I would like to state that I am a fan of riding in the rain. As a general preference I would much rather show up someplace wet due to rain as opposed to sweat. Considering Houston is so humid, it is the latter that is typically the case.
Today was one of those rainy days. I got up early so I could go swimming, good plan until the rain blew in and the lightning started up. Instead of putting some good time into the pool I curled up on the couch, read the NYTimes online and drank coffee. Not such a bad plan either.
I did have a moment of doubt about riding in today. That moment actually lasted from about 7am when the rain started till 8:30am when I finally sucked it up, threw all my work stuff in a Ziploc, and jumped on my bike. The radio was warning drivers about the weather, I figure it counted double for cyclists.
Usually Memorial Park is teeming with bikers, today I saw one compatriot. We gave each other a passing smile, which in my mind said 'that's right sister, you are a bad ass.'
My only issue on my ride to work occurs at the crossing point where I switch from the Memorial Drive bike trail to the trail that runs along 610. There are 2 points that I have to cross daily which are not protected by a light or stop sign. They are the rt turn lane from 610N access rd onto Memorial Dr and from Memorial Dr onto the access road of 610S. Usually the problem is people stop their car in the middle of my lane, making it necessary for me to hop the edge of the curb and coast around behind them (never in front because I don't trust them to look my way before they gun it to get going).
The problem at the point is, who exactly has the right of way? I stop when the cars are moving unless one stops and motions for me to go. But occasionally the cars are stopped and I am hesitant to move unless I make eye-contact with the driver and we exchange signals stating that they understand that I will soon be occupying the space between their headlights and they have no intention of smashing me.
Today I thought I had effectively communicated my movements with a stopped driver. Apparently not, nothing happened, but I did get to witness him throw a hissy fit because apparently my sudden presence in front of his car was enough to set him off.
Anyway I made it to work in one piece. Wet but extolling the virtues of Patagonia rain coats for the rest of the day.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Verdict On my Ride
I dropped my bike off at the bike shop. My fork is ok, just scratched off the clear coat. It goes down to the carbon but no evidence that the structure is compromised. My front wheel is shot and needs to be replaced. Water bottle cages are gone and my bike seat is a little tore up. All in all not a super expensive replacement. With a new helmet it will come to around $200 - $300 for parts, etc. I have other maintenance stuff that needs to get done, so they are going to do it while the bike is in the shop.
I had a nice time venting to the bike shop guys about the situation. Basically what I am most frustrated about is the blame. My leg looks like it got beat with a tire iron, my whole body hurts from my jaw down to my calf; ok it will heal. My bike is busted, but it's getting fixed and won't be as expensive as I thought. What pisses me off is that I am sure she is talking about that reckless cyclist who was so obviously at fault for the whole thing.
Riders in Houston get a bad rap from drivers. I know how to ride so as to not get hit by a car that is remotely following traffic rules. I'm not saying I don't roll through the occasional stop sign, but I do my best to ensure I don't put myself or a car in a tough spot of each figuring out how avoid each other. In this situation she made the mistake and I really wanted her to leave knowing that. Instead I'm afraid she is adding to the fodder of why you should yell at a cyclist to 'ride on the sidewalk'.
PS. Rode to work on 'The Beast'. Took me about 15min longer and I felt like I was driving an SUV. Plus those stairs at Memorial were tough, I think 'the beast' weighs about 25lbs more than my road bike.
I had a nice time venting to the bike shop guys about the situation. Basically what I am most frustrated about is the blame. My leg looks like it got beat with a tire iron, my whole body hurts from my jaw down to my calf; ok it will heal. My bike is busted, but it's getting fixed and won't be as expensive as I thought. What pisses me off is that I am sure she is talking about that reckless cyclist who was so obviously at fault for the whole thing.
