing question was just that, a question, as I thought you
may have implied (in past posts, but I was NOT sure) that you had raced at one time, and therefore would have known what I had stated in that post.
I respect and even admire your opinion on this (as well as your
lack of a death wish
).
At first, I just was not sure whether or not you were stating that is is not OK for ANYONE (no matter how skilled, or careful) to be riding a bicycle on a public road (like that lunatic nutjob P.J. O'Rourke does incessantly).
But, if you were just talking about yourself, and the individual responsibility you love/hold so dear, and espouse so well, then OK, NO PROBLEM with/from me.
I should apologize actually. When I read your post and quickly responded I was at work and not in the best of moods. I have a tendency to take things wrong sometimes and I need to correct that. I did race twice...lol. Once, in a criterium....and another very short road circuit. I had planned to become more involved but settled on just riding for the fun/fitness aspects and challenging myself with personal time trials. Soon though I realized it was just too much of a risk for me to share the road with cars that often behaved threatening, for no apparent reason other than the stress and anger that seems to be common these days. Lot's of news stories lately of cyclists getting hit and/or killed. But certainly NO, I did not mean it wasn't ok for folks to ride on the side of the lane...I am PRO cyclist and get HIGHLY upset at the dangers imposed by idiot drivers. In a perfect (safer) world I, myself, would happily ride on the roads with motor vehicles. But for me, it just scares the poop out of me. The last time I rode on a street, a female school bus driver followed me around a sharp corner and nearly hit me in the head with her huge mirror. Shortly before that ride I had three teens throw empty bottles at me as I was out of the saddle climbing a steep hill (used to love that).
Maybe it's just the area I live? I don't know....but it's fine as I'm older now and enjoy other things.
Have a good one...thanks and sorry about the communication mixup!