Rides and Races - Toronto Fixed

Speaking of jumping the shark . . . This thread is deteriorating rapidly. Me = gone for a bit

No!!

Um. Hi.

I've come to inform everyone that I've switched to the dark side.
I'm back on a freewheel again!

PLATFORMS FOREVER!

What...

hello this thread moves to quickly, 10000+ posts oh jeez

T.J. you saved my ass tonight - thanks.

WAs it me? What'd I do?

Who saw that cat leave a skid mark on the road from the helicam in the sprint last night?

Made me much more aware of the cause and effect relationship of peds signalling cabs for the left cross.

It's pretty much reflex for me now to be ready for that, but I hadn't ever been in the situation until last night. Would have been in the hospital if not for the "Andrew warning" I've heard half a dozen times now. Dude literally looked right through me, accelerated/veered into the space I was half a second before. When the fare was diving out of the way of me and I had my knee on the guy's hood, he was still oblivious. I literally pulled around and road up to the guy's window ... meanwhile he's mouth-breathing at the fare wondering why they won't get into the cab (he never saw me at all until I practically went after him through his driver side window). In the end, I just calmly explained to him that he's almost nailed me ... but I don't know if the guy even believed me. He had absolutely no idea what I was talking about.

Yipes, work beckons.

Whew, glad you didn't get plastered. My job is done here. When do you and Wes head off for FFL?

July 23rd.

Who saw that cat leave a skid mark on the road from the helicam in the sprint last night?

eeew.. what? I didn't watch the coverage last night.

Made me much more aware of the cause and effect relationship of peds signalling cabs for the left cross.



Always move to the center of the lane, if possible, when you spy a ped hailing a cab. Fabulous rule of thimb to pass around, I make it clear no one is to lurch to the curb for the fare when I'm in the lane. Cabbies don't have it easy and some get excited when they see the fare, it's no excuse just something to be wary of.

^^^^Most messers have come across this many times^^^^

Flesh, speed, and rough road surface. You saw him bounce in slow-mo from the finish line cam and then you could see the mark from above. Awful but in a peeking-through-your-fingers kinda way.

Good peds know that can happen too, There've been several occasions when I've been riding and a ped will put up a palm to keep the cabbie from trying to edge me out to get the curb, once a lady even refused the cab of a fellow that kept his forward right fender 4 inches off my left pedal, trying to get me right so he could take the lane and get the fare, ahead of me? Like I'm gonna steal his fare.

Ah, the good good people of Toronto, how I love ya. They'd step over your bleeding corpse in MTL, wiping their shoes on your jersey before getting into the cab. ok maybe not that bad.... :lol:

*Like I'm gonna steal his fare.* Now THAT would be funny

"What'cha want, lady - the bars or the pegs? Git on it!"

Always move to the center of the lane, if possible, when you spy a ped hailing a cab. Fabulous rule of thimb to pass around, I make it clear no one is to lurch to the curb for the fare when I'm in the lane. Cabbies don't have it easy and some get excited when they see the fare, it's no excuse just something to be wary of.

Unfortunately it wasn't a situation where I could take the easy left around. I was "taking the lane" (in theory, at least) because I was about to make a right a bit further up the street. Dude was just tunneling visioning. Meh, it's a new day ... all's good.

Yea I could never blame the ped, they just wanted a cab. But death from behind like that.....I'll not be so forgiving to the cabbie. Sam seems to have a much more zen approach to cabbies. Show 'em the lock..:lol:

Judge stops San Francisco bike plan on environmental grounds (http://bikescape.blogspot.com/2006/07/its-not-easy-being-green-judge-stops.html)

must be something in the air, i had a similar scenario on my commute this morning. i veer around a cab as he accelerates past then slams on his brakes to get to the curb in a hurry. when i'm back into the right lane, about 30 seconds later this idiot in a luxury sedan pulls up behind me and leans on the horn then speeds off. so i catch him at a red light and spit all over his window. probably not the most mature response but mad is mad, what can i say. i'm going to start riding around in one of those fully enclosed trikes, i wonder if they're any safer. glad you're ok eyefloater.

It never fails to boggle my mind why, when you're in a car with all that power at your toe, why they feel the need to accelerate then brake, when going behind the biker and just waiting a couple seconds ( all it ever seems to be) is so much better for the car itself AND all fleshies involved.

