Car/Bicycle Collisions

The University of Toronto recently published an interview with Professor Chris Cavacuiti of the department of family and community medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital in which he quotes a study that found bicyclists are the cause of less than 10% of bike-car accidents. From the interview:
While there is a public perception that cyclists are usually the cause of accidents between cars and bikes, an analysis of Toronto police collision reports shows otherwise: The most common type of crash in this study involved a motorist entering an intersection and either failing to stop properly or proceeding before it was safe to do so. The second most common crash type involved a motorist overtaking unsafely. The third involved a motorist opening a door onto an oncoming cyclist. The study concluded that cyclists are the cause of less than 10 per cent of bike-car accidents in this study.
The available evidence suggests that collisions have far more to do with aggressive driving than aggressive cycling.

Couldn't say it better

Check it out here.

Rants and Raves

Alright, yesterday on my commute to work I learned something. The CITY closes the damn bike path for the Central States Fair. There isn't really any safe alternate route around either. I have to ride on highly traveled no shoulder roads where cages don't pay any attention. I will be writing a letter to the city about this. I believe if you are to have a bike path, it remains a bike path for the entire year. The current bike path has been turned into carnieville and parking. That's complete B.S. and I'm pissed about it.

If that wasn't bad enough, yesterday some punk a$$ kid yelled at my while I was riding home. He yells, "get on the sidewalk". I didn't retaliate although I thought many things in my tiny little hollow head. Apparently he has not learned the laws. I think he should be educated and then shocked with a hot shot just for being a stupid punk kid who apparently doesn't know sh*t.

On a much better note. I went for a little jaunt over my lunch break. First to Two Wheeler Dealer to see if they had some drink stuff I'm trying to find, then on to the grocery store. I wanted some fruit which I got. My issue came apparent when I realized I don't have any convenient way to carry grocery bags on my bike. I tied it down as good as possible to my rear rack without damaging the fruit. I do believe some nice grocery panniers are in order.

Any suggestions?

If anyone has any good insight on the bike path thing, please, let me know.

Ugh

I have this crappy little head cold that won't go away. It's not horrible, just enough to make things uncomfortable. I can ride my bike and after about 20 seconds, I'm huffing and puffing like I haven't ridden ever. I'm ready for this to go away.

I need to get out on a long ride tomorrow morning. Find a nice long section of single track to go ride for a couple hours. A friend and I rode Victoria Lake last Friday. We logged about 13 miles of pristine single track. I'd like to ride 20 tomorrow. We'll see what the weather holds.

Primal Quest teams are making their way into Rapid. Team South Dakota is still a ways back but are doing wonderfully. I'm excited about their team. I wish SD would have shown some more support for them.

Workout for the day.

Bike commute - round trip - 13 miles

Ride to track - round trip 4.4 miles

4x800 meter sprints for time.
1. 3:06
2. 3:08
3. 3:14
4. 3:18

Total bike miles = 17.4 miles
Total miles = 19.4 miles

Kona Kula Supreme set up for commuting

Here is the bike I use for my commutes, my mountain bike rides and my road rides. I think it's a sweet setup and I love this bike. I would like to get some Old Man Mountain racks to compliment the bike and to provide more storage options. Post your commuter bikes if you've got one.







2008 Kona Kula Supreme frame
Fox Fork
SLX cranks
LX shifters and deralliures
SLX disc brakes
Easton carbon handlebar
Thompson Stem
WTB seat

Evening Ride Home

I took some pictures of my ride home tonight. It mostly consists of riding on the bike path with a small bit of highway. It's not a bad ride.







They're backwards and I have more... I'll post tomorrow.

Any of you Desk Jockeys

Have any of you tried one of these at your desk?

http://www0.epinions.com/search/?submitted_form=searchbar&search_string=pedaler&tax_name=Exercise+Equipment&dyn_nav=0&dyn_nav_id=&search_vertical=t10785&searchbar_submit=Search

After doing sprints and riding both days this week I have a serious case of restless leg syndrom. I feel like I need to get up and move. The legs are tight and sore and rather tired, but they just need to move. It's driving me nuts.

I'm going to start taking pictures of my ride or things on my ride every day. I need to liven up this blog a little. You just wait. Tomorrow, I'll post some pictures... maybe.

Lesson Learned

Alright, I knew this ahead of time, but I guess I felt I had to test the waters. This morning, I wore my pants and shirt for the entire day on my commute. The temperature was a little lower this morning and I thought if I go slow enough, I won't have to change my clothes. Dead wrong. i still sweat. I know that. I sweat when it's 10 below if I have to ride any sort of distance. What's wrong with me.

Now, my pants are sticking to my legs and my shirt feels slightly damp. I'm so stupid.

Nothing Short of Inspiring

Check out this site... probably one of the coolest dedications I have ever seen.

http://www.twinsix.com/

Day

The 5-0 is approaching quickly. I need to get on some more rides. Tonight was possibly going to be a ride, but with the rain we've been having it's not looking promising. If I don't run up to Sturgis tonight, I might take a jaunt on the road.

One note, the Fat Cyclist's wife passed away yesterday from a long battle with cancer. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers.