Lodger

I posted this in the road cycling forum as well, but figured you locals might want to hear about this.

I was riding home on the Ballard Bridge in Seattle just a little while ago and I felt a sting in my left cheek. I thought that I must have been hit by a rock that had been run over by a car. I went down to feel it and there was a four inch dart sticking out of me!! I did hear a little "pop" sound right before I felt it too.

By the time that I figured out what it was, I looked up to see if I could tell who did it, but there were 4 or 5 cars that it could have been and all were speeding away from me. I got to the end of the bridge, stopped to make sure that I wasn't bleeding then rode home and called the cops. I figured it didn't matter if I called them from the scene or from home since I have no idea who did it. They won't be able to do anything, but I figured I'd at least let them know that some ******* is out there doing this.

For some reason, this thread isn't letting me post the picture of the dart, but it is in the other one if you want to see it.

Is this going to be the new asshat trend after those punks shot up the Tour?

mcoomer

Just sent you a PM...go get a tetanus shot. If you can't remember the last time you had one it's been long enough.

BengeBoy 

I saw on the other thread you went to the doc - glad it wasn't worse. Take care and thanks for reporting this to the police.

SeattleShaun

Damn - glad you're ok

Time for some of those Pearl izumi kevlar belted bib shorts...

Lodger

I guess my Sugoi bibs just aren't up to par!

East Hill

I read your other thread with a lot of interest. Did you manage to get any local news station to carry the story?

East Hill

alicestrong

Bullet proof cyclewear line, anyone??

Lodger

Another update:

Just did an interview with KIRO TV (local CBS) that will air tonight at 6 and again at 11. Should be on their web tonight or in the morning tomorrow. kirotv.com I'll link it once it's up for those that are not local.

Velomatic

Thats just crazy, glad you're ok. I was riding through that area yesterday. I read the KIRO bit and they say someone else came up in the forums who was also hit by a dart in the area. Perhaps its time for this.

Aside: One commenter says cycling in Seattle has become too dangerous and (s)he's putting away the bike for good but for some reason lays the blame partially on Cascade Bicycle Club....what?!

East Hill

Good to hear that you got KIRO in on the story.

East Hill

alicestrong

Interesting, (pepperblaster) but it sounds like it would take more skill /training to operate than conventional aerosol...

Tourmalet

I think it is time we all start riding those enclosed trikes with a carbon fiber body. Shelter from elements AND from crazies!

Catgrrl70

When I lived in Tuscon AZ in 1996-1997 there was a rash of cyclists getting hit by darts. It was enough to put me off my bike after dark for some time it was so bad - right in the area I lived too. Very dangerous and the police were all over it. I had some type of a toy gun (with those colored round plastic "pellets") pointed at me a couple years ago over in West Seattle as I was climbing Avalon. I knew it was a toy b/c it was clear plastic and I identified it right away. Then the driver wasn't watching where he was going and rear-ended the vehicle infront of him when traffic stopped. If I knew then what I know now I would have immediately called the police.

travis6cs

I've just started to commute this summer. And as I've paid attention to the cycling news it has gotten more and more bazaar by the day. Deaths, door-ings, and now darts?!?

East Hill

The dooring in Ballard was weird. Fortunate that the two people involved are all right, but does show that caution is always good. Stay away from those car doors!

2wheeled

I'm down in LA this week and they just aired it on KTLA. Glad you're ok and got some air play.

bkrownd

Dang - very fortunate you didn't get that thing in your eye! Unfortunately it's nothing new, and won't ever end...

BengeBoy 

Story up in the Seattle Times:

https://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...wdarts23m.html

Hey Lodger - nice pics. ( I assume they also took a picture of the "affected area" but decided to keep it out of the newspaper.)

I hope they catch the jerks who did this but unfortunately they would only likely catch them if they are stupid enough to keep doing it.

Rancid

wow did you read the part from the blowgun club president of america (or whatever he is) saying how easy it is to make one and be proficient in a few minutes? thanks asshat

CliftonGK1

I also love how they keep reinforcing the fact that they're illegal and ineffective against game animals, for almost the last 1/3 of the article.
Good to know... So what's the licensing process and bag limit for cyclists, anyhow?


I think the routine contingent of "get off my road" people backed away from the comments section after I proposed pranging someone in the back with a gallon of milk tied to a rope if they really think it's funny to throw things at cyclists...

East Hill

I saw that!

I have a suspicion that hotrain206 knows a lot about this incident.

East Hill

Tourmalet

All right.

W?
T?
F?

Why is the bottom third of the article spinning around the legality of using blow guns for hunting? This has got to be some sort of a backhanded message to cyclists from someone at KIRO. I mean WTF was THAT**********

Why not discuss the space program in the article as well? That too has nothing to do with the story.

tballx

Glad ur ok bro. Welcome to ur 15 minutes of fame. Use it well.

Lodger

Thanks for the comments everyone. I'm fine, went out for a ride yesterday, had to get back out there. I figure I'll frame the dart with the Times article and put it on the wall. Good story anyway. Stay safe out there!

s0iled

Dang this is pretty screwed up. I was surprised at the size of the dart when I saw the picture, that thing was a beast.

I'm glad I'm not the only when who had a "wtf?" moment while reading about blow gun hunting regulations. I'm not much for hidden media messages or what not, but that was way too off topic.