Cyclist rant

Eric S. Sande said:

As far as car horns, well, I've had mixed results. I
pretty much ignore them unless they're super aggressive
and I'm in a bad mood.

Which isn't that often.

(i don't mean to address this to eric, specifically).

people (afaict) honk for three reasons.

1. hello.
2. courtesy before pass.
3. get out of my way.

i get #1 every so often, especially when climbing out in the
mountains (often a cyclist driving) .. obviously that's ok.
#2 i got a lot in south dakota for some reason but rarely
anywhere else. these for me, are the "good" (if annoying as
in #2) honks.

that leaves #3. the only exception to this case being
populated entirely by aggressive [censored] who want me out of
their way (and onto the sidewalk) is the guy who crept up
behind me at a traffic light and wants to turn right. normal
people don't honk. and i don't bike like an idiot. if people
are honking at you because you're being stupid .. hey, ok.
don't be stupid.

what're people honking at you for that you don't mind? i
find it startling, highly annoying and a warning of imminent
danger. i believe that's why we have them, actually. they're
supposed to generate that reaction.
--
david reuteler [email hidden]

Quoted message said:

what're people honking at you for that you don't mind? i
find it startling, highly annoying and a warning of
imminent danger. i believe that's why we have them,
actually. they're supposed to generate that reaction.

I find the honkers, as opposed to the honkees, to mostly be
distracted idiots who would blow their horns regardless of
whether one is on a bicycle or in an SUV.

The problem is that if you're on a bicycle, it gets
more threatening and personal. In other words, your
condition three.

I ignore them because they know not what they do.

Their traffic experience is vastly different from mine, and
by all accounts much more frustrating and expensive.

So let the cagers blow, I care not.

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MIND_______________________ ------------------"Buddy Holly,
the Texas Elvis"------------------ __________306.350.357.38-

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

[email hidden]__________

"psycholist" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

I'm a high-mileage roadie.

That might explain the attitude problem.

Quoted message said:

The other day I was driving down one of the main 2-lane
highways that cuts through our little area. There weren't
any other cars on the stretch of road I was traveling.

If there weren't any cars, why did you have such a hard time
passing the riders, even if they were two-up?

Quoted message said:

I came upon two cyclists on road gear and decked out as if
they were reasonably experienced riders.

Why is it that every time somebody decides to complain about
a bicyle being "in their way", they are compelled to comment
on their clothing? I would love to have somebody explain
this to me.

Quoted message said:

Despite the very open road, I had to just sit in behind
them and wait.

Why not just pull into the oncoming traffic lane and make a
vehicular pass? (And if it was a no passing zone, why are
you complaining about not being able to pass?)

Quoted message said:

It's not that it was any big deal to wait 15 seconds until
we got past that intersection, but

Then why are you making a big deal out of it? Don't you have
anything better to worry about?

CC

Wayne Pein wrote:
:: R15757 wrote:
::
::: << ...Why don't you just move entirely into the opposing
::: lane as if you were passing a slow moving 8 ft wide
::: tractor?
:::
::: Wayne >>
:::
::: Why doesn't the jackass just move over a few feet? What
::: is so f***ing precious about being on a bike that you
::: can't move over a few feet?
::
:: What is the advantage to the bicyclist for doing so?
::
:::
:::
::: We move over because we can. If there is enough space in
::: the lane for the passing car and a skinny-ass bike, make
::: it work. It's righteous to act as if there were other
::: people on the planet besides yourself. Cooperate and
::: make room, if possible, and if not, take your lane and
::: most drivers will understand.
:::
::: Robert
::
:: I cooperate how I want and when I want and allow
:: motorists to use my lane the vast majority of the time.
:: So if and when I don't want motorists using my lane I
:: don't have to justify a reason and certainly do deserve
:: to lambasted for it, by anyone, including you.

You do or don't deserve to be lambasted?

::
:: And I don't think the bicyclist in question, who isn't
:: part of this thread and can't defend himself, has to
:: justify his actions either.
::
:: Wayne

In article <[email hidden]>,

Craig Brossman said:

Quoted message said:

Fortunately, instances of drivers deliberately running
down cyclists are relatively rare (although apparently it
does occasionally happen.) I doubt the antics of a few
riders has much effect on the chances of any cyclist
being randomly selected as a target by a murderous
driver.

Also seems true, but those drivers may be less inclined to
give plenty of room when passing.

I think it's more often the case that drivers will pass
closely when a rider is too close to the edge of the lane --
appearing too willing to share a lane that might turn out to
not be so share-able. Generally, the closer to the edge of
the road you are, the closer they'll pass you. In that
light, close overtakes may often be unintentionally invited
by the cyclist. But there /are/ some drivers who'll
deliberately buzz ya. And some hauling utility trailers with
a bunch of 2x4s hanging out the right side.

Anynow, I prefer to gauge my lane position from the right-
hand tire marks in the road, than from the nearest edge of
the pavement. So far it's worked for me.

Quoted message said:

IMHO, it is better to leave auto drivers without any
excuses to crowd, harass, or otherwise intimidate
bike riders,

When you say that, you get accused of having Cyclist
Inferiority Complex :-)

Quoted message said:

but I can't argue that some will drivers will dislike
bikers no matter what.

Yeah. But I still think most of 'em don't want cyclists
splattered all over their front bumpers & grilles.

Quoted message said:

In my mind, this is similar to the issues with mountain
bike access, and as an avid mountain biker, I feel
compelled to always treat hikers and horse folks as nicely
as possible. It just can't hurt the cause.

I'm with you there. We're all just people out enjoying our
pastimes. We don't have to step on anyone's toes. And if we
did, that would diminish our joy, just by knowing we
diminished someone else's joy.

cheers, Tom

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