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Wow, what a combination: No helmet, headphones, AND passing on the right – seriously, it makes all my prep seem paranoid and insane (not necessarily in that order). My helmet is the first thing I look for, I wish I could listen to music but I don’t think it’s safe. Passing, if I’m so lucky, is always on the left. I review every ride afterwards and think about the decisions I made and what could be improved.

As for the hood ornament, well geez, something that big would probably be hell on your gas mileage.

All jokes aside, please be safe.

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The saddle might require an extended breaking-in phase.

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I participated in both of these classes last summer and found them helpful. The instructors were approachable and straightforward in how they covered the class topics. The hands-on bike portion was the best part. I learned what my skill level was (nonexistent) and I learned what I needed to practice to be safe (stopping, starting, turning, and oh god – signaling). I don’t remember the cost, but it was minimal compared to what I got out of the classes. 😎

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Yes indeed, there were three friendly officers who rode and drove with us today. Probably the only time I will ever require a police escort and it was very fun. It was nice to know if I broke down, riding in the back of the cruiser was a possibility and the seats back there are extra deep. Thanks bunches for a fun, low stress ride.
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Wow. Thank goodness you are ok. Glad you get a new bike. Heard of the Flying Scotsman, now we have a Flying Brit.
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@KLizotte 3181 wrote:

Hi, I see from photos of the 2009 tour that bike riding police escorts went along with the participants – presumably for safety purposes. Will there be escorts this year as well?

Ah, you’re just trying to get my hopes up.
I don’t think there will be a problem. I am the world’s biggest chicken and this doesn’t register at all on my Doom-o-Rama Meter.

ann

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Wow! That sounds great, a combination of my two favorite things, books and my bike. Thank you for posting, I will not miss this!
ann

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Sir, if I clock you going 28 mph down Courthouse I will hang back and applaud. Seriously, if you are cruising down Courthouse at that speed I would stay back and let you do your thing.

Dirt- The Miss America smile is the easy part, it’s the arm wave that’s tricky.
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Yes Dirt, I drink the same Kool-Aid. The folks on the mixed-use path are generally all trying to do the same thing, get outside, move around a bit, walk the earth, blah blah blah. It’s all good. Most of the folks on the road are trying to move along as best they can given the traffic situation, if they motion me or honk me I smile and wave like I’m Miss America. If I’m in a particularly perky mood I’ll throw in a kiss. But I am watching what goes on around me and I try to avoid problems if I can. I try to save my anger for when it counts, when my lotto numbers fail to win. 😎

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Nice! He is very handsome.
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Maybe I’m fortunate that I can take out my pent up feelings of hostility on my children because generally nothing I see out on the trail irks me too much. Perhaps I have low expectations of my fellow man. The exception is when adults put either their little kids or pets in danger and therefore me in danger also. It makes me apoplectic to see toddlers loose on the trail and dogs off leashes. Little kids should have a chance to grow up with all their limbs attached and their skulls in their original shape.

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@FFX_Hinterlands 2920 wrote:

How many folks have a bell? I don’t know how you could ride on a MUT like the WOD without one. One thing I’ve found.. I switched from a mini incredi-bell to a nice brass hammer-strike crane bell. The incredibell is pretty lound but short ring — it has no sustain. It makes a short “ping” sound. The brass bell has a much longer and louder sound…. RIIINNNGGGGGGGGG with more sustain. I think the longer tone helps pedestrians tell how fast you’re approaching. So the brass ones do work better. It even made the guy with over-the-ear headphones walking two pitbulls on 8-foot leads in the middle of the trail heard it.

Then again if you don’t like the idea of having the extra weight of a tiny aluminum black bell on your road bike you’re probably not going to get a giant brass one.

I agree and chuckle about the guy with the pitbulls, I’ve seen him. I don’t want to get hurt and I’d feel terrible if I caused a wreck. Passing with care, passing with courtesy seems like the decent and obvious thing to do. And yes, I am startled and irritated if someone passes me without warning.

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So far I’ve purchased whatever I find on sale. But I have to admit, I like Pearl Izumi the best for comfort and fit. That being said, I will continue to buy whatever I find on sale. From a female perspective I prefer to wear bike knickers because they stay in place, there is no shifting, and no riding up, but I wouldn’t wear them into the grocery store.

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I just picked up David Byrne’s memoir, Bicycle Diaries, it is very good. This is the same David Byrne from the band, “Talking Heads.” I like it because he talks about the connection between cycling and creativity. It is interesting.

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Great installment to your series! I look forward to the next one.
ann

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