Commuting - If you'd obeyed the law you'd still have a license!!

This was yelled at me today on my way to work. I was tooling up Canterburry Drive, no faster than 10mph and some fat lady yelled this to me out the window. Not to be outdone I yelled back "if you'd get off your arse more often you'd not have to whipe it with a stick". The look on her face was priceless, then she yelled "damned drunks" and sped off. WTF?? I've never driven a car while under the influence in my adult life! Never the less, I had to stop on the side of the road because I was laughing so hard at my own retort. I'm usually not very good at witty comebacks.
Then on a lighter note, I'm sitting at the red light on Metro Parkway getting ready to cross VanDyke when the guy next to me rolls down his pickup window. "Great" I thought, here we go again! Then he said in deepest Yooper accent I've ever heard, "yer like the gawdammed energizer bunny there fellah, I see you almost every day... can't believe your riding in this crap". It was 40F and raining. I just smiled and said thanks.
Was a nice little one extreme to the next kinda thing for me today.

It's clearly unfathomable for most people that anyone would choose to ride a bike... gets ya lumped right in with the moped riders.

It's as if the size of your gas bill determines status in this country lately. :rolleyes:


[edit] and thanks for yet another reminder that I'm a wuss. I haven't been commuting very long and still can't get up the nerve to do it in the rain. I keep telling myself that I'll eventually have a bike with fenders and some better gear... but I don't know.

My motivation would be stronger if I'd started earlier in the year and had more momentum...

Anyone who yells something that ignorant must have first hand experience...

"not have to whipe your arse with a stick?"

Sorry, I don't get it. I laughed anyway. Whatever it means, it must be funny.

About half the people I work with are "upers". Funny culture they have there in upper michigan. The boss is from Michigan Tech and mostly refuses to higher anyone from anywhere else. Anyone from "below the bridge" they call trolls. :lol:

"not have to whipe your arse with a stick?"

Sorry, I don't get it. I laughed anyway. Whatever it means, it must be funny.



Obese people tend to have problems performing certain hygenic tasks...
such as reaching certain parts of their bodies
does that help? :)

the origional poster needs to check out the light contest... this has potential...

This was yelled at me today on my way to work. I was tooling up Canterburry Drive, no faster than 10mph and some fat lady yelled this to me out the window. Not to be outdone I yelled back "if you'd get off your arse more often you'd not have to whipe it with a stick". The look on her face was priceless, then she yelled "damned drunks" and sped off. WTF?? I've never driven a car while under the influence in my adult life! Never the less, I had to stop on the side of the road because I was laughing so hard at my own retort. I'm usually not very good at witty comebacks.
Then on a lighter note, I'm sitting at the red light on Metro Parkway getting ready to cross VanDyke when the guy next to me rolls down his pickup window. "Great" I thought, here we go again! Then he said in deepest Yooper accent I've ever heard, "yer like the gawdammed energizer bunny there fellah, I see you almost every day... can't believe your riding in this crap". It was 40F and raining. I just smiled and said thanks.
Was a nice little one extreme to the next kinda thing for me today.
Too funny.

light contest?

light contest?
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=239764

and thanks for yet another reminder that I'm a wuss. I haven't been commuting very long and still can't get up the nerve to do it in the rain.
Riding in the rain is actually quite fun. So long as you aren't in heavy traffic.
Or on the way in to work. Dripping in the office is no fun.

Anyone ever get a BWI (biking while intoxicated) ticket?

I haven't been commuting very long and still can't get up the nerve to do it in the rain.
Don't ride in the rain just to prove a point. It is more dangerous, more uncomfortable and more inconvenient. I rode home in rain today and had three cars that ignored or didn't see me and cut me off at intersections. I expected it, and there were no close calls, but it does demonstrate that rainy conditions increase the risk. Then to top it off I got a flat and had to walk the last 1 km. That happens more often in the rain too. I think the water lubricates the tiny shards of glass scattered here and there on the road and makes it easier for them to penetrate the tire. So don't worry if you don't ride in rain. You're being smart or cautious, not a wuss.

+1 for saving rain-riding for times when necessary, although I find do find it fun, especially on the way home from work...going to work the rain means its REALLY dark, and I don't like the combination of dark and wet...very hazardous. I just hate drying out my shoes....

