Rules of engagement

[4merper4mer]

If a road that is paralleled by a perfectly accessible bike path is cluttered with spandex mafia anyway, is a car within its rights to just keep driving or is horn honking required before any contact is made?

[RaoulDuke79]

Bikers are the bane of my existence on my commute to and from work every day. Most of these roads have zero shoulder, so there's no choice but to follow.

 

3 weeks ago I made a left onto a pretty busy road at 7 am....a man and a lady and came out of a perpendicular road a few blocks up and were riding tandem in the middle of the lane. The guy saw me coming up the road and either turned too fast or clipped his riding partner and ended up flipping over the handlebars into the grass. That got my day off to a great start. ....I saw him sit up, so and he wasn't there on my way home, so I'm assuming he was ok.

[Sig1Hunter]

[Seasons1992]

As a cyclist, I appreciate some kind of watching out by car drivers. 

That being said, I've stopped riding roads and mostly stick to bike paths. They're full of annoying race bike guys anyway, so I need to watch for them vs. cars. Seems like a fair tradeoff. I don't own riding clothes, and I push a moutainbike to its limits.

[T&C]

I don't always drive with both hands on the wheel but whenever I approach someone riding a bike you can bet that both are on it. I slow down until I can get around them... all it takes is one random stone or something for them to hit and then they could be in My path.

[RaoulDuke79]

The greatest so far was the young lady riding a bike, while also simultaneously walking her dog on a road that has about a half dozen hairpin turns. Always need to be on your toes.

[BuffaloBud]

4 hours ago, 4merper4mer said:

If a road that is paralleled by a perfectly accessible bike path is cluttered with spandex mafia anyway, is a car within its rights to just keep driving or is horn honking required before any contact is made?

I appreciate your concern for your health / well being. As an avid cyclist I will keep further comments to myself.

[KD in CA]

4 hours ago, 4merper4mer said:

If a road that is paralleled by a perfectly accessible bike path is cluttered with spandex mafia anyway, is a car within its rights to just keep driving or is horn honking required before any contact is made?

Where I live, the bike path (or ‘multi-use path’) is full of pedestrians, little kids on bikes, etc., so I always wonder why the spandex mafia groups who are riding $4000 bikes and wearing matching racing outfits don’t have somewhere more interesting or challenging to ride.

[Seasons1992]

4 minutes ago, KD in CA said:

Where I live, the bike path (or ‘multi-use path’) is full of pedestrians, little kids on bikes, etc., so I always wonder why the spandex mafia groups who are riding $4000 bikes and wearing matching racing outfits don’t have somewhere more interesting or challenging to ride.

 

They're too busy splitting the middle between people going opposite directions........during a pandemic.....🙄

[T&C]

6 minutes ago, KD in CA said:

Where I live, the bike path (or ‘multi-use path’) is full of pedestrians, little kids on bikes, etc., so I always wonder why the spandex mafia groups who are riding $4000 bikes and wearing matching racing outfits don’t have somewhere more interesting or challenging to ride.

I have to ride through a seedy part of town to get to the employ and I wonder what they have been shooting up, smoking, popping, snorting... etc. Some of them are so aloof, waving their hands, shouting, weaving around, etc. that for me it once in awhile gets a bit scary. I don't want to be the guy that takes the hit for the "hit". They are all over the place here.

[Nanker]

I know I’m old, but I’d start off by offering her a drink and then ask her name. 

[Johnny Hammersticks]

There’s a stretch of 2 lane highway here in VT (Route 100) that begins in Killington to the south, goes through 4 or 5 ski resort towns (e.g., Waitsfield/Stowe) and ends almost at the Canadian border.  It’s absolutely beautiful as it swerves through the mountains, and has become a famous route for cyclists.  Seems they have races there almost every weekend during the late summer and fall.  So annoying.

 

Even if there isn’t a race, they get together in groups and ride 4-5 across the entire lane and do not move over for anyone.  I’ve been late for several work engagements in Montpelier, and several of my son’s hockey games as that’s the most efficient way to get to the northwest part of the state and Route 89.

 

I’d like to run over about 30 of them with a dump truck.  With their stupid matching spandex outfits like they’re all sponsored or something.  Losers.

[NoSaint]

10 minutes ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

There’s a stretch of 2 lane highway here in VT (Route 100) that begins in Killington to the south, goes through 4 or 5 ski resort towns (e.g., Waitsfield/Stowe) and ends almost at the Canadian border.  It’s absolutely beautiful as it swerves through the mountains, and has become a famous route for cyclists.  Seems they have races there almost every weekend during the late summer and fall.  So annoying.

