Drivers who intimidate and drive at cyclists are nothing more than miserable cowards
#52
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This is the reason I am pushing for all cyclists to get concealed carry permits so we can blow away errant cage drivers at will
#53
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And a lot of them can either tolerate it as an experienced rider, or live in bike friendly areas. I promise you, almost literally anywhere else in North America is more bike friendly than the surrounding suburbs of where I live.
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Get off those MUPS, they can be more dangerous than riding the highways
Been cycling for over 300-thousand miles since the early '70s on roads and highways including some (legal) Interstates here out west. Ridden in 30+ states (including FL).
Am 82 years old and take a bit of offense to the "Korean Vet" remark by MMLC.
Served during the Korean conflict and also survived the Nazis' brutality and starvation in Europe as a kid.
Still pedal 100 miles a week at age 82.
MMLC: Show some respect for your elder!
Pedal on!
Been cycling for over 300-thousand miles since the early '70s on roads and highways including some (legal) Interstates here out west. Ridden in 30+ states (including FL).
Am 82 years old and take a bit of offense to the "Korean Vet" remark by MMLC.
Served during the Korean conflict and also survived the Nazis' brutality and starvation in Europe as a kid.
Still pedal 100 miles a week at age 82.
MMLC: Show some respect for your elder!
Pedal on!
I consider myself an 'old guy' being 53 and was using the "served in Korea" as a reference point for the guy's age, I see no offense there. Being the cyclist you are I would figure you would have tougher skin and not be offended at such reference.
#55
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Dang, I forgot to put a smiley after my comment. I don't condone road rage in any way shape or form.. Being relatively new to cycling I have already experienced people who have an issue with me riding on the road. There seems to be an attitude that roads were made for cars and all bikes should stay off them.
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In some areas/instances, there's literally 0 you can do unfortunately. Where I live, they just enacted a safe passing law and posted up a million of those "Share the Road" signs, but I still encounter the same garbage almost daily. If it's something you really like to do, I'd keep on going. For myself, I'll just stick to commuting and trails.
Reading comprehension not even once. Lol. I don't ride sidewalks. I ride roads and MUP's which are clearly labeled and even have their own traffic signals for bicycles. I don't need to be dressed up in lycra and riding a carbon frame bike to be a road cyclist. I think the few thousand kilometers and couple of centuries that I've covered on my hybrid and friends road bike qualifies me as one
Sad, I'd expect much more support from a fellow cyclist.
I've found that riding with a friend or doing a group ride is much safer. More people to overtake means drivers have more people to watch out for. I have a couple routes that I ride for fitness, about 60 km. It gets old, but I also don't have to deal with cars.
Reading comprehension not even once. Lol. I don't ride sidewalks. I ride roads and MUP's which are clearly labeled and even have their own traffic signals for bicycles. I don't need to be dressed up in lycra and riding a carbon frame bike to be a road cyclist. I think the few thousand kilometers and couple of centuries that I've covered on my hybrid and friends road bike qualifies me as one
Sad, I'd expect much more support from a fellow cyclist.
I've found that riding with a friend or doing a group ride is much safer. More people to overtake means drivers have more people to watch out for. I have a couple routes that I ride for fitness, about 60 km. It gets old, but I also don't have to deal with cars.
Than why did you say this in this very thread?
"Where I live, road cycling or even commuting isn't even an option. Nobody rides bikes and those who do, ride on the sidewalk"
You are a liar and a joke bud. On top of being too scared to ride on the road in your own words. Harsh, but if you are going to straight out lie and try to call me out what do you expect?
I truly feel sorry for you...
#58
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Where you live you don't ride the sidewalks huh?
Than why did you say this in this very thread?
"Where I live, road cycling or even commuting isn't even an option. Nobody rides bikes and those who do, ride on the sidewalk"
You are a liar and a joke bud. On top of being too scared to ride on the road in your own words. Harsh, but if you are going to straight out lie and try to call me out what do you expect?
I truly feel sorry for you...
Than why did you say this in this very thread?
"Where I live, road cycling or even commuting isn't even an option. Nobody rides bikes and those who do, ride on the sidewalk"
You are a liar and a joke bud. On top of being too scared to ride on the road in your own words. Harsh, but if you are going to straight out lie and try to call me out what do you expect?
