Cycling hates

artmichalek

Lane splitting is one thing, but I generally try to avoid getting up on the right side of anyone who might be making a right turn. Unless there's a really long line of cars, it usually isn't worth the risk.

wilmar13

Good point. In practice it is rare to pass cars on the inside as they rarely do give enough room to do so safely, and yes the unsignaled right turn is a constant danger. I almost always split the lane of traffic(especially approaching an intersection) because I am usually going as fast or faster than traffic but then I am usually riding where the speed limits are 60km/hr and it is no problem merging in and out when needed. This obviously wouldn't be too safe on a freeway where traffic is significantly faster.

artmichalek

It's a particulalry fun to do when coming into town and the two lanes of cars are hung up at a long red light. The looks from the wretches trapped in their cars are priceless. To make things even more intersting, double yellow lines are optional in VT unless there's a sign saying otherwise.

Eden

ARGH, after just a few days ago saying people were mostly decent around here I had not one but two bad experiences yesterday. One was not necessarily bike related, but more racially motivated. Had some guy in a parked car say out his window as I went by "I hate f**king caucasians, f**king caucasians". Sure not exactly a racial ephitat, but the intent was sure there. Then later on I had somone in a jeep yell "go play on the f**king trail" at me.

Induray

HATE IT....two flat tires due to some minuscule piece of metal that hides perfectly within the ply's of your tires. At the same time running out of CO2 and finding that one the drop outs of your new bike has been damaged by the "LBS mechanic" you took it previously for a check up, making re-installation of your tire a pain! All this happening to you on mile fifteen of a fifty mile ride. To add insult to injury, you try to return back with a hellacious head wind due to oncoming rainstorm!
This is a true story.

artmichalek

You just have to sit back and laugh at the irony of that one. A guy in a 4x4, on the road, telling someone else to, "go play on the f**king trail".

wiredued

On a hot day you get a cooling effect and if you time it right you get green at the lights. I was averaging about 17mph one hot summer day made eight sets of lights and the nineth was red. When I stopped the heat began to build and I was drenched in sweat instantly. I couldn't imagine waiting behind a line of cars if there is room on the right and I don't think I have seen any riders do that around here. Where do you ride?

__________________
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scotty72

I find most laws 'odd'. For example, I get taxed to the hilt then they give me money back in rebates. Why not just tax me less in the first place.


So? Motorists don't own the road. It actually pisses me off that they take stupid risks to pass me only to be caught again at the next set of lights. Why don't they just stay behind.


Those few feet can actually be hundreds of feet in heavy traffic.

mitosis

So carry a pump you lazy bastard. You're out there for exercise.

Balderick

House - good points but in response:

A) It exists for good and obvious reasons - cyclists can reduce their travel times, there is little danger caused by doing it, and it is easy to do. There are other differences in the way the law (in NSW at least) deal with cyclists - lightin requirements, the ability to turn right from the left lane (in NSW we drive on the left hand side of the road) and the ability to use roundabouts differently to motorists. Cyclists are also prevented to using certain roads but may ride on footpaths if supervising a child 12 years and under.

B) Agree - if passing a motorist is likely to lead to the motirst being unable to pass me down the road then I will not pass them on the left.

C) Reduced travel time, and gaining more than a few feet, especially if it means you get caught a few times at a red light. One of the advantages in communting on a bike is the ability to have simlar or better average speeds to cars - cars just do it differently by stopping for longer but reaching higher peak speeds. Why should the car drivers prevent cyclists from using their machines to the full extent? Cars do not own the road and, at least in NSW, do not have greater legal rights than cytclists.

Yippee38

Cycling hate:
Women walking/rollerblading/whatever with so much perfume on that that's all you can smell for a 1/2 mile.

There's this 1/2 mile stretch of road between two bike paths near here. The two paths are connected via a gravel path. My wife and I always used to complain about cyclists not using the path. So two weeks ago I get a road bike and decide to head to the one path. I get to that section and head off on the gravel path. I made it about 10 feet before I decided that it was going to destroy my bike. It made me think back and realize that as a passenger in a car, I had no idea that those bikes could not handle the trail that was there. So now, I feel bad that I was one of those people who always thought (but never said), "Use the damn trail." They just don't know.

jsirabella

Alot of hates but for me are many...

1) Every person I pass feels that they need to start a race. I really do not understand it, I go out of my way alot of times to pass by at a cruising not crushing speed but ofcourse he was to suddenly go into over drive, huff, puff, stand in the seat and start swinging the bike side to side up the hill. The lighter guys love the swinging, upright position. All I really want to do is just keep my pace but instead now I have a guy who can go home and feel "I am faster than him".

2) If I pass a guy or a guy comes up my back side hard with shorts, t-shirt and sneakers with a toy's r us special bike and sees me and feels he must beat me to show "look, I am better than the guy with the pro bike and gear".

3) Fat guys who ride with their knees jutting so far out he takes up another lane.

4) Being from NYC, anyone who feels that Central Park two little hills are the French Alps. Get over Central Park already...

5) After I pass someone on a hill, on the downhill stretches suddenly comes up my backside and passes me to show, "look I am faster than you".

UGGGH...thinking about this stuff pisses me off...

-js

Yippee38

I have to change mine from:
Women walking/rollerblading/whatever with so much perfume on that that's all you can smell for a 1/2 mile.

to:
Having a cosmetics factory right next to the bike path so all you can smell for a half mile, every time you go by, is cosmetics.

Peka

Heh, this is especially true if you ride a MTB and the person you just overtook is on a roadie