The first two rules of Urban Riding

Posted by Charles Mon, 05 Dec 2005 07:34:00 GMT

I wouldn’t be one to know if they are the two most important rules, but they’re the first two I learned. I told Dave that Scott and I were on our way to Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont last Tuesday night for a little Urban expedition, and asked his advice. He replied “Start high up and work your way down, and keep moving so you’re less likely to get chased out”. When I relayed this to Scott, he said that wasn’t just a Notre Dame thing, but pretty much how it works best for every Urban ride.

We hopped on our, well actually Scott’s, bikes, and meandered that direction. I started picking up other rules on the way out the door, like, bring two spare tubes. The spare tube rule was explained after I learned not to ride up more than three stairs at a time, at speed, which was right after I pinch flatted riding up five stairs. I also learned that lights were bad etiquette. They’re not much benefit when they aren’t shining at the landing zone, which they rarely do, and they can be a liability when you’re trying to maintain a low profile on public property. The funniest rule I learned was that there was a special code for a chain crossing a dark path, unlit by our nonexistent head lights. That code would be me rolling on the ground, screaming like a little girl. It was only funny because it didn’t happen, that night, to me.

What did happen was a great ride, over two hours of challenging fun, riding up steps and curbs, off same and taller, testing balance and bravado. We might hit it again next Tuesday, but more likely someplace else. I was told something like our ride was very pedally, which sounded like there were better opportunities elsewhere, with a higher challenge to riding ratio. I’ll let you know.