This summer I have noticed a huge influx of road cyclists ('round here we call it blacktop) on the roads of Vermont. There seems to have been a ten-fold increase in the amount of cyclists riding on the road. I live in Hinesburg, VT and I am convinced that my town is becoming one of the road riding meccas of Vermont. Rides of 10 to 100 miles are available from your driveway.
I've been riding around these parts for over ten years now and have accumulated enough knowledge to draft a 'blacktop creed' regarding cycling etiquette. My thoughts are as follows:
1) Wave to as many people as possible...farmers on tractors, people sitting on their front porches, people mowing lawns, motorists, kids on buses, but most especially other cyclists that pass you going the opposite directions. I mean c'mon, we're riding, maybe not together or as fast as the other girl/guy, but we're sharing a love...acknowledge it.
2) Always stop or ask another cyclist who has flatted or broken down if she/he needs anything. You may be a mile from your home and the other cyclist is twenty. Give him/her your spare tube if they need it. Help a 'newbie' change a flat. Give an out-of-towner directions. Karma will reward you later.
3) Let other cyclists know that you are behind them or passing, especially if you've just spent the last few minutes drafting off their butt in silence.
4) Smile often when you are on your bike, even if the headwind's a bitch or that hill kicked your ass.
2 comments:
Kudos to your rules of the road. Shall it be entered into the public record and counted as "Philip's code of conduct on the blacktop"
only wish i were there to help keep the "blacktop flow" going. but damn japan has some nice roads to tour, if you're brave enough to deal with some of the traffic (not to mention 15 million other things... like not being able to read street signs without a lot of practice, etc.) keep it going!
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