The spitting thing can have some serious repercussions, J. Be prepared to fight for your life if you're going to do that. Drivers' reactions to that can range from bewilderment to full on red-faced murderous insanity.

must be something in the air, i had a similar scenario on my commute this morning. i veer around a cab as he accelerates past then slams on his brakes to get to the curb in a hurry. when i'm back into the right lane, about 30 seconds later this idiot in a luxury sedan pulls up behind me and leans on the horn then speeds off. so i catch him at a red light and spit all over his window. probably not the most mature response but mad is mad, what can i say. i'm going to start riding around in one of those fully enclosed trikes, i wonder if they're any safer. glad you're ok eyefloater.
HORK on the window is fine I normaly do that to peeps that park in the bike lane , giving the BIRD is my fav

It never fails to boggle my mind why, when you're in a car with all that power at your toe, why they feel the need to accelerate then brake, when going behind the biker and just waiting a couple seconds ( all it ever seems to be) is so much better for the car itself AND all fleshies involved.

The spitting thing can have some serious repercussions, J. Be prepared to fight for your life if you're going to do that. Drivers' reactions to that can range from bewilderment to full on red-faced murderous insanity.

oh yeah, i realize that it's not the best thing to do. i took a peek in the window and the guy didin't look too mean so i just decided to lose my temper. honestly, i do it a lot less now because if it pisses someone off it makes everyone on a bike look bad.

i'm going to start riding around in one of those fully enclosed trikes, i wonder if they're any safer.

Yeah, I've considered getting some armor (http://www.projectgrizzly.net/). ;)

It never fails to boggle my mind why, when you're in a car with all that power at your toe, why they feel the need to accelerate then brake, when going behind the biker and just waiting a couple seconds ( all it ever seems to be) is so much better for the car itself AND all fleshies involved.

The spitting thing can have some serious repercussions, J. Be prepared to fight for your life if you're going to do that. Drivers' reactions to that can range from bewilderment to full on red-faced murderous insanity.well these drivers don't give a sh*t if they kill you any way's so if you get a close call do what you want to them

It used to be a fav of mine many moons ago, until it became toe-to-toe in the middle of the street. I've been trying to control my temper on the road as well but some days...... Drivers don't seem to get it until it sinks in that no matter what they do they will be ok BUT that it's soooo easy for them to kill someone else. Our reactions are those of someone who just came within a hair of possibly being killed thus we tend to go into full survival reaction mode much quicker, and this baffles drivers'.

I still want to study electrical engineering to create an EMP field around me and my bike so that if you get within two feet of it your engine will conk out. As well a glove that will concentrate a pulse over wherever i touch frying the chips would be nice for a more permanent solution.

BWwwhahahahaha

Last month a courier (dunno who) cussed out a friend of mine because he opened the door of the cab to get out without looking first for a cyclist. He must have been a newb because pretty much every cyclist in Toronto knows that you always approach a cab with caution, especially if they are just sitting in a lane, you'll get doored if you don't. My friend felt bad about it until I pointed out this to him. Everyone can be a jerk, I guess.

well these drivers don't give a sh*t if they kill you any way's so if you get a close call do what you want to them

Posturing, they're all ****in' cowards.

^^^It is an offense to open without looking^^^
I always look for the heads in the car. Cabs stopped with passengers *shutter* I HATE those wheel ads, it messes with my watching the wheels for movement mojo.

It used to be a fav of mine many moons ago, until it became toe-to-toe in the middle of the street. I've been trying to control my temper on the road as well but some days...... Drivers don't seem to get it until it sinks in that no matter what they do they will be ok BUT that it's soooo easy for them to kill someone else. Our reactions are those of someone who just came within a hair of possibly being killed thus we tend to go into full survival reaction mode much quicker, and this baffles drivers'.

I still want to study electrical engineering to create an EMP field around me and my bike so that if you get within two feet of it your engine will conk out. As well a glove that will concentrate a pulse over wherever i touch frying the chips would be nice for a more permanent solution.

BWwwhahahahaha
well said ,the survival adrenaline rush rules

well these drivers don't give a sh*t if they kill you any way's so if you get a close call do what you want to them

i don't think that's true. i mean most people have a concience, and would feel awful if they hurt or killed someone, but they just become oblivious to their surroundingings with the windows rolled up and the stereo on. how many of these people have ridden a bike in the city, how could they understand?

I drove for a living too and almost every driver will say that it's a shame the bike driver was killed but it's thier fault for being on the road bikes should not be allowed on the road Edit.. I have heard on two occasions the driver taking the side of the bike rider?

