Leaning on cars
09-02-05 | 10:26 AM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,169
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From: San Francisco, CA
Originally Posted by Aeroplane
So, I'm getting the impression that it's a great idea...</internet sarcasm>
But seriously, I can understand being afraid of psychos and whatnot. And even the extremely rare "my glove got caught in the trunk, and I lost my hand, bike, wife, dog..." Are these the only two arguments against it? I'm only touching the vehicle with my fingertips, and I'm not smudging up windows or anything. I'm not saying that this is a great idea, but I thought that if there was such a resoundingly negative response, there'd be a few more reasons.
So, any reasons besides psychos and getting dragged?
EDIT: Just saw the video. That guy was an idiot. You DON'T lean on a car that is still moving. And don't lean on the hood. And don't tap your fingers, that's just asking for trouble.
But seriously, I can understand being afraid of psychos and whatnot. And even the extremely rare "my glove got caught in the trunk, and I lost my hand, bike, wife, dog..." Are these the only two arguments against it? I'm only touching the vehicle with my fingertips, and I'm not smudging up windows or anything. I'm not saying that this is a great idea, but I thought that if there was such a resoundingly negative response, there'd be a few more reasons.
So, any reasons besides psychos and getting dragged?
EDIT: Just saw the video. That guy was an idiot. You DON'T lean on a car that is still moving. And don't lean on the hood. And don't tap your fingers, that's just asking for trouble.
09-02-05 | 10:28 AM
#27
Guest
Posts: n/a
NO!
For all of the reasons listed above plus...
People generally consider their vehicle an extention of themself. Would you lean on or even touch someone in front of you in line at the grocery store?
Sure, you're not doing any damage, but it's still disrespectful of other peoples' property/space.
If you make this your common practice, sooner or later someone will retaliate... not worth it, unclip.
Don't do it.
Oh, did I mention it's a really bad idea?
For all of the reasons listed above plus...
People generally consider their vehicle an extention of themself. Would you lean on or even touch someone in front of you in line at the grocery store?
Sure, you're not doing any damage, but it's still disrespectful of other peoples' property/space.
If you make this your common practice, sooner or later someone will retaliate... not worth it, unclip.
Don't do it.
Oh, did I mention it's a really bad idea?
09-02-05 | 10:32 AM
#28
aspiring dirtbag commuter
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 0
From: philly
i think you might just be trolling for an argument here but think of it this way:
would you go up to someone in public and start touching him/her without permission? if you did that to me, on purpose without any real reason for doing so, i'd flip the f%ck out...
same deal i'd say...
would you go up to someone in public and start touching him/her without permission? if you did that to me, on purpose without any real reason for doing so, i'd flip the f%ck out...
same deal i'd say...
09-02-05 | 10:48 AM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 80
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From: Lincoln, NE
Bikes: 1992 Bridgestone MB-5 - modified to be a commuter/tourer, 1987 Schwinn Tempo, 198? Cannondale ST, 19?? Cruiser - my daily ride
Why not just ride plain ol' platform pedals? It's easy to put one's foot down using those.
Best,
e.
Best,
e.
09-02-05 | 10:50 AM
#31
Arizona Dessert
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 15,029
Likes: 2,170
From: AZ
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
Originally Posted by The Fixer
por que?
This doesn't of course mean its dangerous or unstable, only that it appears that way to most drivers.
Instead, a foot down conveys a solid stop, stability. Communication is an essential element to sharing the road.
Finally, unless you use tight toe straps, I really see no benefit to trackstanding.
Al
09-02-05 | 10:59 AM
#32
spin
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 0
From: Champaign, IL
Bikes: raleigh m-60, azonic steelhead, schwinn world sport fixed gear
Trackstanding is fun.... but I have found that most drivers are confused by them and I assume worried that I am about go in front of them.
