All my newbie questions!

StudentC

Hi

I've only started cycling recently, but everyday as I cycle along I keep thinking of "I must ask that on boards.ie" questions! But rather than start a load of threads, I thought I'd stick them all in one place...so....

1. What is the correct (!) etiquette for passing somebody in a cycle lane? Let out a shout and hope they move into the left? What exactly do ye shout?!

2. I pass through a few junctions where a left-turn lane for cars appears but the cycle lane continues straight (ie the cars will have to turn through the cycle lane, and the cycle lane ends up between the left turn lane and the straight-on lane). If I'm continuing straight, should I be signalling right to make this clear to cars who might turn left across me?

3. Could anybody point me to a link for a set of checks I could do when I'm cleaning the bike (i.e a weekly maintenance checklist, or somehting like that). I've had a look at Sheldon brown and the parktools website, but I can't seem to find what I want.

4. I'm having a bit of trouble with my front dereilleur - when I shift from the big one to the middle one it doesn't stay there, it drops on the small one. There's lots of threads on here about gears slipping on new-ish bikes, but they usually refer to the rear derailleur. Would this be the same thing?

5. How can I improve my bike handling skills? Is it just by cycling lots? At the moment I'm finding that I'm going fairly slow because I'm nervous of not being able to react to cars / pedestrian / dogs / whatever. Particularly when I'm looking over my shoulder, I slow right down cos I don't think I'll stay going in a straight line! Do I just need to cycle more and i'll get used to it?

6. Lastly, if I was to attempt the Sally gap, is it easier from Roundwood or from Glencree? And if from Glencree, would I be better starting from the Crone woods side of the valley or the Curtlestown side? Might try it this weekend, or might chicken out and do something easier, i haven't done much climbing yet.

Sorry for long post, thanks for any suggestions!

jlang

6. Sally Gap.
I'm a newbie too and in the last week I've gone up from Roundwood and from Glencree - definitely easier from Roundwood side.

niceonetom

Hi, i'll take a few of those on...

StudentC wrote: »

1. What is the correct (!) etiquette for passing somebody in a cycle lane? Let out a shout and hope they move into the left? What exactly do ye shout?!

i usually go with "Hot Sthuff, Coming Through!!!" but others favour "On Your Right!!". i don't think it matters what you shout, so long as it's heard and the intention is understood.

StudentC wrote: »

2. I pass through a few junctions where a left-turn lane for cars appears but the cycle lane continues straight (ie the cars will have to turn through the cycle lane, and the cycle lane ends up between the left turn lane and the straight-on lane). If I'm continuing straight, should I be signalling right to make this clear to cars who might turn left across me?

take the lane! leave the cycle lane if necessary (it usually is) and take a road position that will prevent motorists from coming around your right side and turning left. this is the single biggest cause of serious/fatal incidents for cyclists (usually large vehicles).

StudentC wrote: »

4. I'm having a bit of trouble with my front dereilleur - when I shift from the big one to the middle one it doesn't stay there, it drops on the small one. There's lots of threads on here about gears slipping on new-ish bikes, but they usually refer to the rear derailleur. Would this be the same thing?

triples ain't my thing but park-tool is a good first port of call when something needs fettling.

StudentC wrote: »

5. How can I improve my bike handling skills? Is it just by cycling lots? At the moment I'm finding that I'm going fairly slow because I'm nervous of not being able to react to cars / pedestrian / dogs / whatever. Particularly when I'm looking over my shoulder, I slow right down cos I don't think I'll stay going in a straight line! Do I just need to cycle more and i'll get used to it?

it will come with time. practice it though, particularly the looking over your shoulder without veering bit. pretty important skill. confidence comes from repeated successes.

