• Concentrate first on learning how to ride safely and with
endurance. The Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle likely will be
one of the most difficult things, physically, that you’ve
ever attempted.
• Always stretch before and after riding.
• Have your bike in the best mechanical condition possible.
A touring or road bike is going to be the easiest to ride and
is the most common type found on the Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle.
• Safety involves several items. The first is your helmet.
DON’T GET ON A BIKE WITHOUT A HELMET. Safety equipment also
includes gloves. If you fall they protect the palms of your hands.
Riding safely is very important and very difficult to learn because
there is no other ride like the Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle
in terms of just numbers of bikes. Have a mirror on your helmet
or your bike and use it.
• Carry a spare inner tube in case you have a flat. There
are repair vans along the route, but chances are you will be waiting
in line. Even if you do not have the knowledge to change a tire
yourself, someone will be glad to help.
• Ride to the right. Leave room for others to pass on your
left. There have been many close calls because a passing rider
was forced into the lane with oncoming traffic.
• The greatest threat to your well-being on the route is
not cars or trucks but other cyclists. Many riders may be riding
for the first time surrounded by thousands of other cyclists.
And, while this circumstance promotes certain euphoria, it also
holds hidden dangers, i.e., running into each other and falling
down.
• Before you stop, make sure no bicycles or motor vehicles
are immediately behind you. Stop at the right edge of the roadway
and immediately move off the roadway. Stay clear of the roadway.
Stopping is especially dangerous at the crest of a hill or on
a curve.
• Call out to fellow cyclists when you are going to pass
on the left or right or up the middle, or are pulling off or pulling
on.
• Be predictable and don’t weave. Ride in a straight
line to make it easier for those riding behind you.
• Don’t draft. Drafting in a crowd is dangerous to
yourself and others around you. Drafting vehicles is also dangerous
and will not be tolerated on the Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle.
• Know what the road signs mean.
Food and Hydration
You also should carry some type of high-energy food. (Usually
food is available when you want it, but there are always times
when you may need a boost.)
Don’t put yourself in danger because you’re not drinking
enough fluids. The temperature, wind, distance and previous day’s
events all will determine your need for fluids. One rule of thumb
is that a bicyclist should drink water every 14th minutes, but
water is not enough. You should carry at least two water bottles
with you. Because we sweat and lose those precious minerals when
we exercise, we have to replace them through sports drinks and
other fluids. And since certain beverages can hinder the effectiveness
of some important vitamins and minerals, it’s a good idea
to have some vitamins on hand.
Sugar and carbohydrates keep your body going on the Colorado Cyclist
Copper Triangle, but don’t try to eat them all at one sitting.
It’s much better to eat several times a day than to try
to pedal on a full stomach. And, as all seasoned Colorado Cyclist
Copper Triangle riders know, there’s always a food stand
just up ahead.
Road Signs
Understanding the meaning of each of these signs not only helps
you, but also your fellow riders and drivers. Please take a moment
to review these signs as you will see them throughout the Colorado
Cyclist Copper Triangle route.
Obey Traffic Regulations
As a cyclist in Colorado, you are responsible to follow the same
traffic regulations as other vehicles. Yes, bicycles are vehicles!
This means stopping at red lights and stop signs, not crossing
solid yellow lines and obeying all traffic laws. Ride on Right
Side of Road Cyclists should always ride on the right side of
the road. Since all roads utilized during Colorado Cyclist Copper
Triangle are still open to motorists, we cannot ride on the left
side of the road as well. There are townspeople that need to get
to work, farmers tending to fields and others that should not
be hindered by cyclists taking up both sides of the road. Hogging
the roads might anger motorists and create a negative image of
cyclists in their mind. Be a good guest and share the road! Let
Other Cyclists Pass.
You should ride as safely as possible to the right when possible.
If you hear a cyclist sound off, “ON YOUR LEFT”,
this means they are attempting to pass you on your left. Do not
turn your head to the left to look as you could collide with the
approaching cyclist, but rather acknowledge them with a simple “THANK YOU” and let them pass. Be courteous
and let faster riders pass safely on your left. Do not force them
into the left lane. If you want to hold a conversation, do not
block the entire lane. Leave a passing lane in the right hand
lane! Don’t Cross Solid Yellow Line.
The solid yellow line indicates that it is unsafe for motorists
to safely pass in this area because it is difficult to see oncoming
traffic due to hills, curves or other challenges. Likewise, it
is extremely dangerous for cyclists to ride left of the solid
yellow or double yellow lines. Cyclists should ride always ride
right of solid yellow lines!
Car Up Car Back
These commands should be sounded off to alert fellow cyclists
that a vehicle is approaching from up ahead “CAR
UP!!!!”or from behind “CAR BACK!!!”.
Cyclists should ride with caution and attempt to ride as far to
the right and single file to allow the vehicles to safely pass
the cyclists. Be courteous to those that we share the road with!
Sound
Off When Passing
If you intend to pass a cyclist or group of cyclists, please be
courtesy and sound off, “ON YOUR LEFT”. This lets
them know you are approaching and intend to pass them. If you
rapidly pass them without signaling, the cyclists could be startled
and steer into you causing a collision that could have been avoided.
Make sure you signal enough in advance that you do not startle
them with your signal.
