Cycling hits home
 

This past weekend, much to my shock, a fellow on our work cycling team was killed in a bicycle/car accident up in Sardine Canyon here in Utah.

Wow...just kind of brings the dangers of cycling on roadways, and how tragic a fun, enjoyable ride on your bike can turn.

How I wish the roadways here in Utah were more cycle friendly.

Be careful everyone.

That's very sad. I echo your sentiments: it is dangerous out there and we do need to be careful.

Defensive riding skills are a must, especially in Utah. Rednecks are not your friends.

That's why I won't ride on public roads (except for the neighborhood residential roads that lead to the local lake), unless I am with a group.

Your chances of being killed in a group are much less, but not negligible.

It doesn't matter how careful you are, there will still be careless drivers.

Every serious cyclist knows someone that has been killed. I helped a cycling widow move a couple of years ago. Her husband was in my club.

Agreed. But, how do you protect yourself from say...an non-attentive driver on a cell phone coming up from behind? (this was not the circustances of our team member...but it's one that I always fear)

It's scarey. There's no defense.

Weird how I posted earlier last week about riding on the opposite side of the road so you can see traffic etc. Not much you can do if a driver is not paying attention.

I'm sorry to hear of the loss, Borg. Perhaps your company team will want to plan a Ride of Silence next year, to honor your friend.

Here's one thing, which I know others disagree with, but never ride with a headset or IPOD.

I hear people approaching.

Don't ride with those special glasses.

Be as attentive as you can. Know your ride and the danger spots.

Thanks.

Our team leader is setting up a memorial ride as we speak.

Awesome. I wish I could come but there's that whole three states away thing.

There isn't much you can do about inattentive drivers under any circumstance (menaing regardless of whether you are afoot or on bike, or on which side of the road you are on). WInding canyon roads with little or no shoulder are more dangerous than wider roads with a shoulder. Lots of variables go into how dangerous it is, including time of day, placement of the sun, traffic density, etc. If you are prudent and experienced I don't think the risks are unduly high even as a sinlge rider, and I beleive the statistics bear this out. Even so, it is always a risk out there.