What IS it with everyone tonight?
#102
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I don't think I'm a drama queen. I accept the risks, but I'm not willing to put up with the nonsense. I think ALL alternate users of public right of way should get more respect from both motorists and law enforcement. Two bicyclists were hit by a vehicle today and seriously injured. The driver was distracted by her children. People get hurt when you drive distracted. You can't do that. The first FB reply:"Get your stupid bikes off the road". That's the first response to two vulnerable human beings getting hit by a 5000lb. motor vehicle operated by a distracted driver.
#103
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I don't think I'm a drama queen. I accept the risks, but I'm not willing to put up with the nonsense. I think ALL alternate users of public right of way should get more respect from both motorists and law enforcement. Two bicyclists were hit by a vehicle today and seriously injured. The driver was distracted by her children. People get hurt when you drive distracted. You can't do that. The first FB reply:"Get your stupid bikes off the road". That's the first response to two vulnerable human beings getting hit by a 5000lb. motor vehicle operated by a distracted driver.
And that is not a knock on you. None of us should maybe. But the reality is that we are near the bottom
of the pecking order when it comes to traveling on the road. Just above rodents and other 'roadkill' in most motorists eyes.
Doesn't by any means make it right but it is what it is and how we react to the minor nonsense may likely be the best way we can represent ourselves in an effort to slowly make things a bit better.
Just my .02
#104
SLJ 6/8/65-5/2/07
Back at the bottom of page 3 the observation was made that this discussion had gone full circle.
I really do agree.
I really do agree.
__________________
“Life is not one damned thing after another. Life is one damned thing over and over.”
Edna St. Vincent Millay
“Life is not one damned thing after another. Life is one damned thing over and over.”
Edna St. Vincent Millay
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#106
Senior Member
Thread Starter
A pathethic, flaccid hilljack tried to roll coal on our tandem yesterday. Beautiful day, great road with a nice shoulder to ride on. Minding our own business, not bothering anyone. This poor limp excuse of a man pulled up next to us and tried to do whatever you have to do to roll coal, but his unimpressive emission was premature. He let out some disgusting exhaust, which we didn't appreciate. He is sadly impotent in so many ways.
It is hard for me to comprehend the psychosis of some people. Why would you do this to someone you don't know who is doing nothing to you?
It is hard for me to comprehend the psychosis of some people. Why would you do this to someone you don't know who is doing nothing to you?
#108
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I have to be honest, I have ridden this entire spring/summer without a single incident of a bad motorist. I ride about 150 miles a week. There were a couple that were questionable as they didn't give very much room when they passed, or the guy who followed me for a couple miles when I was doing around 35 on a downhill stretch, but I chalk those up to bad driving or curiosity, respectively.
I think that if you look for bad behavior from motorists, you will find it. I am not saying that there aren't jerks out there who are outright aggressive with cyclists, but I think much of it can be shrugged off.
As for the guy that buzzed OP's group and was yelling at them, I would have stopped and found out what his problem was. I would have also invited the man into his life. If someone really wants to get that offended by me being on the road, then they probably need a chat with the police. If his buzzing you was intentional, then that is reckless driving. When I was a patrolman earlier in my law enforcement career, I took people to jail for crap like that. Although traffic infractions (like speeding) cannot be enforced based on someone else's word alone, more serious traffic misdemeanors can be provided there are good witnesses (and perhaps statements from the driver) to establish probable cause. In the op's case, that would be the aggressive act of buzzing the group as witnessed by the group, followed up by the guy yelling at you. Stopping and finding out what the hell his problem was would probably seal the deal as he would be likely to make incriminating statements.
Rolling coal? It happens. The black smoke only lasts a few seconds and its over with. If it were a daily or frequent occurrence with the same driver, just get the plate and report it to your local LEA. Otherwise, shrug it off. The world is full of jerks who try to get a rise out of people. Best thing to do is to just keep pedaling like it doesn't even phase you. I may be stereotyping, but the people I usually see rolling coal are obese neckbeards driving a POS truck that they had chipped at the local diesel performance place. I can't help but think that their act of rolling coal on cyclists (and runners) is done out of disdain for someone who is exercising because of guilt they feel for indulging in their 10,000 calorie a day diet and inability to reclaim the athletic prowess they once (thought they) had on the football team when they peaked in high school.
