North Shore Cyclists The Best Cycling North of Boston

I have been riding a Specialized Rockhopper mountain bike on the road, NEVER off-road  (O.k. stop laughing) for ten years with a 'Mirrycle' mirror mounted on the left-hand bar end. Would not EVER think of riding without one. To not have a mirror would be the equivalent of crossing the street without looking to see if a car was coming, would you do it ? Of course not ! But without a mirror, you are basically doing just that ! I'm not going to put my trust (and my life) in the hands of someone I can't see, not knowing what they might be doing behind me. Are they 'texting', or talking on their cell phone ? Or changing a CD ? All of a sudden they look up and they are about to run you over. If you are lucky you might just end up in the E.R or the O.R. Worse case scenario you end up in the morgue. But with a mirror, you would have seen that coming and would have been able to get yourself out of harms way. Or is it that you are 'too cool' to be seen with a mirror on your $ 4,000.00 dollar , 16 lb. bike ? I'm sorry if this comes across a bit harsh, but seriously, why would anyone care what it might 'look like' if they had a mirror on their bike if they knew that one day it might just save their life !!!  

I can't tell you how many times that mirror has saved 'my life'. I joined N.S.C. after riding in this years 'Blazing Saddles Ride'. Did the 50 miler (Yes on my mtn. bike) it was then that I realized to do more than my usual 12-15 mile rides it was time for a road bike. I didn't get the 15-16 lb. bike, demo'd one and it felt like riding in the 'Flintstones' mobile. Went for the 2011 Specialized Tricross Comp. At 20-21 lbs. a little heavier than a strictly 'road bike' but I wanted a bike I could do EVERYTHING with. Needed to be able to mount a rear rack, and still be able to do 18-20 mph. if I needed / wanted to. Tour with it , do 50-100 milers, and can handle the scruffy in the city roads. When it came in, the 'Mirrycle' mirror would not fit the new 2011 Shimano 105 shift levers. So I spent $300.00 to switch back to the 2010 Shimano 105 levers, and the mirror fit like a glove.  ( Up-graded the wheelset to Mavic Ksyrium Elite rims with 700x32 tires for the winter, and switch over to 700x 28 tires in the summer. It flies, I love it !!! )  So, wouldn't / shouldn't we do everything to be as safe as we can, and return back safely to our family after a ride, not having them have to get 'the phone call'...

As you can tell I'm very passionate about this 'mirror thing'. For those I may have annoyed by coming on so strong about this, I apologize. But if it maybe gets a couple of people that may have been on the fence about this and decide to give it a try (and maybe save your life) then it was worth it to me to take the time to write ( can't ride right now anyway, it's raining outside ... ) this. I would be more than happy to share info. on how to go about mounting a mirror to fit your bike, or even help you do it. Feel free to contact me anytime...

Thanks for taking the time to read this... If this is 'just not for you', could you at least pass this info. on, knowing it might save someones life someday...

Gary Gagnon

E-mail : doublg30@verizon.net