Rough roads

Bike tires are much smaller than car tires. That means that they have less friction on the roads, and whether on a bike or a pedicab, they move with an amazing mechanical ease.

A slight downhill, or a tailwind, and moving is practically effortless.

Some of my favourite cycling now occurs on packed limestone pathways through forest trails. It is not quite as smooth as pavement, but the ride is quite adequate, and easier to keep in repair.

So talking about repair, concrete and asphalt and pavement can be a nightmare when every unfilled crack jars your bike wheel and body. And then there are the open drainage grates JUST a bit bigger than the bike tires... Deadly.

And gravel and glass uncleaned from even the most well travelled bike commuter streets.

So how much effort would it take, and how much of a maintenance budget, to patch the worst cracks, that are an inconvenience for a car, but can kill a cyclist? Not that much...

So here is my dream.... some simple maintenance and repair that would encourage more commuter and fitness cycling... and might save some lives.

In the meantime, I try to use quiet side streets and sidewalks if necessary, to avoid the worst cracks and hazards.

I ride slower and safer than most, and like I mentioned in a previous BLOG... I don't search for the shortest distance between 2 points, but rather I look for the safest and the most interesting. Riding around some of life's obstacles. A novel idea!

Ecorider (Len)