Originally Posted by Deep_South
I ride the wrong way all the time but I don't ride in a populated area and would not if i did. I would not have to if it were not for the people around this area acting like they are seeing a UFO when coming up on a cyclist with their massive SUVs while talking on the cellphone. I typically see 12 SUVS and F250s on a 20 mile ride. If i stayed on their direction of travel I would be probably be clipped many times a year. I'm not about to stay on the same direction of travel in as someone in a speeding 6000 pound vehicle on cellphone or a soccer mom fooling with junior instead of watching the narrow road. Another is the redneck towing a 25 foot trailer. As soon as a here one of those or a school bus I duck into the nearest driveway. If the other side of the road is clear for good line of sight, I heard nothing else coming and I can drive off that shoulder I take it. Just today I could not get over due to a bad line of sight where I was about to cross to another road anyway. What did it get me. Almost clipped by some moron in a speeding Chevy Siverado even thought I was a foot and a half of the road at low speed. And this moron blows his horn at me after not only not give an inch but taking a few on what was a turned out to be a clear road. It was a high $$ one that certainly cost way too much and never hauls or tows. These people have to have the BIG ONE! The one that cannot fit on the road with a bicycle. These people cannot drive. Doing 60 in a 40 in one of those things is just wreckless. I have seen them do it near my house and you think what if there is a kid, cyclist, the old guy that picks up trash or road crew over that hill. I've seen people from the area go 60 in their escalades next to the rails to trails entrances where there are always small kids. These people live in and know the area and still go twice the limit. I am not about to share the same side of the road with them when I do not have to.
NEVER get near a school bus. The requirements to be a drive them are very low as is their pay. Also 40 kids can be distracting. Google cyclist any time in Google news and you are sure to see cyclist killed by school bus, dump truck and suv within the first 20 stories. Another stupid thing is the driver that waves you on to go. Why should I go? A guy in Yukon stopped at a trail crossing (no stop sign for him) and waved for me to go. It would have been quicker for him just to go through with caution like you are supposed to. For some reason this moron thinks it would be best for me and my 18 pound bike to roll in front of his 6000 pound truck that is in drive. After a few times with this a learned it is better to not make eye contact (they'll read something you are projecting) or circle back a few feet till they are up the road.
I expect the other guy to screw up if I'm on my bike, motorcycle or in my car. They usually dont disappoint. Share the same side of the road with some 90 pound women in a Hummer? I'll get on the shoulder first before getting hit.