StudentC wrote: »

6. Lastly, if I was to attempt the Sally gap, is it easier from Roundwood or from Glencree? And if from Glencree, would I be better starting from the Crone woods side of the valley or the Curtlestown side? Might try it this weekend, or might chicken out and do something easier, i haven't done much climbing yet.

i think the side from kilbride is the easiest, but it depends whether you're the type who like a climb broken down into short sharp bits with breaks in between or one long drag. glen cree side isn't bad either, but the wind is more likely to be in your face that way.

i think people will each have thier own best and worst sides of sally. i hate coming up from laragh - the bit between the waterfall and the cross orads gets longer every time.

Gavin

StudentC wrote: »

Hi

I've only started cycling recently, but everyday as I cycle along I keep thinking of "I must ask that on boards.ie" questions! But rather than start a load of threads, I thought I'd stick them all in one place...so....

1. What is the correct (!) etiquette for passing somebody in a cycle lane? Let out a shout and hope they move into the left? What exactly do ye shout?!

No need for a shout. Just look over the shoulder, check there are no cars/cyclists. Indicate if there is something around. Pull out into the main lane, put the pedal to the metal and rocket past the slow coach. Check that you're completely past and pull back in.

2. I pass through a few junctions where a left-turn lane for cars appears but the cycle lane continues straight (ie the cars will have to turn through the cycle lane, and the cycle lane ends up between the left turn lane and the straight-on lane). If I'm continuing straight, should I be signalling right to make this clear to cars who might turn left across me?

Don't need to indicate. Just keep an eye out for cars with their indicator on, or cars with their wheels over into the cycle lane. I usually give way to the car unless I am very close to the turn. Best to be on the safe side. If they pause and seem to be waiting to let you go, I just wait and motion them on. Don't want to go ahead for them to think you aren't and suddenly shoot forward.

3. Could anybody point me to a link for a set of checks I could do when I'm cleaning the bike (i.e a weekly maintenance checklist, or somehting like that). I've had a look at Sheldon brown and the parktools website, but I can't seem to find what I want.

Posted this in a previous thread, must stick it in the wiki and get a real mechanic to fill it out

Myself, before a spin on the road bike I would check:

* Brakes - Make sure there is enough rubber on the brake pad
* Tyres - Inflated to the right pressure
* Chain - Oiled properly and not rusted
* Batteries/Lights - If you might be out latish, make sure you have batteries that will last


A more comprehensive check list for when you have a full day to do bike maintenance might be:

* Tyres - pressure and tyre wear. May need new ones
* Brakes - Make sure the pads are good, bolts are secure, the brake cable is oiled and moving well. May need to replace cable and tighten brake to account for brake pad wear
* Wheels - Take each wheel and spin it, checking for noise/a rumbling sensation from the hub. You may need to regrease the ball bearings. Take the top of the wheel and try to move it from side to side. If there is movement, again, may need to grease bearings and make sure the cup and cones are correctly tightened. Check wheel rim for wear from the brake pads. Maybe give the rim a going over with steel wool to remove detritus and improve the braking surface
* Drivetrain - check that the gears are calibrated properly. Check for wear on the jockey wheels and remove/regrease if needs be. Oil the pivot points and adjustment screws on the deraillers. Check for wear on the cassette and chainring. Check for chain stretch. Clean chain thoroughly with a degreaser and re-lubricate. Remove cassette and chainrings for a thorough clean if inclined. Oil the gear cables or replace if needs be
* Bottom Bracket - Do the same checks from the wheels with the cranks and bottom bracket. Check for noise and play. If there is, you may need to replace the bottom bracket
* Stem - Check for play in the stem and front fork. If there is movement, tighten up the stem bolts
* Fork - Spin the fork around with your ear on the saddle nose, listening for grinding noises. If so, remove the fork and grease the ball bearings, clean bearing races etc
* General - check over all the bolts and nuts ensuring you tightened them all up correctly. Make sure you re-installed your cranks at 180 degrees to each other...

4. I'm having a bit of trouble with my front dereilleur - when I shift from the big one to the middle one it doesn't stay there, it drops on the small one. There's lots of threads on here about gears slipping on new-ish bikes, but they usually refer to the rear derailleur. Would this be the same thing?

Yeah sounds like a cable tension issue. Have a look on bicycletutor.com to see how to adjust it.