09-02-05 | 11:28 AM
#34
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 190
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From: Denver, Colorado
Bikes: Trek 930 mutt (beater) Gary Fisher '98 Paragon
Originally Posted by Aeroplane
So, I'm getting the impression that it's a great idea...</internet sarcasm>
But seriously, I can understand being afraid of psychos and whatnot. And even the extremely rare "my glove got caught in the trunk, and I lost my hand, bike, wife, dog..." Are these the only two arguments against it? I'm only touching the vehicle with my fingertips, and I'm not smudging up windows or anything. I'm not saying that this is a great idea, but I thought that if there was such a resoundingly negative response, there'd be a few more reasons.
So, any reasons besides psychos and getting dragged?
EDIT: Just saw the video. That guy was an idiot. You DON'T lean on a car that is still moving. And don't lean on the hood. And don't tap your fingers, that's just asking for trouble.
But seriously, I can understand being afraid of psychos and whatnot. And even the extremely rare "my glove got caught in the trunk, and I lost my hand, bike, wife, dog..." Are these the only two arguments against it? I'm only touching the vehicle with my fingertips, and I'm not smudging up windows or anything. I'm not saying that this is a great idea, but I thought that if there was such a resoundingly negative response, there'd be a few more reasons.
So, any reasons besides psychos and getting dragged?
EDIT: Just saw the video. That guy was an idiot. You DON'T lean on a car that is still moving. And don't lean on the hood. And don't tap your fingers, that's just asking for trouble.
You may not think you're doing anything wrong, but it's not about you. It's their stuff, and they're free to feel anyway they want to feel about it. Nothing psychotic about it.
09-02-05 | 11:30 AM
#35
Arizona Dessert
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 15,029
Likes: 2,170
From: AZ
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
Next time I come up to a red light and a cyclist is there waiting, I think I try and leaning on them instead of unclipping. 
Al
Al
09-02-05 | 11:36 AM
#36
Originally Posted by noisebeam
Finally, unless you use tight toe straps, I really see no benefit to trackstanding.
09-02-05 | 11:40 AM
#37
Arizona Dessert
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 15,029
Likes: 2,170
From: AZ
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
Originally Posted by The Fixer
Not even a short one?.....like a few seconds before the light changes to green?...
Al
09-02-05 | 11:42 AM
#38
Gravel for Breakfast
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,486
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From: Inside my scabs
Bikes: Jake
Originally Posted by The Fixer
Not even a short one?.....like a few seconds before the light changes to green?...
09-02-05 | 11:43 AM
#39
genec
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 27,072
Likes: 4,533
From: West Coast
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
I used to lean... eons ago. Road rage and other unpredicable behaviour have long since changed my habits.
I don't track stand any more either... unless there are no motorist around.
Oddly enough I have found that I now unclip my LOOK pedals very easily and habitually clip right in with out delay... in fact if I look at what I am doing it simply slows me down... my feet know where to be without fail. My eyes just confuse the situation.
Practice practice practice. Unclip the same foot all the time and it will become very habitual. Muscle memory will go a long way.
I don't track stand any more either... unless there are no motorist around.
Oddly enough I have found that I now unclip my LOOK pedals very easily and habitually clip right in with out delay... in fact if I look at what I am doing it simply slows me down... my feet know where to be without fail. My eyes just confuse the situation.
Practice practice practice. Unclip the same foot all the time and it will become very habitual. Muscle memory will go a long way.
09-02-05 | 11:45 AM
#40
genec
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 27,072
Likes: 4,533
From: West Coast
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
Originally Posted by noisebeam
Next time I come up to a red light and a cyclist is there waiting, I think I try and leaning on them instead of unclipping.
Al
Al
09-02-05 | 11:49 AM
#41
Arizona Dessert
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 15,029
Likes: 2,170
From: AZ
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
Originally Posted by genec
Used to do this all the time buddy riding.
I love to see the look on some strangers face if you did that to them.
Al
09-02-05 | 11:54 AM
#42
Arizona Dessert
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 15,029
Likes: 2,170
From: AZ
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
Originally Posted by genec
Oddly enough I have found that I now unclip my LOOK pedals very easily and habitually clip right in with out delay...
Muscle memory will go a long way.
