Dear Miss Spoke: What is the proper cadence etiquette on the bike path?
-Concerned in Concord
Dear Concerned: I'm so glad that you have asked about this little-known etiquette issue. I'm embarrassed to say that I myself was unaware of the proper cadence for many years. Much like a man blissfully unaware that his fly is down, I blundered along the path with the wrong cadence, offending my fellow cyclists left and right, until some kind soul brought it to my attention.
I remember it like yesterday (probably because it WAS yesterday). As I rode along the path in the gathering darkness of evening, a fellow cyclist passed me and said these four words - "work on your cadence" and then disappeared into the distance. Much like a cryptic message in a fortune cookie, these words mystified me and I pondered their meaning the rest of the way home. Was my rear light blinking at an annoying interval? If so, how would I "work on" that? Was the man on the phone to his marching band and I just happened to catch that phrase as he passed me? Like so many who have faced such questions before me, I turned to the Internet for help.
I was fascinated to learn that cadence is actually a thing in cycling, while I had been cycling for approximately 35 years without knowing anything about it. I learned that there are different schools of thought on the "optimal" cadence and that one should avoid being a "masher" pedaling slowing in high gear or a "spinner" pedaling quickly in a low gear. As a bike commuter, my pedaling philosophy has always been centered on getting home as fast as possible while expending the least amount of energy. As it turns out, this probably makes me a masher, which can apparently be painful for more expert cycling enthusiasts to witness, not to mention my own knees.
Feeling very contrite about the offense I must have caused over my many years of cycling, I have determined to follow the proper cadence etiquette from this point forward and I urge everyone else to do the same. And so my dear Concerned in Concord, if you are a masher, pedal faster and if you are a spinner, pedal more slowly. If you don't know the optimal cadence, I suggest you consult some of the several research studies in this area, or possibly, a fortune cookie.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Monday, May 21, 2012
Dear Miss Spoke: Do you recommend riding in the rain?
Sincerely,
Soggy in Seattle
Dear Soggy: Back in the day, I used to be much more hardcore than I am now, riding in not only rain, but also snow and ice. When the bike path became impassible from the snow, I would take to the streets as soon as they were plowed. I'm not sure I would recognize my old self if I ran into me on the street. Nowadays, I've become much more of a fair weather biker - easier, safer, less bike maintenance required. I'm still badass about the cold though. Bring it on, and I will just put on more layers. Just this very morning however, I ended up riding in the rain by mistake. I got up in the morning and checked the weather on my iphone. Clear skies, sunny and 61 degrees. When I got all geared up and loaded up and left the house with my bike, it was completely overcast and raining. Only then did I realize my weather app was still on the last place I searched - in California, 3000 miles away! I was committed by then, so off I went. And I was immediately reminded of both the pros and cons of riding in the rain. Big plus for me is that the bike path is practically deserted - a little drizzle is great for clearing out the riff-raff. A minus is the dirt and grime built up on both me and my bike by the time I got to work. I had to admire the one other biker I saw on my route though. While I was being careful not to skid on the wet payment in my bright reflective clothing, this guy zips by, runs a red light and weaves between cars to make a left turn. All while wearing... a camouflage jacket.
All this to say, dear Soggy - do not fear a little rain. If you feel like riding, go for it, a little drizzle never hurt anyone. Just leave your camouflage at home and lube your chain afterwards.
Sincerely,
Miss Spoke
Sincerely,
Soggy in Seattle
Dear Soggy: Back in the day, I used to be much more hardcore than I am now, riding in not only rain, but also snow and ice. When the bike path became impassible from the snow, I would take to the streets as soon as they were plowed. I'm not sure I would recognize my old self if I ran into me on the street. Nowadays, I've become much more of a fair weather biker - easier, safer, less bike maintenance required. I'm still badass about the cold though. Bring it on, and I will just put on more layers. Just this very morning however, I ended up riding in the rain by mistake. I got up in the morning and checked the weather on my iphone. Clear skies, sunny and 61 degrees. When I got all geared up and loaded up and left the house with my bike, it was completely overcast and raining. Only then did I realize my weather app was still on the last place I searched - in California, 3000 miles away! I was committed by then, so off I went. And I was immediately reminded of both the pros and cons of riding in the rain. Big plus for me is that the bike path is practically deserted - a little drizzle is great for clearing out the riff-raff. A minus is the dirt and grime built up on both me and my bike by the time I got to work. I had to admire the one other biker I saw on my route though. While I was being careful not to skid on the wet payment in my bright reflective clothing, this guy zips by, runs a red light and weaves between cars to make a left turn. All while wearing... a camouflage jacket.
