Riding Safely on Narrow Roads

As this year's crop of riders narrow in on their 10 week adventure across Canada, it is interesting to see on the bulletin board, that they share all the anxieties that we had last year in the weeks and days approaching the start.  The most reassuring thing to keep in mind is that others have done it, and we all shared your anxieties before the start!

One thing that I thought I'd share with the 2011 crew before they depart, are the thoughts that I had formed, mostly going through the busy roads in the Rockies, and along the north shore of Lake Superior, on how to minimize the risks of cycling on 2 lane highways, with sometimes very narrow shoulders.  For my American friends, the trans Canada, along the north shore of Lake Superior, is the main artery across the country (think of I-10, I-40, and I-80 all bunched up into a 2-lane highway...).

1) Ride in as straight a line, and as predictable a line as possible.
2) If there is a shoulder, ride on the right of the white line, as far to the right as possible.
    Sometimes highway debris does not make this practical.
3) Never pull out, or veer left to pass another cyclist, unless you have checked that there are no cars, 18 wheeled semis, etc coming from behind.
4) If there is a vehicle approaching in the opposite direction, do not pass or veer out for any reason.
5) If there is a semi, or other large vehicle approaching in the opposite direction, stay as far to the right as possible.
6) Try to avoid riding two abreast (i.e. not in single file) unless you do so to the right on a wide shoulder - if you are riding abreast, it is always a good idea to get back into single file if vehicles are approaching.
7) If you have a mechanical, or flat, get off the road and get off the shoulder to fix it.
8) Use your ears, as well as your eyes, to listen for oncoming traffic.
9) When approaching the crest of a hill, make sure you are well to the right and riding single-file, just in case a semi comes speeding up over the top in the opposite direction - you want to make sure that drivers on your side have room.

I am sure there are other pointers that I may be missing here, but these are the ones that stuck in my mind as I rode on some ery narrow shoulders of some fairly busy roads.

Safe cycling to all -  and on that note I am heading into NYC for the afternoon, cycling to various bike shops to promote my touring business...