Stupid Is
05-13-11 | 04:51 PM
#26
Infamous Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 24,360
Likes: 6
From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
Uhhhh, are you just picking a fight for no reason or did you draw the short straw in some bizarre "devil's advocate for a day" contest?
So, with minimal visibility the guy is 1) riding against traffic 2) on the sidewalk 3) switching from sidewalk to the road willy-nilly while crossing intersections and 4) not using lights or wearing anything to make him more visible. By all means, let's stand up for this guy! OK, you object to the word "stupid" -- fine, I get it. If that's what bugs you, how about calling him "objectively clueless," "undeniably death-wishy," or "without a doubt lacking in common sense" instead? Feel better now?
So, with minimal visibility the guy is 1) riding against traffic 2) on the sidewalk 3) switching from sidewalk to the road willy-nilly while crossing intersections and 4) not using lights or wearing anything to make him more visible. By all means, let's stand up for this guy! OK, you object to the word "stupid" -- fine, I get it. If that's what bugs you, how about calling him "objectively clueless," "undeniably death-wishy," or "without a doubt lacking in common sense" instead? Feel better now?
Here's the thing...we lived. Hell most of us got around pretty damned good on the sidewalks and making our own rules...what we learned we learned from experience or by some teaching. These people who scare you so might too, or they might continue to muddle along their own way - oh well. Lighten up, all you Francises out there, there are plenty of other things in this life our ours to get all hot and bothered over.
As far as ILTB goes, I always get a giggle when noobs get offended by him. Heck he and I about killed each other when we first 'met' years ago...till we actually talked to each other and got over it...now he's my character indicator. Those who can get past how he says things to understand what he's saying have a clue...those that can't, don't. He's a good guy...and we need his perspective on things around here when so many seem to follow and parrot the Joneses.
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
Last edited by chipcom; 05-13-11 at 04:57 PM.
05-13-11 | 05:27 PM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 15,217
Likes: 1,741
From: Far beyond the pale horizon.
===============
But he wasn't a kid. And nobody talked about killing him.
Last edited by njkayaker; 05-13-11 at 05:33 PM.
05-13-11 | 05:44 PM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 255
Likes: 1
From: Northeastern USA
Bikes: 2007 Bianchi Castro Valley, 1985 Specialized Sequoia
chipcom,
Yes, I did stupid stuff kind of like that when I was a kid, too. But then I guess I hit whatever magic age is it when you no longer want to die recklessly (25, perhaps? The car rental companies must have a reason for that cut-off). And, yes I agree that the guy must be a newb (otherwise he never would have survived for too long), so your point is taken. I'm not really trying to "pile on," but the gist of the thread is, as Forrest Gump so sagely said, "Stupid is as stupid does."
As for your character-reference for ILTB, I guess I'll take your word for it!
Yes, I did stupid stuff kind of like that when I was a kid, too. But then I guess I hit whatever magic age is it when you no longer want to die recklessly (25, perhaps? The car rental companies must have a reason for that cut-off). And, yes I agree that the guy must be a newb (otherwise he never would have survived for too long), so your point is taken. I'm not really trying to "pile on," but the gist of the thread is, as Forrest Gump so sagely said, "Stupid is as stupid does."
As for your character-reference for ILTB, I guess I'll take your word for it!
05-13-11 | 07:20 PM
#30
Don from Austin Texas
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 1
From: Austin, Texas
Bikes: Schwinn S25 "department store crap" FS MTB, home-made CF 26" hybrid, CF road bike with straight bar, various wierd frankenbikes
There was no smirking nor feeling of superiority on my part, in spite of what anyone might think to the contrary. Nor do I feel someone is beneath me because they are not wearing clothing for "correct cycling." HOWEVER, this guy did five stupid things and three illegal things (unfortunately in Austin it is legal to ride on the sidewalks except in a section of downtown and that's not where this occurred) so yes, that makes him stupid.
Don in Austin
05-13-11 | 07:53 PM
#31
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: Benbrook Texas
Bikes: A 3-speed fixed, a single speed (freewheel), etc.
05-13-11 | 08:28 PM
#32
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 2
From: Green Valley AZ
Bikes: Trice Q; Volae Century; TT 3.4
I've seen cyclists being their own worse enemies but yesterday morning took the prize for how many things one person could do wrong.
We had hellicious rains yesterday morning during rush hour - it wasn't just raining it was raining so hard it felt we were getting our annual rainfall all at once. Sitting at a traffic light I watched a man on a bike, approaching (1) riding the sidewalk; (2) riding against traffic; (3) riding off the curb to cross against the light (people to his left and right had a green turn arrow); (4) no lights on his bike (it was dark enough lights were required); and (5) he was wearing clothing that blended in more than stood out. The cyclist then ran right into a car that pulling forward to turn left.
Luckily no one was hurt and apparently no damage but there were so many way that entire situation could have gone so far south. Sometimes I think the stupid really do want to thin out the gene pool but get protected in spite of themselves.
We had hellicious rains yesterday morning during rush hour - it wasn't just raining it was raining so hard it felt we were getting our annual rainfall all at once. Sitting at a traffic light I watched a man on a bike, approaching (1) riding the sidewalk; (2) riding against traffic; (3) riding off the curb to cross against the light (people to his left and right had a green turn arrow); (4) no lights on his bike (it was dark enough lights were required); and (5) he was wearing clothing that blended in more than stood out. The cyclist then ran right into a car that pulling forward to turn left.
Luckily no one was hurt and apparently no damage but there were so many way that entire situation could have gone so far south. Sometimes I think the stupid really do want to thin out the gene pool but get protected in spite of themselves.
05-13-11 | 09:10 PM
#33
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Austin,Texas
Bikes: Trek Lexi
05-13-11 | 10:05 PM
#34
If you do not want to read it, then do not read it and your problem will be solved.
__________________
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Skipjacks
General Cycling Discussion
43
10-18-18 06:07 PM
Daves_Not_Here
Advocacy & Safety
65
09-12-12 02:15 PM