I think that if you look for bad behavior from motorists, you will find it. I am not saying that there aren't jerks out there who are outright aggressive with cyclists, but I think much of it can be shrugged off.
As for the guy that buzzed OP's group and was yelling at them, I would have stopped and found out what his problem was. I would have also invited the man into his life. If someone really wants to get that offended by me being on the road, then they probably need a chat with the police. If his buzzing you was intentional, then that is reckless driving. When I was a patrolman earlier in my law enforcement career, I took people to jail for crap like that. Although traffic infractions (like speeding) cannot be enforced based on someone else's word alone, more serious traffic misdemeanors can be provided there are good witnesses (and perhaps statements from the driver) to establish probable cause. In the op's case, that would be the aggressive act of buzzing the group as witnessed by the group, followed up by the guy yelling at you. Stopping and finding out what the hell his problem was would probably seal the deal as he would be likely to make incriminating statements.
Rolling coal? It happens. The black smoke only lasts a few seconds and its over with. If it were a daily or frequent occurrence with the same driver, just get the plate and report it to your local LEA. Otherwise, shrug it off. The world is full of jerks who try to get a rise out of people. Best thing to do is to just keep pedaling like it doesn't even phase you. I may be stereotyping, but the people I usually see rolling coal are obese neckbeards driving a POS truck that they had chipped at the local diesel performance place. I can't help but think that their act of rolling coal on cyclists (and runners) is done out of disdain for someone who is exercising because of guilt they feel for indulging in their 10,000 calorie a day diet and inability to reclaim the athletic prowess they once (thought they) had on the football team when they peaked in high school.
#109
Senior Member
Thread Starter
"Rolling coal? It happens."
No. It doesn't. Rain happens. When someone rolls coal, they've done it TO you. Self loathing cyclist. Thank you sir, may i have another?
No. It doesn't. Rain happens. When someone rolls coal, they've done it TO you. Self loathing cyclist. Thank you sir, may i have another?
#110
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Let me get this straight. A person in a diesel pick up truck, for no discernible reason rolls coal next to three cyclists who are deferring to the motorist. This means the intentional discharge of a massive amount of black diesel exhaust that enveloped the cyclists and hung in the air and covered both lanes of a country road. I was behind them and I stopped to allow the cloud to diffuse. Why would anyone excuse this as a person, just being a jerk? He did this with the intent of causing harm to people he didn't know for no reason. It's the action of a sociopath , really. I'm also not willing to excuse the environmental impact.We abuse our environment enough without intentionally and unnecessarily bucking out clouds of diesel smoke.
As far as the environment goes though... my inner-cynic knows that those who spend that extra effort to go out of their way to damage the environment will never acknowledge climate issues are a real problem, until the ramifications of it become blatantly obvious... and most likely, irreversible. Wisdom dictates that we should be erring on the side of prudence and addressing environmental issues (regardless of their cause) but many choose to recklessly make things worse, erring instead on the side of ignorance-ignited pride... a.k.a. the "acceptable risk". There's no easy solution in dealing with these people; many of them are irrational.
#111
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Self loathing? Hardly. It's just not worth my time to deal with and doesn't bother me that much to begin with. What do you plan on doing about it the next time someone rolls coal on you? Come here and say how awful it was? How has calling me a self-loathing cyclist helped your plight? Why don't you confront your offender and do something about what bothers you? I gave you a couple of suggestions to end the unwanted behavior - and that is coming from my 20+ years of law enforcement experience. I guess avoiding the person who hurt your feelings and coming here to pine about it is easier for you. And you call me self loathing?
#112
Portland Fred
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Then one day, one of them started peeing blood and it FINALLY hit home how stupid the whole thing was. IMO, rolling coal is just another version of this weird self-destructive behavior, except it's even *more* dangerous where cyclists are concerned.
Last edited by jaranth; 08-24-15 at 01:25 PM.
#114
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Self loathing? Hardly. It's just not worth my time to deal with and doesn't bother me that much to begin with. What do you plan on doing about it the next time someone rolls coal on you? Come here and say how awful it was? How has calling me a self-loathing cyclist helped your plight? Why don't you confront your offender and do something about what bothers you? I gave you a couple of suggestions to end the unwanted behavior - and that is coming from my 20+ years of law enforcement experience. I guess avoiding the person who hurt your feelings and coming here to pine about it is easier for you. And you call me self loathing?
