Bicycle Comment Thread

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

 Open to all comments about bicycles or not

[..]

I give them plenty of room whether I'm on 2 or 4 wheels.

I don't hover on their rear wheel waiting to overtake.

BUT I do expenct the courtesy of them to ride in single file.

Nothing worse than coming around a blind bend to find plonkers 3 abreast taking up the whole lane.

[G-Man]

I find them to be a nuisance up here in Westchester because they all seem to ride the two lane major roads,...the ones with the double yellow lines and blind curves specifically.  It makes it extremely difficult and unsafe to pass them.  There are also many long hills and when they are huffing and puffing up those hills, they are usually swaying side to side and swirving as well.  Very unsafe.  There are tons of bike paths all over the county but they choose to remain on the roads.

Was out practicing driving with my daughter at 7:00 Sunday morning thinking we would have the roads to ourselves, nope!  We got caught as the first car behind 2 cyclists going up a long hill (of course) with several cars behind us.  As she is still learning and unsure of herself, we wound up following them for quite some distance being honked over and over again by the cars behind us wanting us to pass the bikes.  It was very stressful for both of us.

[G-Man]

BTW, I made that up too!   

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

BTW, I made that up too!   

Made up works for me 

[G-Man]

I'm actually looking to buy a bicycle for some exercise.  Was in a good bike shop the other day and asked the guy if there a bike for tall guys like me.  He pulled out a Raleigh Route 4.0.  This thing has 29"wheels and a 22" frame with handlbars that came up and back more than most.  It also looked like the front wheel was kicked out a bit due to an extended neck so it really looked cool, like a bicycle a motorcycle rider would dig.  Has shocks up front as well.  Only bad thing was the price $499...ouch!





BTW, you guessed it, I made this up as well.  This also isn't a real picture, I'm just a really good artist.

[Bobbo]

Only bad thing was the price $499...ouch!

That's not too bad of a price.  You can negotiate a bit.  My Specialized Rockhopper cost almost $1,100, and that was in 1992!

[Chrisj CMA]

I just wish our area had more bike lanes.  This town is more towards the redneck ways then the city planner ways with consideration to bicycles.  There are a couple areas that have a bike lane added just recently, but too many areas that you just flat out take you life in your hands with dump trucks and big rigs an inch from your shoulder unless you go off the pavement which is not always possible.

[..]

I'm actually looking to buy a bicycle for some exercise.  Was in a good bike shop the other day and asked the guy if there a bike for tall guys like me.  He pulled out a Raleigh Route 4.0.  This thing has 29"wheels and a 22" frame with handlbars that came up and back more than most.  It also looked like the front wheel was kicked out a bit due to an extended neck so it really looked cool, like a bicycle a motorcycle rider would dig.  Has shocks up front as well.  Only bad thing was the price $499...ouch!



BTW, you guessed it, I made this up as well.  This also isn't a real picture, I'm just a really good artist.

I got my old model Cannondale off Craigslist.

$100 and it does what a $750 bike will do. Turn the pedals and it moves forward.

[The Anvil]

I give them plenty of room whether I'm on 2 or 4 wheels.

I don't hover on their rear wheel waiting to overtake.

BUT I do expenct the courtesy of them to ride in single file.

Nothing worse than coming around a blind bend to find plonkers 3 abreast taking up the whole lane.

And worse when they won't move over. The roads near where I work (Hanscom field in Bedford, MA) are clogged pretty much everyday by Lance Armstrong wanna-be d-bags in lycra who think that the time trial they're running in their head entitles them to the whole road.

Last year I picked up a Giant police model hardtail on clearance for 600 bucks. It's been a great great bike.

 

[Stanley Steamer]

I give them plenty of room whether I'm on 2 or 4 wheels.

I don't hover on their rear wheel waiting to overtake.

BUT I do expenct the courtesy of them to ride in single file.

Nothing worse than coming around a blind bend to find plonkers 3 abreast taking up the whole lane.