Sound Off When Stopping
When stopping, you should signal with your arm straight down and
your open palm towards the rear and sound off, “SLOWING!!!”
and then “STOPPING!!!”. If you are pulling off the
road, please sound off, “RIDER OFF!!!”. Cyclists should
pull completely off the road and shoulder to not block the road.
Cyclists should not pull into a driveway and stop as this is a
danger to the cyclist and to motorists.
Drink Water
Dehydration is a big concern for cyclists. You should always drink
plenty of water before, during, and after bicycling. A fatigued
or dehydrated cyclist could cause injury to themselves or other
cyclists. Even if you are drinking other fluids such as Gatorade,
you should still be drinking water in addition to these fluids.
Heavy Bike Traffic Ahead
This informs motorists to expect very heavy bicycle traffic ahead.
It does not tell the motorist that the cyclist has the right of
way! It is there as a courtesy
to the motorist and cyclists still need to obey the traffic laws
of our State.
Rules of Safety and Etiquette
This list of rules for safety and etiquette has been developed
as part of an overall Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle bicycle
safety campaign. When combined with the legal rules of the road
and when adhered to by riders, these rules make this event safer
and more enjoyable for everyone. This section outlines these rules
and gives some suggestions for physical preparation. For additional
help, you might also like to visit our new road signs page!
1. The legal RIGHT.
Obey traffic laws. In Colorado, bicyclists enjoy the same rights
as motorists. In accepting those rights, bicyclists also assume
the responsibilities for riding in a safe and legal manner by:
• Stopping completely at stop signs.
• Obeying yield signs.
• Not crossing yellow lines in your lane.
• Riding to the right.
• Signaling for turns.
• Not cutting corners.
• Riding in a respectable manner.
2. The RIGHT
stuff.
Keep your bicycle in good repair. Have it readied for Colorado
Cyclist Copper Triangle, and then keep it safe to operate. It
is especially important to make sure your brakes work well.
3. The RIGHT gear.
Wear a protective helmet. It is estimated that 84th % of bicycling
accidents result in injury to the face or head.
Wear bright clothing to be noticed.
4. The RIGHT communications.
Signal turns and stops. The law says you must, but this point
can’t be emphasized enough. Most accidents on the Colorado
Cyclist Copper Triangle involve two or more bicycles and most
are the result of riders not letting others know of their intentions.
Sound off when passing. Use phrases such as “on your left,”
“on your right,” or “coming through the middle.”
5th. The RIGHT riding.
When stopping along the Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle routes,
let those behind know of your plans. Make sure no bicycles or
motor vehicles are immediately behind you when you stop. Stop
at the right edge of the roadway and immediately move to the shoulder.
Stay clear of the roadway, and park completely off of the roadway
to make repairs, rest, visit, etc. Stopping is especially dangerous
at the crest of a hill or on a curve, so be careful.
Don’t weave. Ride in a straight line to make it easier for
those riding behind you.
Ride to the right. Leave room for others to pass on your left.
There have been many close calls because a passing rider was forced
into the opposite lane.
When turning, turn left from the center of the roadway, turn right
from along the curb or shoulder, and stay to the right.
6. The RIGHT frame of mind.
Stay alert and use your brain when you ride. You must be constantly
thinking and aware of what’s going on around you.
Pace yourself. The Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle is not a race.
Not all riders travel at the same speed, so don’t try to
keep up with someone who rides too fast for you. Riding too fast
or in too high a gear is tough on your knees, heart and lungs.
7. The RIGHT attitude
Be considerate. The bicycling skills of those participating in
the Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle cover the full range of the
spectrum. Each rider must look out for someone else, as well as
for himself.
Be a predictable rider. Don’t keep other bicyclists and
motorists guessing about what your next move will be. A predictable
rider is a safe rider.
Be courteous to passing vehicles and other bicyclists. Instead
of riding several abreast, go single file and let those behind
you pass.
Cooperate with Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle officials. State
troopers and other law enforcement personnel will be present at
busy intersections. Obey their signals.
Please stay on the marked route. The Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle
route has been selected for your safety. Services are not available
to you if you are off the route.
8. The RIGHT attention.
Keep your head up and your ears open. Do not wear radio headphones
while riding!
Give the right-of-way to emergency vehicles. Pull to the right
and stop if you hear a siren.
Beware of loose gravel and watch for debris on the pavement. Trucks
carrying sand, gravel and rock often spill some at intersections.
It is sometimes necessary for the Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle
to take unpaved stretches of road in order to avoid busy highways.
Take extra care on unpaved roads, watching for loose gravel, rocks,
soft spots, holes and ruts.
Avoid wide cracks in the pavement. Narrow bicycle tires can easily
get caught in wide cracks. Be especially careful on roadways paved
with concrete. Center cracks on concrete roads are dangerous.
Look out for railroad tracks and cross them at right angles. There
are fewer tracks these days, but there are still rough tracks
and some at bad angles. Raise yourself off your seat and stand
on your pedals to absorb the shock and lower the center of gravity.
Unclip from your pedals as you prepare to cross railroad tracks.
Watch out for other riders and let those behind know of your intentions.
Angled tracks and low shoulders are major causes of accidents.
9. The RIGHT condition
Get yourself in good physical shape. You should be in good shape
and capable of riding those distances before you come on the ride.
A good way to get ready is to join a local bicycling club. A sports
health clinic can also provide you with suggestions for a good
conditioning program.
Eat and drink frequently. Rather than loading up once in the middle
of the day, stop frequently for fluids and food. Carry water with
you.
