How to Avoid Accidents While Cycling

Laura Ginn is a freelance writer and blogger who loves riding her bike because it is an eco-friendly way to get around and it also helps her stay in shape. No matter where she rides, though, she always puts safety first to ensure that she does not get hurt.

Laura offers some good tips relevant to all of us to one degree or another. And as anyone whom I invite to share here she offers a different perspective and tone than you are used to from me.

Thanks for contributing, Laura!

No matter where you ride your bicycle, whether it’s on a quiet road in a rural area, along the suburban streets where your home is, or in a busy, crowded city, there are certain precautions that you need to take to avoid accidents as best as you can. If you aren’t riding as safely as possible, you’re increasing the risk that you’ll be involved in an accident, and this increases your chances of being severely injured. To avoid problems before they start, therefore, you have to know what precautions to take and how to avoid accidents in the first place.

Don’t Ride on the Pavement

Riding on the pavement may at first seem safer than riding in the street, but it actually isn’t at all. You risk getting hit by vehicles that are backing out of their driveways or swiftly pulling into their driveways without looking. And when it comes to crossing the street, many drivers don’t expect to see bikers in crosswalks, so they often get hit by cars that are making turns. Also, getting onto the pavement on the other side of the street can also be difficult. The best thing to do is to ride with the traffic in the street and obey all traffic laws as if you were driving a car.

Invest in a Mirror

It’s very important that you look behind you before swerving to another side of the road or even to move over just enough to avoid a parked car. Not doing so may result in you getting hit by a car coming up from behind you. If you find it difficult to look behind you without losing your balance on your bike, invest in a mirror instead.

Avoid Riding Into a Car Door

Believe it or not, a very common accident involves bikers running into a car door accidentally if someone opens their door from a parked position without first checking their side mirrors to see if anyone is coming. The biker may not have enough time to stop when this happens suddenly, so a collision occurs. Luckily, there are ways of avoiding this embarrassing accident.
If you can, ride as far away from parked cars as possible without getting too far out into the lane that you’re in the way of traffic coming up behind you. Try to find a good position where you’re far enough away from the car doors and still far enough away from traffic so that they can move around you with ease.

Purchase Bicycle Insurance to Cover You When an Accident Does Happen

You may do everything you possibly can to avoid an accident but the chances are still there that you’ll be involved in a crash. Therefore, in addition to being alert, following traffic laws, and doing your best to be smart on the road, look into a plan such as Protect Your Bubble bicycle insurance. This is a great way to provide yourself with the coverage you need in the event your bicycle is damaged or you’re injured in an accident.

Expanded Services at Allegro Elite Cycling

As the summer event season kicks off - here's some news that may be of interest to you...

New services are launching at Allegro Elite Cycling. In addition to expert fitting and maintenance services; I now offer

• Personal Technical & Mechanical Support
• Event Technical & Mechanical Support
• Individual Technical and Mechanical Instruction
• Group, Club, and Team Presentations

I have always enjoyed and been available for these services and have performed them on several occasions with great results for my clients. I decided it was time to add some formality and structure and begin to publicize my availability in these arenas.

Pricing varies for these services - and in some cases there is no charge.

See the new page at Allegro Elite Cycling for more info or contact me with questions and to make booking arrangements.

The Ideal Cycling Kit

I love the new opportunities I have had to bring you material from other writers. A fresh perspective from my old, tired, tech-heavy approach is great from time to time and this post is no different.

Pamela Simon has been hooked on cycling ever since the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and regularly blogs about her experiences in the saddle. Thanks, Pamela for allowing me to post your work. I am happy to publish it.

And with that, enjoy! -Matt.
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If you’re thinking about taking up cycling as a hobby or as part of a training regime with a view to compete, you need to make sure you’re properly equipped. Cycling has some different requirements to other sports, and a standard t-shirt and shorts combination probably won’t cut it if you want to do it properly. So, what do you need in your kit if you’re going to make it big in the world of cycling?

Of course, the first thing you need is a good bike. It’s important that this is the right size for you. While it can be OK to buy a cheap second hand bike, you need to make sure it isn’t too big or small before you agree to buy it. Going to a specialist bike shop may mean spending more on your bike, but you will know that it suits your size perfectly, so it will be perfectly safe and comfortable to ride and won’t cause any injuries from being the wrong size or shape for your body.

Danilo Di Luca out of the Giro - Positive for EPO. REALLY????

No, this is not a new "Blast From the Past" series I am starting - and it isn't for VeloNews either...

Photo: VeloNews.com

Oh, I get it - Oprah isn't as influential in Europe. That must be it. Because here in 'Merica we all learned a lot one weekend this past winter: Drugs are bad, cheaters get caught, don't do drugs.

Wow. What more can one really say? The performance-enhancing drug problem in cycling is either far bigger and deeper than we really thought (and I've been covering it for a while now); or some of the cyclists really are that deluded and think they will not get caught.

I vote for option #2...mixed with a little ignorance on the side.

Sorry for the short and blunt post - but seriously? What is it going to take?

Get the point already, guys! Clean up or get out.

Or, go start your own race league where drugs are legal; let Lance race, and go chase his skinny little tail around the Alps and Pyrenees for old times' sake.

Now - there is a long weekend coming up: squeeze in an extra ride!

My Interview with Bashir at All About Bicycles.com

Recently I was approached by another blogger; Bashir Kassam, who was interested in interviewing me for a feature on his comprehensive and rather appropriately named website: all-about-bicycles.com.

