For those who don't race but love to ride on tarmac (not gravel) and not get flats, what do you recommend for tires?

I've been using Continental Gatorskins (28s) and am quite satisfied (haven't been getting flats, ride quality seems fine in dry and wet and tires last a long time), but was wondering if something else has surpassed them as technology has progressed.

Thanks,
Ted

For those who don't race but love to ride on tarmac (not gravel) and not get flats, what do you recommend for tires?

I've been using Continental Gatorskins (28s) and am quite satisfied (haven't been getting flats, ride quality seems fine in dry and wet and tires last a long time), but was wondering if something else has surpassed them as technology has progressed.

Thanks,
Ted

For those who don't race but love to ride on tarmac (not gravel) and not get flats, what do you recommend for tires?

I've been using Continental Gatorskins (28s) and am quite satisfied (haven't been getting flats, ride quality seems fine in dry and wet and tires last a long time), but was wondering if something else has surpassed them as technology has progressed.

Thanks,
Ted

Hello,
     I love to ride the hills on Calaveras Road in Sunol.  But I would like to avoid riding on the flat section from downtown Sunol to the hills.  I'm hoping to park my vehicle closer to the hills, perhaps in this area: https://goo.gl/maps/HwXtn1fABekrwWHbA

     I see a lot of "No Trespassing" signs but very few if any "No Parking" signs.  Anyone know if it is legal to park along this road?  I often see cars parked close to the 680 intersection but I'd like to get closer to the hills.

    In case you are wondering, I like to avoid riding the road due to traffic and limited bike lanes - basically safety.  I find there is less traffic on the hills as many vehicles are either going to the quarry or Sunol Regional Wilderness.

Thanks for your help

Looks pretty interesting and potentially coming out in 2022. I wonder how well it grips the road, especially wet roads?

https://www.autoblog.com/2021/03/20/metl-metal-bicycle-tires-cars-trucks/

Here's a courtesy trick that works well for me: After I'm controlling the lane, I use a "right turn" signal (right arm straight out) to indicate that I plan to move to the right. It's literally true; I'm going to move into the bike lane after I get through the underpass. 

People react surprisingly well to this signal.

On Sat, Mar 20, 2021 at 1:23 PM mdavis94536 <mark@...> wrote:

Also agree that when taking the lane you should be courteous about it - recognize that you *are* inconveniencing someone, so be as quick about it as you can.  Sharing the road works best when we are all respectful of each other.

 

Also agree that when taking the lane you should be courteous about it - recognize that you *are* inconveniencing someone, so be as quick about it as you can.  Sharing the road works best when we are all respectful of each other.

Just be very careful in the sidewalk. A car was getting towed at the spot in the photo some years ago, so I thought the tow truck will draw to much attention if I went thru the subway so I took the sidewalk! 🤦‍♂️Hit the uneven sidewalk such that both hands fell off the bars at 12mph (power data shows it), front wheel into the grass rut and went over my bars. Favorite REI wind jacket & Giro Prolight helmet ruined! 😡 

I take the full lane and decision to do it at the traffic light is done if it’s red, and the white hashed are is rather large, so be emphatic that you are taking the lane via arm signal  We really don’t want cars changing lanes under the tracks. Also show you are trying by making a mini sprint, and don’t take your sweet time.

—William

On Mar 20, 2021, at 12:16 PM, mdavis94536 <mark@...> wrote:



Nice!

I would argue though that that shouldn't even be marked as a bike lane.  It's marked as such at the intersection as you enter, but then it just tapers down to nothing without warning, essentially.

BTW one alternative is to just take the sidewalk through the tunnel.  A bit inconvenient, but AFAIK legal, and at the very least morally justifiable.

On Sat, Mar 20, 2021 at 12:10 PM Ken Goldman <ken.goldman@...> wrote:

<image.png>

Ken

On Mar 20, 2021, at 10:29 AM, Yahoo-Julie via groups.io <jmgilson1=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:

I’m not aware of a ‘share the road’ sign or a sharrow marked on the road - worthwhile contacting City’s Public Works staff?

Julie

On Mar 20, 2021, at 7:37 AM, Joe Banchero <huck-162@...> wrote:



Agree with Ken, it's the only safe way to ride that section.

On 03/19/2021 11:36 PM Ken Goldman <ken.goldman@...> wrote:

 

 

Ted,

 

I go through there quite often without any problem. 