Riders in Houston get a bad rap from drivers. I know how to ride so as to not get hit by a car that is remotely following traffic rules. I'm not saying I don't roll through the occasional stop sign, but I do my best to ensure I don't put myself or a car in a tough spot of each figuring out how avoid each other. In this situation she made the mistake and I really wanted her to leave knowing that. Instead I'm afraid she is adding to the fodder of why you should yell at a cyclist to 'ride on the sidewalk'.
PS. Rode to work on 'The Beast'. Took me about 15min longer and I felt like I was driving an SUV. Plus those stairs at Memorial were tough, I think 'the beast' weighs about 25lbs more than my road bike.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
So I Got Creamed by a Pathfinder
So I figured this was going to happen eventually, I just didn't think it would occur 9 days into my experiment. It involved a little more than a "love tap". I was hit by a car. Half a block from my house. While I was stopped at a Stop sign. And the lady told the responding police it was my fault.
I was at the corner of 12th and Yale stopped in the middle of the right lane (my lane), looking left to check the traffic heading north. When I looked up I had a Pathfinder grill baring down on me. My guess is she took a tight left hand turn, turning the car into the her left, my right, hand lane, my lane, and hit me head on between the headlights.
Damage to my bike, as far as I can tell, includes: scratch on the rt side fork down to the carbon, front wheel totally out of tru, water bottle holders crushed and seat knocked askew (seat is not busted but in my opinion that indicates a hit), the plastic on the back of my helmet is pealing off.
Damage to me: nasty bruise/welt/scratch on my left leg, bruised inside rt knee (maybe from the top tube), no bruise yet but pain on my rt calf where the initial hit was.
I think it would have been worse save a few mitigating factors: I was wearing a helmet (head is ok). My rt foot was clipped into my pedal and my foot was raised for the push off, thus maybe bringing my ankle above the bottom part of her bumper (speculation on how my water bottle holders are totally knocked in and my ankle isn't broken). I had a small bag stuffed with my work clothes on my back. So what hit the asphalt besides my left thigh was the back of my helmet and a fairly cushy pack.
Long story short i called the police, they came with an ambulance, bleh, and took statements. My statement was I was in the correct lane and she turned into me. Her statement was I was stopped in the middle of her lane and she didn't see me--I wound up in the other lane post impact, but I didn't start there. I did have my lights on, one officer even commented on what a good light it is. They then told me that because she had moved her car and they could not verify who was where, no one was at fault. If my bike is busted and I want her to pay, I have to take it through a civil process but the report is going to show conflicting statements.
Right now I'm annoyed at the situation. I'm annoyed at the lady for hitting me, moving her car, and then passing the blame onto me. I'm annoyed at the police who kept saying they saw no damage to my bike. That I probably hit the asphalt harder than she hit me--um i hit the asphalt hard because she hit me hard. That the area "is dark" even though the corner is lit by a street light. That although I was correctly stopped with my required light on and a car turned into me--it was determined to be a no-fault situation. I know it's not their fault and they see things a lot worse every day, but I'm still annoyed.
So on my to-do list for tomorrow: try to get my bike to the shop and I guess I'll be riding what we refer to as "The Beast".
I was at the corner of 12th and Yale stopped in the middle of the right lane (my lane), looking left to check the traffic heading north. When I looked up I had a Pathfinder grill baring down on me. My guess is she took a tight left hand turn, turning the car into the her left, my right, hand lane, my lane, and hit me head on between the headlights.
Damage to my bike, as far as I can tell, includes: scratch on the rt side fork down to the carbon, front wheel totally out of tru, water bottle holders crushed and seat knocked askew (seat is not busted but in my opinion that indicates a hit), the plastic on the back of my helmet is pealing off.
Damage to me: nasty bruise/welt/scratch on my left leg, bruised inside rt knee (maybe from the top tube), no bruise yet but pain on my rt calf where the initial hit was.
I think it would have been worse save a few mitigating factors: I was wearing a helmet (head is ok). My rt foot was clipped into my pedal and my foot was raised for the push off, thus maybe bringing my ankle above the bottom part of her bumper (speculation on how my water bottle holders are totally knocked in and my ankle isn't broken). I had a small bag stuffed with my work clothes on my back. So what hit the asphalt besides my left thigh was the back of my helmet and a fairly cushy pack.
