I am not cool, I have a bell on my handlebar
08-25-15, 07:23 PM
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08-25-15, 08:53 PM
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I put a bell on one of my road bikes. I use a bell because on the MUP, I don't think that it will scare people that I am passing. I don't like it when other riders yell "on your left" when they are right next to me, it scares the crap out of me sometimes. I do yell on the left if people don't respond to the bell.
08-25-15, 09:06 PM
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I work in DC, where the bike laws require a bell "or other device capable ofgiving a signal audible for a distance of at least onehundred feet" on the bike. After the stock bell on my bike broke (yep, it was a cheap POS) I should have replaced it with one of these, though none of them look as cool to me as the dinosaur one posted earlier:
Oh well. The bell law doesn't seem to be enforced in DC though. The cops seem to focus a lot more on cyclists running the red light near the Washington Monument, because it makes them look bad if a cyclist hits one of those tourists crossing the street there.
Oh well. The bell law doesn't seem to be enforced in DC though. The cops seem to focus a lot more on cyclists running the red light near the Washington Monument, because it makes them look bad if a cyclist hits one of those tourists crossing the street there.
08-25-15, 09:17 PM
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It's a small bell, a little bigger than an acorn and it's black like my handlebars but I won't ride w/o it after suffering the hassle of yelling "on your left" too many times on MUPS.. I always stop where cyclists congregate to admire everyone's rides and have yet to see a bell on a high end road bike. I guess it's not cool or weighs too much? I guess it's just another reason I get snubbed by the roadies.
It's a popular misconception by newbies that others see you. They don't. You're invisible. That's why a bell is the law in many places, and why it is especially necessary on MUPs.
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08-25-15, 09:20 PM
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And I believe I told YouthInAsia that he was invisible too.
Listen up ... whoever you are ... you're still invisible. Roadies don't see you. No one sees you.
Hmmm ... I wonder about this character too. Is he one of the chain above as well?
https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cy...-you-ride.html
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Last edited by Machka; 08-25-15 at 09:28 PM.
08-26-15, 08:01 AM
#56
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Maybe getting snubbed = not getting a wave back?
08-26-15, 08:29 AM
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Wow, some animosity in here... I'm new to riding and just posting observations as I encounter the culture. I'm sorry if I've offended anyone
08-26-15, 08:29 AM
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08-26-15, 08:43 AM
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I suspect that you may be expecting too much of a welcome from cyclists based only on the fact that you're now riding also. It's not about being cool, or adhering to some sort of stylistic formula. The reality is that most cyclists (like most other people) don't care either way about strangers and like to choose their friends over time.
Don't try so hard, and don't fret not getting some sort of big welcome. As you ride, you'll gradually attract a circle of like minded friends, the same way it happens in other facets of your life. You can't make yourself fit in, it's something that just happens (or not).
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08-26-15, 08:44 AM
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Good point.
And I believe I told YouthInAsia that he was invisible too.
Listen up ... whoever you are ... you're still invisible. Roadies don't see you. No one sees you.
Hmmm ... I wonder about this character too. Is he one of the chain above as well?
https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cy...-you-ride.html
And I believe I told YouthInAsia that he was invisible too.
Listen up ... whoever you are ... you're still invisible. Roadies don't see you. No one sees you.
Hmmm ... I wonder about this character too. Is he one of the chain above as well?
https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cy...-you-ride.html
08-26-15, 08:45 AM
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08-26-15, 08:47 AM
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I don't think you've offended anyone, and I didn't find any animosity in this thread either.
I suspect that you may be expecting too much of a welcome from cyclists based only on the fact that you're now riding also. It's not about being cool, or adhering to some sort of stylistic formula. The reality is that most cyclists (like most other people) don't care either way about strangers and like to choose their friends over time.
Don't try so hard, and don't fret not getting some sort of big welcome. As you ride, you'll gradually attract a circle of like minded friends, the same way it happens in other facets of your life. You can't make yourself fit in, it's something that just happens (or not).
I suspect that you may be expecting too much of a welcome from cyclists based only on the fact that you're now riding also. It's not about being cool, or adhering to some sort of stylistic formula. The reality is that most cyclists (like most other people) don't care either way about strangers and like to choose their friends over time.
Don't try so hard, and don't fret not getting some sort of big welcome. As you ride, you'll gradually attract a circle of like minded friends, the same way it happens in other facets of your life. You can't make yourself fit in, it's something that just happens (or not).
Last edited by DBrown9383; 08-26-15 at 08:54 AM.
08-26-15, 08:57 AM
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OK, but here's the original post
[h=2]I am not cool, I have a bell on my handlebar[/h]
[h=2]I am not cool, I have a bell on my handlebar[/h]
It's a small bell, a little bigger than an acorn and it's black like my handlebars but I won't ride w/o it after suffering the hassle of yelling "on your left" too many times on MUPS.. I always stop where cyclists congregate to admire everyone's rides and have yet to see a bell on a high end road bike. I guess it's not cool or weighs too much? I guess it's just another reason I get snubbed by the roadies.
------
Given your last post, and the references here to being uncool and getting snubbed, I'm confused as to what exactly you expect. Your anger at one of the friendlier and more helpful people here is another indicator. Yes you are invisible. That's not an insult, just a statement of fact that you're a non-entity to strangers, as are the rest of us.
Nobody is snubbing or insulting you, they (we) simply don't know you so you don't register on our radar. And if fitting in isn't an issue, then you shouldn't make one of it.