 

I wait for a gap in traffic, signal with my left arm, and move to the center of the right lane. When there is no bike lane, taking the entire lane is the only safe option. If a car does come up behind me, it will either have to wait ten seconds while I go under the underpass or it can move to the other lane.

Ken

 

 

On Mar 19, 2021, at 11:19 PM, tburmas via groups.io <tburmas=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:

Hello,
     I've had yet another dangerous encounter under the bridge on Mission Blvd between Stevenson traveling to Las Palmas.  The location is here: https://goo.gl/maps/7JUqT2xFAeVYVmzU7  For years I've dreaded this section as the bike lane narrows to inches.  Today a minivan honked me as I was entering then passed me (also inches away).  I was as far right as I could be with a flashing red LED during daylight - I wasn't doing anything odd.  The horn scared me and I got quite upset that the driver almost caused an accident.

    I'm looking for pointers on how to ride this section.  Going the opposite direction I momentarily hop onto the sidewalk as I feel safer (it also has a bike lane that narrows to inches).  I might have to do the same for the direction I had an issue with today and go into the mini tunnel. I generally don't do this as I never see an easy/safe entrance as most cars are trying to make a right on Mission from Stevenson and block the sidewalk ramp at the intersection.

Any suggestions are welcome,
Ted

--

Mark

Ken

On Mar 20, 2021, at 10:29 AM, Yahoo-Julie via groups.io <jmgilson1=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:

I’m not aware of a ‘share the road’ sign or a sharrow marked on the road - worthwhile contacting City’s Public Works staff?

Julie

On Mar 20, 2021, at 7:37 AM, Joe Banchero <huck-162@...> wrote:



Agree with Ken, it's the only safe way to ride that section.

On 03/19/2021 11:36 PM Ken Goldman <ken.goldman@...> wrote:

 

 

Ted,

 

I go through there quite often without any problem. 

 

I wait for a gap in traffic, signal with my left arm, and move to the center of the right lane. When there is no bike lane, taking the entire lane is the only safe option. If a car does come up behind me, it will either have to wait ten seconds while I go under the underpass or it can move to the other lane.

Ken

 

 

On Mar 19, 2021, at 11:19 PM, tburmas via groups.io <tburmas=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:

Hello,
     I've had yet another dangerous encounter under the bridge on Mission Blvd between Stevenson traveling to Las Palmas.  The location is here: https://goo.gl/maps/7JUqT2xFAeVYVmzU7  For years I've dreaded this section as the bike lane narrows to inches.  Today a minivan honked me as I was entering then passed me (also inches away).  I was as far right as I could be with a flashing red LED during daylight - I wasn't doing anything odd.  The horn scared me and I got quite upset that the driver almost caused an accident.

    I'm looking for pointers on how to ride this section.  Going the opposite direction I momentarily hop onto the sidewalk as I feel safer (it also has a bike lane that narrows to inches).  I might have to do the same for the direction I had an issue with today and go into the mini tunnel. I generally don't do this as I never see an easy/safe entrance as most cars are trying to make a right on Mission from Stevenson and block the sidewalk ramp at the intersection.

Any suggestions are welcome,
Ted

Right.  And even though you have the legal right to take the lane in such a situation, it's still a very good idea to communicate unambiguously to motorists that you are doing so.  So when you take the lane, take it like you mean it and go right out in the middle of the lane.

On Sat, Mar 20, 2021 at 10:39 AM Vinnie Bacon <vbacon@...> wrote:

I agree with Ken that you simply need to take the lane and make it clear that there is no room to safely pass you within the lane.

 

My habits have changed of late and I no longer think that it’s ‘courteous’ to try to move to the right so people can pass you. I used to stay to the right, have someone come really close to me and THEN decide that I’m taking the whole lane. Now I just take the lane.

 

The bottom line is that if you don’t feel that it’s safe sharing the lane then you need to tell motorists it’s not safe to share the lane. You do that by taking the lane.  

 

Vinnie Bacon

e: vbacon@...

p: 510-796-8870

 

From: info@ffbc.groups.io <info@ffbc.groups.io> On Behalf Of Yahoo-Julie via groups.io
Sent: Saturday, March 20, 2021 10:30 AM
To: Joe Banchero <huck-162@...>
Cc: Ken Goldman <ken.goldman@...>; tburmas@...; info@ffbc.groups.io
Subject: Re: [public info] Help with tricky traffic situation

 

I’m not aware of a ‘share the road’ sign or a sharrow marked on the road - worthwhile contacting City’s Public Works staff?