Feeling very flattered at such an offer I was happy to oblige - especially since Bashir and I seem to have common goals in demystifying cycling for beginners and helping others to progress in their enjoyment of the sport through sharing knowledge and experience that is otherwise hard to access.

We discussed bike fitting in detail (go figure...) and Bashir asked some excellent questions that I have not written about in some time or along such lines. It was a great exercise for me and surely has inspired some more content for this site as well.

Visit Bashir's site for great info and read the whole interview here: http://www.all-about-bicycles.com/matt-magee.html

Then, go out and ride!

Developing A Simple Cardio Cycling Routine That Fits Around Stressful Lives – You Don’t Even Have To Join A Gym!

This week I'm bringing you a general fitness related guest post from Alex which has some good advice for all of us. Alex is an enthusiastic blogger and cyclist.  He often takes the time out of his busy life to take part in cardio cycling sessions and has seen his health and fitness improve hugely.
I hope you enjoy it! - Matt.

Have you been amazed by the cost of gym memberships? They have spiraled out of control! The average gym now charges members £50 per month, with premium gyms bumping the cost up to a ridiculously high £100. Even for those that can afford the monthly fee, the worry is that with work and their personal life, they won’t be able to get value for money.

If you are considering doing cardio on a regular basis, then joining a gym is not necessary. Cycling is one of the best ways to improve cardiovascular endurance. In fact, getting outdoors and avoiding the gym is a lot healthier and going to be much more fun than sitting in a gym. Here is the great thing about cardio routines; you can choose exactly how you work out! Whether you are someone worried about their long term health, or someone who just wants to improve their fitness ready for an upcoming sporting event, you can tailor a routine around your every single need.

More Fake and Counterfeit Bikes Than Ever

Fake Specialized with a sheared-off headtube. Photo: BikeRadar.com

I took this topic up a number of years ago and it is one of the more popular topics on the site. While I don't write about it often I do when I feel there is something interesting and important to report.

I've covered the topic here:
Online Bike Fraud (Oct. 2006)

More Buyer Beware (Jan. 2007)

Beware of Knock-Offs (Feb. 2009)

Online Fraud Again (Jul. 2009)

While I love bikes and good deals just as much as anyone else; there is a certain measure of "buyer beware" to be had when shopping for your next purchase. That deal that seems too good to be true - may be just that. And I would hate for you to be the one who finds out the hard way.

"Just how pervasive of an issue is this, Matt?"

What's Happening at Allegro Elite Cycling?

Here's a little look at what I've been up to this spring in my "work life" at Allegro Elite Cycling...

Click photo to go to Allegro's website...

If you haven't checked out my services; please head over there and see how I can help you love your cycling experience even more. There are some cool bike photos too - sort of a photo resume' - of many of the custom bike projects I have completed in the decade plus that I have been serving my clients.

Then; "Like" my Facebook Page for updates on appointment availability, special pricing, and other important happenings!

While I appreciate your readership here on the blog - if you live in the Washington County/West Portland area I would love to serve your cycling needs too. Look me up and lets talk about how I can help!

After that - go take a ride!

Ride Report: First Spring Rides on the Waterford

It hasn't been a particularly nasty winter or spring - so perhaps this is more of a admission to how little I am riding right now (sad, I know). But, for the first time since fall I have been able to get the Waterford; my main steed (or ''sunny-day go-fast bike'') out twice to stretch her legs. It was a wonderful thing to be back on my main machine after riding the single-speed 'cross bike any time I was able to sneak away for a quick spin.

That ride revealed some wonderful things that I thought were worth sharing. Perhaps I feel that way because I am newly inspired again and doped up on natural vitamin D. Perhaps these were legitimate mini-revelations. Perhaps I am merely scraping the bottom of the barrel for writing material. Whichever the case - it is my blog so you are going to read about it anyway... :-)

Lame attempts at humor aside; I felt there was a few things worth writing about. Some of which will come in this post - some in subsequent posts. Here's a quick index:

1. First road test of the Shimano RS-80's I got this fall. Like I said; I've been on the single-speed...sad, huh? However, I am now certain in my choice for new every-day wheels.
2. New Clif Shot Gel road test. Hmmm; after years of using Hammer Products I am now having to search for alternatives. Read more about that soon.
3. I am also testing Endurox R4 recovery drink after almost a decade of using Hammer Recoverite. Review coming soon.
4. My habitual spring shake-down of all my components...made significant by the fact that my Waterford will celebrate it's 10th birthday this October! Keep reading for more...

Tire Pressure: What Can We Learn From Paris-Roubaix?

via Wikimedia Commons

My clients and frequent readers know that there are some small aspects of cycling that I can really "geek-out" about.  Tires and tire pressure are just one of them.

There are several places here on RoadRageCycling that I have discussed tire pressure from a variety of angles and today I submit another supporting article gleaned from tech data at yesterday's 2013 running of the legendary Paris-Roubaix.

Now, first; I should say that most of us do not ride under the conditions seen on any running of this historically punishing race. The distance, conditions, road surfaces, and intensity are factors that the sane among us usually try to avoid. Coupled with certain equipment choices that are not available or accessible to many of us - I will admit that a grain or two of salt should be used as you analyze this data and begin to apply it to your cycling preparation and habits.

However; the data also supports some techniques that I have been trumpeting for some time now as I have been using them in my cycling life and found the results to be favorable.