How much automotive ******ry can a guy be expected to take?
10-02-11, 07:46 PM
#26
well hello there
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I'll pursue this as far as I can, which is likely not further than filing the report. Then I'll clean up the bike and get back to riding, though likely not in such highly-trafficked areas (Reseda and Nordhoff, for ethman, and anyone else familiar with Northridge). Glad to know this sort of thing should be considered the exception, not the rule.
Thanks for the encouragement, advice, and commiseration. If anything comes of it, I'll be sure to update those interested.
Thanks for the encouragement, advice, and commiseration. If anything comes of it, I'll be sure to update those interested.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
10-02-11, 08:09 PM
#27
Ridin' South Cackalacky
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I've been riding regularly for recreation and small errands for a few weeks now, and I've run into my share of idiot drivers, but yesterday was something special. I'll cut to the chase: I'm riding back from the gym, feeling good about my workout. The traffic isn't too bad; it's Saturday evening. I'm cruising along when some guy calls from the passenger side of his friend's passing SUV, "Hey fagg*t! You're gay!" Overwhelmed by the redundancy of his insult (and what it revealed about his intellect) I rode on without response.
Not two minutes later, I slip past them at an intersection while waiting on a red light. This affords them the opportunity for a second attack, but this one comes silently. As they pass, a 32oz cup of soda (which was pretty full) lands on my left thigh and soaks me and my bike. My first reaction was "ah, that actually feels kind of nice," but then "ah, WTF?" when I turned around to see the 7-11 cup dancing in the gutter.
I hope the d-bag got thirsty right after that.
The license plate is all I know about these folks, so I knew it wasn't personal, and frankly, given that I'm on 29lbs of steel and they're in like 2900lbs of it, I didn't particularly feel like making it personal. But as I rode on, I got more and more steamed about it. I pulled off and called the local PD who told me, in effect, that there was little they could do. Compared to home invasions and drunk driving, I guess my hurt pride doesn't really register. Great.
Not that I'm interested in starting a rant thread, but is this the kind of crap I should get accustomed to if I want to keep riding? Or is this exceptionally d-bag? I can handle the brave commentary from motorists and their friends, but I'm not sure I've got the stones for routine projectiles.
Not two minutes later, I slip past them at an intersection while waiting on a red light. This affords them the opportunity for a second attack, but this one comes silently. As they pass, a 32oz cup of soda (which was pretty full) lands on my left thigh and soaks me and my bike. My first reaction was "ah, that actually feels kind of nice," but then "ah, WTF?" when I turned around to see the 7-11 cup dancing in the gutter.
I hope the d-bag got thirsty right after that.The license plate is all I know about these folks, so I knew it wasn't personal, and frankly, given that I'm on 29lbs of steel and they're in like 2900lbs of it, I didn't particularly feel like making it personal. But as I rode on, I got more and more steamed about it. I pulled off and called the local PD who told me, in effect, that there was little they could do. Compared to home invasions and drunk driving, I guess my hurt pride doesn't really register. Great.
Not that I'm interested in starting a rant thread, but is this the kind of crap I should get accustomed to if I want to keep riding? Or is this exceptionally d-bag? I can handle the brave commentary from motorists and their friends, but I'm not sure I've got the stones for routine projectiles.
Should you expect this to continue? Hmmmm, depends on where you live and ride. Im rural and I rarely have any sort of encounter. City folks are always complaining about this kind of thing.
Next time let them see you using your cellphone, calling in their license plate. And buy some pepper spray - its also good on the other kind of dog.
10-02-11, 08:22 PM
#28
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10-02-11, 08:39 PM
#29
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I got knocked out from behind by a bottle/can missle in the 80's. If you got there number, make sure your PD knows about it.
10-02-11, 08:52 PM
#30
It's ALL base...
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I'll pursue this as far as I can, which is likely not further than filing the report. Then I'll clean up the bike and get back to riding, though likely not in such highly-trafficked areas (Reseda and Nordhoff, for ethman, and anyone else familiar with Northridge). Glad to know this sort of thing should be considered the exception, not the rule.
Thanks for the encouragement, advice, and commiseration. If anything comes of it, I'll be sure to update those interested.
Thanks for the encouragement, advice, and commiseration. If anything comes of it, I'll be sure to update those interested.
10-02-11, 09:10 PM
#31
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I've been a member of the SFVBC since 1989 and we start most of our rides a block from there. Check us out on-line or just join us Sat or Sun at 8:00.