I truly feel sorry for you...
I navigate my way through the city on side streets and MUP's. I mean, if you were actually paying attention and didn't pick and choose, you'd have seen that mentioned ITT. Reading comprehension not even once.
I agree with your view on MUP's. You can't ride an MUP and get upset when it crosses a parking lot entrance and cars enter that parking lot.
I consider myself an 'old guy' being 53 and was using the "served in Korea" as a reference point for the guy's age, I see no offense there. Being the cyclist you are I would figure you would have tougher skin and not be offended at such reference.
I consider myself an 'old guy' being 53 and was using the "served in Korea" as a reference point for the guy's age, I see no offense there. Being the cyclist you are I would figure you would have tougher skin and not be offended at such reference.
We can agree to disagree here... Fact of the matter is, road riding is just the same. Take the lane? The driver behind you will just attempt to overtake on a hill or speed up to right hook you at a stop sign despite me yelling and giving hand signals. There's some crappy places to bike in North America and I think I live in one of the worst.
Last edited by ParkingTheBus; 10-04-15 at 11:53 AM.
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Do as you please, but I think trying to act as traffic within traffic goes a lot farther for the greater good of cycling than riding on sidewalks and demanding motorists give you the right of way.
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#63
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JMO...
#64
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Parking the Bus, I can relate to you. Where I live in the bay area, do you recommend I do some group riding? I really want to go on some highways to experience some scenery. But I have heard some bad stories. As a matter of fact, while I was riding on a closed road today, I overheard a guy telling his spouse about how a lot of cyclists get into accidents with cars. The wife agreed and said a lot aren't even reported. Would a group ride be better for me?
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Parking the Bus, I can relate to you. Where I live in the bay area, do you recommend I do some group riding? I really want to go on some highways to experience some scenery. But I have heard some bad stories. As a matter of fact, while I was riding on a closed road today, I overheard a guy telling his spouse about how a lot of cyclists get into accidents with cars. The wife agreed and said a lot aren't even reported. Would a group ride be better for me?
My opinion is this: If you REALLY LOVE it, go out and road bike, do your touring or whatever... Statistics show that you aren't likely to get hit and or killed (if you ride safely that is). Learn how to cycle properly and how to read traffic i.e taking the lane, which roads to avoid etc. Based on your geographical area, you should have less problems than me. You'll still have to deal with close passes and what not. I don't have the patience or resolve to deal with that crap anymore (which is worse in my area), hence why I'm just going to give up road cycling unless it's with friends or commuting.
It really isn't for everybody. If you love it, you won't have a problem dealing with what I mentioned above^. I'm only 22 years old. I work, go to school and have other personal issues to deal with. To be honest, I don't need crap like this adding onto the stress that I already have. I did quite a bit of road riding this year due to injuries with my knee and wanting to improve my cardio... Although I didn't exactly enjoy it, it did help a tonne with my cardio. I'm planning to register for a soccer league next year. That along with Mountain biking should keep me active and fit enough and I'll actually enjoy it...
As for the groups... I've always found it much safer to ride with at least 2 other people. Good luck man. Don't let me negativity and unfortunate experiences deter you from doing what you love.
A lot of what I said in the OP was done out of frustration.. I posted this thread as soon as I got home from that ride. My main point as highlighted in the thread title still stands.
#67
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I don't mean to stereotype, but it's always the same type of person. Either some 30 something year old miserable looking lady or some obese middle aged guy in a pickup truck. Always a white van, pickup truck or sports car.
Not to be cocky, but I guarantee that unless the person is trained in some sort of martial art or packed with muscle, they won't make a dent. Not to say that I go looking for fights, but when people almost kill you, it's hard to control yourself. I usually just yell at them or give them the finger. In the event that somebody actually attempts to touch me with their fists, they'll get a deserved beating.
This is why I'm quitting road cycling. I'm only going to commute and transition fully into mountain biking (which I enjoy more). Too many idiots and crazy people on the road. I don't want to deal with that crap.
Not to be cocky, but I guarantee that unless the person is trained in some sort of martial art or packed with muscle, they won't make a dent. Not to say that I go looking for fights, but when people almost kill you, it's hard to control yourself. I usually just yell at them or give them the finger. In the event that somebody actually attempts to touch me with their fists, they'll get a deserved beating.