 

Even if there isn’t a race, they get together in groups and ride 4-5 across the entire lane and do not move over for anyone.  I’ve been late for several work engagements in Montpelier, and several of my son’s hockey games as that’s the most efficient way to get to the northwest part of the state and Route 89.

 

I’d like to run over about 30 of them with a dump truck.  With their stupid matching spandex outfits like they’re all sponsored or something.  Losers.

Seems like it’s either not the most efficient way or you may want to plan ahead better 

[4merper4mer]

11 minutes ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

There’s a stretch of 2 lane highway here in VT (Route 100) that begins in Killington to the south, goes through 4 or 5 ski resort towns (e.g., Waitsfield/Stowe) and ends almost at the Canadian border.  It’s absolutely beautiful as it swerves through the mountains, and has become a famous route for cyclists.  Seems they have races there almost every weekend during the late summer and fall.  So annoying.

 

Even if there isn’t a race, they get together in groups and ride 4-5 across the entire lane and do not move over for anyone.  I’ve been late for several work engagements in Montpelier, and several of my son’s hockey games as that’s the most efficient way to get to the northwest part of the state and Route 89.

 

I’d like to run over about 30 of them with a dump truck.  With their stupid matching spandex outfits like they’re all sponsored or something.  Losers.

Maybe Vermont can spend a billion on a parallel bike route so they can ignore it.

1 minute ago, NoSaint said:

Seems like it’s either not the most efficient way or you may want to plan ahead better 

Well he certainly shouldn't depend on the spandex mafia to stop their douchebaggery.

[Johnny Hammersticks]

7 minutes ago, NoSaint said:

Seems like it’s either not the most efficient way or you may want to plan ahead better 

 

Seems like you need to shut your dirty ***** mouth.  There’s literally no other route, and you can’t plan for when those cyclists are going to be there.  You’re one of them...aren’t you?  You sponsored by Mountain Dew or Pampers?

[4merper4mer]

2 hours ago, BuffaloBud said:

I appreciate your concern for your health / well being. As an avid cyclist I will keep further comments to myself.

I'm also concerned for the spandex mafia's health despite their lack of recognition of the physics of car vs. bike and their absolute selfishness.  

 

If there is a parallel path made for them, why disrupt traffic?  It must be compensation for something.  

[T&C]

Mafia. LOL

[Just Jack]

A few weeks ago, I saw a cyclist, not a spandex mafia member though, someone that we are supposed to believe that their life matters, ride through three red lights, not even slowing down, even causing cars to swerve or hit the brakes as he cut them off. 

[NoSaint]

6 minutes ago, Just Jack said:

A few weeks ago, I saw a cyclist, not a spandex mafia member though, someone that we are supposed to believe that their life matters, ride through three red lights, not even slowing down, even causing cars to swerve or hit the brakes as he cut them off. 

that’s an uncomfortable way to phrase that 

[RaoulDuke79]

One thing I'll say is that it's quite easy to differentiate the guys riding for pleasure and the guys riding due to DUI. You don't see too many leisure riders in blue jeans with an igloo cooler strapped to the bike .

[Johnny Hammersticks]

I saw a crack head slowly riding an old 10 speed past my house last night.  He was holding a grocery bag full of stuff in his left hand, had a dog on a leash in his right hand, AND was smoking a lung dart.  I was impressed.

[T&C]

1 minute ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

I saw a crack head slowly riding an old 10 speed past my house last night.  He was holding a grocery bag full of stuff in his left hand, had a dog on a leash in his right hand, AND was smoking a lung dart.  I was impressed.

A sure sign that its time to move. 

[Augie]

3 minutes ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

I saw a crack head slowly riding an old 10 speed past my house last night.  He was holding a grocery bag full of stuff in his left hand, had a dog on a leash in his right hand, AND was smoking a lung dart.  I was impressed.

 

Thanks, I’ve been working on that for years. I was going to stop in, but you looked busy. 

 

My wife used to work with two guys who learned they both ride the same narrow, windy and hilly roads around Atlanta. They decided to ride together, and she said “good, at least you’ll have someone to call the ambulance for you.” Not long after that one guy crashed, broke his collar bone and knocked out all his front teeth. That guy happened to be her boss. Oops! 

[Johnny Hammersticks]

5 minutes ago, T&C said:

A sure sign that its time to move. 

 

Don’t worry.  I only live on the fringe of the crack house area.  We peacefully co-exist.  They wander by once in a while and entertain us with their cracky antics, and we let them pass through without incident or judgment.  Peace and love.

5 minutes ago, Augie said:

My wife used to work with two guys who learned they both ride the same narrow, windy and hilly roads around Atlanta. They decided to ride together, and she said “good, at least you’ll have someone to call the ambulance for you.” Not long after that one guy crashed, broke his collar bone and knocked out all his front teeth. That guy happened to be her boss. Oops! 