 

Julie

On Mar 20, 2021, at 7:37 AM, Joe Banchero <huck-162@...> wrote:



Agree with Ken, it's the only safe way to ride that section.

On 03/19/2021 11:36 PM Ken Goldman <ken.goldman@...> wrote:

 

 

Ted,

 

I go through there quite often without any problem. 

 

I wait for a gap in traffic, signal with my left arm, and move to the center of the right lane. When there is no bike lane, taking the entire lane is the only safe option. If a car does come up behind me, it will either have to wait ten seconds while I go under the underpass or it can move to the other lane.

Ken

 

 

On Mar 19, 2021, at 11:19 PM, tburmas via groups.io <tburmas@...> wrote:

Hello,
     I've had yet another dangerous encounter under the bridge on Mission Blvd between Stevenson traveling to Las Palmas.  The location is here: https://goo.gl/maps/7JUqT2xFAeVYVmzU7  For years I've dreaded this section as the bike lane narrows to inches.  Today a minivan honked me as I was entering then passed me (also inches away).  I was as far right as I could be with a flashing red LED during daylight - I wasn't doing anything odd.  The horn scared me and I got quite upset that the driver almost caused an accident.

    I'm looking for pointers on how to ride this section.  Going the opposite direction I momentarily hop onto the sidewalk as I feel safer (it also has a bike lane that narrows to inches).  I might have to do the same for the direction I had an issue with today and go into the mini tunnel. I generally don't do this as I never see an easy/safe entrance as most cars are trying to make a right on Mission from Stevenson and block the sidewalk ramp at the intersection.

Any suggestions are welcome,
Ted

--

Mark

I agree with Ken that you simply need to take the lane and make it clear that there is no room to safely pass you within the lane.

 

My habits have changed of late and I no longer think that it’s ‘courteous’ to try to move to the right so people can pass you. I used to stay to the right, have someone come really close to me and THEN decide that I’m taking the whole lane. Now I just take the lane.

 

The bottom line is that if you don’t feel that it’s safe sharing the lane then you need to tell motorists it’s not safe to share the lane. You do that by taking the lane.  

 

Vinnie Bacon

e: vbacon@...

p: 510-796-8870

 

From: info@ffbc.groups.io <info@ffbc.groups.io> On Behalf Of Yahoo-Julie via groups.io
Sent: Saturday, March 20, 2021 10:30 AM
To: Joe Banchero <huck-162@...>
Cc: Ken Goldman <ken.goldman@...>; tburmas@...; info@ffbc.groups.io
Subject: Re: [public info] Help with tricky traffic situation

 

I’m not aware of a ‘share the road’ sign or a sharrow marked on the road - worthwhile contacting City’s Public Works staff?

 

Julie

On Mar 20, 2021, at 7:37 AM, Joe Banchero <huck-162@...> wrote:



Agree with Ken, it's the only safe way to ride that section.

On 03/19/2021 11:36 PM Ken Goldman <ken.goldman@...> wrote:

 

 

Ted,

 

I go through there quite often without any problem. 

 

I wait for a gap in traffic, signal with my left arm, and move to the center of the right lane. When there is no bike lane, taking the entire lane is the only safe option. If a car does come up behind me, it will either have to wait ten seconds while I go under the underpass or it can move to the other lane.

Ken

 

 

On Mar 19, 2021, at 11:19 PM, tburmas via groups.io <tburmas@...> wrote:

Hello,
     I've had yet another dangerous encounter under the bridge on Mission Blvd between Stevenson traveling to Las Palmas.  The location is here: https://goo.gl/maps/7JUqT2xFAeVYVmzU7  For years I've dreaded this section as the bike lane narrows to inches.  Today a minivan honked me as I was entering then passed me (also inches away).  I was as far right as I could be with a flashing red LED during daylight - I wasn't doing anything odd.  The horn scared me and I got quite upset that the driver almost caused an accident.

    I'm looking for pointers on how to ride this section.  Going the opposite direction I momentarily hop onto the sidewalk as I feel safer (it also has a bike lane that narrows to inches).  I might have to do the same for the direction I had an issue with today and go into the mini tunnel. I generally don't do this as I never see an easy/safe entrance as most cars are trying to make a right on Mission from Stevenson and block the sidewalk ramp at the intersection.

Any suggestions are welcome,
Ted