Long story short i called the police, they came with an ambulance, bleh, and took statements. My statement was I was in the correct lane and she turned into me. Her statement was I was stopped in the middle of her lane and she didn't see me--I wound up in the other lane post impact, but I didn't start there. I did have my lights on, one officer even commented on what a good light it is. They then told me that because she had moved her car and they could not verify who was where, no one was at fault. If my bike is busted and I want her to pay, I have to take it through a civil process but the report is going to show conflicting statements.
Right now I'm annoyed at the situation. I'm annoyed at the lady for hitting me, moving her car, and then passing the blame onto me. I'm annoyed at the police who kept saying they saw no damage to my bike. That I probably hit the asphalt harder than she hit me--um i hit the asphalt hard because she hit me hard. That the area "is dark" even though the corner is lit by a street light. That although I was correctly stopped with my required light on and a car turned into me--it was determined to be a no-fault situation. I know it's not their fault and they see things a lot worse every day, but I'm still annoyed.
So on my to-do list for tomorrow: try to get my bike to the shop and I guess I'll be riding what we refer to as "The Beast".
Monday, September 7, 2009
Texas Bicycle Laws
So in my 5 years as a road biker I have heard many interpretations of bike laws. I had one car ask me at a red light if it was legal for me to be in the road. I have had quite a few drivers yell at me to ride on the sidewalk. Yesterday a lady on a bike yelled at me for not having a bell on my bike, granted she was not wearing a helmet and was weaving like a loony on the trail. So here is a consolidated list of current Texas bike laws pertaining to all things including bells and helmets.
First for the helmet situation:
According to the Helmet Safety institute: in Coppell and Southlake kids under 15 need to wear one, Bedford is under 16, Benbrook under 17. Children under 18 have to have a helmet on in Houston, Ft Worth, Austin and Arlington. Dallas is apparently the only city in Texas that requires all ages to wear a helmet.
Registration
Houston requires bikes to be registered for $1.00 or risk being fined $5.00. This can be done at a fire station. I think I will take my chances with the fine. I wonder how many people have shown up to a fire station looking to register their bike.
**Update: I don't really fact check my stuff. Someone left me a comment saying that bikes are not required to register anymore. I'm leaving the section up with a side note because I think it's funny you used to have to.**
Sidewalk vs Road
In Houston you can not ride a bike on the sidewalk in a business district. A business district is defined as an area where within 600ft of the road and occupying a 300ft stretch on either side of the road are buildings used as businesses. If you do ride on the sidewalk, pedestrians have the right of way. Lets face it, its easier to ride on the street and operate the bike like a car.
Safety Equipment
Working breaks, a light on the front of the bike that emits a white light at least 500ft, a red light/reflector on the back visible from 500ft.
Sorry lady, bell not required.
ID Requirements
You are not required to carry ID when operating a bike. If you are stopped by the police you are required to give your name, address and DOB. You will not be charged with failure to carry an ID. Don't give false info because that is illegal.
Drunk While Riding
I'm still looking for written evidence, but bloggers indicate it is possible in Texas to be charged with a DUI while on a bike. Open container laws apparently also apply. I'm of the opinion you would have to wreck into a Police Cruiser completely wasted with a beer cap on to face charges. Then your lawyer would really have to suck to be convicted. Not that I have faced that scenario.
Hand Signals
Have to use the hand signals we learned in drivers ed.
Operation on the Road
Ride the bike in the far lane as close to the curb as you feel safe. You can ride two abreast in a single lane, but no more than 2. Bikes can pass a car in another lane, bikes can move into another lane to get around a hazard or parked car. Bikes can cross lanes to make a left-hand turn.
Basically bikes are considered motorized vehicles and have to follow all the rules that cars do, including: not speeding, stopping at red light, stopping at stop signs, etc.
