Angry cyclist!

[jhuskey]

Originally Posted by Dave Cutter .


1. Sarcasm true... but any demeaning of others was purely accidental. I just don't like hearing myself and people I love being called a "cager".... or any-other such dehumanizing name. Such dehumanizing is often the prelude to violent acts on those who are called names. This "them against us" attitude with motorist is deadly for cyclist.... it must stop.

I have no problem with authority! Nor do I relinquish my own authority as a free person with God given rights and free will.

2. You posted: [COLOR= rgb(255, 0, 0)]You are normal since adrenaline tends to raise emotions. Unless you are Mr Rogers you will go into combat mode at times depending on your mood, so I wouldn't seek counseling just yet. Just keep repeating , "I will not kill and ignorant people today". Even if they deserve it. [/COLOR]Not the advice I think anyone would give to a person who is obviously expressing violent desires towards.... people like my elderly mother... just because she drives a car.

3. I don't recommend anyone ride a bicycle in traffic! It is true... that in terms of shear numbers bicycling even in traffic is safe. In all of America about 600 cyclist die each year. When you remove the numbers of cyclist that refuse to wear helmets the number drops dramatically. Then remove those who were drinking while riding their bicycles and again... the rate dramatically drops.

In fact... the death/injury rate for cyclist isn't greatly different from any other activity or sport. But it does get scary in traffic... and can be, and is, deadly at times! And there is the rub. Cyclist need to man-up and learn to control their fear.... or stay on the bicycle paths. Trust me... this "combat mode" you mentioned most certainly requires solders to set fear aside. Accepting the fear caused anger, rage, or hate.... is wrong, wrong, wrong.

I am out there cycling on city, streets and roads almost everyday. I love cycling... and I defend the sport. I do NOT defend the emotional swings of cyclists. Yes motorist can do stupid, thoughtless, things and can even be hostile. And bicycle chains get dirty.... BOTH are just part of the sport. Cyclist should buck-up and set aside their fear and try to get along with the motorist they share the roads with.... and wipe their chains down with a rag.

Ok I can agree with most of this but anger is normal whether you agree with or not.It is how you handle the anger that counts and to dismiss it is wrong to me. Each individual must face their anger, fear etc. and learn to handle it. Part of my post was what I consider obvious humor but I still maintain it is still good logic to think "I will kill no one today". That's sound thinking for any day. It is not realistic that I think I will not get angry some days. Cyclist are people just like motorist. I am both so I know this. I think cycling makes me a better driver. I believe in personal accountability but that philosophy seems to be dying in our society which is sad. Ok ,back to watching football.
CB , yes the wind is hell here today also but the temps are nice.

 

[Dave Cutter]

Originally Posted by jhuskey .

Ok I can agree with most of this but anger is normal whether you agree with or not.It is how you handle the anger that counts and to dismiss it is wrong to me. Each individual must face their anger, fear etc. and learn to handle it.

A half century ago an old man taught me that the way to live is: Plan like you'll live forever... but live like today is your last day of life.

If today is my last day.... I am very glad I went on that bicycle ride after lunch. It was 20 beautiful miles mostly in traffic, with about 2 miles of on-and-off path riding. Today's cycling time rates right up there with the lunch time cooking my wife and I did together today.... before I left to bicycle (and her to shop). So far... a great day.

If cycling caused me fear and/or anger... why on earth would I choose to do that today... if today was the last day on earth? Why... would I choose to cycle at all? Cycling isn't for everyone... we have to accept that. But some of us.... we not only enjoy cycling... we love it!

I know some people think fear is normal, natural, even a good thing. And... of course we can make the same "its good at some level" argument for just about anything. But fear is NOT something normal people welcome, want, or even accept in their lives. Trust me... no one needs to live with, or accept the affects of fear.

I once heard a guy say to a co-worker of his.... you know that fungus that grows between toes... as if everyone had it. His co-worked said yeah... and the guy went on with his story. I wanted to say: Hey... people don't walk around with foot fungus... you need to see a doctor. That condition is progressive but it can be treated... you don't have to live like that. But I said nothing.

When the OP made his comments I wanted to pass on posting... but I couldn't. Instead I posted this:

[COLOR= rgb(0, 0, 255)]If I had become so angered (AKA afraid) that I actually referred to another human I didn't even know as a "cager".... I think I would seek help. You seem to have some issues. That isn't a normal way to think about another human.[/COLOR]

[COLOR= rgb(0, 0, 255)]I am glad you shared your feeling here... even though they are a bit out of bounds. I hope you go on to share those feeling with someone who can better help you reflect on your feelings (fears). Maybe a parent, sibling, priest, best friend, wife, doctor?[/COLOR]

 

[Dave Cutter]

Originally Posted by CAMPYBOB .
..... I'm headed out into the freakin' 25 MPH wind gusts.

Yeah... the winds here today were chilling. And... I wore a base layer tech-fabric shirt under my jersey too! Those guys in New Mexico (and other parts of the South-West) that ride in wind like this all the time... have my respect.

But I had a good time riding today none-the-less. I try to think like I am invisible when I bicycle [for safety reasons]. And today... I might have projected that thought... cause sure enough there were a couple motorist that just didn't see me at all. But I expect that.

I had a great ride and a great day so far. I love this sport. I even enjoy hangin my sweaty cycling kit out in the wind to dry on the deck.

 

[CAMPYBOB]

I'm glad you got out to ride today, Dave.

2011 was a relatively calm spring/summer as far the typical winds go. This year was nothing but hot, dry and windy. I just got in from 2-1/2 hours worth and my ride was all in rural farm country on mostly chip & seal county roads. I saw one new Utica well rig set up and drilling and a whole bunch of cows and corn. You know it's windy when your riding the gutter and using the corn as a wind break! The sun was showing, for the most part, and these fall rides remind me to start surfing the realty websites of the southern states for a winter getaway home.