I've had bottles and cans thrown at me, mostly in the south, Kentucky and Missouri. I have had stuff thrown at me here, just not lately.
Some sadistic pricks out there.
I've had bottles and cans thrown at me, mostly in the south, Kentucky and Missouri. I have had stuff thrown at me here, just not lately.
Some sadistic pricks out there.
10-02-11, 09:18 PM
#32
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10-02-11, 09:19 PM
#33
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+1 to joining an SFVBC ride some time. I've started hundreds of rides from the south end of CSUN, many of them starting and ending through the intersection you mentioned. No problems, and they should be used to it with all the students who get around town by bike as well.
Although I agree that Los Angeles County seems to have a higher concentration of self-centered idiots, I have to say that most of the harassment I get is verbal. Most riders I know have had more physical altercations in the south than at home in California (such as Big John's experience).
Although I agree that Los Angeles County seems to have a higher concentration of self-centered idiots, I have to say that most of the harassment I get is verbal. Most riders I know have had more physical altercations in the south than at home in California (such as Big John's experience).
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10-02-11, 09:37 PM
#34
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
It's the inbreeding...
The reduced penis size of these folks drives them to purchase pick up trucks and SUV's in order to compensate and being the dick-less weasels they are, they only feel safe when they are wrapped in 3000 pounds of steel.
The police are pretty useless unless someone gets killed.
I draw the line when people start throwing crap and doing things that endanger my safety... when you call the cops just make sure you tell them they were driving erratically and hit you with liquor (and not soda), think you smelled pot, and were quite sure the female occupants were underage.
Has been a while but some rednecks once tried to cap me with a whiskey bottle... I lived in a small town and knew who the guys were... they were pretty shocked when they stepped out of their truck to find me waiting to have a little heart to heart chat with them.
The reduced penis size of these folks drives them to purchase pick up trucks and SUV's in order to compensate and being the dick-less weasels they are, they only feel safe when they are wrapped in 3000 pounds of steel.
The police are pretty useless unless someone gets killed.
I draw the line when people start throwing crap and doing things that endanger my safety... when you call the cops just make sure you tell them they were driving erratically and hit you with liquor (and not soda), think you smelled pot, and were quite sure the female occupants were underage.
Has been a while but some rednecks once tried to cap me with a whiskey bottle... I lived in a small town and knew who the guys were... they were pretty shocked when they stepped out of their truck to find me waiting to have a little heart to heart chat with them.
10-02-11, 09:53 PM
#35
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I know one of the officers at the Devonshire division who was an Olympic track cyclist (I raced at the velodromes as a junior during that time) and he also worked with me at The Home Depot while he was going through the academy. He frequently patrols that area - I ran into him on duty at Panda Express at that exact intersection. I should see if he's available to take reports like these. I bet he wouldn't turn away a cyclist who was assaulted.
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10-02-11, 09:55 PM
#36
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That's part of the problem around here. Los Angeles is so huge, people can hide in their anonymity when they want to act like @$$holes. It's fun to see the shock on the face of a neighbor or a student's parent when they find out they did it to me (or someone else who knows them).
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10-02-11, 10:00 PM
#37
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
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10-02-11, 10:13 PM
#38
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Definitely make sure to get a report filed for this. Some local arsegadget killed cyclist in a truck recently, turns out he has form - 2 previous incidents reported, several more were not. The ones that were, will weigh against him for sentencing - if he ever gets charged (police still 'investigating' as far as I can tell, hope he doesn't just walk like the guy in Vail).
Consider riding with a video camera. I often do, even on my boring training rides, but especially when I go out of my local riding area (most locals have a great attitude to cyclists) to redneck county north of here (where the Sheriff is on record as saying cyclists deserve to be run down) or out to the farmland out east. Not far from here, a driver and passenger have been ticketed with road rage based on video evidence. It's not much, but again it provides a warning and shows the driver has form if something more serious happens down the road.
Consider riding with a video camera. I often do, even on my boring training rides, but especially when I go out of my local riding area (most locals have a great attitude to cyclists) to redneck county north of here (where the Sheriff is on record as saying cyclists deserve to be run down) or out to the farmland out east. Not far from here, a driver and passenger have been ticketed with road rage based on video evidence. It's not much, but again it provides a warning and shows the driver has form if something more serious happens down the road.
10-02-11, 11:29 PM
#39
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Sorry to hear that happened in Northridge. Where were you when this took place? I generally try to stick to streets with lighter traffic. Doesn't always work in my favor. I was on Lindley one morning when some jack-ass drove by in a truck and tried to pick a fight with me.
