[CR] Cycling safety with proper maintenance and paying attention

(Example: Racing)

References: <012001ca58de$7ca93b50$75fbb1f0$@com>
Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:52:51 -0700
From: "John D Proch" <johnprochss@yahoo.com>
To: Tom Sanders <tom@orderandchaos.com>, <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
In-Reply-To: <012001ca58de$7ca93b50$75fbb1f0$@com>
Subject: [CR] Cycling safety with proper maintenance and paying attention


Hi Tom, Simple procedure, but you would be surprised how many here just slap the rear wheel in and roll.................. There is a huge difference with riding a bicycle that is properly lined up. The whole riding experience from braking, acceleration, moving through turns. An unlined bicycle will cause tight groups to lock bars and down they go. Straight line acceleration makes a world of difference with a properly lined and true frameset. My fear is running through a turn at 30 plus per miles with an improperly aligned frameset. This is flat out scary. I had critical on the job accident that resulted in a brain (TBI) and a spine injury, from the result and ignorance of my my employer who slammed a large 14 foot, 400 to 600 lb plus O/H shop door on my head giving me a TBI (traumatic brain injury), multiple herniation's in my neck and lumbar L4/5, where I had a fusion with my L4/5 a year and a half ago. My employer had his head on his personal life, instead of work, which is common. My doctor gave me a release to ride lightly in Texas State parks with low automobile movement. This injury left me over 3/4th blind, from the concussion with visual field defects.The MRI's on my spine and the CT scan of the blood on my frontal lobe area in the left sinus area of my head. The insurance carrier has disputed everything and it has been a battle since December 9, 2003. After a 5 year and 11 month, healing, I took my first bike ride, where I rode 2 kilometers on Wednesday afternoon (last Wednesday, October 28th, 09). The reason that I am telling you this is because this was all at the hands of a wrong split second decision by someone else. This has led me to finish college, which is difficult, but I never give up. I am working on my Masters at Texas State U. and want to be a safety consultant.

The reason for this story? Please pay attention all vintage cyclists. I love the hobby just as much as you, but wrong frame alignment, or improperly maintained vintage road bikes are not safe. When we are fatigued from long riding, it is easy to take our mind off safety. Our machines need continual preventive maintenance. The conclusion???? Be careful and then try to advise others to watch with their mind (brain) and not just trusting their eyes. Pay attention!!! Most people get killed near home and they get more relaxed when near home. Don't be a stupid absent minded cyclist and also motorist's need to take heed!! Most motorists do not see you and during the MS 150 between Houston and Austin, Texas are angry and are running late to work. Many motorists do not care and are thinking of themselves more than us. Pay attention. Thank you for your time and God bless to all vintage cyclists. If you have safety concerns, I or many others here can help. This site is the nicest vintage bike group I have encountered. Be careful and pay attention (ride safe). ,Best Regards, John Proch La Grange, Texas

________________________________ From: Tom Sanders <tom@orderandchaos.com> To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Sent: Thu, October 29, 2009 4:26:31 PM Subject: [CR] Useful bike tools

Dmitry Yaitskov asked about what sort out of the ordinary tools members had found useful.

I found that for a sort of an unusual tool, I got a lot of mileage out of a set of dropout alignment tools. Nearly all of my bikes were just a touch off. My hunch is that every bump into anything or pothole may move the dropouts a bit (Is this true? ) It's just a hunch on my part. I think 12 out of 14 bikes I checked could have used a tweak. I frankly noticed no difference in riding them, however. Maybe I was just fascinated to have the tools like a kid with a new toy. Good lord! I see a set of them just went through E-Bay for $128! I sold mine for about half that. Ah well, somebody is enjoying them.

Tom Sanders

Lansing, MI USA