The other day I was out riding on a local side street here in Colorado.  I looked down for just one second to check my gears.  And the next second I was staring at the grill of a Jeep Cherokee coming at me from the left.  He was crossing from the oncoming left-turn lanes, but I clearly had the right-of-way.  He either did not see me or chose to ignore me as a silly cyclist (as many motorists do).  Fortunately, the guy decided to see me at the last second and I was able to swerve around him to the right. 

Funny thing is, I had seen the Jeep before and knew he was there in the turn lane.  But it was that second of inattention that almost led to disaster. 

Situational awareness is one of the key elements in staying safe on your bike.  Let your attention stray for just a second and an obstacle can come out of nowhere to wipe you out.  This is especially true when you are riding on roads and streets.  Staying aware of your surroundings can help you avoid, among other things, the dreaded attack of the left turn.

Nine thousand feet high.  Ten plus miles of singletrack.  Banked turns.  Rolling hills.  Beautiful mountain views.  If you’re in decent shape and can take the altitude, there is no reason not to ride the Rampart Reservoir Trail.

Rampart Reservoir was built back in the 1960s, with the intention of providing water to nearby urban areas.  And as a major side benefit, we now have a great public recreation area.  Hikers and mountain bikers can make full use of the lakeside areas, and the trails are some of the best in the region.

I have hiked around the reservoir, and most of this information can apply to hiking as well.  But the real fun is in taking your mountain bike along the flowing singletrack.

Trail Route

You can start your loop around the reservoir at the campground or from the north side of the dam.  But the best place to start is at the Rainbow Gulch Trailhead.  The trailhead is basically a wide spot in Rampart Range Road on the way to the reservoir, but there is plenty of parking even on the busiest days.  Hop on your bike and follow Rainbow Gulch straight downhill to the reservoir trail. 

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Mountain biking this morning I came across two headphoned accidents-waiting-to-happen.  The first was a runner trudging along in the middle of the singletrack.  The second was a fellow mountain biker.  Each time, I came up behind them and said "hello, passing".  No response.  So I waited for a few seconds and then noticed the talisman of modern day obliviousness - white headphone cables running up the side of their heads - but fortunately, I managed to get around the idiots at wide spots in the trail.

Wearing headphones when you're out cycling or running is dangerous and just plain stupid.  If you have any interest in staying safe and being courteous to your fellow riders and joggers, leave the iPod at home.  I don't care how much you like listening to California Gurls while you workout.  The sounds of nature are far better than Katy Perry's computer-tuned voice.  If you don't think so, then there is no point in your being outside.  Stay inside where you can safely workout and listen to music at the same time.

Cycling is good for the body and mind.  But you know what’s not so good?  Getting caught out on the side of the road with a long walk back to your comfy abode.  And walking your bicycle is about as much fun as getting your fingers slammed in a car door. 

But if you carry a basic set of supplies at all times, you won’t have to call a friend or your significant other for an emergency roadside pick-up.  Flat tire?  Brakes out of whack?  Got some road rash?  You’ll be able to deal with common bike problems and arrive at your destination like the self sufficient, pedal-power hero you are! 

These supplies are your American Express of cycling.  Don’t leave home without them...

Multi-Tool - Any modern bike is going to have a variety of screws, bolts and widgets.  A good multi-tool will allow you to adjust your pedals, handlebars and seat and modify and tighten nearly everything on your bike right on the spot. 

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Welcome to Part 3 of Riding Your Bike to Work.  In Part 1, we took a gander at all the great reasons for converting your commute to pedal-power.  And then in Part 2 we discussed the plans and preparations for making your ride happen. 

So now that we know the benefits of and preparations for cycling to work, let's talk about what you should keep in mind during your ride, how to stay safe and how to arrive at your destination in one piece. 

Note that this article is by no means meant to be a comprehensive guide to road safety.  Always use common sense when riding your bike.  In addition, each state and municipality will have different laws regarding cyclists and the right of way, so you should get familiar with these regulations before you set out.

What should you keep in mind during your ride? 

Situational Awareness - Staying alert and aware of your surroundings is the single best way to be safe.  Too often I pass cyclists obviously not paying attention or listening to music on headphones.  Leave the iPod and the headphones at home, so that you can hear what is going on around you.  To check for cars or other cyclists behind you, turn your head slightly and use your peripheral vision.  Otherwise, keep your head up and your eyes forward and watch for any obstacles in your path (parked cars, pedestrians, broken glass, etc).

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In Riding Your Bike to Work (Part 1), we talked about why you would want to ride your bike to work and many of the advantages of doing so. 

You can save money and gas, lose weight, feel better about yourself and avoid some of the difficulties of the weekly grind.  And there are also the environmental benefits to consider. 

We now have the motivation and know the advantages of cycling to work, so let's talk about how to make getting to the office on pedal-power a reality. 

What preparations do you need to make? 

Type of Bike - For commuting long distances (greater than 10 miles) a dedicated road bike will be best.  You can go much faster on a road bike than any other type of bike.  A road bike will be light, have multiple gears and use narrow, high-pressure tires to minimize resistance.  These are used mainly on pavement and concrete.  If your route takes you down dirt paths or across unpaved areas, a commuter or hybrid bicycle would be a good choice. 

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One of the main things I've never liked about work is the commute to and from the office.  Rushing out in the morning, sitting for extended periods in the car, waiting at stoplights and dealing with traffic all really takes a toll after a while.  What if you could avoid these hassles a couple times a week? 

Provided you live within a reasonable distance to your workplace, you can.  With a little bit of preparation you can replace your dull car commute with an invigorating bike ride.  Sure, riding your bike to work does take effort and the willingness to try something new, but the rewards far outweigh any downside.  Most of the time, all we need is a little motivation to get started. 

What are the advantages of riding your bike to work?

Save Money and Gas - If you ride your bike to work once a week this cuts your gasoline consumption and costs by 20% (for a five-day workweek).  Ride twice a week?  You've cut your commuting-gas cost by 40%.  And riding your bike will also save wear and tear on your vehicle's tires and engine. 

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