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claude
11-10-00, 12:59 AM
This morning I tasted the asphalt once again and set me thinking....

figure this out : I live in a country where approx. 90% of the motorist population drive above the speed limit, do not stop at stop signs, do not indicate on bends, run the lights about half an hour before they turn green and do not service their cars, hence the exhaust fumes are a major problem. There are no cycle lanes, most roads are 20-30 degree uphills and downhills, and they are so many pot holes that trying to remove one hand off the handlebar usually results in getting flung off the bike... try slowing down in bends, and you get an angry driver honking you. Roads are narrow, slippery and coated in deisel.

Also, it is iether too hot to cycle, when you find yourself riding home with a blazing sun (32 degrees C, on average in summer sometimes going up to 38, and occasionaly over 40) or else we get pelting rain which (since there are hardly any drains) usually creates floods of at least half a foot of water rushing down the hills mentioned before)

And......yes......as far as I know I am the only person in this place which commutes by bike making it obviously extremely difficult to raise some sort of awareness.

however, nothing will get me off my bike.... other than when I get flung off :)

claude

Snowplug
11-10-00, 04:39 AM
Hey Claude,

That sounds quite tough. At least your climbing and bike handling skills should improve. Don't know if I would be able to keep it up, under those conditions.

Is this in Malta?

Snowplug
http://www.exclusive-cycling.com

claude
11-10-00, 08:37 AM
yes it is...

orguasch
03-11-01, 03:30 PM
that's no comparison from where I come from, it's an asphalt jungle out there, passenger bus and passenger jeeps with their smoke belching engines, will literally kill you if, if not run over or bump off the road by the vehicle...;)

mike
04-30-01, 06:29 PM
Claude:

I agree with you. You live in the worst bicycling location in the world. It is obvious from your description.

I say you should just up and move to a more bicycle friendly place. Teach Malta a lesson! They will wonder where their bicyclist has gone and regret the unfriendly ways they treated you.

Come to my town where bicyclists are respected and cherished. Often, motoring passers-by encourage you by giving you the "You're Number One!" signal by erecting their longest finger in a special salute.

Often, drivers so admire cyclists that they drive too close to them in an attempt to be near, not realizing the danger of their admiration.

Although it has not happened to me, I have heard about some motorists who have actually tossed real food and even cans or bottles of beverages to cyclists. Refreshing!

Sometimes amorous motorists lose grasp with common sense and reach out of their open car windows to touch bicyclists fannies. This is affectionately known as the "Arkansas Handshake" made so popular by former president Bill Clinton.

So, please be encouraged to leave behind the hellish MALTA and join us in the world of bicycle paradise.

LittleBigMan
04-30-01, 06:44 PM
Claude has me feeling guilty for how great I have it here in Atlanta. Claude, you can move here!

Mike, nobody has tried to touch my fanny from a moving car. Am I doing something wrong? Maybe I should move to your town!

mike
05-01-01, 05:49 AM
Pete, if no motorist has tried to grab your fanny while you are biking, then my guess is that you are going too fast for them. Slow down and be introduced to the Arkansas Handshake.

For some peculiar reason, this seems to happen to the female bicyclist more than it does to the male bicyclist. Perhaps it is because male motorists have longer arms and are, thus, advantaged at the art of extending friendship to the female bicyclist in this way.

Ladies! If you see Pete or me bicycling when you are bicycling, please do extend the compliment of the Arkansas Handshake to us. We will return the favor and will be so moved as to write about it in Bike Forums.com

Maybe we, as diplomats in the bicycling community can propogate this greeting among other cyclists and make it the official greeting of the bicyclists!

WOW, the more I think about it, the more wonderful the idea becomes! WORLD PEACE NOW! through the new official bicycle greeting.

What can we call this greeting? Maybe "Feels for Wheels"? or "The spoke stroke"? Any other ideas?

LittleBigMan
05-01-01, 06:42 AM
Originally posted by mike
Pete, if no motorist has tried to grab your fanny while you are biking, then my guess is that you are going too fast for them. Slow down and be introduced to the Arkansas Handshake...Maybe we, as diplomats in the bicycling community can propogate this greeting among other cyclists and make it the official greeting of the bicyclists!
Wow!

Now I can add one more thing to my list, "Why I enjoy bicycling." Face it, you'll never get your fanny tweaked
driving a car.

Once motorists see what they're missing, they'll all want to try it! Great idea! :)

Monkey Spud
05-02-01, 11:46 PM
sounds like california. They dont know what a stop sign is.