Biking Rants

50+ miles today with a a headache, so I'm cranky.

1. RUDE RIDERS - TYPE A. A recumbent is a bicycle, too. Most of the time, I'm glad to answer questions, and I usually just smile when someone asks if I have a can of beer on the "lounge chair"... but the A/B riders in a pack who feel entitled to cut me off and then call it a "beach chair" are just rude.

2. RUDE RIDERS - TYPE B. On the same lines - even if your name is Lance, or even Lancetta, which I doubt, you do not have a RIGHT to ride your bike at your preferred speed, if it means that everyone else on the path has to accomodate YOU ! A "good" biker knows how to ride in traffic, and this includes other bikers, children, and pedestrians.

3. DOGS OFF LEASHES. If you have a dog and you take him or her on a public path, PUT THE DOG ON A LEASH. I don't care how well behaved or how much of an alpha dog you think you are. Your dog is a potential danger to him/ herself, riders, and others. It's not just a good idea - IT'S THE LAW.

4. CHILDREN ON BIKES. I'm delighted that your whole family, including children, is out riding. Good for you ! Please teach the small ones to RIDE ON THE RIGHT, and to LOOK AHEAD of them. Like cars, bikes tend to follow the rider's eyes. If you look at something on the left, you're going to drift in that direction.

5. BE ALERT. I have a bell. I use it. Why do poeple IGNORE IT ? Do they think it's NOT FOR THEM ? IT IS.

Thanks for reading my bike rant. Unfortunately, I'm sure the people who most need to read these simple rules will not read it - either here or other places.