Foo - I quit

That's it, I'm done - I'm too old for this stuff.

The point was driven home last night. First, while riding home from work, I get dropped by some fair-weather roadies. It's been like a game with me and this bunch over the last few years...they catch me, I catch on the their rear and suck wheel for a few miles, then attack and drop them over the last mile to my turn for home. Yesterday, they dropped me like a bad habit. They were not any faster than usual, I am just slower...I actually felt old and tired and I tried to keep their wheel, but failed miserably.

Then, about a mile from home, a car pulls up next to me full of HS kids. They stayed right next to me, rather than passing, until I finally looked over at the, ready to say something smart-arsed. Before I could open my mouth the kid on the passenger side opens the door and knocks me and my bike into the ditch! I tried to keep it together, but hit a rock that send me over the bars and into a heap on some guy's lawn - but luckily not hurt. Went I went back to the bike the front wheel was tacoed and the fork bent pretty bad. So I had to walk the resto of the way home, carrying the bike on my shoulder.

Then, when I get home, instead of working on a project I needed to finish up for work, I came into BF to chill. But instead of cheering me up, all of the complaining, flame wars, inane noob posts and arrogant know-it-alls just depressed me further. So I get some sleep and come back on this morning, but it's the same old stuff. Doesn't anyone have a sense of humor anymore?

So here I sit, faced with a working weekend because I spend so much time on BF, still not working on what needs to be done, my body sore, my bike trashed and my attitude totally in the gutter. I'm thinking maybe I need to get away from BF and cycling in general for a while, maybe for good. I'm just too old for this stuff...maybe I'll take up gardening or something that's easy.

That reminds me of the last day of middle school. Some HS kids did a drive by with 2 liter bottles filled with aged urine. I heaved a brick through their back windshield. They would have probably kicked my ass good and proper, but luckily a cop came up and arrested them, and I managed to get the hell out of there before the cop came.

And Chip, don't give up on riding just because of a few jerks, rather you should get even. If you got the plate, find a cop, have him run it and give you the address, then torch the car:D

Kidding of course, but don't give up on riding please:(

Did you get the tag of the vehicle? I assume not. A well placed .357 round into their trunk for assault with a deadly weapon would have served them fine! Damn did I say that?

Check your PM's Chip!

That's it, I'm done - I'm too old for this stuff.

The point was driven home last night. First, while riding home from work, I get dropped by some fair-weather roadies. It's been like a game with me and this bunch over the last few years...they catch me, I catch on the their rear and suck wheel for a few miles, then attack and drop them over the last mile to my turn for home. Yesterday, they dropped me like a bad habit. They were not any faster than usual, I am just slower...I actually felt old and tired and I tried to keep their wheel, but failed miserably.

Then, about a mile from home, a car pulls up next to me full of HS kids. They stayed right next to me, rather than passing, until I finally looked over at the, ready to say something smart-arsed. Before I could open my mouth the kid on the passenger side opens the door and knocks me and my bike into the ditch! I tried to keep it together, but hit a rock that send me over the bars and into a heap on some guy's lawn - but luckily not hurt. Went I went back to the bike the front wheel was tacoed and the fork bent pretty bad. So I had to walk the resto of the way home, carrying the bike on my shoulder.

Then, when I get home, instead of working on a project I needed to finish up for work, I came into BF to chill. But instead of cheering me up, all of the complaining, flame wars, inane noob posts and arrogant know-it-alls just depressed me further. So I get some sleep and come back on this morning, but it's the same old stuff. Doesn't anyone have a sense of humor anymore?

So here I sit, faced with a working weekend because I spend so much time on BF, still not working on what needs to be done, my body sore, my bike trashed and my attitude totally in the gutter. I'm thinking maybe I need to get away from BF and cycling in general for a while, maybe for good. I'm just too old for this stuff...maybe I'll take up gardening or something that's easy.

Yesterday, they dropped me like a bad habit

probably because you had become a bad habit of sucking their wheels, they waited, suckered & pounced
LOL.:) remember improvise,overcome & adapt.
Ya need to find a way too smack all of thier azzes.

Now if you really want to liven your life up again, and just something a wee-bit different
go trolling in your bibs:eek: :D

oh yea, never give up on anything

Wow, that's a pretty crazy story. It's pretty sad to think there are actually people like that out there. Like others have said, try to get these kids busted and make sure they get what they deserve.

And about taking a break from BF and cycling, I think it's totally understandable. BF can get stale after a while, and even I take occaissional breaks from cycling (it's called winter!).

Hope you and your bike heal soon, and good luck in whatever path you choose.

Take a break then come back. It's in you. It will never go away. Plus you love us too much to leave us. We are your family. :)

((hugs))

Alright, alright... You can have the weekend off.
Be back Monday. 9:00am SHARP!