As for the OP...Way to bite back! Any intelligent driver should''ve known DUI bikers only use the sidewalks :O

Boy, and it was a rainy Friday too here in Detroit. I rode in as usual....though the car was sitting on a flat and pumping it was probably more effort than it was worth. I started off with my skiiing gloves on and about a mile on the road realized it was actually raining. I considered stopping to switch to the neoprene gloves, but fell to the usual problem that once I'm riding I'm not willing to stop for much of anything. Gloves were totally soaked but my hands were pretty warm even with the low 40's weather going on.

I suppose drivers think I'm a DUI convict like the OP. Folks at my job are otherwise in awe. I get the "Man, are you a die hard" at the bike rack on days when it's just in the 40's with no rain. I plan to ride into the winter which should move me from (credit to Steven King) "eccentric" to "dangerous maybe" to "crazy as a s**thouse rat" in one step.

It's as if the size of your gas bill determines status in this country lately. :rolleyes:


Lately? Did you fall asleep in 1972 or what?

Should have responded with
"I'm dead sexy" while rubbing your nipples. No one will ever bother you again.
Oh and throw in the fat bastard scottish accent.

I'm sitting at the red light on Metro Parkway getting ready to cross VanDyke when the guy next to me rolls down his pickup window. "Great" I thought, here we go again! Then he said in deepest Yooper accent I've ever heard, "yer like the gawdammed energizer bunny there fellah, I see you almost every day... can't believe your riding in this crap". It was 40F and raining. I just smiled and said thanks.

Yet another example to strengthen my opinion that motorists in Michigan are generally decent to cyclists so long as we're talking about anywhere but SE Michigan. Hey, my grandpa owned and operated a Mobil gas station on the corner of 16 Mile and Van ****. I doubt it's there anymore.

I like rain riding, the only think is that drivers are more crazy.

Lately? Did you fall asleep in 1972 or what?

Who you calling old there fella? :lol:

72 is just a few years before my time.

It's clearly unfathomable for most people that anyone would choose to ride a bike... gets ya lumped right in with the moped riders.

It's as if the size of your gas bill determines status in this country lately. :rolleyes:


[edit] and thanks for yet another reminder that I'm a wuss. I haven't been commuting very long and still can't get up the nerve to do it in the rain. I keep telling myself that I'll eventually have a bike with fenders and some better gear... but I don't know.

My motivation would be stronger if I'd started earlier in the year and had more momentum...

Hmm.. might make a good shirt or bumper sticker, "Your status amongst your family, friends, and peers is determined by how awesome your petro bill is. Keep on one upping each other! Your wallet demands it." :)


Zero_Enigma

Hmm.. might make a good shirt or bumper sticker, "Your status amongst your family, friends, and peers is determined by how awesome your petro bill is. Keep on one upping each other! Your wallet demands it." :)


Zero_Enigma

It'd make my signature at some point.

Obese people tend to have problems performing certain hygenic tasks...
such as reaching certain parts of their bodies
does that help? :)Oh - NOW I get it. The OP had me confused too. When he said "whipe" I thought he meant "whip" not "wipe".

Yet another example to strengthen my opinion that motorists in Michigan are generally decent to cyclists so long as we're talking about anywhere but SE Michigan. Hey, my grandpa owned and operated a Mobil gas station on the corner of 16 Mile and Van ****. I doubt it's there anymore.

Actually, there are two Mobil stations there, one recently shut down, about 3 months ago or thereabouts.
But there was one on the north side and one on the south side.

Given good lighting (primarily a rear STROBE not just a blinking LED) and good rain gear, riding in the rain is actually NOT (IMHO) at all uncomfortable or unpleasant or (again IMHO) very dangerous. In the summer it's actually enjoyable with just the regular shirt and shorts. Now that it's 35*F and raining, I do want my rain jacket.

35*f and raining is awesome riding............for testing your raingear :)
Fenders, and lots of cash for experimenting with variuos clothing options helps

I don't think riding in the rain is particularly hazardous, as long as it's not lightning or raining hard enough to be blinding. There is a mental aspect to it too. Where you know it isn't going to really make the ride any harder, but it's tougher to get going, and once you've reached your destination there's more of a sense of accomplishment.

Great come-back to the cager, Cricket.:roflmao:
I'd have probably shouted something lamely obvious like, "If you weren't lazy, you wouldn't be fat!!"

riding in the rain rocks!!