5. How can I improve my bike handling skills? Is it just by cycling lots? At the moment I'm finding that I'm going fairly slow because I'm nervous of not being able to react to cars / pedestrian / dogs / whatever. Particularly when I'm looking over my shoulder, I slow right down cos I don't think I'll stay going in a straight line! Do I just need to cycle more and i'll get used to it?

More cycling I guess. Make sure your brakes are in good nick and you are confident you can stop quickly. If you aren't already, use your front brake when stopping, it will stop you much quicker than the back.

When looking behind you, over your right shoulder, it can help to take your right hand off the handlebars. Keeps you in more of a straight line.

6. Lastly, if I was to attempt the Sally gap, is it easier from Roundwood or from Glencree? And if from Glencree, would I be better starting from the Crone woods side of the valley or the Curtlestown side? Might try it this weekend, or might chicken out and do something easier, i haven't done much climbing yet.

Sorry for long post, thanks for any suggestions!

Dunno actually ! Just head out in any direction and keep going til you get there!

DirkVoodoo

Last time I shouted I was passing to a commuter I had a brief exchange as I passed him. He hadn't a clue what I was shouting for. Gav is right, in most traffic situations you don't need to let someone know, unless they are blocking the entire lane (which frequently happens).

petethedrummer

StudentC wrote: »

2. I pass through a few junctions where a left-turn lane for cars appears but the cycle lane continues straight (ie the cars will have to turn through the cycle lane, and the cycle lane ends up between the left turn lane and the straight-on lane). If I'm continuing straight, should I be signalling right to make this clear to cars who might turn left across me?

I usually point ahead if I think someone is gonna do something stupid. Usually happens on Thomas st/James st area. No harm in giving a signal.

4. I'm having a bit of trouble with my front dereilleur - when I shift from the big one to the middle one it doesn't stay there, it drops on the small one. There's lots of threads on here about gears slipping on new-ish bikes, but they usually refer to the rear derailleur. Would this be the same thing?

Bike shops usually give you the first service for free or in some cases a whole years worth of free servicing when you buy a new bike. Can you remember if the bike shop offered this? then you can take it back for a tighten up.

psycholist

StudentC wrote: »

Hi

I've only started cycling recently, but everyday as I cycle along I keep thinking of "I must ask that on boards.ie" questions! But rather than start a load of threads, I thought I'd stick them all in one place...so....

1. What is the correct (!) etiquette for passing somebody in a cycle lane? Let out a shout and hope they move into the left? What exactly do ye shout?!

2. I pass through a few junctions where a left-turn lane for cars appears but the cycle lane continues straight (ie the cars will have to turn through the cycle lane, and the cycle lane ends up between the left turn lane and the straight-on lane). If I'm continuing straight, should I be signalling right to make this clear to cars who might turn left across me?

3. Could anybody point me to a link for a set of checks I could do when I'm cleaning the bike (i.e a weekly maintenance checklist, or somehting like that). I've had a look at Sheldon brown and the parktools website, but I can't seem to find what I want.

4. I'm having a bit of trouble with my front dereilleur - when I shift from the big one to the middle one it doesn't stay there, it drops on the small one. There's lots of threads on here about gears slipping on new-ish bikes, but they usually refer to the rear derailleur. Would this be the same thing?

5. How can I improve my bike handling skills? Is it just by cycling lots? At the moment I'm finding that I'm going fairly slow because I'm nervous of not being able to react to cars / pedestrian / dogs / whatever. Particularly when I'm looking over my shoulder, I slow right down cos I don't think I'll stay going in a straight line! Do I just need to cycle more and i'll get used to it?

6. Lastly, if I was to attempt the Sally gap, is it easier from Roundwood or from Glencree? And if from Glencree, would I be better starting from the Crone woods side of the valley or the Curtlestown side? Might try it this weekend, or might chicken out and do something easier, i haven't done much climbing yet.

Sorry for long post, thanks for any suggestions!

