Diesel truck smoke situation
01-26-12, 02:11 PM
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Diesel truck smoke situation
A friend of mine who drives a big diesel truck told me a story about something that happend the other day, thought I'd open it up for comments. Here's the situation...the narrow 2-lane road he uses to get to and from work is very twisty and hilly, perfect cycling territory except that there are no bike lanes and virtually no shoulder. I would never ride on this road, but he says cyclists are out there all the time. A couple of days ago he said he got stuck behind some bikes, and when he got the opportunity to pass he accidentally "smoked them". That's just what happens when you mash the gas on a diesel. He felt pretty bad about it.
I told him about those videos of that a-hole who does that for fun and posts it on youtube. He started feeling really bad, then he said he couldn't help it...these guys were riding 4-abreast and would not move, taking up the entire lane. Since it was a twisty road, he had to follow them until he could see far enough ahead to safely pass (completely in the on-coming lane). Then he had to accelerate hard to get around before the next curve.
I told him not to feel bad. If they wouldn't get out of the way and go single file then they deserved it.
I told him about those videos of that a-hole who does that for fun and posts it on youtube. He started feeling really bad, then he said he couldn't help it...these guys were riding 4-abreast and would not move, taking up the entire lane. Since it was a twisty road, he had to follow them until he could see far enough ahead to safely pass (completely in the on-coming lane). Then he had to accelerate hard to get around before the next curve.
I told him not to feel bad. If they wouldn't get out of the way and go single file then they deserved it.
01-26-12, 02:21 PM
#2
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4 abreast? Smoke'em.
01-26-12, 02:26 PM
#3
Throw the stick!!!!
Agree completely. They are the ones creating unsafe conditions at this point.
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01-26-12, 02:33 PM
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i'm all for sharing the road (goes both ways), but if i'm on the road i always make an effort to make it easier for cars or trucks to pass. i don't wanna be that a-hole that rides in the middle of the lane holding up traffic, might just anger some drivers and they'll take it out on another cyclist some day.
01-26-12, 02:37 PM
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Yep, riding 4-abreast on a 2-lane twisting road is very very inconsiderate. They deserved to be smoked, albeit unintentionally on the trucker's part.
01-26-12, 02:39 PM
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Should have been paying attention. Sharing the road goes both ways, and it's up to us to make it as easy for cars to pass as we can, while still looking out for our own safety.
From the sounds of it, it might not have been avoidable. The only thing I can think of is if the truck dropped behind the riders a bit more, then changed lanes and accelerated in order to put the smoke behind the group. I have no idea if that would actually work, given that I have zero experience with diesel vehicles, but even if it did, it would require a good bit of forethought on the drivers part. Can't blame the guy, really. Narrow roads suck.
From the sounds of it, it might not have been avoidable. The only thing I can think of is if the truck dropped behind the riders a bit more, then changed lanes and accelerated in order to put the smoke behind the group. I have no idea if that would actually work, given that I have zero experience with diesel vehicles, but even if it did, it would require a good bit of forethought on the drivers part. Can't blame the guy, really. Narrow roads suck.
01-26-12, 02:44 PM
#7
You gonna eat that?
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01-26-12, 02:52 PM
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i'm all for sharing the road (goes both ways), but if i'm on the road i always make an effort to make it easier for cars or trucks to pass. i don't wanna be that a-hole that rides in the middle of the lane holding up traffic, might just anger some drivers and they'll take it out on another cyclist some day.
I do my best to be a courteous cyclist, especially on narrow mountain/foothill roads with no shoulder.I stumbled across this video posted by a driver with a dashcam. He got stuck behind a group ride that was taking up the entire lane on a climb. He wasn't angry in his video description. Instead, he was genuinely concerned if the cyclists' behavior was safe or legal.
I left a comment saying pretty much what I said in this post (my YouTube name is "cyclingfun2"). Other cyclists who are subscribed to my YouTube channel saw my comment and chimed in. They seemed to agree that the cyclists should have moved over to let the motorist pass. Here in California cyclists are required to do that anyway.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O2WRr3mSsY
I only take the lane on fast descents when I'm not going to hold up a bunch of cars.
