We’ve got our winners in the “How do I signal a right turn” contest. The question was regarding how to properly and legally signal a right hand turn while riding a bicycle.

In truth, the question was kind of a gimme – there are two correct answers. The first, which most people gave as their answer, is by holding the left arm out, bent at a 90 degree angle pointing up. This is the signal required by the DMV for use in automobiles – which makes sense. This is also what motorcyclists use, so the right hand can remain on the throttle. So yes – right arm at 90 degree angle is correct.

However, the DMV also has this to say:

Bicyclists may give right turn-signals with their right arm held straight out, pointing right.

So which is “better?” That’s a good question. Me personally, I use my right hand, held straight out to the right. I personally feel this is more definitive – there is no mistaking that I am pointing to the right. And it eliminates the possibility of motorists behind me mistaking my hand gesture for something less … helpful. As always though, follow your local laws, and do what you believe makes you safer on the road.

And now to the winners.

There was only one incorrect answer submitted: “Why bother. They won’t see you anyways” Soooo not helpful.

So the three randomly selected winners are:

• Jackie. Submitted via email. Jackie answered with the bent left arm.
• Phil. Submitted via email. Phil also went with the bent left arm.
• Doug. Submitted via comment to the original contest. Doug answered with the right hand.

Congrats to all! Send me your postal address to [email protected] and I’ll get your sticker shipped out to you this week. Since I have an email address for all three, I’ll drop you an email as well.

Happy signaling.

Hand signals. We all use them when riding on the roads. Right? Right?!? But do you actually know how to do it properly?

Between now and noon Feb 1, I’ll be taking your answers to the following question. 3 random folks will be selected from the correct answers and get a complimentary “Put the fun between legs” sticker. Postage paid. $0.00 out of pocket. Just answer this question correctly:

What is the legal and proper way to signal a right hand turn on a bicycle in the state of California?

You can submit your response in one of 3 ways:

• By commenting to this post (notice, you’re comment will be queued for approval if you have not posted here before. Never fear – I will get your comment!)
• By sending an email to [email protected] with “JAC Right Hand Turn” in the subject line
• On twitter, by mentioning @VeloReviews in your tweet
• On the VeloReviews Facebook page, as a comment on the post for this article.

Have Fun!

Just Another Cyclist urges you to HTFU – and is willing to give away free stuff to those that do.

That’s right – we’re running a contest.  The challenge – find hidden instances of ‘HTFU’ around JustAnotherCyclist.com or the Just Another Cyclist Facebook page.  Anywhere you find those 4 letters strung together is a valid find.  It may be in the article itself.  It may be in a photo.  The only places that doesn’t count are user-submitted comments or third-party advertisements.

And what can you get?  The top three folks – based on the number of instances of HTFU found – will receive Action Wipes – the way to quickly clean up after a hard ride.  First place gets 7, second place 5 and third place gets 3 of the Just Another Cyclist special edition Action Wipes.  And there’s a special bonus prize available for you Sacramento residents.  There are three locations in Sacramento where you can find an item printed with both JustAnotherCyclist and HTFU.  Find any of the three and receive a bonus of 5 action wipes – regardless of any other prizes you may win.

How to enter

Search JustAnotherCyclist.com and the Just Another Cyclist Facebook page.  Note where you find them – include a URL or article title and description of where you found ‘HTFU’ written.  After you’ve found all that you can, send the details in an email to [email protected].

The contest runs from now until 11:59:59pm PST on March 1, 2011.  Include ‘HTFU’ somewhere in the subject line of the email.  The winners will be determined and notified on March 3.  Sorry – prizes will no be delivered to addresses outside of the US.

So start searching and score yourself some free Just Another Cyclist Action Wipes!!  And to get you started – you’ve already found 6 right on this page!

Official rules:

• Entries must be received by email to [email protected] by 11:59:59 PST on March 1, 2011.
• In the event of a tie, winners will be determined by random drawing.
• Prizes will be mailed to US addresses only
• Each instance counts as only one find – including shared instances that appear on multiple pages.  For example, any page elements that form the framework of the Just Another Cyclist website count only once.
• Content provided by third-party advertisers does not count
• Text or images included in user-submitted comments do not count
• Maximum number of Action Wipes awarded is 25.  In the event there are more than two bonus prize winners, two prize recipients will be selected by random drawing of the bonus prize winners.
• Only one bonus prize per person
• Winning a bonus prize does not exclude contestants from eligibility for normal contest prizes, nor visa-versa.

Not sure if it is an act of extreme market cunning, an indication of hubris, or just an excuse for me to start buying stuff with images I want on them, but Just Another cyclist is proud to announce the launch of the online store!

First off – before any one asks, no I’m not trying to get rich here.  I am, however, trying to offset the costs of running the website.  Even more so, however:  it is just a whole lotta fun.  My own personal Just Another Cyclist (JAC) merchandise is already in the mail.  I’m not only a writer, I’m also a customer.

Another advantage to taking the time to get JAC merchandise worked out now could potentially have benefits for all of you:  contests.

And this is just the tip of the iceburg.   I’m currently looking into other products that readers may find interesting.

Your continued support is of incredible value to you.  I very much appreciate each and every one of my readers.  And to you regular followers, I offer a hint:

The first official Just Another Cyclist contest is right around the corner.  Here’s a hint to give you a leg up:  If you plan to win swag, you’re going to have to HTFU.