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I would love to confront the offender. How do you suggest I do that when the cowardly psychopath is speeding away at 60mph? BTW this is an internet discussion forum about bikes. I think this is a legitmate area of concern for all cyclists. I'm glad a lung full of carcinogenic petrochemical exhaust doesn't bother you, But what about your buddy who has asthma?
Who are you and where do you get off calling this an internet discussion forum about bikes?
You appear to be quite lost my dramatic friend.
I am pretty sure an actual discussion forum about bikes would not include the terms 'cowardly psychopath' and 'carcinogenic petrochemical exhaust' either.
#116
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I had to stop riding on rural roads. After one encounter with a man in a black pickup truck where I had to take out and prepare to use a can of pepper spray, I decided I had to quit. There is too much "he said, she said". The man in the pickup truck threatened to call the cops and have me arrested. He could have said anything: "Well officer, that bicyclist was getting ready to throw a rock through my windshield!", and then I would have had to obtain a lawyer and shell out a huge sum of money to get me out of jail and clear me of any charges that would have resulted.
I have too much to lose.
Its. Just. Not. Worth. It.
I have too much to lose.
Its. Just. Not. Worth. It.
#117
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I have to be honest, I have ridden this entire spring/summer without a single incident of a bad motorist. I ride about 150 miles a week. There were a couple that were questionable as they didn't give very much room when they passed, or the guy who followed me for a couple miles when I was doing around 35 on a downhill stretch, but I chalk those up to bad driving or curiosity, respectively.
I think that if you look for bad behavior from motorists, you will find it. I am not saying that there aren't jerks out there who are outright aggressive with cyclists, but I think much of it can be shrugged off.
As for the guy that buzzed OP's group and was yelling at them, I would have stopped and found out what his problem was. I would have also invited the man into his life. If someone really wants to get that offended by me being on the road, then they probably need a chat with the police. If his buzzing you was intentional, then that is reckless driving. When I was a patrolman earlier in my law enforcement career, I took people to jail for crap like that. Although traffic infractions (like speeding) cannot be enforced based on someone else's word alone, more serious traffic misdemeanors can be provided there are good witnesses (and perhaps statements from the driver) to establish probable cause. In the op's case, that would be the aggressive act of buzzing the group as witnessed by the group, followed up by the guy yelling at you. Stopping and finding out what the hell his problem was would probably seal the deal as he would be likely to make incriminating statements.
Rolling coal? It happens. The black smoke only lasts a few seconds and its over with. If it were a daily or frequent occurrence with the same driver, just get the plate and report it to your local LEA. Otherwise, shrug it off. The world is full of jerks who try to get a rise out of people. Best thing to do is to just keep pedaling like it doesn't even phase you. I may be stereotyping, but the people I usually see rolling coal are obese neckbeards driving a POS truck that they had chipped at the local diesel performance place. I can't help but think that their act of rolling coal on cyclists (and runners) is done out of disdain for someone who is exercising because of guilt they feel for indulging in their 10,000 calorie a day diet and inability to reclaim the athletic prowess they once (thought they) had on the football team when they peaked in high school.
I think that if you look for bad behavior from motorists, you will find it. I am not saying that there aren't jerks out there who are outright aggressive with cyclists, but I think much of it can be shrugged off.
As for the guy that buzzed OP's group and was yelling at them, I would have stopped and found out what his problem was. I would have also invited the man into his life. If someone really wants to get that offended by me being on the road, then they probably need a chat with the police. If his buzzing you was intentional, then that is reckless driving. When I was a patrolman earlier in my law enforcement career, I took people to jail for crap like that. Although traffic infractions (like speeding) cannot be enforced based on someone else's word alone, more serious traffic misdemeanors can be provided there are good witnesses (and perhaps statements from the driver) to establish probable cause. In the op's case, that would be the aggressive act of buzzing the group as witnessed by the group, followed up by the guy yelling at you. Stopping and finding out what the hell his problem was would probably seal the deal as he would be likely to make incriminating statements.