All this to say, dear Soggy - do not fear a little rain. If you feel like riding, go for it, a little drizzle never hurt anyone. Just leave your camouflage at home and lube your chain afterwards.
Sincerely,
Miss Spoke
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Bike to work, every day
Dear Miss Spoke: What do you think of "Bike to Work Day?"
-Curious in Cincinnati
Dear Curious: Funny you should ask. While I've been commuting by bike for quite some time, I participated in my very first Bike to Work day just last week. There never was a Bike to Work day in the various places where I was living and biking (except the Netherlands, where every day was Bike to Work day, for everyone). After moving to Washington DC last year, I was actually teleworking on Fridays for awhile and it just so happened that Bike to Work day was on a Friday and it seemed silly to go into work just for that! So, this year, with telecommuting sadly out of the picture, the stars were aligned for me to participate. But, even though I bike to work nearly every day, I almost considered not doing it on Bike to Work day since I figured the bike path would be packed, the bike rack would be full, etc. Then I shook off the bad attitude and headed out on what turned out to be a beautiful clear day. The path was actually not all that crowded and I started to wonder if Bike to Work day was just another one of those silly days like National Cheese Souffle Day (May 18th). Then I came to the designated "pit stop" along the way and it was quite a scene. Bikes and riders everywhere, some, like me, suspiciously keeping an iron grip on their bikes as they meandered through the crowd (my lock is at work and I have all my stuff in those paniers), free food and giveaways, music and more. Since I was dragging my bike with me and was late to work (as usual) I didn't stay long, but I was impressed at the crowd and the organization, although the bike commuters themselves were kind of a dour bunch, grumpily stuffing bagels and t-shirts into their backpacks. Back on the path, things had gotten a bit more crowded, and the gear heads were in out full force comparing their latest toys, which looked like they rarely saw the pavement. When I got to work, I found the racks and locker room emptier than usual - I guess the bike commuters were still partying at their pit stops downtown. All in all, Bike to Work day wasn't bad at all and it's a good effort to encourage more folks to start commuting by bike. I have to say though, I still prefer the regulars I see on the path every day, getting from point A to point B and not making a big fuss about it.
-Miss Spoke
-Curious in Cincinnati
Dear Curious: Funny you should ask. While I've been commuting by bike for quite some time, I participated in my very first Bike to Work day just last week. There never was a Bike to Work day in the various places where I was living and biking (except the Netherlands, where every day was Bike to Work day, for everyone). After moving to Washington DC last year, I was actually teleworking on Fridays for awhile and it just so happened that Bike to Work day was on a Friday and it seemed silly to go into work just for that! So, this year, with telecommuting sadly out of the picture, the stars were aligned for me to participate. But, even though I bike to work nearly every day, I almost considered not doing it on Bike to Work day since I figured the bike path would be packed, the bike rack would be full, etc. Then I shook off the bad attitude and headed out on what turned out to be a beautiful clear day. The path was actually not all that crowded and I started to wonder if Bike to Work day was just another one of those silly days like National Cheese Souffle Day (May 18th). Then I came to the designated "pit stop" along the way and it was quite a scene. Bikes and riders everywhere, some, like me, suspiciously keeping an iron grip on their bikes as they meandered through the crowd (my lock is at work and I have all my stuff in those paniers), free food and giveaways, music and more. Since I was dragging my bike with me and was late to work (as usual) I didn't stay long, but I was impressed at the crowd and the organization, although the bike commuters themselves were kind of a dour bunch, grumpily stuffing bagels and t-shirts into their backpacks. Back on the path, things had gotten a bit more crowded, and the gear heads were in out full force comparing their latest toys, which looked like they rarely saw the pavement. When I got to work, I found the racks and locker room emptier than usual - I guess the bike commuters were still partying at their pit stops downtown. All in all, Bike to Work day wasn't bad at all and it's a good effort to encourage more folks to start commuting by bike. I have to say though, I still prefer the regulars I see on the path every day, getting from point A to point B and not making a big fuss about it.
-Miss Spoke
Monday, May 9, 2011
Popular paths
Dear Miss Spoke:
I'm a regular bike commuter, out on the path in all seasons, rain or shine. Is it wrong to shake my fist and shout obscenities at the throngs of tourists and other fair weather wanderers who block the path when the weather gets nice? I'm just trying to get home after a long day at work and these people are completely clueless about keeping to the right and staying out of my way.