I think Georgia just passed a law stating that vehicles should give them a 2-3ft cushion??.....

[The Anvil]

I give them plenty of room whether I'm on 2 or 4 wheels.

I don't hover on their rear wheel waiting to overtake.

BUT I do expenct the courtesy of them to ride in single file.

Nothing worse than coming around a blind bend to find plonkers 3 abreast taking up the whole lane.

I think Georgia just passed a law stating that vehicles should give them a 2-3ft cushion??.....

Which is cursed near impossible on some roads without causing a major threat to oncoming traffic.

[Chrisj CMA]

Picked up a Salsa Fargo last winter. on sale at $1300.00 reg price around $1700.00 This is a favorite choice of those that want a hard tail to ride the Continental Divide Trail.

Boy did they trick you............they took off the pedals, now its goint to be reeeely hard to ride

[The Anvil]

Picked up a Salsa Fargo last winter. on sale at $1300.00 reg price around $1700.00 This is a favorite choice of those that want a hard tail to ride the Continental Divide Trail.

Boy did they trick you............they took off the pedals, now its goint to be reeeely hard to ride

Could be worse, they took my SEAT! 

[Valkahuna]

Yes, giving a bicycle 2 to 3 foot cushion does make it impossible to pass when there is oncoming traffic, with 10 foot wide lanes that's just math. 

Keep in mind though that in Europe, there are way more bicycles, and the roads are typically much narrower. Just another way that the world is shrinking, and what others have had to do is becoming the "standard" here as well. 

Not so sure I like all that. I've travelled extensively, and lived in Europe, and have always been happy to return.

As for my own bicycle, I gave them up here in New England, but in Florida I ride a beach cruiser.

[Jess Tolbirt]

the best thing for bicycles in the road is a set of train horns on your car,,,they fall all over themselves,,,funny as helll

[stude31]

G-Man...  this might work out better for you....   Just saying     and I can bet that it is WAY cheaper!!!

[stude31]

Okay okay....

In all seriousness... From 1996- 2003 I raced competitively and logged over 4k miles a year on the road bike (cannondale R3000, paid over 2k for it).   I was in the best shape and could eat whatever I wanted and never gain weight.  I would compare the group I rode with with the VRCC members.  We were like family and yes it was competitive with one another and we rode the two lanes out in the country but we tried to be respectful since we are not easily seen and can not maintain the speed limit (all the time  )  Down hill we could but not uphill. 

I feel that it is up to the cyclist to be aware of their surroundings and what type of hazard they are at any given time.  Cycling actually prepared me to have the safety awareness that most new motorcyclists don't possess.  Whether it is side streets or blind curves, etc.  I believe I am a safer motorcyclist due to my miles cycling on the roads with the cages.  I have had my close encounters with the cages but I have been fortunate to not have ever been hit.  I still ride my road bike and I still have my mtn bike (cannondale F3000) that I built from the frame up.  It was quite expensive I built it in 1999 and I still ride it.  I use to race that bike and it's been through some terrible wrecks but all in all it really is a good hobby.  Here are a few pictures.... 

[NW roller]

I find most of the hard core bicyclist are hypocrites. They will come up to me a complain how a car cut them off or how they were almost doored by someone getting out of their car. however they run red lights,stop signs drive on the wrong side of the rode,inbetween cars,ride two abreast causing traffic to back up. Then scream and yell at me when I write them a ticket. Yes I write them tickets. If they did not complain and act innocent I would not have started writing them tickets .

[Walküre]

Keep in mind though that in Europe, there are way more bicycles, and the roads are typically much narrower. Just another way that the world is shrinking, and what others have had to do is becoming the "standard" here as well.

Big whoop!! Of course they need 3 feet around bikes in Europe - you don't want them destroying the cars, do you??



 

[PhredValk]

"When I'm a pedestrian, I hate motorists; when I'm driving I hate pedestrians; but I ALWAYS hate cyclists"!