Interesting facts:
In Idaho cyclists can run stop signs if they slow down first to check traffic.
In Colorado it is now illegal to throw things at cyclists, before they would actually have to hit the biker for it to be a punishable offense.
Another CO law stipulates that cars must give bikers a 3ft cushion when passing.
A similar law was recently vetoed by Gov Rick Perry of TX, he stated it was already illegal to drive recklessly.
My opinion is that people don't necessarily drive recklessly, they just don't pay attention to what they are doing.
First for the helmet situation:
According to the Helmet Safety institute: in Coppell and Southlake kids under 15 need to wear one, Bedford is under 16, Benbrook under 17. Children under 18 have to have a helmet on in Houston, Ft Worth, Austin and Arlington. Dallas is apparently the only city in Texas that requires all ages to wear a helmet.
Registration
Houston requires bikes to be registered for $1.00 or risk being fined $5.00. This can be done at a fire station. I think I will take my chances with the fine. I wonder how many people have shown up to a fire station looking to register their bike.
**Update: I don't really fact check my stuff. Someone left me a comment saying that bikes are not required to register anymore. I'm leaving the section up with a side note because I think it's funny you used to have to.**
Sidewalk vs Road
In Houston you can not ride a bike on the sidewalk in a business district. A business district is defined as an area where within 600ft of the road and occupying a 300ft stretch on either side of the road are buildings used as businesses. If you do ride on the sidewalk, pedestrians have the right of way. Lets face it, its easier to ride on the street and operate the bike like a car.
Safety Equipment
Working breaks, a light on the front of the bike that emits a white light at least 500ft, a red light/reflector on the back visible from 500ft.
Sorry lady, bell not required.
ID Requirements
You are not required to carry ID when operating a bike. If you are stopped by the police you are required to give your name, address and DOB. You will not be charged with failure to carry an ID. Don't give false info because that is illegal.
Drunk While Riding
I'm still looking for written evidence, but bloggers indicate it is possible in Texas to be charged with a DUI while on a bike. Open container laws apparently also apply. I'm of the opinion you would have to wreck into a Police Cruiser completely wasted with a beer cap on to face charges. Then your lawyer would really have to suck to be convicted. Not that I have faced that scenario.
Hand Signals
Have to use the hand signals we learned in drivers ed.
Operation on the Road
Ride the bike in the far lane as close to the curb as you feel safe. You can ride two abreast in a single lane, but no more than 2. Bikes can pass a car in another lane, bikes can move into another lane to get around a hazard or parked car. Bikes can cross lanes to make a left-hand turn.
Basically bikes are considered motorized vehicles and have to follow all the rules that cars do, including: not speeding, stopping at red light, stopping at stop signs, etc.
Interesting facts:
In Idaho cyclists can run stop signs if they slow down first to check traffic.
In Colorado it is now illegal to throw things at cyclists, before they would actually have to hit the biker for it to be a punishable offense.
Another CO law stipulates that cars must give bikers a 3ft cushion when passing.
A similar law was recently vetoed by Gov Rick Perry of TX, he stated it was already illegal to drive recklessly.
My opinion is that people don't necessarily drive recklessly, they just don't pay attention to what they are doing.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Dumb Ideas
Of all the dumb ideas, who decides to ride their bike everywhere in a city the size of Houston. Even if it is just inside a loop. Bleh!!!
The regret stems from not making it to dinner with friends last night.
Plan: meet up for dinner and then head to a Bollywood festival in Herman Park at 8pm
Problem: rain
New Plan: meet at 6:30 for dinner
Problem: out of work at 6, 40min bike home, take dog (not mine, loaner) for a walk, 45 min bike down to restaurant
ETA for me to get there: after 8pm.
I would have begged the dog walk off on someone had he not tried to bite 2 people the day before. I really didn't feel like I could call a friend, ask them to walk said dog and then as a closing line throw in, "by the way it appears he snaps at runners he gets within striking distance of. Thanks."