Rolling coal? It happens. The black smoke only lasts a few seconds and its over with. If it were a daily or frequent occurrence with the same driver, just get the plate and report it to your local LEA. Otherwise, shrug it off. The world is full of jerks who try to get a rise out of people. Best thing to do is to just keep pedaling like it doesn't even phase you. I may be stereotyping, but the people I usually see rolling coal are obese neckbeards driving a POS truck that they had chipped at the local diesel performance place. I can't help but think that their act of rolling coal on cyclists (and runners) is done out of disdain for someone who is exercising because of guilt they feel for indulging in their 10,000 calorie a day diet and inability to reclaim the athletic prowess they once (thought they) had on the football team when they peaked in high school.
I would love to confront the offender. How do you suggest I do that when the cowardly psychopath is speeding away at 60mph? BTW this is an internet discussion forum about bikes. I think this is a legitmate area of concern for all cyclists. I'm glad a lung full of carcinogenic petrochemical exhaust doesn't bother you, But what about your buddy who has asthma?
I ride with my son and he has asthma. He seems to do fine with it. A little sooty smoke is the least of his breathing problems when we are hammering along at 20+ mph and 150+ bpm.
#118
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Hey, you brought up the topic, and you derailed it with your name calling, so don't get sanctimonious about the purpose of this forum. Here is my original reply for your edification, it has my suggestions in there again. Sounds like you might want to invest in a go pro, and start learning how to memorize license plates, or if you are with a buddy, you can memorize the first half and he the second half of the plate. Be kind to the LEO's and prosecutors when you pursue charges. If you use terms like "self loathing" with them, they may be less apt to help.
I ride with my son and he has asthma. He seems to do fine with it. A little sooty smoke is the least of his breathing problems when we are hammering along at 20+ mph and 150+ bpm.
I ride with my son and he has asthma. He seems to do fine with it. A little sooty smoke is the least of his breathing problems when we are hammering along at 20+ mph and 150+ bpm.
#119
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Not really, lots of people with asthma are able to ride as hard as someone without. My son just brings his albuterol along in his jersey pocket in case he feels as attack coming. If he does, he stops, hits the inhaler, waits for it to pass, then he is back on it. It happens far less than you would think. My son says that the cycling actually helps to decrease the frequency and severity of his asthma attacks.
#120
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Not really, lots of people with asthma are able to ride as hard as someone without. My son just brings his albuterol along in his jersey pocket in case he feels as attack coming. If he does, he stops, hits the inhaler, waits for it to pass, then he is back on it. It happens far less than you would think. My son says that the cycling actually helps to decrease the frequency and severity of his asthma attacks.
#122
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Because it isn't a big deal. It isn't self loathing either. It's just a guy being a jerk. Your lungs would get more trashed just riding around a major metropolitan area than a few brief seconds riding through some diesel exhaust. Why didn't you stop and have a chat with the guy that buzzed your group and yelled at you from his driveway? Backing down when you had the chance to confront your aggressor, especially when you outnumbered him, is a more glaring example of self loathing if you ask me. I would have been on that guy like a rat on a cheeto. I read your remarks about standing up for your rights, but yet you didn't - even when you were in the right and had the advantage. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
#123
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I had to stop riding on rural roads. After one encounter with a man in a black pickup truck where I had to take out and prepare to use a can of pepper spray, I decided I had to quit. There is too much "he said, she said". The man in the pickup truck threatened to call the cops and have me arrested. He could have said anything: "Well officer, that bicyclist was getting ready to throw a rock through my windshield!", and then I would have had to obtain a lawyer and shell out a huge sum of money to get me out of jail and clear me of any charges that would have resulted.
I have too much to lose.
Its. Just. Not. Worth. It.
I have too much to lose.
Its. Just. Not. Worth. It.
#124
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@series1811 has give all of us the voice of reason. As a former patrolman, he is the most schooled in the art and science of human relations. I've had friends who are ice hockey referees and LEOs. Both sets are the best folks I know handling people when things get heated and irrational. @Equinox, you should be listening to him. Stop repeating yourself, listen, and consider...you'd do well to heed this as you mature.
#125
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Because it isn't a big deal. It isn't self loathing either. It's just a guy being a jerk. Your lungs would get more trashed just riding around a major metropolitan area than a few brief seconds riding through some diesel exhaust. Why didn't you stop and have a chat with the guy that buzzed your group and yelled at you from his driveway? Backing down when you had the chance to confront your aggressor, especially when you outnumbered him, is a more glaring example of self loathing if you ask me. I would have been on that guy like a rat on a cheeto. I read your remarks about standing up for your rights, but yet you didn't - even when you were in the right and had the advantage. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.