This is why I'm quitting road cycling. I'm only going to commute and transition fully into mountain biking (which I enjoy more). Too many idiots and crazy people on the road. I don't want to deal with that crap.
We don't live in a polite society any longer. OP's attitude and actions are no better than those he supposedly suffers.
#68
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...miserable looking lady...
...obese middle aged guy in a pickup truck.
Not to be cocky, but I guarantee that unless the person is trained in some sort of martial art or packed with muscle, they won't make a dent.
I usually just yell at them or give them the finger.
...they'll get a deserved beating.
...idiots and crazy people on the road.
#69
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The OP lost all credibility with the above post and frankly, is probably a troll. But if true, the OP is the one with the problem here and I can guarantee, it's probably best he DOES get off the road because with the mouth finger act and guarantee of a giving, "a much deserved beating" HE is the one that will end up deservedly beaten, or killed because of his own apparent uncontrollable anger issues. No matter how tough you THINK you are or may actually be, sooner or later there's one that will show you, "you ain't so bad after all".
We don't live in a polite society any longer. OP's attitude and actions are no better than those he supposedly suffers.
We don't live in a polite society any longer. OP's attitude and actions are no better than those he supposedly suffers.
I can tell you flat out that he is not a troll. Reason being is I am not a troll and am always getting accused of being one. The truth is that trolling is becoming one of the most cliched and most overused terms on the internet. If he was a troll, he wouldn't be giving me great, heartfelt advice.
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And it was a white van!
On the upside, I caught the perp at the next traffic light and got a close look at his face.
On the downside, I was not wearing my camera that day.
#71
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I can tell you flat out that he is not a troll. Reason being is I am not a troll and am always getting accused of being one. The truth is that trolling is becoming one of the most cliched and most overused terms on the internet. If he was a troll, he wouldn't be giving me great, heartfelt advice.
That's why I included the caveat: "But if true..."
The rest is JMO. But
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The OP lost all credibility with the above post and frankly, is probably a troll. But if true, the OP is the one with the problem here and I can guarantee, it's probably best he DOES get off the road because with the mouth finger act and guarantee of a giving, "a much deserved beating" HE is the one that will end up deservedly beaten, or killed because of his own apparent uncontrollable anger issues. No matter how tough you THINK you are or may actually be, sooner or later there's one that will show you, "you ain't so bad after all".
We don't live in a polite society any longer. OP's attitude and actions are no better than those he supposedly suffers.
We don't live in a polite society any longer. OP's attitude and actions are no better than those he supposedly suffers.
When I posted this thread, I probably had a breakdown and just snapped. But if you want to continue to think that the problem or cause of me getting cut off and almost hit is with MY attitude, you can go ahead and remain ignorant. I don't know how somebody determines to close pass me because I'm an a****** despite never even meeting or interacting with me, but OK buddy.
I can tell you flat out that he is not a troll. Reason being is I am not a troll and am always getting accused of being one. The truth is that trolling is becoming one of the most cliched and most overused terms on the internet. If he was a troll, he wouldn't be giving me great, heartfelt advice.
#75
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To the OP, I feel your frustration. I am (luckily) in a very bike-friendly city, but it is not without its ignorant motorists. As a person with little tolerance for stupidity, I have to constantly remind myself that there is no sense in getting worked up over these incidents. But when I experience an almost constant onslaught of close-calls on my 20 minute commute through downtown wherein I have the ROW and am obeying the law, I too want to go smashing stupid people in the head - or at the very least direct a bunch of colourful language at them. We are human beings, we have our limits. The best is when the same driver almost hits me twice in a row for the same reason, usually hooking me. It really astounds me how clueless some people can be. Most days are not like this though, just every once in a while I will have a day with an unusual amount of idiots. On those days I try to remind myself that most days are good days. I wish you more good days and hope that it gets better for cyclists where you are.
btw - I lived in Oakville for a short while years ago and I can just imagine how scary it would be to ride on some of those roads.
btw - I lived in Oakville for a short while years ago and I can just imagine how scary it would be to ride on some of those roads.