Originally Posted by big john
I've been a member of the SFVBC since 1989 and we start most of our rides a block from there. Check us out on-line or just join us Sat or Sun at 8:00.
Originally Posted by ahsposo, BarracksSi, etc
insinuations about my bike weight and/or math skillz
Anyway, the report is filed, so I've done what I can for the community at large. If I'm feeling vindictive, I might look the idiot up. Of course, that means pouring a lot more energy into someone else's stupidity, and as a full time high school teacher, such energy is already at a premium. Logic dictates that I shouldn't be too concerned, especially if I shift my rides to the mid AM on a Saturday or Sunday. Emotionally, I'm trying to not let this evolve into a existential dive into the morass of the human condition, so I think I'll just hit the pavement a few times, maybe with some new friends, and get on with it.
10-02-11, 11:59 PM
#40
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See what happens when you put the blank incident reports in between the front desk and the coffee pot and donuts? **** happens.
Working ergonomics is everthing.
And now, a short story about the future.
Working ergonomics is everthing.
And now, a short story about the future.
10-03-11, 12:08 AM
#41
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I know one of the officers at the Devonshire division who was an Olympic track cyclist (I raced at the velodromes as a junior during that time) and he also worked with me at The Home Depot while he was going through the academy. He frequently patrols that area - I ran into him on duty at Panda Express at that exact intersection. I should see if he's available to take reports like these. I bet he wouldn't turn away a cyclist who was assaulted.
would sure be nice to have a friend in the local LAPD.
10-03-11, 08:37 AM
#42
Ridin' South Cackalacky
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I do agree with the others in that you should file a report regardless. Dont ask the cops for their permission, or if they want it - file it.
Give the license number of the vehicle and get it on record.
Give the license number of the vehicle and get it on record.
10-03-11, 10:33 AM
#45
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Humorous recourses suggested by friends:
1) License plate lookup -> find address. Leave 32oz cup of Coke on doorstep with note "You dropped this, a55ho1e."
2) License plate lookup -> find address. Put cans of Coke behind tires of offending vehicle. Repeat over time as necessary.
3) License plate lookup -> find address. Put bumper sticker on car that reads "Caution: D-bag driver!"
Of course, each of these requires that I complete the DMV form aforementioned. The only problem I see with that is that the DMV works parity into the system; if I get their address, they receive notification that I have it. I guess it's designed to prevent the kind of hoodlum behavior I'd be using the information to partake in. :/
1) License plate lookup -> find address. Leave 32oz cup of Coke on doorstep with note "You dropped this, a55ho1e."
2) License plate lookup -> find address. Put cans of Coke behind tires of offending vehicle. Repeat over time as necessary.
3) License plate lookup -> find address. Put bumper sticker on car that reads "Caution: D-bag driver!"
Of course, each of these requires that I complete the DMV form aforementioned. The only problem I see with that is that the DMV works parity into the system; if I get their address, they receive notification that I have it. I guess it's designed to prevent the kind of hoodlum behavior I'd be using the information to partake in. :/
10-03-11, 10:54 AM
#47
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when they threw the cup and hit you with it, that was an assault, plain and simple. If the police won't do anything, you can go to the criminal magistrate and have them issue a warrant for them, but you'd have to know who it was. with the license plate number you will only get the owner of the vehicle, who may not have even been in the car.
yeah, it sucks though. The yelling I can take, no prob. Throwing crap is different.
yeah, it sucks though. The yelling I can take, no prob. Throwing crap is different.
10-03-11, 10:55 AM
#48
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10-03-11, 11:10 AM
#49
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Bummer to hear. Still, I see enough cyclists out regularly to think that I'm not cruising around in a war zone. I grew up in Ventura county and remember hearing horror stories of what the kids in Calabasas and Thousand Oaks (optherwise really nice areas) would pull on cyclists, so I doubt I should expect different in a place like that. At least in Ventura you could count on the PD to investigate such ridiculousness more closely.
Where do you teach? I teach middle school for LAUSD.
The next time I talk to him, I'll ask if he minds if I share his name and precinct. Nice guy, but I don't want him bombarded with calls just because I posted his info somewhere. In the meantime, if anybody has a specific and important issue, PM me.
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10-03-11, 11:18 AM
#50
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https://da.co.la.ca.us/hate/hcdefined.htm
I'm not a lawyer but this may also be considered a Hate Crime, defined as "actual or perceived" sexual orientation.
I'm not a lawyer but this may also be considered a Hate Crime, defined as "actual or perceived" sexual orientation.