There are three things that conspire against the cyclist

On Jun 14, 7:31*am, "TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher"
> wrote:
> FEAR, INTIMIDATION & HUMILIATION...
>
> Fear is what keeps the masses from ever riding a bike on a road.
> Intimidation is what you often face when cars pass you and blast the
> horn or roar the engine. And humiliation is what you find when cars
> cut you off right in your face.


Don't forget nails, bike flats, poorly maintained roads, mechanical
failures (so it's wise to carry tools and a spare inner tube in your
backpack), 100+ degree temperatures, rain, pit bull dogs. I carry a
can of Bear Spray so if those two pit bulls ever chase me again, 9
miles from home... heh.

On Jun 21, 2:18*pm, "TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher"
> wrote:
> On Jun 19, 6:49*pm, Michael > wrote:
>
> > On Jun 14, 7:31*am, "TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher"
>
> > > wrote:
> > > FEAR, INTIMIDATION & HUMILIATION...
>
> > > Fear is what keeps the masses from ever riding a bike on a road.
> > > Intimidation is what you often face when cars pass you and blast the
> > > horn or roar the engine. And humiliation is what you find when cars
> > > cut you off right in your face.
>
> > Don't forget nails, bike flats, poorly maintained roads, mechanical
> > failures (so it's wise to carry tools and a spare inner tube in your
> > backpack), 100+ degree temperatures, rain, pit bull dogs. *I carry a
> > can of Bear Spray so if those two pit bulls ever chase me again, 9
> > miles from home... heh.
>
> I hope those red light cameras flashing all the time (150 bucks per
> flash) will gain us new converts. It ain't taming traffic that much
> but it's something that deters driving, at least among the poor.
>
> And you know the saying, "You got nothing to lose but your chain!"


$150? It's at least $300 over here!

Oh yeah, that chain falling off too... don't remind me! grr. 24 mile
bike ride, round-trip. Coming to work takes me about an hour; going
home takes between an hour and 15 or an hour and 30, depending on
whether I'm in a hurry or tired.