Descending Safely Down Mt Diablo


Fujino, Don H.
 

 

For what it’s worth my technique for hard right curves:

enter the turn as far outside as possible/safe, typically very left of middle so I can see what’s ahead

hit the apex as far inside as possible/safetypically in the middle of my lane (i.e. right of middle)

and exit the turn as far outside as possible/safe closer to the inside right shoulder just in case a car or bike is sailing towards me on the wrong side

 

For hard left curves, it’s completely different because of inherent blind spots and I tend to be much less aggressive and always stay in my lane.

 

-Don

 

On Fri, Oct 14, 2022, 11:57 Tim OHara <timorides2@...> wrote:

Actually if you are sure no cars are behind you, it is actually safer to go even wider at the start of the corner (like where the red arrow starts), so you can see around it.  Then you cut all the way into the green at the apex.  In that way you can see what's coming or on the road before you get to the corner.

 

On Thu, Oct 13, 2022 at 10:36 PM Debbie Frederick <debbie254@...> wrote:

In addition to as below & attached; this also has been wide-spread in our East Bay cycling community:

 

a female cyclist suffered potentially serious injuries around 10 AM this morning [Wednesday, Oct 12] on Mount Diablo. Alan Kalin, [with Mt Diablo Cyclists],  has request that if you have any additional information about this accident that you give him a call.  You can reach him at 925-640-7055.”

 

Debbie

 

From: vslist@... [mailto:vslist@...] On Behalf Of K Yost
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2022 10:10 AM
To: vslist@...
Subject: [vslist] Descending Safely Down Mt Diablo

 

There was a accident yesterday between a cyclist and a vehicle on Mt. Diablo.  I don’t know many of the details at this time.  Fortunately, it did not involve anyone on the VSBC weekly ride.  The attached drawing from Al Kalin demonstrates the safest way for cyclists to descend Mt. Diablo.  Traffic is light on Mt. Diablo during the week, but vehicles do sometimes cross over the yellow center lines on corners.  In my opinion, Mt Diablo is one of the safest places to ride if a cyclist follows the attached technique.  We emphasize this every Wednesday before the ride.

 

Regards, Kris Yost [Valley Spokesmen]

----------------------------------.---------------


Daniel Karpelevitch
 

I agree with Tim. This is also the right way to take any corner at speed. 

enter the turn as far outside as possible/safe,
hit the apex as far inside as possible/safe, 
and exit the turn as far outside as possible/safe

-Daniel

On Fri, Oct 14, 2022, 11:57 Tim OHara <timorides2@...> wrote:
Actually if you are sure no cars are behind you, it is actually safer to go even wider at the start of the corner (like where the red arrow starts), so you can see around it.  Then you cut all the way into the green at the apex.  In that way you can see what's coming or on the road before you get to the corner.

On Thu, Oct 13, 2022 at 10:36 PM Debbie Frederick <debbie254@...> wrote:

In addition to as below & attached; this also has been wide-spread in our East Bay cycling community:

 

a female cyclist suffered potentially serious injuries around 10 AM this morning [Wednesday, Oct 12] on Mount Diablo. Alan Kalin, [with Mt Diablo Cyclists],  has request that if you have any additional information about this accident that you give him a call.  You can reach him at 925-640-7055.”

 

Debbie

 

From: vslist@... [mailto:vslist@...] On Behalf Of K Yost
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2022 10:10 AM
To: vslist@...
Subject: [vslist] Descending Safely Down Mt Diablo

 

There was a accident yesterday between a cyclist and a vehicle on Mt. Diablo.  I don’t know many of the details at this time.  Fortunately, it did not involve anyone on the VSBC weekly ride.  The attached drawing from Al Kalin demonstrates the safest way for cyclists to descend Mt. Diablo.  Traffic is light on Mt. Diablo during the week, but vehicles do sometimes cross over the yellow center lines on corners.  In my opinion, Mt Diablo is one of the safest places to ride if a cyclist follows the attached technique.  We emphasize this every Wednesday before the ride.

 

Regards, Kris Yost [Valley Spokesmen]

----------------------------------.---------------


Tim OHara
 

Actually if you are sure no cars are behind you, it is actually safer to go even wider at the start of the corner (like where the red arrow starts), so you can see around it.  Then you cut all the way into the green at the apex.  In that way you can see what's coming or on the road before you get to the corner.

On Thu, Oct 13, 2022 at 10:36 PM Debbie Frederick <debbie254@...> wrote:

In addition to as below & attached; this also has been wide-spread in our East Bay cycling community:

 

a female cyclist suffered potentially serious injuries around 10 AM this morning [Wednesday, Oct 12] on Mount Diablo. Alan Kalin, [with Mt Diablo Cyclists],  has request that if you have any additional information about this accident that you give him a call.  You can reach him at 925-640-7055.”

 

Debbie

 

From: vslist@... [mailto:vslist@...] On Behalf Of K Yost
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2022 10:10 AM
To: vslist@...
Subject: [vslist] Descending Safely Down Mt Diablo

 

There was a accident yesterday between a cyclist and a vehicle on Mt. Diablo.  I don’t know many of the details at this time.  Fortunately, it did not involve anyone on the VSBC weekly ride.  The attached drawing from Al Kalin demonstrates the safest way for cyclists to descend Mt. Diablo.  Traffic is light on Mt. Diablo during the week, but vehicles do sometimes cross over the yellow center lines on corners.  In my opinion, Mt Diablo is one of the safest places to ride if a cyclist follows the attached technique.  We emphasize this every Wednesday before the ride.

 

Regards, Kris Yost [Valley Spokesmen]

----------------------------------.---------------


Debbie Frederick
 

In addition to as below & attached; this also has been wide-spread in our East Bay cycling community:

 

a female cyclist suffered potentially serious injuries around 10 AM this morning [Wednesday, Oct 12] on Mount Diablo. Alan Kalin, [with Mt Diablo Cyclists],  has request that if you have any additional information about this accident that you give him a call.  You can reach him at 925-640-7055.”

 

Debbie

 

From: vslist@... [mailto:vslist@...] On Behalf Of K Yost
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2022 10:10 AM
To: vslist@...
Subject: [vslist] Descending Safely Down Mt Diablo

 

There was a accident yesterday between a cyclist and a vehicle on Mt. Diablo.  I don’t know many of the details at this time.  Fortunately, it did not involve anyone on the VSBC weekly ride.  The attached drawing from Al Kalin demonstrates the safest way for cyclists to descend Mt. Diablo.  Traffic is light on Mt. Diablo during the week, but vehicles do sometimes cross over the yellow center lines on corners.  In my opinion, Mt Diablo is one of the safest places to ride if a cyclist follows the attached technique.  We emphasize this every Wednesday before the ride.

 

Regards, Kris Yost [Valley Spokesmen]

----------------------------------.---------------