what would kona do? - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

12-01-2004, 06:35 PM

There is a certain road I ride - to be more precise usually avoid riding
and I wonder how some of you would ride it.

The Description:

Victoria Rd runs North/South crossing the Eramosa River. south of the
river it is one lane each way with broad unpaved shoulders running through
University property - arboretum and biological science research fields. The
bridge crossing has no shoulders at all and just a narrow concrete curb I
wouldn't feel comfortable walking on, let alone cycling, as it is so narrow.

Immediately after the river Victoria widens to 2 lane-each way and enters
mixed use developed area. Their is moderate to heavy transport truck
traffic.

So, coming from the south to the north I am willing to play the considerate
cyclist and take the shoulder. It might be a tad rough but I think even a
hybrid or comfort bike would have little trouble.

The trouble comes when the bridge is reached: when to take the lane because
you really have no choice.

I am uncertain about left turn lanes as well: when to make the move to the
centre turning lane when it is a new lane only for the turn.

The Bridge The Turning Lane

South

S | I |Shoulder | : I |
| I | | : I |
| I | | : I |
~~~| I |~~~~~ | : / I |
| I | | : / I |
R | I |River | : : I |
| I | | : : I |
~~~| I |~~~~~ | : : I |
| I | ____| : : I |____
| I |
/ I \ ---- ----
/ I \ ____ ____
/ : I : \ | I : : |
| : I : |
| : I : |

North

I prefer to take pssession of the lane [bridge or turning] very early to
avoid the possibilty of physically trying to impose my myself versus
multi-ton automobiles and inattentive petroleum-addicts or find myself
having to wait for a long line of like automobiles.

On the bridge I give myself at least 25 metres before the shoulder ends and
bridge begins. At a left turn I like to take the centre lane as soon as it
is the width of a bike.

How much lead time do others give themselves?

--
'They stab it with their steely knives
But they just can't kill the beast'
-eagles