So anyway the time line of events:
6:15 left work
7:00 got home
7:05 walked Sir Bites-A-Lot
figured out route to dinner using all bike lanes (I'm feeling pretty happy about this accomplishment...until i write them out longhand)
View Larger Map
Written out the directions looked something like this:
S Heights Blvd
R W Dallas
L Dunlavy
R Clay
L Woodhead
R South Blvd
L Hazard
R Bolsover
L Greenbriar
R Rice
Total distance: 6.1 miles
I'm not quite so impressed at this point. I'm also starting to think I'm going to need a home lamination machine, a hole punch and lots of string so I can hang zig-zag directions like these from a handle bar.
7:30 Leave house
10 min and 1.5 miles later I realize I don't have my cell phone.
This is an issue because as of right now I don't carry a spare tube, patch-kit or air on my bike. Meaning a flat in the wrong spot and I'm walking. Fine when I am inconveniencing myself. Not fine when people are waiting for me and may imagine me dead on the side of a road when I don't answer my phone for the 2 hours it would take me to roll my bike someplace.
7:50 back home, really wanting to say fuck it, jump in my car and go hang out with my friends. Instead I send a text message telling them to give me a call if they decide to change locations and I'd give it another good 'ole college try.
7:51 commence pouting
7:55 get a text telling me they are headed to Onion Creek, a bar 1.1 miles from my place. I have really good friends.
View Larger Map
Written Directions (no lamination or string required)
S Heights
L White Oak Blvd
8:50 Commence drinking beer
11:45 Ride home followed by a friend who was yelling my speed from the car window (25mph)
12:00 Realize I did not close out my tab
12:02 Ride back to Onion Creek
12:45 2 advil and bed
The regret stems from not making it to dinner with friends last night.
Plan: meet up for dinner and then head to a Bollywood festival in Herman Park at 8pm
Problem: rain
New Plan: meet at 6:30 for dinner
Problem: out of work at 6, 40min bike home, take dog (not mine, loaner) for a walk, 45 min bike down to restaurant
ETA for me to get there: after 8pm.
I would have begged the dog walk off on someone had he not tried to bite 2 people the day before. I really didn't feel like I could call a friend, ask them to walk said dog and then as a closing line throw in, "by the way it appears he snaps at runners he gets within striking distance of. Thanks."
So anyway the time line of events:
6:15 left work
7:00 got home
7:05 walked Sir Bites-A-Lot
figured out route to dinner using all bike lanes (I'm feeling pretty happy about this accomplishment...until i write them out longhand)
View Larger Map
Written out the directions looked something like this:
S Heights Blvd
R W Dallas
L Dunlavy
R Clay
L Woodhead
R South Blvd
L Hazard
R Bolsover
L Greenbriar
R Rice
Total distance: 6.1 miles
I'm not quite so impressed at this point. I'm also starting to think I'm going to need a home lamination machine, a hole punch and lots of string so I can hang zig-zag directions like these from a handle bar.
7:30 Leave house
10 min and 1.5 miles later I realize I don't have my cell phone.
This is an issue because as of right now I don't carry a spare tube, patch-kit or air on my bike. Meaning a flat in the wrong spot and I'm walking. Fine when I am inconveniencing myself. Not fine when people are waiting for me and may imagine me dead on the side of a road when I don't answer my phone for the 2 hours it would take me to roll my bike someplace.
7:50 back home, really wanting to say fuck it, jump in my car and go hang out with my friends. Instead I send a text message telling them to give me a call if they decide to change locations and I'd give it another good 'ole college try.
7:51 commence pouting
7:55 get a text telling me they are headed to Onion Creek, a bar 1.1 miles from my place. I have really good friends.
View Larger Map
Written Directions (no lamination or string required)
S Heights
L White Oak Blvd
8:50 Commence drinking beer
11:45 Ride home followed by a friend who was yelling my speed from the car window (25mph)
12:00 Realize I did not close out my tab
12:02 Ride back to Onion Creek
12:45 2 advil and bed
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Trial Run
I decided it would not be in my best interest to wait until my first day of work to figure out how to ride down to the Galleria. So today I did a trial run to uncover unknown obstacles and time allotment.
