Bicycle Network Victoria: Ride On magazine

Peek performance

Apr-May 2011

I would like to thank you for the tips on bunch communication in the most recent Ride On. I found it very informative and helpful in demystifying some of the (more polite) hand gestures used in the group.

It is also great that there is a “universal language” among riders which helps when you join onto groups that you don’t really know. But this also brings me to an oft-discussed piece of cycling etiquette that I seek your assistance with . . . threadbare knicks.

There is nothing worse than sitting on someone’s wheel only to find that they appear to be constantly winking at you! This can prove a delicate matter to raise, especially when you have just joined onto the back of a group and do not actually know them. Can we work towards a discrete and delicate gesture to bring this travesty to notice without shame. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Michael Roth, Yallambie VIC

**Ed’s note: This seems a serious problem; we had a similar query two editions ago. Last edition we ran an excellent letter suggesting a verbal call of “crack”. A hand-gesture solution is also an obvious necessity.

Cracking idea

February 2010

I was most amused whilst on the GVBR, in my tent, reading Ride On Letters to the Editor. The letter I chuckled over was the one from Dominic Grounds (Overexposed) re the signals cyclists may use to warn of impending visual shock from unsightly cleftal horizons (layman’s term – bumline) ahead.

I favour the shouting of “CRACK”, being a short loud warning very similar to the warning I use to warn pedestrians ahead, “TRACK”. Please try this Dominic and see if it helps your riding in future.

David Pleasance, Burwood, VIC

Overexposed

December 2010

I bought my first road bike just 18 months ago, and have been pleasantly surprised at how much fun it is to ride as fast as possible to buy coffee in distant suburbs. Road bike riding has a mutually caring culture, with calls and hand signals to warn other riders of dangers on the road.

However, some dangers appear to be omitted from the hand-signal lexicon. For example, the rider who allows his lycra shorts to become transparently threadbare (perhaps wishing to prove “nothing is worn under the nicks”) exposes the trailing rider to considerable visual distress. Rapid evasive action can expose the entire peloton to danger.

The call “hairy bum-crack up” being a mouthful in an emergency, perhaps Ride On readers could nominate a unique hand signal to warn others of this danger.

Dominic Grounds, Port Melbourne, VIC

Left exposed

April 2010

In the February–March Ride On, Tricia Fox warned riders against the danger of UV radiation on our skin and the use of sunscreen as a primary defence against sunburn. So why are long-sleeved summer riding tops so unpopular and scarce? It is almost impossible to purchase long socks in sports stores.

In desperation I found my long socks from a lawn bowls supplier, although I have never played bowls in my life. Long socks for riders may not be particularly fashionable, but are more so than bare legs with melanomas, or scars after skin surgery.

Geoffrey Hayes, Malvern, VIC

Bring back leather shoe

9 October 2009

Certainly, the new design shoe has been around a long time, but they are for me, as a former Amateur Cycling Club member and now a recreational rider, not the ultimate design.

The sole can become very slippery when walking. Also, the shoe has no suppleness whatsoever. Velcro straps are not safe with toe clips and strap pedals as the toe clip finds its way under the strap - another unsafe feature.

As for the cleat design, it has cost competitive cyclists dearly particularly in track racing where the shoe has let go of the pedal.

It would be nice to see a local shoe maker bring back the all leather lace cycling shoes which had a lot going for them.

Peter Karan

Hoppers Crossing VIC

Clothing idea

9 August 2008

Graeme Martin poked a stick in a wasps nest in June-July with his letters about giving knicks and jerseys the flick for commuting, as Geoff Lewis' response in August-September shows.

There is a simple solution to stay comfortable and avoid razzing from yobbos – wear mountain bike knicks that work like lycra and look like ordinary shorts, complete with pockets that make them very practical for carrying necessities such as wallet, keys, phone etc. Add a plain jersey if you don't want to be free advertising for some organisation.

To be visible in all conditions, use a high-intensity LED flashing light – white at front and red at rear – that run on rechargeable AA or AAA NiMH batteries and the cost is negligible.

I commuted 6km each way for years in ordinary clothes until knicks became necessary for longer rides.

Robert Hunt

Glendalough WA