City Cycling

I recently aquired a bicycle.  Actually MY bicycle.  From my childhood, age 13.  Surprisingly enough it’s actually a good size for me still.  Apparently I was taller than I thought back then.  Overall, great news.  I think it was actually a pretty nice bike for back in the day.  It seems to have held up pretty well overall. Rust free, brakes work, shifters work, good to go.   My sister even used it for a while and hooked it up with a rear blinky light and a decent basket and rack on the back.

The equipment seems to be ready to roll.  I, however, don’t feel quite so prepared.  When I was a kid I would ride this bike around our North Raleigh suburban subdivision to get to the pool and that was about it.  Now I am getting ready to use this thing as a downtown transportation alternative.  I’ve never ridden on any city streets along with traffic.  My first instinct is just to use sidewalks and whatnot, but I think that’s kinda frowned upon.  Seems like the only way to really learn is just to get out there and do it.

That said a little investigation seemed in order.  It’s kinda how I roll.  I get some new idea in life and I use the great intarweb to research it to death.  I found an informative site on bicycle safety.  Aptly named BicycleSafe. It’s full of great tips on how to not get hit by cars.  This seems like a very important thing and so I am thrilled to get some expert advise on the subject.  Unfortunately it also led me to this.  “Doored” is what they call it and apparently it leads to a great deal of mayhem and pain.  Let’s hope that I don’t end up in such a position.

Now equiped with bike and basic safety knowledge it is time to go forth and pedal.  Wish me luck tomorrow.  I hope to be back in one piece to tell the story.