1 &2. Never ever cycle in the cycle lane unless youve a death wish
3&4 drop your bike in for a service in a bike shop ask while your there ask about 5. youll get better feedback and can ask further q's sure 6 aswell while youre there.
theres no reall climbs in ireland anyway (excluding gap a mamore conor pass etc)

Civilian_Target

StudentC wrote: »

1. What is the correct (!) etiquette for passing somebody in a cycle lane? Let out a shout and hope they move into the left? What exactly do ye shout?!

Buy a bell. Use it

2. I pass through a few junctions where a left-turn lane for cars appears but the cycle lane continues straight (ie the cars will have to turn through the cycle lane, and the cycle lane ends up between the left turn lane and the straight-on lane). If I'm continuing straight, should I be signalling right to make this clear to cars who might turn left across me?

I totally agree with Tom. Drop off the cycle path early and block the lane so that cars cannot turn left over you. Don't take the cycle paths too seriously, they're badly designed junk. If you feel you need it, drop onto a lane on the road and control it.

3. Could anybody point me to a link for a set of checks I could do when I'm cleaning the bike (i.e a weekly maintenance checklist, or somehting like that). I've had a look at Sheldon brown and the parktools website, but I can't seem to find what I want.

Gavin pretty much has it. I check tyre air, brakes, motion (do the wheels rotate completely freely and brake cleanly?), chain and lights most week. The rest can be left to once every 6 weeks or so. Maybe if you have deraileurs there's some stuff you want to check there too.

5. How can I improve my bike handling skills? Is it just by cycling lots? At the moment I'm finding that I'm going fairly slow because I'm nervous of not being able to react to cars / pedestrian / dogs / whatever. Particularly when I'm looking over my shoulder, I slow right down cos I don't think I'll stay going in a straight line! Do I just need to cycle more and i'll get used to it?

Experience helps, but there's certain basic things you can be told that will make a huge difference.

The number one tip is, unless the road surface is slippery or uneven, brake with your front brake. Don't ever grab it, but just pull it in gently until you're braking as fast as you need. If you need to stop really fast, you need to throw your weight to the back of the bike to keep the back wheel on the ground as you stop.

Other than that, road positioning is important. Get one third of the way into the lane if you feel you need space, keeping a bike's-width between you and the kerb.
Always pass on the right, never on the left. Give heavy vehicles a lot of space.
When you need to turn right at a junction, do as you would in a car, check your shoulder, signal and change to the inside lane with confidence, before turning.

When I was starting out, I found a mirror on my right handlebar was a huge help. It's totally un-euro, but it's a good first port-of-call before looking over your shoulder in traffic.

Húrin

StudentC wrote: »

Hi

I've only started cycling recently, but everyday as I cycle along I keep thinking of "I must ask that on boards.ie" questions! But rather than start a load of threads, I thought I'd stick them all in one place...so....

1. What is the correct (!) etiquette for passing somebody in a cycle lane? Let out a shout and hope they move into the left? What exactly do ye shout?!

2. I pass through a few junctions where a left-turn lane for cars appears but the cycle lane continues straight (ie the cars will have to turn through the cycle lane, and the cycle lane ends up between the left turn lane and the straight-on lane). If I'm continuing straight, should I be signalling right to make this clear to cars who might turn left across me?

1. I don't think cycle lanes are wide enough to pass anyone in. If you want to overtake another cyclist, go out into the car lane after checking that there are no cars coming up behind you. The common combination of bus and cycle lanes makes this quite easy.

2. Don't take cycle lanes seriously. Go in and out of them as you see fit. At such junctions, go out into the middle of the car lane, or to the right of the left-turning car lane, so it clears the way for cars to turn left.

StudentC

Thanks all for the helpful replies, lots of good advice.

Most people mentioned moving out of the cycle lane into the traffic lane to pass other cyclists - obviously that would work, but most of my cycle lane (N11) is raised up off the road, on the footpath level. Which is nice sometimes because you're away from the cars a bit, but frustrating other times - like when you want to pass somebody!

Thanks again