They should have to choose; be a vehicle, or be a pedestrian. They want the best of both and it drives me NUTZ!!!

And I really love the shocked, hurt and insulted looks I get when I don't stop at a cross walk if they're sitting on their bikes...
Fred.

[ValkFlyer]

"When I'm a pedestrian, I hate motorists; when I'm driving I hate pedestrians; but I ALWAYS hate cyclists"!

They should have to choose; be a vehicle, or be a pedestrian. They want the best of both and it drives me NUTZ!!!

And I really love the shocked, hurt and insulted looks I get when I don't stop at a cross walk if they're sitting on their bikes...
Fred.

All this "Hate" speech.....when's it going to end?..   If it ain't got a motor....I hate it..   ....

[RudyF6]

I find most of the hard core bicyclist are hypocrites. They will come up to me a complain how a car cut them off or how they were almost doored by someone getting out of their car. however they run red lights,stop signs drive on the wrong side of the rode,inbetween cars,ride two abreast causing traffic to back up. Then scream and yell at me when I write them a ticket. Yes I write them tickets. If they did not complain and act innocent I would not have started writing them tickets .

Thank you.

Last weekend, huge bicycle ride coming towards me, saw literally hundreds in only about a 30 mile ride. I'm sitting at a stop sign, 55 mph crossroad doesn't stop. Pack of bicycles stopped across from me, and a car approaching on the road that doesn't stop. Another pack of asshats blows right past the stopped ones and through the stop sign. Fortunately the cager was paying attention, had to lock 'em up hard enough to leave skid marks. I hate bicyclists.

[stude31]

I find most of the hard core bicyclist are hypocrites. They will come up to me a complain how a car cut them off or how they were almost doored by someone getting out of their car. however they run red lights,stop signs drive on the wrong side of the rode,inbetween cars,ride two abreast causing traffic to back up. Then scream and yell at me when I write them a ticket. Yes I write them tickets. If they did not complain and act innocent I would not have started writing them tickets .

Funny you mention that.... I went on a group ride a couple years ago and one of the members of our group was a police officer and he rode like you mentioned above.  I clearly remember a time when a car was trying to pass him and he screamed at them and at the light he rolled up next to them and informed them he is a cop and can write them a ticket.  It was so embarrassing.  Then when we got out of town a farmer had his dog run out to the street and bark.  He got off his bike and yelled at the owner and threatened him that he could give him a ticket for his dog running loose.   So just because some ara cops doesn't make you above the law or better than the citizens of the city that pays taxes that employ the officers.

I respect law enforcement and have many friends that protect the city I live in but don't get me started on cops letting power get out of hand.  

Just saying  

[stude31]

I find most of the hard core bicyclist are hypocrites. They will come up to me a complain how a car cut them off or how they were almost doored by someone getting out of their car. however they run red lights,stop signs drive on the wrong side of the rode,inbetween cars,ride two abreast causing traffic to back up. Then scream and yell at me when I write them a ticket. Yes I write them tickets. If they did not complain and act innocent I would not have started writing them tickets .

Thank you.

Last weekend, huge bicycle ride coming towards me, saw literally hundreds in only about a 30 mile ride. I'm sitting at a stop sign, 55 mph crossroad doesn't stop. Pack of bicycles stopped across from me, and a car approaching on the road that doesn't stop. Another pack of asshats blows right past the stopped ones and through the stop sign. Fortunately the cager was paying attention, had to lock 'em up hard enough to leave skid marks. I hate bicyclists.

Bicycling is just like motorcycling...   There are some that you just won't ride with because they are unsafe.  I have cyclists that I refuse to ride with and I have motorcyclist that I choose not to ride with...   Both of the types that I don't ride with give us the bad rap and I won't no part of that....  That guy that was peddling through intersection he will get his turn and unfortunately a cager will have to live with it.

Joe.

[SCain]

Lots of good comments on this subject, I think they should have to have registration and insurance to ride on the road. Just my .02