I still want to study electrical engineering to create an EMP field around me and my bike so that if you get within two feet of it your engine will conk out. As well a glove that will concentrate a pulse over wherever i touch frying the chips would be nice for a more permanent solution

Hey now.. I'm a nice driver! don't get too crazy! ;) It'd be just your luck that the first time you used it you'd ride past some poor old guy with a pacemaker. :P


how many of these people have ridden a bike in the city, how could they understand?

for sure. I think a lot of people would feel a lot different if they spent a few days or a week riding around downtown.


^^^It is an offense to open without looking^^^
I always look for the heads in the car. Cabs stopped with passengers *shutter* I HATE those wheel ads, it messes with my watching the wheels for movement mojo.

Everybody forgets sometimes.. you just hope you don't forget at a time that matters. *shudder* One of my friends is from Austria, and she said that when you're getting your driver's license there if you don't open your door with your right hand (as a driver) it's an AUTOMATIC FAIL. It's because opening with your right hand forces you to twist so you can shoulder check before opening. Pretty cool.

Hey now.. I'm a nice driver! don't get too crazy! ;) It'd be just your luck that the first time you used it you'd ride past some poor old guy with a pacemaker.

or tried to scratch your nuts.

there is no excuse for opening the car door without mirror check over the shoulder check you are supposed to open door slightly and look too that used to be in day when driving tests were hard

is there going to be a ride tonight where a bunch of peeps are going ? I don't want to cancel a small road trip again just to be stood up.

Ok...ok...the pacemaker thing is true, wasn't thinking.. :lol: I'll need a trigger of some sort then. Now how to control/focus the pulse? I've been guilty of the dooring as a passenger jumping out at the Metro, did I ever feel guilty, never again though. Now I crack the door so the rider can see, wait, look then open.

Wes where's that Edison linkie pls? Found it!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qulJXGbyTw&search=edison%2C%20bike
Today is payday .... downtown lunch hookup?

I HATE those wheel ads, it messes with my watching the wheels for movement mojo.

Hmm I came across this forum recently, a lot of good perspective on riding in the city here. I have been commuting for a number of years myself including one-speed for the past three, but none of my friends or associates at work commutes on a bike, so no one to commiserate with.... guess I'm finding some consolation on this forum. This morning some idiot parked in the bike lane was inching left as if to pull back into traffic, so, I went to the curb to get by him. As his space in traffic appeared, he instead suddenly swerved back to the curb with the passenger door already swinging open (presumably to discharge his passenger who hadn't wanted to get out when he was just parked there 30 seconds previously!). I was cleanly faked by it, though fortunately had time and space to react.

With respect to the comment above, I think I've noticed the same thing about watching the wheels ... not something I could describe to a non-cyclist so it's cool to see it here!

Glad you made it. Welcome to the forum.

Spiderman must have the sweetest freaking commute to the daily bugle...

i don't think that's true. i mean most people have a concience, and would feel awful if they hurt or killed someone, but they just become oblivious to their surroundingings with the windows rolled up and the stereo on. how many of these people have ridden a bike in the city, how could they understand?

I agree 1000%. I seen a driver turn white and feel ill (visibly shaken) after it's been explained to them that they came within inches of causing GBH or death. The one ton shield is a mixed blessing. I only wish that drivers could experience what I can see and hear when I ride my bike. It's such a superior sensory experience as to not compare. How can I blow that residential stop sign? I can hear the car a block away, yes that one around the corner behind that hedge over there. *waits 5 seconds* see....that one. :p

Well, its pretty clear that bikes are an afterthought to our road infrastructure. Its the best when there are stop lights or signs at the bottom and top of hills despite there being an intersection or not. They really had bikes in mind when they decided that was a good idea. Sometimes they even have lights in the middle of the hill. Bottom line is most road rules do not make sense for bikes and are not ideal or safe. If bikes are supposed to ride in the curb, what do you do every time someone turns right? Hasn't anybody figured out that this a problem yet?

Here is a gem from the 2005 toronto cycling map "Drivers should move carefully into a gap in the bike lane traffic before turning right"

Uhhh... way to go city. How the hell does this work? I'd like to see it in action

bikes are not supposed to ride in the curb, two to three feet away from the curb is what your supposed to do:: EDIT also taking the lane on a narrow road is legal for bikes

Last month a courier (dunno who) cussed out a friend of mine because he opened the door of the cab to get out without looking first for a cyclist. He must have been a newb because pretty much every cyclist in Toronto knows that you always approach a cab with caution, especially if they are just sitting in a lane, you'll get doored if you don't. My friend felt bad about it until I pointed out this to him. Everyone can be a jerk, I guess.


