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Since I’ve worn shorts the last three days, I feel like I can comfortably say that Spring is here. Yay!
Tuscaloosa weather
Over the past few months, I’ve been cramped up in my car because it was just too cold to commute on my bike. Now that the weather is warming up, my bike is coming off my trainer and I will commute on it every single day.
Not only am I doing this to save gas and to save the environment, but I love riding! I’m dead serious when I say that my bike is like a member of my family.
Do you have any possessions that mean the world to you?
Yeah, that’s how I feel about my bike!
During my commute today, I was nearly killed by two red neck college students that have no idea how to drive. Welcome to Alabama!
Either they think they’re better than me because they drive a trucks as large as my apartment or they are just plain idiots. What do you think?
If you drive a car, please read these “rules of the road.”
- Be aware of cyclists. In recent months, I’ve actually noticed a lot more cyclists out on the road. This means that you can no longer just look for huge hunks of metal. You’ve got to be on the lookout for cyclists, too. We are not going to go away, so get used to sharing the road.
- Don’t drive in dedicated bike lanes. This is a big one! Also, realize that those lanes usually end at some point and bikes will re-enter the rest of the road with cars.
- At intersections, you must yield to cyclists like any other vehicle. Just because we don’t have a motor doesn’t mean that we don’t have feelings too.
- Don’t tailgate. I HATE THIS. Either go around or hold your horses until there is a SAFE opportunity to pass safely. You CAN pass us, but just make sure that you give us some room. Running us off the road isn’t cool.
- Please don’t honk just because you are trying to act cool. We already know you’re there and please remember that horns are much louder outside the car.
- Please use your turn signal. You should be doing this anyway, but communicating with us is quite helpful.
Do you have any rules to add?
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Before my red neck encounters, I managed to get in an easy workout this morning.
Thursday Workout
Arc Trainer: 75 minutes
The second I rolled out of bed (which was quite challenging today), I knew that running was not in the cards for me today. My feet and calves felt like they had been run over by a truck! Barefoot running will do that to you 
Before you jump to conclusions, let me state that this was wasn’t pain, but it was the feeling of my body adapting and getting stronger. It was a good hurtin’
As an athlete, you need to push your body in order to improve, but you also need to know when it’s time to back off. Today was one of those days for me, so cross training was on my mind.
The arc trainer is my new favorite machine! I feel like I can still get in a solid workout, but it takes a lot of the stress off of my bones and muscles that I use for running. Because it’s non impact, I feel like it’s a great way to recover.
Right now I am running about 5 days a week and I feel like this is perfect for me. I feel like I have developed a nice balance between running, cross training, and cycling.
I’m going to hit the pool later, so I need to get this work done!
I know I’m ready for Friday! Who else is?
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Great suggestions. My husband is a cyclist and I would prefer it if he is not killed.
One time he got hit in a PARKING LOT but some jerk in reverse… who then wanted him to pay for his broken tail light. Obviously my husband threatened having him pay for medical bills and that shut him up.
Drivers are idiots. Please keep cyclists saaaaaaaaaaaaafe! GR. You wouldn’t hit a pedestrian!
Hey Matt, I gave you two blog awards!
Jessica @ Healthy Obsessions recently posted..Special Post Thursday – Z-Pack Blog Awards
I am always so careful when I drive around a biker! It does get really hard to have bikers around on certain city roads that have lots of parked cars and no bike lane or extra shoulder, but I know that many people rely on their bikes. The thing that bugs me is when cyclists don’t follow the traffic lights and blow right through a red light – it’s so dangerous!
I am loving this warmer weather too, and SO ready for Friday!
Ha, I guess I asked my question without reading yours! I see that way too much!!
Alaina recently posted..Vegas Eats
I actually have a question for cyclists. Are you supposed to obey the rules of the road like stopping at red lights? All too often, I see cyclists in the city go right through red lights. And I’m always afraid I’ll see an accident.
Alaina recently posted..Vegas Eats
Yes they should obey the rules of the road. Are you interested in a post on that?
Yeah definitely! I keep hearing about cyclists getting hit and it’s not just the cars that could cause the accident. I think it would be really beneficial!
Alaina recently posted..Vegas Eats
Look for it in the next few days!
I agree! While I consider myself a “safe” cyclist, there are SO many people out there on bikes that have no idea what the “rules of the road” really are…just like how a lot of drivers have no idea what the “rules” are for driving near cyclists. We’ve seen a huge spike in car v. cycle accidents (and fatalities) in the last few months here & it is pretty evenly split between at-fault drivers and at-fault cyclists.
Unfortunately, I think a lot of the bad attitude drivers get about cyclists stems from the people that are out there riding like fools, crossing on red, riding against traffic, etc.
Theresa @ActiveEggplant recently posted..Valentine’s Day Duty
YES I am ready for Friday!!!
I am seeing more and more folks on bikes which is great! But there are so many times I cringe seeing someone drive so closely to a bike, cutting them off, etc. Sometimes I wish drivers just wouldn’t HURRY so much.
Holly @ couchpotatoathlete recently posted..Strawberry Love Bread & Dairy Free Alfredo
Drivers are idiots.
Ugh – it can be crazy out there! In saying that – I have seen some pretty bad and inconsiderate riding by cyclists too! Who probably give a bad name for the rest of us!
Lisa recently posted..Let them eat cake… or a GF chocolate torte!
Haha, wow I’d say they are pretty idiotic to think they are better in their truck than you on your bike. I’m sure they would last a maximum of about .2 seconds on a bike.
Stay safe out on the roads!
Emily recently posted..Things I Love Thursday XI
all cyclist need to learn the etiquette first, ya know? But also, cars can be alittle to demanding on the road. Share the road!!
My husband gets abuse from that a lot, poor guy.
Be safe!
lindsay recently posted..Challenge Complete
Ugh, I hate when cyclists get in my way when I’m driving and I hate when drivers get in my way when I’m biking! People can be so stupid… everyone should read this so they know how to be careful around cyclists. It is unbelievable how many times I’ve almost been sideswiped by someone driving in the bike lane!
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) recently posted..Worth It
In my hometown in the PA suburbs, there are TONS of windy back country roads and I always get so scared when cyclists are on them because it’s scary enough to pass another car!! I hate to say that bikers shouldn’t be able to go on back roads, but use good judgment when piking where to bike- if I’m scared I’m going to hit someone going down a windy downward slope, I can’t imagine how petrified the biker himself must be!
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine recently posted..How I Know Im Not Adopted
Yeah Friday – woo! I hate how most drivers don’t think that bikes have the same rules of the road as they do. I also hate when bikers think they OWN the road! I used to commute via bike to work and almost got killed twice. Awfulness. So I decided drivers in Boston are not ‘nice’ enough for bike commuters (or at least ME!), so I stopped. WhenI was training for the 1/2IM I used to drive out to western Massachusetts for the looong rides…less cars on the road.
Rae recently posted..Hey There!
I have been running in shorts all week, too! That is saying a lot for me! I think more people need to become aware while driving. Not only that, but they need to start building bike “margins” on roads. I would love to be able to bike everywhere, but it’s just TOO dangerous.
My favorite possession in my Sony A550! I am in love with it!
Caitlyn (A Spoonful of Life) recently posted..eating 5 or more a day