will dehne

This is a new one for me. How about you?
I trained for centuries on the paved bike paths in Minnesota's Root River area.
No cars on these 60++ miles of trails. There are some curves you cannot see around and some substantial hills. Signs warn to stay on the right side of the path because of the curves.
I go rather slowly up one of these hills. There comes this Biker down around a curve, full speed, on my side of the path. I noticed that he had some kind of affliction. His head was on his shoulder. Startled, I go in the ditch.
I turn around to see what is up. HE HAD A CELL PHONE JAMMED BETWEEN SHOULDER AND HEAD. Of course he had no helmet, both hands on drop bar. This is a Biker with full outfit. Not a kid.

recursive

I think I might have continued on my original course if I were you.

Just for fun.

scarry

I had a neighbor who broke his wrist and collarbone crashing on a bike path while using his cell phone. I didn't tell him, but I thought he was a damn fool.

dayve

Just slap the phone right off his shoulder as he passes, then sprint. By the time he stops and comes back a bit to find his phone, you'll be long gone.

InfamousG

Scream: "WATCH OUT!!" right after you pass him (when neither of you are in danger anymore).

Fun for all ages

will dehne

The above postings are by more proactive bikers than I am.

My initial reaction was: Is this guy handicapped? Second reaction was: Amazement.
Third reaction was: I cannot believe this.
By that time he was gone and I thought it would be fun to share this with you.

RocketsRedglare

But I thought cyclists never do anything wrong. How could this be?

Are you sure he wasn't in an SUV?

galen_52657

You guys keep riding on those darn paths...you get what you get. I will take a 4 lane highway any day.

genec

Yeah, SUVs with cell phone packing idiots...

will dehne

I think that NO group has the market cornered on reckless behavior. Just the SUV's and Semi's are more deadly. So part of this forums disdain is because of that feeling as a victim.

Gaiamoon

Yesterday was my first day riding on a multi use path around a lake near my house. In my 12 mile journey, I saw:
A guy riding with no helmet on a cell phone.
A lady riding, err... wobbling, with her helmet hanging from her handlebars, and who almost crashed into a woman with a double baby carriage and a dog. I am glad her handlebars had ample protection.
A man in a yellow jersey in an electric wheelchair that made me feel lucky that I was able to ride a bike in my yellow jersey.

InfamousG

I just think it'd be funny to have him go flailing all over the road, dropping his cell phone, etc. thinking a logging truck was drafting him

webist

My cell phone always wears a little tiny helmet.

Gaiamoon

ROFL!!!!!!

biodiesel

Another example of us being too judgemental.
Sure, high speed cell phone looks bad and isn't exactly a good idea.
But... I got chased by a crazy road rage motorist once, i dialed 911 while sprinting away and got people honking and yelling at me. Not one person thought for a second that i might be in trouble, calling for help etc.

For all we know this guy could be running from trouble, calling an ambulance for a friend, a doctor or father doing the 'i'll be right into the hospital i'm riding right now bit... or who knows what.

Could just be an idiot.

Just accept that there are idiots, if you get the chance to talk to the guy and explain your problem with his riding and engage in a reasonable conversation.
Slapping the phone out of his hand is ridiculous.

One of my pet peeves are people trying to point out someone being rude, doing something wrong by doing something more rude, wrong than the original. Some guy answers a phone in a restaurant, a 3 out of ten of rude. Lady next to him loud talks and swears for like 10 minutes about it. Loud enough that though i hadn't heard the cell phone dude i have to listen to her angry rant. At least a 7 of ten on the rude scale.

will dehne

Funny!
This is what you get if you translate German into an English sentence.

2manybikes

Does your phone have a tiny little T-Mobile jersey too? Does it get fat in the winter ?

Little Darwin

It wasn't dangerous, but as far as seeing something unusual on a MUT, I saw someone a couple of weeks ago that was riding a mountain bike that had three (3) sets of bar ends... All hooked to each other.

Almost looked like the motorcycle "Ape Hangers" since his hands were at his eye level... Just think of all the possible hand positions though!

recursive

For some reason I can't stop laughing at this part.

will dehne

That is the whole idea of this thread.

I-Like-To-Bike

I thought it was about judgemental busybodies high fivin' with the safety nannies.

will dehne

Nah, cannot change people, but talking about things is better than bottling it up.
But that is just my opinion.

BeTheChange

Ha ha ha. My friend's dad broke his arm not too long ago doing the same thing.

Daily Commute

And does it always seem to be just a few feet behind something wearing blue or yellow?

sbhikes

Where did that guy keep his latte?

I think tomorow I'll go out and get a latte and make a call while riding my recumbent. That should be good for laughs.