Unfortunately, inconsiderate cyclists cause some motorists to take their frustrations out on other cyclists who aren't doing anything wrong. Here's two examples from my rides in the hills last year. Both times I was climbing and well out of the way of motorists.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMgHRJvi66M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqAng5CRsOM
Both of these incidents occurred in El Dorado County, CA. It's a damn shame, because El Dorado County has some of the best climbing, and now I'm afraid to ride on those roads unless it's very early in the morning when the asshats are still sleeping (hopefully).
01-26-12, 03:08 PM
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First of all, I agree this is very inconsiderate and do not condone such behavior. It reflects poorly on us as a group and increases driver hostility. However, there is also a counter point to this. Since I am not aware of California's laws I will speak in regards to those in my state. In Arizona, two cyclists are allowed by law to ride abreast and must stay to the right. However, when there is not a bike lane and the road is narrow, they are allowed by law to take the lane. By riding close to the edge of the road in these situations, it often encourages drivers to make unsafe passes and buzz the cyclist. Here, a driver must allow 3 feet when passing a cycliist. On a narrow road, if you are a foot from the shoulder, occupying 2.5' of space and add the 3 feet required by law, that's 6.5' and technically a driver can not safely overtake the cyclist with on coming traffic.
All that said, 4 people wide is illegal, but the law is somewhat contradictory in this situation in that even with 1 or 2 riders you're technically entitled to the lane anyways. This may or may not apply in California, and exercising it in Arizona will likely get you run over or at the very least a lot of harassment.
Personally, I wish drivers would be a bit more understanding but also understand their perspective, especially a non cyclist. But I also wish cyclists would be more courteous and try to be a better representation for the group as a whole. This includes communicating with drivers, making concessions, and a simple wave to says thanks or give acknowledgement seems to go a long ways...but for some it makes no difference and they will always believe we shouldn't be on the roads and will make a point of showing their displeasure by trying to bully us.
All that said, 4 people wide is illegal, but the law is somewhat contradictory in this situation in that even with 1 or 2 riders you're technically entitled to the lane anyways. This may or may not apply in California, and exercising it in Arizona will likely get you run over or at the very least a lot of harassment.
Personally, I wish drivers would be a bit more understanding but also understand their perspective, especially a non cyclist. But I also wish cyclists would be more courteous and try to be a better representation for the group as a whole. This includes communicating with drivers, making concessions, and a simple wave to says thanks or give acknowledgement seems to go a long ways...but for some it makes no difference and they will always believe we shouldn't be on the roads and will make a point of showing their displeasure by trying to bully us.
01-26-12, 09:23 PM
#10
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The Wohlford Rd. situation can go either way. They should have singled up near the bottom where its a little wider, before :31. Once they got past that point, the road is too narrow for the car to pass without crossing the double yellow and its too winding to cross the double yellow safely. At the end of the clip you can also see the fence just to the right of the white stripe. The fence and hillside take away the shoulder so people take the lane until after the bridge.
01-26-12, 09:28 PM
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I've gotten smoked when I'm on the right edge of a four-lane road where there's plenty of space to pass.
01-26-12, 09:37 PM
#12
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what has your buddy done to his truck to make it smoke? they don't smoke when they leave the factory.
01-26-12, 09:45 PM
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Sure they do. You let off the throttle so compression drops, then hit the throttle. It's just the way diesels work.
My problem is Maryland is filled with rednecks that think smoking cyclists is a hobby
My problem is Maryland is filled with rednecks that think smoking cyclists is a hobby
01-26-12, 09:52 PM
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I don't get it. It's two lane and twisty with no shoulder...there's no way for the pickup to safely pass the cyclists without going into the oncoming lane. If he has to go into the oncoming lane, he has to wait for a safe opportunity to do so. What does it matter if they are single file, two abreast, or thirty abreast? So long as they are in their lane, it has no impact on the truck driver whatsoever.
01-26-12, 09:54 PM
#15
Pokemon Master
assuming the truck is warmed up, of course.
a little haze or puff when you get on the accelerator is normal (waiting for the turbo to catch up). smoking the whole time the pedal is on the floor is not.
