destro713

So I'm commuting home on the lakefront path and there's an in-line skater ahead of me, who's making really wide strides and taking up the entire right lane. I have no problem with this. I ramp down to a courteous speed, determine that there are no oncoming riders, and proceed to ease into the left lane a little bit and pass the skater on the left. Cordial, sensible. As I am passing, this speed demon in full racing regalia passes me on the left at the same time, almost sideswiping me with his zillion dollar road bike. He scolds me, saying "watch where you're going" or "what're you doing over there" or something like that, and disappears into the horizon like greased lightning.

I have no problem with these people who play Lance Armstrong dress-up and ride the path. If it makes them feel better about themselves to put on a superhero costume and go nuts every now and again, more power to them; whatever cooks their respective noodles. But dammit, it is too much to ask for them to behave like their mere mortal selves and show some common friggin' courtesy when it's rush hour and there are normal people on the path who are just trying to go home? Jeez. I mean, there's a reason you're not allowed to drive formula cars down main street. Maybe the same principles should apply here.

pinkrobe

LOL! Yeah, there are lots of dorks out there. We've got bylaws around here requiring the use of bells for signaling and such. If somebody passes me like that, I usually dial it up to 400W and give chase. If I catch them, I draft for as long as possible, making little whip-cracking noises.

Rosso Corsa

That same situation happened to me, too.

Except he turned out to be a nice guy and raced me back. His guads were maaasive and it was fun!

ok, back on topic.

noisebeam

Before you merged left did you see this faster cyclist approaching? Did you signal?

Al

UmneyDurak

Well what might have happened is that you didn't look behind as you moved left. So as you saw a skater and decided to pass him, he saw you and the skater moving slowly started to pass then you moved left in front of him.

-=(8)=-

Oh no.....not again

destro713

No, I had already been in the left lane for a healthy amount of time before he reached me. I wasn't dawdling there or anything, but he most definitely saw me many yards before he reached me. He wasn't in any danger, except the danger of his brain exploding due to built up pressure from impatience.

noisebeam

So when you looked back before the merge did you see him coming?

Did you give him any clue that you knew he was there before you merged left (a look back or a signal)

Al

destro713

I didn't see him coming. We had just rounded a bend, and he wasn't in my rear field of vision when I started to make the move. That's why I slowed down a bit before I merged. I was being trying to be safe and courteous, not only to the skater but to anyone who might have been nearby. After all, it's a privilege, not a right, to pass someone on a road with single lanes in each direction.

And thusly, if he spotted me several yards up, already making the same maneuver he wanted to make, he could've shown the same consideration I show and waited his turn. The same situation has happened to me on the path before, where I have to wait until someone else passes a slow rider before I pass them myself, and I just don't see how that's so hard to do.

noisebeam

Sure I agree he could have been more courteous - no disagreement.

But I am also trying to look at it from his eyes, not to justify, but to understand - which would be a slower cyclists merging in front of me with what appears to be no awareness of what is going on behind them. That would be concerning to me - my reaction would be to slow and wait or if possible slow and merge even further left around them as I would assume that cyclist I was passing had no idea I was there and may suddenly merge even further left. Instead they perhaps chose to cut close as if to teach you a lesson - that was wrong from a courteousness and perhaps safety perspective, but maybe normal from this cyclists perspective who may be used to cycling in close proximity.

I also can't see merging left just after a blind corner not knowing if any faster vehicle was approaching.

Al

CastIron

Yes destro, you clearly do have a problem with "these people".

ilmooz

If I were in your position I'd give a glance over my left shoulder to see if someone might be coming up to pass as well. That's a one point deduction for carelessness.

Then again, the rider passing you should have had the vision to recognize the possibility that you might be passing a slower skater and at the very least uttered a "on your left" warning to you. That's a two point deduction for recklessness.

newbojeff

Aha! Caught you on the Lakefront path!

I mainly agree with the others. Just like in a car, you shouldn't make lateral movements on a bike without making sure there is no one where you want to go or anyone who is going to be where you want to go. That said, the vehicle in front has the right-of-way and the vehicle in back has the responsibility to not crash into the rear of vehicles in front (as long as they are not suddenly cut off).

I would recommend a mirror. Having used one for about 5 months now, I can't imagine getting on a bike without one. Beyond the fact that they make you look really cool (yeah right!) they give you much greater awareness as to what is going on around you.

I'll also add that when I first started commuting regularly in Chicago, I though I'd never wear a "superhero" outfit, as you call it, would never wear a mirror, would never need a bike computer, would never need lights, or fenders or dozens of other things I now love using (for the record, I usually commute in MTB shorts and a light sports T). There are reasons why people who spend lots of time on bikes wear these crazy get ups. They are super comfortable and don't flap around in the breeze.

Sorry. Long post. Don't let this guy, who certainly sounded, at best, rude, get to you. Enjoy the commute!

ilikebikes

A lot of these guys do act as if they own the road not all but A LOT of them do Im not the only person that feels this way just one of the few that doesnt have a problem saying it

Allister

Ugh! Shared paths. <spit>

wll

I would have pretended I was Italian and like in the movie "Breaking Away" I would have put my tire pump in his spokes as he was passing and said "Buon Giono"


wll

CastIron

*******s come in every flavor and stripe. No sense it getting wound up over the fluff. It ruins the credibility of an otherwise reasonable (if flawed) complaint.

UmneyDurak

So you would have caused an accident and more then likely serious injury to another rider, just because you were annoyed? So what are your other hobbies, clubbing baby seals, and smacking kids around?

sfcrossrider

Sounds like OP was passed while he was passing. If that's the case, he wasn't the tool, the other rider was.

BTW, I love my superhero outfit.

daredevil

Said superhero should have approached the situation cautiously expecting anything. It's called sharing. The fact that he griped just makes him an ass. If he was wanting uninterrupted riding, he picked the wrong place.

wll

Yes, those are some of my favorite things to do :-)

Are you so stupid that you take my last thread serious ?, if so I think you are need of some serious help.

wll

noisebeam

I missed this was a MUP when I made my other comments. They actually still apply in general. But a MUP is not a place for speedy racing type cycling, especially around blind corners.

Al

BillyBob

clubbing seals. Sounds like an interesting hobby.

jyossarian

Some cyclists are cagers on two wheels.

UmneyDurak

Oh I am sorry I couldn't read your mind and determine that what you typed was a joke instead of usual internet bravado that is so popular on these forums.