Showing posts with label bikes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bikes. Show all posts

Wednesday, 18 July 2012

Summer drivers - yikes, on 2 wheels or 4

Yes, I know the roads are open and clear, and the livin's easy, but bikers and drivers...

This guy was riding along the highway. As I drove by, what I thought was a safe distance beside him, he yelled into my car window "BIKE!"

I'm not sure what was meant. Perhaps he thought I was too close?
I didn't want to veer into oncoming traffic, and having biked a lot along this road, I know the distance to keep away.

Long line of traffic
-you can see the cars passing each other, too!
Scared the pants off me.
I drove home, emptied groceries, and walked down to the road and grabbed a photo of him as he grimaced along his way. He seemed more to making a statement of his entitlement to be on the road, than enjoying himself.

The key to being safe is to be predictable.
When I watch drivers swerving into traffic to avoid a cyclist, I become afraid!

This is a horrible stretch of highway, where there is 500m to pass. (Yes, I measured it!) Often, as hubby goes into town for errands, he'll have to pull over to the right. People often pass 4 or 5 cars just at the bend in the road in the background of the photo.( I'm standing across the highway from my driveway.)

You have to hustle to get up to speed along this stretch, as drivers scream around the corner behind us as we pull out of the drive. I told the story about a driver passing the driver behind me, as I tried to turn right to go home one day.

But oncoming drivers like to pass on this spot, too.

This guy passed me on a double line,
notice his footwear? Flip flops!
One thing I learned from my driving friend experts, if you do need to get onto the shoulder of the road, keep two wheels on the asphalt, and you will find it easier to navigate along the slippery gravel on the shoulders.

Ten deadly driver mistakes:

Two wheels as dangerous as four

While a driver's mistakes can affect those riding in other cars, at least those people are protected by a frame, seatbelt or airbag. Motorcyclists and bicyclists are completely exposed and tend not to fare so well if involved in an accident with a car, but they do bear some responsibility for their own safety if they ride without wearing a helmet.

Bicycle Safety: How to Not Get Hit by Cars 

Ten ways you can get hit by cars (with pictures) and meaningful ways to avoid them. 


The Rear End, Pt. 2


bicyclesafe.com/Share A car runs into you from behind. 

This is what many cyclists fear the most, but it's actually not very common, 

comprising only 3.8% of collisions. 

However, it's one of the hardest collisions to avoid, 

since you're not usually looking behind you.


All in a straight line!

www.peninsulanewsreview.com/news/161959875.html
10 Jul 2012 – Central Saanich police seek info from any witnesses to Monday hit and run.



Winnipeg Free Press‎ - 21 hours ago
A 19-year-old man on a bicycle was killed early Monday in Thompson after he was hit by a car.


16 Apr 2012 –The male victim, who has not been identified, was cycling eastbound on Victoria Street East near South Blair Road when he was hit.



 18 May 2012
 –An eight-year-old Brampton boy is in a Toronto hospital with serious head injuries after he was hit car on a residential street yesterday.
Fun outing if you ride safely!




cyclist was struck by a car this morning near Lake Shore Blvd. E. and Parliament St.
Share 27 Mar 2012
A man who was struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle in Abbotsford Tuesday evening has been taken...

Monday, 26 July 2010

when you give a girl a camera

Sorry to leave the lovely couple at the motel after several days there. Neat and clean, cheap and cheerful.

The hydro crews and fishermen are much earlier risers than we are!

After a drive by, we found a house that is not listed in the handy dandy MLS map we found on-line. More on that later.

Driving around S.E. Ontario has been marvellous. Lots of interesting sights, if you take the time to look. Unfortunately, many are on the move, late for something, and tailgating. It makes for a stressful trip. We pulled over on Carp Rd. and found an ancient (for Canada's timelines) cemetery. The Landon family. Some of the stones dated 1861, the latest 1958.


Lots of old barns and farm houses.





As we house hunt, it puts it all into perspective when you think of early settlers, many soldiers granted 200 acres of land, clearing 2 acres a year, finding the land, and making themselves a home.

We were so grateful that the kids took us in. After days on the road, we no longer feel like road warriors.  "Mom", as we call our daughter, let us do laundry. Jofee and I took a break to play on the swings.



She wanted to use my camera, and since it is a pretty heavy duty one, we had some fun.

We tried to capture a bee on a flower with limited success. The is the behind the scenes view.




Visiting the kids and grandkids is a blast.

Tuesday, 15 September 2009

Ironman Muskoka 70.3 - terrific results

Huntsville was abuzz with people, volunteers and athletes this past weekend.
My friend, Nancy, who dreams of white taled dear, was a volunteer for the triathlon. She wrote about the event and her Aussie friends! Apparently, the Dorset volunteers were great, too! People came from far and wide to participate. Amy Moritz wrote of the fun and adventure of Muskoka, and spoke of the wide contingent of Buffalo folks.

Now, Huntsville is not a flat place to run or bike. (Apparently the water was quite even!) I adore the hills and trees as we drive through to visit family in Ottawa. I have many photos of hills, curving roads, people enjoying the region I choose to call home. You turn a corner and suddenly find a dock, marsh, bulrushes and a beautiful vista.

What is quite fun for me is reading about the journey. Lots of Ironmen/women have been blogging about their individual journey. They tell stories of strength, and many are women. Such terrific role models!

