Readers Who Write

I started road bicycling when I moved to the Rogue Valley to retire at age 60.

We live a great place to cycle. Our local Siskiyou Velo club showed me how to cycle safely. I started going on group rides. It was hard. I had to build endurance and “train my butt” for the saddle. Now I lead moderate group rides (10-14 mph). Moderate rides are single-file with space between cyclists; not the fast nose-to-butt pace lines, you see on the Tour de France. We ride slowly to enjoy the outdoors, improve fitness and enjoy socializing at midway snack/coffee stops.

Many folks who only drive ask: “How can you cycle in a traffic lane with 5,000-plus-pound motor vehicles overtaking you from behind at 2-3 times your speed?” Our club’s groups cycle the traffic lanes throughout the county every week with an unblemished safety record. Riding in a group is safer.

Club cyclists use bright lights usually day and night for better detection of our bikes. Group cyclists cooperate to call out “cars/trucks up” and shout out “cars/trucks back.” Our club requires approved cycling helmets on all rides. When folks see us on the road outfitted in multi-colored attire, our group stands out so motorists see and avoid coming too close. Club cyclists use rearview mirrors on riding glasses/helmets. We practice scanning for traffic, riding in a straight line, and to the far right when safe. We want to facilitate extra care when you overtake us.

League of American Bicyclists’ studies reveal that Oregon is one of the most bicycling-friendly states. Oregon expects drivers and cyclists to share the road. Most drivers are patient with us, but DMV should educate and test how drivers should share the road.

Under Oregon Revised Code 814.430, cyclists are entitled to ride on the right side of the right lane where it is safe and practicable, if there are no designated bike lanes. Most roads in the Rogue Valley do not have designated bike lanes. On very rural roads, there is often no paved surface or just narrow paving, outside the white fog line. Paving beyond that line is not a bike lane; it is often hazardous to ride on that narrow strip due to debris or off-the-edge culverts. Please share the road.

I lead Explore Southern Oregon rides on rural roads with limited vehicular traffic. My rides are “no drop ” — nobody is left behind on the side of a road. We explore our beautiful valley with the wind in our face, passing neighborhoods, farms and forests, slow enough to take it all in. We crank it up climbing hills, improving our cardiovascular health and are rewarded at the top with amazing vistas, before breathtaking descents.

Our rides include of all types of people, not just old farts. We welcome all ages. Young physically fit riders may be faster; when we keep up, we feel younger. Women cycle in our group rides — I often have to pedal hard to stay with them. About half of our moderate ride leaders are gals; they are particularly identifiable by their smiles and fitness.

Consider joining the Siskiyou Velo Club (www.siskiyouvelo.org). Membership is $30 per year. Our website will soon provide more safety and rider suggestions to help with your responsibility to cycle safely. You will get online announcements of all SVC group rides, with route maps for your bicycle computer showing the mileage and difficulty. We take pride in helping new members and guests learn to enjoy riding in a group.

I am 75 years of age, an old dog not accustomed to new tricks. Club members may use battery pedal-assist e-bikes, not to exceed 20 mph. I am beginning to appreciate e-bikes. I may need one when I get old. While peddling up a hill, when passed by an e-biker, I smile and enjoy the challenge from a new breed of “e-athlete.”

So you say you want to write?

Go for it.

Send us 500 or so words of scintillating copy. Make it funny. Make it poignant. Make it count. Make it any way you want. 

Just don’t cuss. Don’t be boring. And have a point.

If we like it, we’ll run it. 

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