Something I have learned from management is that criticial decisions are best made under a cool head and without emotion. Presumably cycling and BF has been a big part of your life in recent years. To decide to ditch it should be a well thought out decision made over a period of time. Not in the heat of battle.

If you still feel this way in a week, then it probably is time to step away and do something else. Life is too short to do something you don't enjoy. In a week, if you still don't enjoy BF or riding, then why would you want to?

Your forearms (in your avatars) are way too big to let some punk azz kids take something away from you that you enjoy. And as far as getting dropped, who cares? You are gettin' old man. It's time to look at the bike differently. I'm younger than you but already I have no interest in speed or the lack thereof on the bike. I do it for mental exercise, not for physical.

(EDIT> Is Chip getting a jump on us for April Fool's?)

(EDIT> Is Chip getting a jump on us for April Fool's?)


I'd say so. That is why I'm not tripping. He loves us too much and with his background and experience, do you think he'd put up with that? :D

He just needs some Creotine.

Sorry about the door thing, my friends and I mistook you for Explody Pup.

Life sucks sometime Chip, sorry it is suckage for you right now.

It it helps, I never had a sense of humor, all my posts are written by a staff of scientists from the North American Institute of Humor and Sarcasm.

Bah, don't worry bout it....we all have those kinds of days....where you don't want to crawl out of bed, since you're afraid even more things will go sideways.

I say try your best to not sweat it, go out and have some wings (or wahtever food you like), and find something to smile about.

Chippie. I'm glad you weren't seriously hurt. ((hugs)) You can't give up. I can't give up. I have to ride. It's therapeutic. I'll bet for you, too. :o So get the bike fixed, and get yerse'f back out there!

Besides, I'm countin' on you being there for my first century in Ohio. :)

And now I'm thinkin' I want to come track down those little sh!ts and open up a can of VegaVixen Whupass. :mad: Bring yer popcorn, baybuh! :D

Damn kids. If you see that car or w/e they were in find the license plact #!

What model was it?

sorry to hear that. i too see a lot of bs in bf from people who are so pretentious. when we come to bf to unwind, rather it's discouraging, yes.

what's encouraging though is stating your peace and moving forward. thanks for the story. i hope you feel better soon. punks those kids are!

I would start riding with an Uzzi... Who remembers that thread about the guy who likes to ride with a gun?

Chip, we need you here, and your bikes need you, too. Take a break from us if you must, but keep on riding, and come back here when your spirit is mended. :)

You probably do need to cut back on BF for a while...we all get sucked into posting too much when we should be working. Just don't go away completely. Other than that, I hope you just had a bad day and feel better soon. You got dropped by a paceline of roadies? That's hardly a sign of age. You were probably just off your form. Or maybe after "a few years", they're finally actually able to ride!
Those kids in the car are losers. Don't let them spoil what you love.
Cheers
Robert

Sorry to hear that Chipcom. There are few things I hate more than people who will stop at nothing to get pleasure for themselves. Unfortunately, many high schoolers fall into this category.

I think everyone needs a break from online forums now and then. I took a one week break back in February, and it was a very good thing. Just don't leave for too long, ok?

Chip, we need you here, and your bikes need you, too. Take a break from us if you must, but keep on riding, and come back here when your spirit is mended. :)

+500 :)

You'll be back by winter. ;) Seriously. sorry that happened, it's always nice to take a break. You don't seem like the type of cat to let this defeat you. Best wishes to you.

Chip, I think the JF thread burned you out. Of course, his breif visit warranted all the dialoque you could muster up. You have to seize the moment when it comes. How will you fare now? :rolleyes:

Don't tell me your biking spirit has been poisoned by the rattlesnake with the initials JF (a cotton-mouth water moccasin may be a better analogy.:D )

Sometimes we give so much our tank gets emptied out.

Are you dying a slow death? :rolleyes:

Here are some supportive words I read before:

Take some advice from the Klass Klown - life goes on, relax, have fun, quit worrying so much about what you used to have or what you lost and appreciate what you DO have and all the possibilities for the future.

Better find you some antivenin, bro. :p

Keep riding, keep posting

You are part of our lifeblood here.

That said, I trust you will do what is best for you.

But you will come back, our Foo sirens will lure you back with their sassiness.

(especially Jsharr, chez' sassy) :D

Sorry about your beloved steed and the testosterone infused youngin's who pulled that stunt. Unfortunately, when this particular group of youngsters matures and realizes harming fellow human beings is NOT a hoot, a new generation will replace them so we will always occasionally be dealing with this.

As for feeling old, everything goes south physiologically with each trip we take around the sun but our progression is much slower than John/Jane Q Couch Potato :) . As for getting dropped, I have an Aunt who went from athletic and very involved with my Uncle in her community to a Parkinson's stricken widow in an electric wheelchair in an assisted living apartment-all in a span of less than seven years. I now appreciate being able to walk. Riding a bicycle is a bonus.