Here is a map of my intended route (you can use the zoom feature to see more and the move hand like in regular Google maps, don't bother looking at the larger image):
View Larger Map
The route is a keeper (7.4 miles one way) with a few issues.
Heights Blvd has a wonderful bike lane that goes all the way to Hwy59. I start almost all my bike trips on this road because of the space designated for bikes only. Below is the map of Height/Waugh/Yoakum bike route--Love it:
View Larger Map
One thing I don't understand is why from Heights towards downtown, Washington has a bike line. While towards Memorial Park it is an unmarked "Shared Lane" whatever that means. I received one of my 'Love Taps' as I like to call them along this section of road. A love tap is when a car makes contact but doesn't do any damage. I average about 1 a year.
View Larger Map
Once in Memorial things improve to a separate bike trail. That is until you reach the raised train tracks crossing Memorial Drive. The city is in the process of constructing a pedestrian path over the road, which is a fabulous idea. In the process of said construction they have closed off the path and put in stairs down an embankment so pedestrians can avoid the work zone. It works but according to the worker I talked to, they are going to keep working on sections trail once the bridge is completed and close off parts as they go. Possibly forcing me and other bikers onto Memorial Drive.
View Larger Map
On the other side of 610 there is a nice, separate bike trail that runs along the access road of 610S. The trail ends at Uptown Park Blvd and an unmarked "Shared Lane" takes me to Post Oak.
View Larger Map
This is where all bike friendly accommodations end. The last 1.0 miles is on Post Oak. Straight up traffic.
View Larger Map
According to the Bikeway map I use to plan my routes, there is no bike path/trail/shared lane that enters the Galleria area. In fact south of Memorial Park to Hwy 59 and east/west from Yoktown to Weslayan is totally void of any part of the Bikeway Network. These are some of the most traffic clogged roadways in Houston, maybe the addition of a few safe routes around the area for bikers would be to the city's benefit.
Here is a map of my intended route (you can use the zoom feature to see more and the move hand like in regular Google maps, don't bother looking at the larger image):
View Larger Map
The route is a keeper (7.4 miles one way) with a few issues.
Heights Blvd has a wonderful bike lane that goes all the way to Hwy59. I start almost all my bike trips on this road because of the space designated for bikes only. Below is the map of Height/Waugh/Yoakum bike route--Love it:
View Larger Map
One thing I don't understand is why from Heights towards downtown, Washington has a bike line. While towards Memorial Park it is an unmarked "Shared Lane" whatever that means. I received one of my 'Love Taps' as I like to call them along this section of road. A love tap is when a car makes contact but doesn't do any damage. I average about 1 a year.
View Larger Map
Once in Memorial things improve to a separate bike trail. That is until you reach the raised train tracks crossing Memorial Drive. The city is in the process of constructing a pedestrian path over the road, which is a fabulous idea. In the process of said construction they have closed off the path and put in stairs down an embankment so pedestrians can avoid the work zone. It works but according to the worker I talked to, they are going to keep working on sections trail once the bridge is completed and close off parts as they go. Possibly forcing me and other bikers onto Memorial Drive.
View Larger Map
On the other side of 610 there is a nice, separate bike trail that runs along the access road of 610S. The trail ends at Uptown Park Blvd and an unmarked "Shared Lane" takes me to Post Oak.
View Larger Map
This is where all bike friendly accommodations end. The last 1.0 miles is on Post Oak. Straight up traffic.
View Larger Map
According to the Bikeway map I use to plan my routes, there is no bike path/trail/shared lane that enters the Galleria area. In fact south of Memorial Park to Hwy 59 and east/west from Yoktown to Weslayan is totally void of any part of the Bikeway Network. These are some of the most traffic clogged roadways in Houston, maybe the addition of a few safe routes around the area for bikers would be to the city's benefit.
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