01-26-12, 09:59 PM
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When the truck is going slow, everything is okay. But when the throttle is hit hard as when passing the cyclists, the turbo kicks in and a whole lot of unburnt fuel is pushed through. That creates the black smoke. Eventually the engine demand catches up with the fuel or the throttle is released and the smoke goes away
01-27-12, 05:51 AM
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When the truck is going slow, everything is okay. But when the throttle is hit hard as when passing the cyclists, the turbo kicks in and a whole lot of unburnt fuel is pushed through. That creates the black smoke. Eventually the engine demand catches up with the fuel or the throttle is released and the smoke goes away
Drivers simply don't like it when cyclists decide for them if it is safe to pass.
01-27-12, 09:07 AM
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01-27-12, 09:45 AM
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01-27-12, 09:55 AM
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I don't get it. It's two lane and twisty with no shoulder...there's no way for the pickup to safely pass the cyclists without going into the oncoming lane. If he has to go into the oncoming lane, he has to wait for a safe opportunity to do so. What does it matter if they are single file, two abreast, or thirty abreast? So long as they are in their lane, it has no impact on the truck driver whatsoever.
01-27-12, 10:37 AM
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i'm all for sharing the road (goes both ways), but if i'm on the road i always make an effort to make it easier for cars or trucks to pass. i don't wanna be that a-hole that rides in the middle of the lane holding up traffic, might just anger some drivers and they'll take it out on another cyclist some day.
01-27-12, 10:52 AM
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a friend of mine that I ride with frequently is constantly in the car lane when there is a huge bike lane we could all share. It really annoys me.
01-27-12, 11:24 AM
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First of all, I agree this is very inconsiderate and do not condone such behavior. It reflects poorly on us as a group and increases driver hostility. However, there is also a counter point to this. Since I am not aware of California's laws I will speak in regards to those in my state. In Arizona, two cyclists are allowed by law to ride abreast and must stay to the right. However, when there is not a bike lane and the road is narrow, they are allowed by law to take the lane. By riding close to the edge of the road in these situations, it often encourages drivers to make unsafe passes and buzz the cyclist. Here, a driver must allow 3 feet when passing a cycliist. On a narrow road, if you are a foot from the shoulder, occupying 2.5' of space and add the 3 feet required by law, that's 6.5' and technically a driver can not safely overtake the cyclist with on coming traffic.
All that said, 4 people wide is illegal, but the law is somewhat contradictory in this situation in that even with 1 or 2 riders you're technically entitled to the lane anyways. This may or may not apply in California, and exercising it in Arizona will likely get you run over or at the very least a lot of harassment.
Personally, I wish drivers would be a bit more understanding but also understand their perspective, especially a non cyclist. But I also wish cyclists would be more courteous and try to be a better representation for the group as a whole. This includes communicating with drivers, making concessions, and a simple wave to says thanks or give acknowledgement seems to go a long ways...but for some it makes no difference and they will always believe we shouldn't be on the roads and will make a point of showing their displeasure by trying to bully us.
All that said, 4 people wide is illegal, but the law is somewhat contradictory in this situation in that even with 1 or 2 riders you're technically entitled to the lane anyways. This may or may not apply in California, and exercising it in Arizona will likely get you run over or at the very least a lot of harassment.
Personally, I wish drivers would be a bit more understanding but also understand their perspective, especially a non cyclist. But I also wish cyclists would be more courteous and try to be a better representation for the group as a whole. This includes communicating with drivers, making concessions, and a simple wave to says thanks or give acknowledgement seems to go a long ways...but for some it makes no difference and they will always believe we shouldn't be on the roads and will make a point of showing their displeasure by trying to bully us.
01-27-12, 11:53 AM
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You may want to give West Virginia a miss, too. Cough-cough. It's odd, to us here in WV, Maryland is the place to go. I've all but stopped riding the roads here in banjo country..onacounta' all the busted bones over the years meted out by the chinless idiot set. All relative I guess, but spend your cycling holiday bucks someplace else. That said, WV trails are world-renowned.
01-27-12, 11:58 AM
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two abreast is better on a windy road because it gives you plenty of room to pass but it takes less distance to complete the pass. 4 abreast means the cyclists didn't know what they were doing