trailmix

Well, here is some more local flavor. On my way home from work today I was run off the road intentionally by a local motorist. This was not a major roadway, is was a residential street with a 25 mph speed limit and I was riding about 1 1/2 feet from the curb and traffic was light. This guy got beside me and swerved and accelerated toward me while yelling "get out of the road". He proceeded to challenge me to a fight claiming I was "riding in the middle of the road". I know that I live in Kentucky and a certain amount of redneckiness is expected but I thought Lexington was a step above the rest of the state-guess not.

howsteepisit

Its a shame that the world has to contain such jerks.

trailmix

What really pissed me off about this is that ever since this Schill thing hit the fan, I have gone out of my way to be extra courteous to motorists and this happens. Where was this a-hole 10 minutes before when I pulled over and stopped to let 3 cars by that I felt I was holding up? I am curious if the publicity had anything to do with the situation or not.

kickstart

It sucks that things like this sometimes happen,
Its not always easy, but the best thing is to let it go, and try to remember they don't represent the majority of folks we encounter. The worst thing to do is become one of "them" if it's in response to the Schill thing, it will pass unless their unjust prejudices are reinforced by the actions of other cyclists.

rydabent

My point is NO ONE posting here can judge what the actual shoulder is like without having ridden there. Videos cant show small glass shards and fine wires out of truck tires, or anything else.

It still remains also that IMO you cant actually "block" traffic on a 4 lane hiway. Also what is the difference between a bike doing 15 mph and say a tractor doing 15 mph. Would a cop have pulled over a tractor driver and given him a ticket?

kickstart

But there are in fact locals posting that say there's nothing extraordinary about the condition of the shoulders that prevent them from being ridden.

A tractor can't just be driven on any road at any time, there are restrictions, and they may not be used in lieu of a compliant motor vehicle as personal transportation. So yes, using a tractor as personal transportation on a state highway during rush hour would more than likely draw official attention.

trailmix

Read post 62, I gave my honest opinion about the shoulder conditions. Nothing out there a set of Gatorskins(or similar) wont handle.
The more I think about it, the more I think that riding that section of 27 in the lane is purely mental. I would be worried about getting tangled up with a rolling meth lab, I think Jessamine is the county where they found a meth lab INSIDE Walmart.

rydabent

traillmix

Maybe the lady doesnt have gatorskins----------I dont.

rydabent

kickstart

Maybe a tractor on the hiway in Kent is a big deal, but out here in the midwest, tractors, combines, etc are NOT a big deal, and they are there a great deal of the time.

Btw several years ago an old farmer lost his license, so he and his wife took to driving their tractor into town on Hiway 2 here in Nebr. It was a little old Ford tractor. He rigged up a box on the back with a seat for his wife, and off they went. The police state, county, or local did not bother them. For once common sense prevailed.

kickstart

I don't either, but they aren't the only answer. Tire liners, and thorn proof tubes are other options. I guess if it doesn't fit ones need for an excuse, or if one wants to be a curmudgeon that would be a problem........for them.

So what your saying is you base your opinions on cute anecdotes rather than facts.

-=(8)=-

If your lack of skill or equipment is a factor in impeding other people, you are in a situation you cant handle and shouldn't be in.
Why should other people have to suffer for you not feeling like you should equip your vehicle for obstacles you might encounter on your ride?

At the risk of getting this moved to P&R, Ms Schills Nexus page leads me to believe she is an individual prone to random obsessions. This being one of those.

wphamilton

I think that's the only real problem I have with what she's doing. I'd be inclined to support her legal right to that road, if it's necessary for her, but it does seem foolish and egocentric. I don't want to be associated with her, as a cyclist.

trailmix

That is why I included the (or similar) part. The bikes in my garage are currently running:
Continental:
-Gatorskins
-Top Touring
-Ultra Sport
Serfas Drifters
Bontrager:
-T1
-Select B
Panaracer:
-Pasela TG and regular strength
-Stradius

So pick one, I wouldn't be afraid of debris with any of these tires on that shoulder.

unterhausen

I used to avoid nasty shoulders until I started doing a lot of gravel road riding. Now it seems a little hypocritical when I'm on my commuter which has bigger tires than my gravel road bike. I still avoid gravel washes that look like they might trip me up, but I'm happy with a shoulder even if it has a little detritus on it. I feel like there is some VC true believer stuff going on here that probably isn't good for anyone that rides a bike.

rydabent

8

I doubt that I lack skill since I have been riding bikes for approx 68 years now. Further I do not let anyone dictate to me what I should buy. Maybe everyone should ride with solid rubber tires on their bike, is that what you are saying?

trailmix

I agree, equip yourself appropriately for your commute.

AlmostTrick

Either taking the lane on the road in question is legal according to the laws as written, or it is not.

The fact that anyone thinks exercising those rights is dangerous, or may upset someone, has nothing to do with it. Neither does any personal opinion on bicycle equipment not mandated by law, like tires.

dpeters11

A few items. Even though at least one attorney was working Pro Bono or on a contingency, I believe that they normally don't front expenses. They may not take a fee for their time, but it doesn't mean you don't have to pay anything.

But if she loses this case, is there a chance that it will become case law to prevent cyclists from taking the lane on any street or road in Kentucky?

I'll change a lane or take a lane to avoid large branches, wet metal plates etc. The hill going up to my neighborhood is about a mile in length. If there is a bus stopped in the bike lane, I'm not about to just stop behind the bus in the middle of the hill. I'm going to move into a lane to keep momentum.

Others may say just bunny hop over branches and sewer grates, but I don't see this as the best option in many situations.

FenderTL5

I'm an 'all of the above' type of rider. I take the lane when necessary. Otherwise, I will ride FRAP, in bike lanes, on greenways when they are on my route, I'm not even opposed to cutting through parking lots instead of using the streets.
I too am concerned that her actions, just one state away, will have repercussions locally.

kickstart

If ones actions or equipment isn't appropriate for the conditions, and compromises safety, it can and should be called into question. The law isn't intended to be used as an excuse for poor judgment, its meant to prevent it.

trailmix

I think it is already having negative consequences here in Lexington. In the last two weeks I have noticed a large increase in negativity from motorists. For the most part, the local motorists used to tolerate cycling pretty well but I have had more incidents in the last couple of weeks than I have had in the previous 10 years. Is this just a coincidence or backlash from Schill's crusade? At this point I don't care what the law says, stop effing up my commute.

spare_wheel

In the previous thread there is a video showing a shoulder that is intermittently carpeted in loose gravel and has large wheel catching grates.

spare_wheel

The percentage of people driving in Lexington who have heard of Cherokee Schill is almost certainly miniscule.

trailmix

The whole ordeal was played out on the news every night for a week and has the most comments of any story on WKYT.com website not to mention the newspaper and several other tv stations.

For some reason this thing is big news around here.

boattail71

Thanks OP c_bach for posting the provocative video. As a staunch cyclist, I have to say that she is doing a disservice to us cyclists who try responsibly to work at getting along with motorists. Like most of us, us cyclists also drive cars. As a motorist, I would be perturbed at best at this cyclist hogging the lane, legal or not. The shoulder did look fine to me, regardless, if you, Ms. Schill, truly deem that that shoulder is unsafe or otherwise inappropriate to ride in, please choose another road (or other means of transport) where you're not inciting such rancor and do all of us (cyclists especially - and motorists) a favor.

As a daily commuter and oft kitted-up racer, I'm embarrassed by her behavior.