------
Given your last post, and the references here to being uncool and getting snubbed, I'm confused as to what exactly you expect. Your anger at one of the friendlier and more helpful people here is another indicator. Yes you are invisible. That's not an insult, just a statement of fact that you're a non-entity to strangers, as are the rest of us.
Nobody is snubbing or insulting you, they (we) simply don't know you so you don't register on our radar. And if fitting in isn't an issue, then you shouldn't make one of it.
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Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
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08-26-15, 09:04 AM
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Then get a bell and be done with it.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
08-26-15, 09:04 AM
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OK, but here's the original post
I am not cool, I have a bell on my handlebar
I am not cool, I have a bell on my handlebar
It's a small bell, a little bigger than an acorn and it's black like my handlebars but I won't ride w/o it after suffering the hassle of yelling "on your left" too many times on MUPS.. I always stop where cyclists congregate to admire everyone's rides and have yet to see a bell on a high end road bike. I guess it's not cool or weighs too much? I guess it's just another reason I get snubbed by the roadies.
------
Given your last post, and the references here to being uncool and getting snubbed, I'm confused as to what exactly you expect. Your anger at one of the friendlier and more helpful people here is another indicator. Yes you are invisible. That's not an insult, just a statement of fact that you're a non-entity to strangers, as are the rest of us.
Nobody is snubbing or insulting you, they (we) simply don't know you so you don't register on our radar. And if fitting in isn't an issue, then you shouldn't make one of it.
------
Given your last post, and the references here to being uncool and getting snubbed, I'm confused as to what exactly you expect. Your anger at one of the friendlier and more helpful people here is another indicator. Yes you are invisible. That's not an insult, just a statement of fact that you're a non-entity to strangers, as are the rest of us.
Nobody is snubbing or insulting you, they (we) simply don't know you so you don't register on our radar. And if fitting in isn't an issue, then you shouldn't make one of it.
08-26-15, 09:10 AM
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Oh and now? yes, I'm a little upset (not angry) at the attitude and snobbery I've been seeing here lately. If we are all invisible, than why the uproar over an innocuous post over a bicycle bell.. Geez.
08-26-15, 09:14 AM
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Have it your way. I, for one, missed the original sarcasm, and IMO your follow up posts did nothing to indicate that we were missing the point. I'll simply steer clear of your future threads and thereby avoid any misunderstanding.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
08-26-15, 09:44 AM
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I have never lived my life trying to "fit in" with anyone or anything. You are making assumptions about someone you don't know. I don't want or expect a pat on the back from anyone. If you haven't seen the animosity in this thread by certain people than you aren't reading all the posts. If anything this thread was meant to be humorous. I think some here take themselves far too seriously.
You have a bell. Great. I think that's pretty much the end of it.
08-26-15, 09:47 AM
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Bingo, those are the folks I need to alert, how do most folks get their attention. I just got myself a nice Rivendell bike of commuting (replaced my Specialized Tarmac which was killing my back) and now I want a bell to get the attention of those on the bike path that are so tuned into their 'tunes' that they don't see or hear anyone trying to get by.
And since my commute is part urban downtown streets and part bike path I'd also like a horn to wake up the folks in their rolling steel containers that also don't seem to see folks trying to share the road.
Any thoughts on a good bell and horn?
08-26-15, 10:23 AM
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Bingo, those are the folks I need to alert, how do most folks get their attention. I just got myself a nice Rivendell bike of commuting (replaced my Specialized Tarmac which was killing my back) and now I want a bell to get the attention of those on the bike path that are so tuned into their 'tunes' that they don't see or hear anyone trying to get by.
And since my commute is part urban downtown streets and part bike path I'd also like a horn to wake up the folks in their rolling steel containers that also don't seem to see folks trying to share the road.
Any thoughts on a good bell and horn?
And since my commute is part urban downtown streets and part bike path I'd also like a horn to wake up the folks in their rolling steel containers that also don't seem to see folks trying to share the road.
Any thoughts on a good bell and horn?
Ride around cars too.
Defensive riding will get you much further than bells and horns. If you see someone not paying attention, the onus is on you to be proactive rather than trying to get their attention. Switch lanes, slow down, hop up on the curb, or swerve around. Or just stop/remain stopped and wait for the situation to pass.
Last edited by jfowler85; 08-26-15 at 10:27 AM.
08-26-15, 10:50 AM
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Just ride around them.
Ride around cars too.
Defensive riding will get you much further than bells and horns. If you see someone not paying attention, the onus is on you to be proactive rather than trying to get their attention. Switch lanes, slow down, hop up on the curb, or swerve around. Or just stop/remain stopped and wait for the situation to pass.
Ride around cars too.
Defensive riding will get you much further than bells and horns. If you see someone not paying attention, the onus is on you to be proactive rather than trying to get their attention. Switch lanes, slow down, hop up on the curb, or swerve around. Or just stop/remain stopped and wait for the situation to pass.
08-26-15, 10:56 AM
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On the commute home yesterday, I must have told 5 or 6 groups of runners on the MUP "stay to your right, others use this trail" as they were taking up the entire breadth of the trail. If you asked them, they would probably say not cool, or cranky ass old man.
08-26-15, 11:44 AM
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I apologize to those I have angered by posting about my bicycle bell and asking about the coolness or lack thereof of having a bell on my handlebar. I don't think anyone needs to get all riled up over this but apparently I pushed some buttons (or rang some bells
) .. I'll try and keep my casual observations about biking culture (new to me) to myself from now on and go about being invisible
) .. I'll try and keep my casual observations about biking culture (new to me) to myself from now on and go about being invisible