If your friend remembered long enough to relate the story to you and felt bad about almost dooring the courier did you both a favour and got to vent anger for free, justifiably. A cyclist knowing it can happen doesn't excuse the door one bit, if it was a close call whose to say your friend would think nothing of it if the courier said nothing and went on their way? In the movies everyone throws money at the cabbie and jumps out wherever they like, looks cool but isn't.

The way I figure it is so that IF I fall over towards the curb, I want to splatter on the road, then scramble to the curb. NOT nail the mailbox or light pole as I fall over. So that leaves me about four feet from the curb.... a little more left then the right wheel of the car usually.

bikes are not supposed to ride in the curb, two to three feet away from the curb is what your supposed to do:: EDIT also taking the lane on a narrow road is legal for bikes


easier said than done steeker... 3 feet out from the curband you may as well be taking the lane because cars will be buzzing you with no room to spare. ride closer to the curb and get caught up in road debris, bad conditions and sewer grates. Signal and politely take the lane and ride as hard as you can and people are still buzzing by you often passing into oncoming traffic. The reality of the situation is alot different from the ideal way things should work

It becomes a pissing match as to who thinks they are right and who knows they are right. Three guesses as to who's who. First two guesses don't count. Thai food I think, King near Church.

hahahaha... Ontario Highway Traffic Act:
No person shall buy, sell, wreck or otherwise deal with any motor vehicle or bicycle or a trailer that has a gross weight exceeding 1,360 kilograms where the manufacturer’s vehicle identification number or similar identifying mark has been obliterated or defaced or is not readily recognizable. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 60 (2).


Looks like I'm in trouble for filing the serial number off my ten foot tall solid stone bicycle

It becomes a pissing match as to who thinks they are right and who knows they are right. Three guesses as to who's who. First two guesses don't count. Thai food I think, King near Church.
I and trafficjammer are eldest have driven bikes longest so were right:p OMG I love Thai food so much

Unfortunately the highway traffic act is not very concise so printing off a page from it to shove in peoples windows isn't really an option. Here are the key points I think:

“vehicle” includes a motor vehicle, trailer, traction engine, farm tractor, road-building machine, bicycle and any vehicle drawn, propelled or driven by any kind of power, including muscular power, but does not include a motorized snow vehicle or a street car; (“véhicule”)

Vehicles meeting bicycles

(4) Every person in charge of a vehicle on a highway meeting a person travelling on a bicycle shall allow the cyclist sufficient room on the roadway to pass. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 148 (4).

Bicycles overtaken

(6) Every person on a bicycle or motor assisted bicycle who is overtaken by a vehicle or equestrian travelling at a greater speed shall turn out to the right and allow the vehicle or equestrian to pass and the vehicle or equestrian overtaking shall turn out to the left so far as may be necessary to avoid a collision. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 148 (6).

Approaching ridden or driven horses, etc.

167. Every person having the control or charge of a motor vehicle or motor assisted bicycle on a highway, when approaching a horse or other animal that is drawing a vehicle or being driven, led or ridden, shall operate, manage and control the motor vehicle or motor assisted bicycle so as to exercise every reasonable precaution to prevent the frightening of the horse or other animal and to ensure the safety and protection of any person driving, leading or riding upon the horse or other animal or being in any vehicle drawn by the horse or other animal. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 167.


So these rules are really unclear and don't make sense and check it out, horses get better treatment than cyclists.

I'm looking into getting a set of Deda/Bianchi pista bars. The drops seem to be a little shallower than the Nitto B123's which is good. Does anyone have a set of the Deda's? How are they? Also, they seem to only come in the one size, 42.

yuppers but police horse riders are not required to clean up after their animals the way the rest of us are, you ever hit a pile of horse sh*t on the street downtown . nasty stuff. we had one lady here in the beach that was ticketed for not picking up her dog poop so she collected the horse poop and dumped it at city hall doors:D

I and trafficjammer are eldest have driven bikes longest so were right:p OMG I love Thai food so much

I was actually speaking more of drivers vs. riders but....:p
Joe, with the magic size of 42 don't mess with anything else.

I was told by bike police in the city I am allowed to take the lane. AND overtaking cars MUST give you at LEAST one half lanes berth, which makes them straddle lanes which is a moving violation. Therefore cars should on a two lane, say queen, pull into the centre lane to pass. I'm not holding my breath for this level of mutual respect. But there was a car to bike crack down recently apparently.