Amy Moritz said,
As the cyclists came through, someone on a megaphone was proclaiming emphatically, "Dorset welcomes you!" It seemed as if the entire town, was out, handing out water bottles and gels, offering cheers and encouragement. They lined the street through town and even decorated the one-lane bridge we passed over. For a moment, it felt like hitting one of those towns in the Tour de France and after miles of lonely road, the excitement was a definite pick-me up. (You can read her entire post here!)

What I read is the the volunteers were especially great! I knew that. We do much fundraising here. Our Bala Cranberry Festival draws 35,000 to a town with a Fall population of 650! It is the weekend after Canadian Thanksgiving in October.

But back to the Triathlon... great stories of persevering despite accidents and bruises, friends and loved ones, as well as volunteers, cheering the athletes on. I do so admire these people. I wish my back was not so bad and I could still run. Muskoka is a great place to do so! You don't have to be an elite athlete. We have lots who ride through and some even stay awhile!

Read more reports here, in order of appearance:

CANADIAN TRIATHLETE: Muskoka 70.3
By Syd Trefiak
Winding down the summer with a major race is always fun. Especially an Ironman sanctioned event, because you really feel like you are involved in something big. Especially with big name pros attending. Muskoka 70.3 lived up to this. ...
CANADIAN TRIATHLETE - http://canadiantriathlete.blogspot.com/


Nancy, at Bondi (you've got to stay there!) posted a new blog about the event, Did we mention the Hills for the Ironman 70.3? and a photo of Amy Moritz, at the finish of the grueling Muskoka Ironman 70.3 last weekend.

GU ENERGY | Blog » Blog Archive » GU Athletes Victorious at ...
By hbennett
GU athletes Craig Alexander and Mirinda Carfrae showed their finely tuned racing form with victories at the Ironman 70.3 Muskoka last weekend. Paul Matthews, another GU-fueled 70.3 phenom, claimed 3rd place in the men's race. ...
GU ENERGY | Blog - http://guenergy.com/blog/
Sean Bechtel: A few Pictures from Muskoka
By Sean Bechtel
A few Pictures from Muskoka. Posted by Sean Bechtel at 11:10 AM. 0 comments: Post a Comment · Older Post Home. Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom). Twitter Updates. Twitter Updates. follow me on Twitter. Blog Archive ...
Sean Bechtel - http://seanbechtel.blogspot.com/
addicted to training: Muskoka Race Report - Going To 70.3 World ...
By kyle65
I am really glad I raced in Muskoka and it has been a long time since my last 70.3 series race - Timberman 06 I think? That area is really beautiful and the cottage we had was great -right on the water and the kids spent the whole time ...
addicted to training - http://kyle65.blogspot.com/


Iron Motivation: Wow What A Weekend
By ironmotivation
Let me offer you one story, of a whole bunch that happened in Muskoka yesterday! Like I mentioned in my last blog we just had to get Luann in and everyone in our Iron Motivation and DRTC group would proudly be wearing a finishers medal ...
Iron Motivation - http://ironmotivation.blogspot.com/

Journey to the Finish Line: Back in the USA
By Blog Editor
Today was the return from Muskoka. A full race report will be coming on Tuesday, but some brief highlights. Of all the Buffalo Triathlon Club members who started the race, it appears all finished -- and a hearty congratulations to all! .
Journey to the Finish Line - http://blogs.buffalonews.com/journey_to_the_finish_lin/

KTC Hammer: 70.3 Muskoka Spectacular
By KTC Blog
Why did he make the trip to 70.3 Muskoka, because he had heard "good things about it". The morning was a typical Muskoka morning for September, & the man from Arizona ask "if this weather normal for around here? ...
KTC Hammer - http://kempenfelttriathlonclub.blogspot.com/


Ramblings of a Running Addict: Race Report: IronMan Muskoka 70.3
By Marci
I was pretty sure when I decided to complete my first triathlon that it would just be a fun little race to complement my running, but it turned out I absolutely LOVED my first triathlon and immediately signed up for the Muskoka 70.3 ...
Ramblings of a Running Addict - http://ramblingsofarunningaddict.blogspot.com/

Sunday, 14 June 2009

MTM - tourists are HERE!

I was outside, soliciting at the LCBO in town...OK, politically correct term would have been canvassing for Hospice Muskoka.

Joking aside, I graciously bow to those who listened as I gave my speech, and those who donated, despite believing they were years away from needing such services! We help families with the peaceful passing of young and old. I attended another palliative conference last week, and there are some incredible Primary Care teams working to help those whose time has come. But that is another blog (OntarioSeniors)!

Hospice Muskoka does some great work, as do all the non-profit hospice groups across this continent. Seek them out in your neck of the woods.

What was so much fun, was a group of Bikers from Barrie. Some alliteration, n'est-ce pas?

They all lined up nicely, likely well-admired by my both my accountant-husbands if they had been there!

Some tripped across the street to get some delicious ice cream from the ice cream parlour, or hamburgers from the BJs grill. Others were simply stretching their legs an a lovely day for a drive.

Traffic was busy in our town. I wish I wasn't a working girl, as it would have been fun capturing all the vanity licence plates. Ah well, there is plenty of time.

The summer is long. I am looking forward to what goes on this summer.