Everything gets stale with overuse so please take a break and catch up with what earns your paycheck and then maybe try gardening or metal detecting or hiking- whatever. If you were to never post again you've already provided enough lightheartedness on this forum to permanently brighten the lives of the majority of BF'ers. Best wishes, Chip!

chip, what took place in the road forum affected more people then you know.
Im sadden by it, only because it took away the admiration I had for some.
It wont be the same for a while for many.I dont know how it got so bad but I also thought"this is not worth it"
But I know there is so much more to bf ( like people like you)then what happend in there and you know that too:)

Great bicycle fiction Chip!!!

I know that's not a jarhead taklin'.

Did I miss something again or did I cause it?!

What happened in the road site of BF?

Just talked to Chip on the phone.

He apparently suffered a ruptured groin in the crash and is currently in hospital, wearing icepacks to reduce massive swelling. From what I understand, it ain't pretty!:eek:

OUCH :eek: hope you have a rapid recovery Chip!

Just talked to Chip on the phone.

He apparently suffered a ruptured groin in the crash and is currently in hospital, wearing icepacks to reduce massive swelling. From what I understand, it ain't pretty!:eek:
serious? omg:(

Oh, damn, sounds quite painful! :( If you talk to him again soon tell him we're all hoping for a quick recovery.

He's got his laptop and wireless card, so he may be in and out. If his posts don't make a lot of sense, he's currently getting IV push of Dilaudid hourly, so he may ramble a bit if he logs in.

He's got his laptop and wireless card, so he may be in and out. If his posts don't make a lot of sense, he's currently getting IV push of Dilaudid hourly, so he may ramble a bit if he logs in.

Ouch! If you can hear me Chip, I'll be prayin' for ya! :(

He's got his laptop and wireless card, so he may be in and out. If his posts don't make a lot of sense, he's currently getting IV push of Dilaudid hourly, so he may ramble a bit if he logs in.

Where do you get an IV where they have wireless access? Just curious.

Where do you get an IV where they have wireless access? Just curious.
Hospitals often have wireless, as long as you aren't on a cardiac monitor.

Chip, Get well soon. Stay on BF, it will not be the same with out you.
Happy Faces just for you:

:) :) :) :D

Just talked to Chip on the phone.

He apparently suffered a ruptured groin in the crash and is currently in hospital, wearing icepacks to reduce massive swelling. From what I understand, it ain't pretty!:eek:

Could anyone really imagine Chips groin being anything near pretty to begin with?

(and I'm sure Chip has massive swelling there on a regular basis)

Hospitals often have wireless, as long as you aren't on a cardiac monitor.

I didn't know that. Crap, i might just go ahead and check myself in now. :D

He's got his laptop and wireless card, so he may be in and out. If his posts don't make a lot of sense, he's currently getting IV push of Dilaudid hourly, so he may ramble a bit if he logs in.
tell him I give him a hug, I would call him myself.
HUGE HUG CHIP!:love:

Chip ,Tom just told me what happened to you. I am sorry to hear that. I used to work in a hospital, I could very easily have been your nurse. Now how is that for terrifying, it is. I was Tom's nurse for one time he can tell you.

Get better sweetie.
Crazylady, also the Mrs.

Not Chipcom Man! Get better soon. How will I go on without my source for severed heads?

I sure agree with that "it always calls you back..." I've been through a few, the last one landed me in the emergency and it took a while to come back.

These days, close calls are enough to put me off for a while. But on the flip side, a good ride just calls for more.

Sadly as we age and get wiser a bit, we tend not to heal as readily. So just when you think you know all the tricks, it is harder to pull them off. sigh.

Heal up and get back out there... who knows, maybe you'll spot them again and this time give them what for.

Take care.

"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." -

"It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up." -
-- Vince Lombardi


Pain Is Only Temporary, Pride Is Forever

Pain Is Weakness Leaving The Body

Not as Lean, Not As Mean, But Still A Marine


Chipcom the words "surrender" and "give up" are not in your vocabulary. Heal up! Get up! Ride those slackers into the ground. You are too full of piss and vinagar to take this kind of crap from anyone!:mad:

You are and will always be a warrior!

wow. speedy recovery wishes going out to you Chip.

Karen.

get well soon chip!

Give BF a break. That is great advice.

Dont give up your riding.

Get better soon.


sgt

Chip, breathe. :)

First order of business, get well. Whether or not your ride or post on BF after that is to be determined after that.

Feel better soon Chipcomman.

Sounds like injury on top of insult has got you down. Take a break from BF. Find those kids. Call the cops or better yet, fill the car's gas tank with something nasty, or flatten the tires. Just go to the closest high school and find the car then get the tag run (about 25$) and pay them a visit.