The types of roads that cyclists love best are narrow, hilly, winding, relatively car free and often heavily forested. Stay alert and listen for approaching autos and be prepared to squeeze right. It is often difficult to tell which direction the motorist is coming from until they get quite close. Personal stereos limit your ability to hear approaching traffic.

West coast communities are home to many retirees. Some are a bit timid about passing cyclists and drive along behind waiting patiently to pass. If you sense that someone is behind and won’t pass, wait until it is safe for the motorist to pass, then squeeze right and wave them on.

When riding in lanes too narrow to share with other traffic, dress visibly and ride in the smooth area where automobile’s passenger side tires run. This will force motorists to change lanes or slow down behind you and only pass when it is truly safe. On wide lanes, ride just to the right of motor traffic (so that they don’t have to change lanes to pass you), not on the extreme right hand road edge where debris collects and the pavement is rougher. Put your own safety above the convenience of motorists. Be assertive, not aggressive.

Single up, space apart, and squeeze right when riding up hills and on narrow, winding roads where motorist sight lines are short. When cycling up and cresting hills, stay far to the right. You will be hidden from motorist’s view immediately after you crest the hill. Motorists, not knowing what traffic approaches from the other direction will be farther to the right than usual until they are over the crest and can see ahead again. They probably will not be expecting a bicycle in their path at the top.

You will learn to be an expert gear shifter during this trip! Try to anticipate ascents and shift down before you get to the hill so you won’t be shifting under load.

A rear view mirror is very handy for monitoring the cyclists behind you. Motorists will have to slow down before passing you depending on sight lines and oncoming traffic. It is up the motorist to pass safely, not for you to leave the road to accommodate the motorist. You will rely on your ears a lot when cycling on the highway, however in windy conditions and with today’s quieter cars, it’s best to employ your eyes as well.

Motorists encountering cyclists ahead have time to adjust their speed and compensate for your presence. So, unless it is "happy hour", concentrate on the road ahead and the automobiles entering the road or turning across your path. The chance of being in a collision with an overtaking motorist (coming from behind) are a small fraction of 1% and occur primarily at night.

The best way to cross a expressway is all of it at once. Because of the high speed differential between you and the motor traffic, you can’t negotiate lane changes. Watch for a clearing big enough to get all the way across, then turn and go quickly to get to the other side.

When riding in a group (2 is a group), point out road hazards to those behind with an outstretched arm and finger. Ring your bell or blow a whistle with two short chirps when passing. Always pass on the left, never sneak past on the right (the cyclist you pass will not be expecting you there). Remember the cyclist behind before making sudden moves. Anticipate the moves of the cyclist ahead.

Increase your spacing on descents. When riding quickly downhill, look behind to make sure your lane is clear then move left into the middle of the lane. At downhill speeds, you are going about the same speed as the motorists. Motorists will see you better in the middle of the lane and will not be tempted to sneak past as they will be forced to wait to pass until it is truly safe to do so. Watch your speed and pulse your brakes gently to maintain control. Your actions will send a clear message to motorists that you know what you are doing, are in control, and are claiming your safe and legitimate right to the lane. Don’t try to signal with your hands on a descent (you need them to control the bike). A quick shoulder check will communicate to the motorist behind that you know he/she is there and prepare them to anticipate your possible braking and left turn. Don’t brake while cornering. Brake before you begin to corner (you need all your traction to corner).

When riding through intersections in built up areas where your speed differential with motorists is low, stay in the middle of the right most lane that serves your destination. Don’t go to the curb at stops and put your right foot up on the curb—you have just left the traffic flow and will have to negotiate your way back in. Line up behind the lead rider rather than beside when stopping as a group. It is ok to line up two abreast at intersections when in larger groups to facilitate getting everyone through on the next green light.

Many of the roads we use are quiet enough that it is possible to ride side by side from time to time to chat. But don’t get lulled too deeply into a state of bliss! Stay Alert.

When riding with a friend, the usual rule of thumb is to single up when traffic dictates and when riding in a lane with a double yellow line preventing motorists from changing lanes to pass. Note: If a car is approaching from ahead, single up as its noise may mask one approaching from behind as well—which could lead to both cars and both bikes four-a-breast momentarily. Riding two-a-breast is illegal in most provincial highway traffic acts. It is allowed in most US state highway traffic acts. From a risk management perspective, The EVCC does not condone riding abreast except to pass.

Don’t stop on the road to make adjustments and/or wait for other cyclists. Find a driveway or other place to pull completely off the road when stopping.

You may decide to walk up some long, steep hills. Not only will your knees thank you, but you will probably enjoy the change of pace and see more. After all, this is the first ride of the year for most of us.

My friend Danelle tells a story about buying her first multi-speed bicycle in Scotland. While trying to decide between a 3 and 5 speed bicycle, the shop proprietor offered: "buy the 3 speed—there’s n’er a hill in Scotland ye canna walk!"

(I’ve never encountered a hill that I couldn’t walk!)

Ride at your own pace. You will enjoy the scenery more and will likely find a number of others who ride at your speed. Riding at your own pace will also help spread the group out and make it easier for motorists to pass. Don’t worry about being left behind. THIS IS NOT A RACE! Keep a mental note of whether anyone is behind you on the route.

Zip up for descents. The humid coastal air is very chilly in the shade. Keep those knees warm!

The island roads are usually in excellent repair. Watch out for wet mossy areas in the shade, the ubiquitous banana slug and highway paint, all of which can be slippery when wet.

Wear brightly coloured clothing. The most visible colour in daylight is neon pink. Recent studies have shown that fluorescent pink (a.k.a. neon) is the colour most readily seen by motorists in low light conditions. Fluorescent yellows and greens are also good. Helmets, wind-breaker jackets, T-shirts, stuff-sacks, panniers and handlebar bags are all opportunities to add long distance visibility. The larger the area of your body and baggage covered by highly visible material, the better your chances of being detected early by motorists.

Sometimes despite the best laid plans, we end up riding at dusk. You must be prepared to ride at night regardless.

Reflective strips are good at night because they bounce motorists headlights back into the drivers eyes. Retro-reflective stripes do nothing to add visibility to you during the day. If your are buying cycling clothes, buy the brightest colours you can find. Put fashion on the back burner.

Not only do you need to be visible from behind, but equally from the sides and front as well.

The easily obtained LED (light emitting diode) lights are a real benefit to cyclists. They are light weight, easy on batteries and are at least bright enough to warn motorists of your presence. There is no excuse for not having a white front and blinking red tail LED light set on your bike.

The probability of encountering a drinking driver at night is higher than in the daylight and even higher on Friday and Saturday evenings. A practical problem with night riding is having motorists approaching from ahead switching on their high-beam headlights and temporarily blinding you. On narrow roads, it can be difficult to keep track of the road edge in this situation. A brimmed hat under your helmet or a brim on your helmet are very helpful night time cycling aids.

Have good lights, retro-reflective clothing and only ride at night when absolutely necessary.

Fortunately most of the dogs we encounter will be contained by fences.

The biggest danger from dogs is not being bitten but in hitting them and flipping over. If you see a dog approaching, slow down and get ready to maneuver around it.

If the dog looks like it would like you for lunch, point to its face with an outstretched arm and yell, "go home". Trying to squirt it with your water bottle or beat on it with your pump may cause you to loose balance (and possibly wreck your pump).

For more collected wisdom on cycling, see BikeSense