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'Warning: Nothing in this instructable is suggesting that you actually go out and try this. Skitching can be extremely dangerous and by no circumstance should anybody ever do it period. Also cigarette's are bad, don't drink if your pregnant and keep knives away from kids...And limit exposure to rock n' roll music as well. They say its of the devil. Just thought you should know.
What's needed:
-Free wheel bike (fixed gear will do but not as safe at high speeds)
-Straight Handlebars (General Upright position. drop bars/bullhorns with cross brakes are fine as well)
-Front brake on right side (if your Right Handed)
-Good pair of gloves (optional but recommended)
-Good pair of gahones (gender optional)
Skitching (i.e. "skate-hitching") is the act of hitching a ride on the rear bumper of a car. It is also sometimes commonly referred to as Bumper Hitching. This can also be done with a skateboard or roller skates in urban areas where there is no ice or snow. In addition, skitching can be performed on a bicycle.[1]
Theory:
Skitching is a great way to maximize efficiency. Their three major reasons to "Catch a Skitch".
1) To go faster
2) To be lazy
3) To Showoff
I tend to use the first two rationales more often than the third one because of the dangerous nature of skitching. If you are trying to impress some hottie on a sweet fixie your not paying enough attention to the act of skitching itself, and lack of attention when your skitching could mean serious injury or even death. So for the purpose of this instructable I will be expanding upon the first two; Faster and lazier.
4 steps to Skitching Supremacy:
Step 1: Avoidance or Acknowledgment
Step 2: Reviewing Conditions
Step 3: Catching The Skitch
Step 4: Dismounting
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Signing UpStep 1Step 1: Avoidance or acknowledgement
Step 1: Avoidance or acknowledgement
Host Parasite relations....:
As with any relationship, mutual understanding is key. Knowing what your host is feeling and thinking is critical to a safe and efficient skitch. I tend to get mixed reactions from drivers when they realize that I am holding onto their vehicle. The three common emotions are Anger, Confusion, Amusement and indifference (complete unawareness).
If your driver is Angry:
Better not fully engage. An angry driver will more often than not slow down or completely come to a stop to chastise you about your foolishness. And some times they will even turn into you or accelerate rapidly in an attempt to throw you off. In any situation, angry drivers are worth avoiding. Move on.
If your driver is confused:
Test the water. Make it obvious to the driver what your doing. Give him a wink or a smile or even a quick thumbs up if you have the opportunity. Once the driver understands what your intentions are he may move onto the amusement phase and a clean skitch will ensue. He also may move to the angry stage, in this case abort immediately
If your Driver is amused:
An amused driver is almost always a great skitch. They are willing to play ball and derive entertainment out of the ordeal.
If your Driver is Unaware:
The second best scenario would be TOTAL UNAWARENESS. Be warned however, an unaware driver can be a dangerous one. Lane Switching, sudden stops and generally erratic behavior is common with oblivious drivers.
Profiling cars and their operators is a good technique to develop as well, but would require a whole other instructable to explain efficiently (and it may incense some of our readers, ie; blond chicks in Land Rovers are completely oblivious to their surroundings).
I will however explain two of the simplest and most common profiles.
An "On the Job" driver profile is someone who is working. These drivers are more likely to be cautious and extremely aware of their surroundings.These tend not to be good skitches. Examples: Bus drivers and Delivery vehicles.
An "On the Way" driver profile is someone who is commuting. These drivers are a little less aware of their surroundings and often throw caution to the wind. These tend to be good Skitches. Examples: just about Everyone else.
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Look at this if that area you went to grab has been damaged, better go to ER and get a Shot on the arm. 2nd its illegal in alot of citys plus other drivers won't see you going or coming since you will be in there blind spot.
I can see this on your tomb
"I had to take the fast way home and it cost me my life".
One problem here is that there's not enough cyclists for it to be viable often, I've also found that a decent host is usually not much of an issue, if you've got the stones to hold on to a white van, then it's easy, however other drivers are an issue, it's not nice to have a BMW come tearing up and be inches off your rear for no reason, granted there's solace in knowing if he does do something really stupid my bike doesn't cost as much as one wingmirror...
My only addition would be that how aware your area is of skitching and cyclists in general is a massive consideration, it's always been an issue for me because there used to be so few cyclists around, now they're starting to add up it's OK...
Also learning skitchers would probably be best to go for cement mixers in my experience, but only if you see a chain or rope attaching the spout to the body in some way, there is a locking mechanism but if the drive doesn't bother with that you don't know, they have lots of grab handles, tend to be extremely slow accelerating and unless you have soft hands the concrete on bars and other handy grab points makes them an easy kill...
Also bike racks are a good one if they're empty or only have one bike on, otherwise the bars get crowded and there's a good chance of a bike on the fingers over a bump. Plus there's the added advantage of them most likely being cyclist friends...
Leave boy racers/ricers alone at all costs, they're covered in flimsy junk and often aggressive...
good job... 5/5...