Twitchness over drain covers and manholes doesnt... but you get used to that, also drivers tend to drive like idiots in the rain.

Dont know why but I tend to go faster, easier in the rain, I always end up stopping at lights smiling, and if its a real true downpour I chuck on my XXL packaway rain coat, and just go for it. Providing you keep above 15mph or so then you dont notice the sweat inside on your arms, and the core of your body tends to keep cool enough to not sweat that much anyway.

You also get "kudos" from people you pass :) which is not a bad thing when its a group of girls in a car :D

Excellent post, very much in the BF style to put the moron's comment as your subject header. :) Your retort was cruel, but the driver richly deserved it and your statement was quite possibly accurate! :D

I have no idea what some of you guys are talking about. Rain riding miserable and uncomfortable? I rode throughout the rainy season last year, and had the time of my life. It was from commuting to work too. If you got the right gear, and know what you're doing, then it's very easy...

+1 for saving rain-riding for times when necessary, although I find do find it fun, especially on the way home from work...going to work the rain means its REALLY dark, and I don't like the combination of dark and wet...very hazardous. I just hate drying out my shoes....
As for the OP...Way to bite back! Any intelligent driver should''ve known DUI bikers only use the sidewalks :O
The cyclist I see that appear to be riding out of absolute neccesity are usually in jeans and a flannel, riding a rusted MTB on the sidewalk or on the wrong side of the street and never wear a helmet. I get mistaken occasionally despite riding a road bike with cycling gear, lights and always a helmet. Its actually kind of funny as one guy I see occasionally on his porch always sings the 1800SafeAuto jingle every time I pass. One of these times I should stop and correct him but I think he just thinks its funny.
Craig

I have no idea what some of you guys are talking about. Rain riding miserable and uncomfortable? I rode throughout the rainy season last year, and had the time of my life. It was from commuting to work too. If you got the right gear, and know what you're doing, then it's very easy...
+1
If I didn't ride in the rain how would I get to work. I can't stand driving the car.
It does require a little more care but over all I don't feel like its is that much more dangerous.
Craig

Funny culture they have there in upper michigan

I think it's cuz they're geographically cheeseheads.

Then on a lighter note, I'm sitting at the red light on Metro Parkway getting ready to cross VanDyke when the guy next to me rolls down his pickup window. "Great" I thought, here we go again! Then he said in deepest Yooper accent I've ever heard, "yer like the gawdammed energizer bunny there fellah, I see you almost every day... can't believe your riding in this crap". It was 40F and raining. I just smiled and said thanks.
I got asked by a colleague the other day "Why do you always ride so furiously? Whenever i see you, you're pedalling like mad and looking angry!" LOL. I replied "My legs only have one speed".

And JeffS, ignore the other wusses ;) and ride in the rain. It's nowhere near as bad as you imagine - you only get wet once then you don't notice anymore! :D

True dat. Riding in the rain is a hoot, and even better on commute when you have the right gear.

As for the OP...from what I have noticed over the years if somebody brings up the drunk angle when they see people using public transportation or riding a bike they are typically somebody who is speaking from experience.

Anyone ever get a BWI (biking while intoxicated) ticket?
had a friend that was locked up for public drunk while on the bike

I get that all the time. "Why don't you have drive a car? Did you get an Impaired charge or something? You do have a license, right?" Why can people not understand that cars are not the end all to be all. Cars are appliances, like dishwashers and dryers. Very convenient to have but hardly a necessity.

One of my co-workers acted surprised when I mentioned my 3 vintage VWs. She was even more surprised to find out that I was married after I told her my wife hates the Bus. She was under the assumption that a) I didn't have a car, and b) I was unmarried and just out of college. All these assumptions were made because I ride my bike or use public transit to get to work.

I get that all the time. "Why don't you have drive a car? Did you get an Impaired charge or something? You do have a license, right?" Why can people not understand that cars are not the end all to be all. Cars are appliances, like dishwashers and dryers. Very convenient to have but hardly a necessity.

What? You don't have a dishwasher?

What? You don't have a dishwasher?

That is strange.

I have a dishwasher but no car. If given choice will take a dishwasher. What I really need is a floor, toilet and sinks scrubber.

So I can have something interesting to say on BikeForums.

I have a dishwasher but no car. If given choice will take a dishwasher. What I really need is a floor, toilet and sinks scrubber.

+1!!!!

"License for what? Hunting turkeys?"