Muscle memory will go a long way.
Al
09-02-05 | 11:56 AM
#43
demon speeder
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, OH
Bikes: commuter: Kona Fire Mountain Road: Mongoose Pro Bosberg
Why do you NEED a reason? It's more of a personal value system to me. It's not your stuff so don't touch. Weren't you taught that in kindergarten?
It's not your stuff so don't touch. No reason needed.
It's not your stuff so don't touch. No reason needed.
09-02-05 | 12:01 PM
#44
Sprint the hills!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 617
Likes: 0
From: South Pasadena, CA
Bikes: Klein Q-Pro w/Campy, Dahon MU P8
Originally Posted by Aeroplane
So, any reasons besides psychos and getting dragged?
09-02-05 | 12:13 PM
#46
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Aeroplane
So, I'm getting the impression that it's a great idea...</internet sarcasm>
But seriously, I can understand being afraid of psychos and whatnot. And even the extremely rare "my glove got caught in the trunk, and I lost my hand, bike, wife, dog..." Are these the only two arguments against it? I'm only touching the vehicle with my fingertips, and I'm not smudging up windows or anything. I'm not saying that this is a great idea, but I thought that if there was such a resoundingly negative response, there'd be a few more reasons.
So, any reasons besides psychos and getting dragged?
But seriously, I can understand being afraid of psychos and whatnot. And even the extremely rare "my glove got caught in the trunk, and I lost my hand, bike, wife, dog..." Are these the only two arguments against it? I'm only touching the vehicle with my fingertips, and I'm not smudging up windows or anything. I'm not saying that this is a great idea, but I thought that if there was such a resoundingly negative response, there'd be a few more reasons.
So, any reasons besides psychos and getting dragged?
So if ITS F****** RUDE, is not enough for you to reasess a very bad habit I would kindly ask that you stop biking until you get some sense of what it means to belong to civilized society.
09-02-05 | 02:14 PM
#48
Warning:Mild Peril
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,170
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Refugee in Los Angeles
Bikes: Cilo, Surly Pacer, Kona Fire Mountain w/Bob Trailer, Scattante
I don't see the problem with trackstanding and I could really give 2 sh!!s if it 'confuses' a driver. It confuses me why someone needs over 6,000 lbs of metal and 300 hp to lug their fat a$$ to and from work, but that hasn't seemed to stop anyone. The driver gets so confused they have to put their latte and cell phone down for a moment until their brain starts turning over again. "What is that cyclist doing, balancing, oh my god is he going to damage my car, what's happening? I guess I'll have to call you back, I'm so confused."
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Non semper erit aestas.
09-02-05 | 02:25 PM
#49
Out of Commission
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: SoCal
Bikes: Felt FC, S-Works Roubaix, Epic Comp, Cyfac Proxidium
Originally Posted by Treespeed
I don't see the problem with trackstanding and I could really give 2 sh!!s if it 'confuses' a driver. It confuses me why someone needs over 6,000 lbs of metal and 300 hp to lug their fat a$$ to and from work, but that hasn't seemed to stop anyone. The driver gets so confused they have to put their latte and cell phone down for a moment until their brain starts turning over again. "What is that cyclist doing, balancing, oh my god is he going to damage my car, what's happening? I guess I'll have to call you back, I'm so confused."
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09-02-05 | 02:34 PM
#50
Warning:Mild Peril
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,170
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Refugee in Los Angeles
Bikes: Cilo, Surly Pacer, Kona Fire Mountain w/Bob Trailer, Scattante
Originally Posted by OC Roadie
"Confused" may lead to an unpredictable or irrational reaction. I don't think it's really about caring if a driver is confused or not. It's about making your intentions clear to drivers, so they don't do something stupid in mis-judging your intentions.
and I am claiming my rightful spot as a vehicle on the roadway. I think the idea that I need to also put my foot down implies great stupidity on the part of drivers, and if that's the case I want to be clipped in and ready to move as soon as the light goes.
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Non semper erit aestas.
Non semper erit aestas.