-Frustrated in Phoenix
Dear Frustrated:
Trust me, I know how you feel. There are those days when Miss Spoke longs for a little drizzle to keep the riff raff off the path. And by riff raff, I mean other people. I would advise you however, to look at the bright side. If there are tourists on your path, you must live in a nice place, where people actually want to visit and walk around. You can be sure that there are no tourists blocking the path in Bridgeport. Also, the thing about tourists is that they are a renewable resource. Even if you used an air horn to teach the current group of tourists a thing or two about blocking the path, they would just be replaced by a new group of clueless tourists tomorrow. So, there is no point in wasting your energy. I suggest that you consider alternate routes or times of day to avoid the peak times and think of all that stopping and starting as a great interval workout. You could still get an air horn just for fun.
-Miss Spoke
I'm a regular bike commuter, out on the path in all seasons, rain or shine. Is it wrong to shake my fist and shout obscenities at the throngs of tourists and other fair weather wanderers who block the path when the weather gets nice? I'm just trying to get home after a long day at work and these people are completely clueless about keeping to the right and staying out of my way.
-Frustrated in Phoenix
Dear Frustrated:
Trust me, I know how you feel. There are those days when Miss Spoke longs for a little drizzle to keep the riff raff off the path. And by riff raff, I mean other people. I would advise you however, to look at the bright side. If there are tourists on your path, you must live in a nice place, where people actually want to visit and walk around. You can be sure that there are no tourists blocking the path in Bridgeport. Also, the thing about tourists is that they are a renewable resource. Even if you used an air horn to teach the current group of tourists a thing or two about blocking the path, they would just be replaced by a new group of clueless tourists tomorrow. So, there is no point in wasting your energy. I suggest that you consider alternate routes or times of day to avoid the peak times and think of all that stopping and starting as a great interval workout. You could still get an air horn just for fun.
-Miss Spoke
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Considerate coughing
Dear Miss Spoke: Is is OK to hock a loogie on the bike path?
-Phlegmy in Philadelphia
Dear Phlegmy: Of course it's OK! This is Miss Spoke, not Miss Manners. You are engaging in a sporting activity in the outdoors - hock away! But, you may want to check your immediate vicinity before you do - and please hock to the right. There may be an innocent biker passing on the left just as you let fly. Unfortunately, Miss Spoke is speaking from experience...
-Miss Spoke
-Phlegmy in Philadelphia
Dear Phlegmy: Of course it's OK! This is Miss Spoke, not Miss Manners. You are engaging in a sporting activity in the outdoors - hock away! But, you may want to check your immediate vicinity before you do - and please hock to the right. There may be an innocent biker passing on the left just as you let fly. Unfortunately, Miss Spoke is speaking from experience...
-Miss Spoke
Monday, March 28, 2011
Precarious Passing
Dear Miss Spoke: I'm an avid bike commuter and tend to be faster than other folks on the path. If I have one slow biker passing an even slower biker ahead of me on the path, is it OK to "thread the needle" between them? I would make sure not to startle them by signaling my intentions in any way.
-Impatient in Illinois
P.S. - my momentum is very important to me
Dear Impatient: I see where you're coming from with the momentum, but let me ask you this - is your momentum more important to you than your current facial features, or a full set of teeth? Even if your answer to this question is yes, most likely your fellow bikers would disagree. Your momentum is really not worth much to them at all. So, even if you manage not to cause a gnarly crash, you might still end up losing those teeth. The next time you find yourself in that situation, I'd suggest that you take a deep breath and slow down for a moment until the coast is clear. Feel free to mutter something under your breath as you go by if it makes you feel better (after all, you know you can outrun them).
-Miss Spoke
-Impatient in Illinois
P.S. - my momentum is very important to me
Dear Impatient: I see where you're coming from with the momentum, but let me ask you this - is your momentum more important to you than your current facial features, or a full set of teeth? Even if your answer to this question is yes, most likely your fellow bikers would disagree. Your momentum is really not worth much to them at all. So, even if you manage not to cause a gnarly crash, you might still end up losing those teeth. The next time you find yourself in that situation, I'd suggest that you take a deep breath and slow down for a moment until the coast is clear. Feel free to mutter something under your breath as you go by if it makes you feel better (after all, you know you can outrun them).
-Miss Spoke
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