The Akron-Canton Airport weather station shows the current wind at a steady 20 MPH and maximum gust at 28 MPH. On days like this I can never seem to get my back flat enough...

 

[Dave Cutter]

Originally Posted by CAMPYBOB .

..... I saw one new Utica well rig set up and drilling

I am from the Utica area and regularly up in the Akron and Canton areas to visit with the wife's family. It's a tiny little world.

I am at nearly 2000 cycling miles for the season this year... I may get 2500.. hard to guess with Ohio weather. Already started a bit of a winter training. Been doing a 3K walk-run... mostly before breakfast (but after a cup of strong coffee).

I am thinking of mapping out a 5K route and train for a 5K race that comes up in the spring. But want to ask my doctor about how that might work with these old knees and fragile back I have. I will start hitting the gym after it gets a bit colder as well... to work on my core. After dropping over 70 pounds... I feel a bit flabby. Last winter I tried swimming laps to stay ready for cycling season. It turns out... swimming might not be my sport. I swear I remembered being a better swimmer.

 

[Pat Stowe]

A**holes ye have always with you

 

[Dave Pace]

Originally Posted by Dave Cutter .


Yeah... the winds here today were chilling. And... I wore a base layer tech-fabric shirt under my jersey too! Those guys in New Mexico (and other parts of the South-West) that ride in wind like this all the time... have my respect.

But I had a good time riding today none-the-less. I try to think like I am invisible when I bicycle [for safety reasons]. And today... I might have projected that thought... cause sure enough there were a couple motorist that just didn't see me at all. But I expect that.

I had a great ride and a great day so far. I love this sport. I even enjoy hangin my sweaty cycling kit out in the wind to dry on the deck.

So I wonder about this being a newbie and all. I find that when i ride headlong into the wind that it mimics going up hill in as far as resistance goes. I mean with me being a clydsdale 270 with a 46 inch waist it really feels like I am going up hill some what when riding in to a 10 to 15 mph wind. Any higher than that and I really can not ride or at least not well (at least not yet but i am getting there) Am I wrong in this thinking?

 

[alienator]

So I wonder about this being a newbie and all. I find that when i ride headlong into the wind that it mimics going up hill in as far as resistance goes. I mean with me being a clydsdale 270 with a 46 inch waist it really feels like I am going up hill some what when riding in to a 10 to 15 mph wind. Any higher than that and I really can not ride or at least not well (at least not yet but i am getting there) Am I wrong in this thinking?

I don't find them similar at all. The power required to go the same speed into a headwind that is gusting varies with the cube of the difference in wind velocity. That means if the wind is blowing at 10 mph with gusts to 15 (i.e., increases by 150%) that means to go the same speed your power output has to increase by 337.5%. If you're pedaling up a 10% grade and the grade changes to 15%, the power increase needed is only 149% (this doesn't include the change in rolling resistance, but rolling resistance is really small in comparison). On the non-analytical side, when climbing, you know you'll eventually get to top and will be rewarded with a downhill. Wind offers no such relief.

 

[Dave Pace]

Originally Posted by alienator .


I don't find them similar at all. The power required to go the same speed into a headwind that is gusting varies with the cube of the difference in wind velocity. That means if the wind is blowing at 10 mph with gusts to 15 (i.e., increases by 150%) that means to go the same speed your power output has to increase by 337.5%. If you're pedaling up a 10% grade and the grade changes to 15%, the power increase needed is only 149% (this doesn't include the change in rolling resistance, but rolling resistance is really small in comparison).
On the non-analytical side, when climbing, you know you'll eventually get to top and will be rewarded with a downhill. Wind offers no such relief.

Weird. I find it hard to go in the wind, but I find it harder on the hills, but if your #s are correct then i should find hills easier then the wind that I seem to always get on my way home. I really need to get me a power meter for my bike.

 

[alienator]

Weird. I find it hard to go in the wind, but I find it harder on the hills, but if your #s are correct then i should find hills easier then the wind that I seem to always get on my way home. I really need to get me a power meter for my bike. 

I don't know what the winds are like where you are. In Tucson, they could be brutal. I'm hard pressed to remember a windless day in Tucson. With that said, having problems on hills is pretty common with a lot of riders. I think it is in large part a mental thing, which is to say riders who don't do so well on hills start dreading them before they arrive and thus put themselves at a bit of mental handicap when the climbing does start. That's only my supposition, though. The best way to get better in the hills and mountains is to ride the hills and mountains. One of the other things that's said to work is to tell yourself over and over, when climbing, that you love climbing. Eventually you get to the point where you do like climbing. So says that idea. I dunno how many people are successful with that.

 

[danfoz]

Originally Posted by alienator .


One of the other things that's said to work is to tell yourself over and over, when climbing, that you love climbing. Eventually you get to the point where you do like climbing. So says that idea. I dunno how many people are successful with that.

A common mantra for those who wish to succeed in law school is "learn to love the law". The relative dropout rate would give a small clue about the success of that strategy. Personally I tend to enjoy what I do well. If that means climbing to the point of becoming a better climber, even a slightly better climber, to eventually derive greater enjoyment from the climb and thus greater success, then that is what needs to happen. It's a self perpetuating cycle. What does not kill me...

Tying back to the topic, the greater my sense of enjoyment, the less likely I am to be pulled into other's toxic spheres. Don't worry, be happy...

On a separate note, I've finally managed to tie Nietzsche and Marley together in the same thought.