 

Got a video of that by any chance?

[T&C]

12 minutes ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

 

Don’t worry.  I only live on the fringe of the crack house area.  We peacefully co-exist.  They wander by once in a while and entertain us with their cracky antics, and we let them pass through without incident or judgment.  Peace and love.

 

 

Not my idea of entertainment but whatever works I say.

[Augie]

17 minutes ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

 

Don’t worry.  I only live on the fringe of the crack house area.  We peacefully co-exist.  They wander by once in a while and entertain us with their cracky antics, and we let them pass through without incident or judgment.  Peace and love.

 

Got a video of that by any chance?

 

It sounds like you are on the right side of the line, so kudos on that! (Maybe you could visit on special holidays for a good time?) 

 

If I DID have a video, I’d hope I’d be a good enough person to not enjoy or share it. The one guy who didn’t crash gave the job she deserved to the guy who did crash. The first guy was soon “retired”, and the next guy got broken and stuck in his career. The wife then moved across the parking lot to a new employer and has been treated properly since. We have been blessed. Karma, baby!  

6 minutes ago, T&C said:

Not my idea of entertainment but whatever works I say.

 

Theaters and ball fields are limited these days. Gotta find entertainment where you can. 

[Johnny Hammersticks]

1 minute ago, Augie said:

 

It sounds like you are on the right side of the line, so kudos on that! (Maybe you could visit on special holidays for a good time?) 

 

If I DID have a video, I’d hope I’d be a good enough person to not enjoy or share it. The one guy who didn’t crash gave the job she deserved to the guy who did crash. The first guy was soon “retired”, and the next guy got broken and stuck in his career. The wife then moved across the parking lot to a new employer and has been treated properly since. We have been blessed. Karma, baby!  

 

See.  Further proof that god hates cyclists too 🤷🏾‍♂️

[Augie]

2 minutes ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

 

See.  Further proof that god hates cyclists too 🤷🏾‍♂️

 

Little known fact, but this is why God invented Peloton. 

 

 

 

 

I’m pretty sure.....

[leh-nerd skin-erd]

6 hours ago, T&C said:

I don't always drive with both hands on the wheel but whenever I approach someone riding a bike you can bet that both are on it. I slow down until I can get around them... all it takes is one random stone or something for them to hit and then they could be in My path.

I feel like this should not be in writing. 

[ExiledInIllinois]

7 hours ago, Seasons1992 said:

As a cyclist, I appreciate some kind of watching out by car drivers. 

That being said, I've stopped riding roads and mostly stick to bike paths. They're full of annoying race bike guys anyway, so I need to watch for them vs. cars. Seems like a fair tradeoff. I don't own riding clothes, and I push a moutainbike to its limits.

Sorry too  busy.   First they want us to watch out for things I can't see, like motorcycles. 

 

How stupid and sniveling are those: "Watch for motorcycles" bumper stickers on automobiles.

 

What a crybaby world.  Here's a novel idea, how  about  everyone watch out for themselves. 

 

In the boating world, sailboats ⛵ = Bicycles and motorcycles. In their twisted minds, everyone else must revolve around  their silly self-important needs.

 

But, to answer the OP's original questions.  If they  ticket automobiles for driving  in a bike lane, then  ticket bikes for driving in an automobile lane.

 

Edited September 7, 2020 by ExiledInIllinois

[T&C]

35 minutes ago, leh-nerd skin-erd said:

I feel like this should not be in writing. 

I can delete it. Prolly best not to though.

[Augie]

31 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Sorry too  busy.   First they want us to watch out for things I can't see, like motorcycles. 

 

How stupid and sniveling are those: "Watch for motorcycles" bumper stickers on automobiles.

 

What a crybaby world.  Here's a novel idea, how  about  everyone watch out for themselves. 

 

In the boating world, sailboats ⛵ = Bicycles and motorcycles. In their twisted minds, everyone else must revolve around  their silly self-important needs.

 

But, to answer the OP's original questions.  If they  ticket automobiles for driving  in a bike lane, then  ticket bikes for driving in an automobile lane.

 

 

I’m not a bumper sticker guy, but if I were, a leading candidate would be something like “motorcycles weaving in and out of traffic, riding between lanes need to look out for their own **** safety”. 

 

A couple favorite bumper stickers I did like:

 

LOTTERY: A tax on people who are bad at math

 

I like to cook with wine - sometimes I even put it in the food. 

 

 

 

.

Edited September 7, 2020 by Augie

[ExiledInIllinois]

10 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I’m not a bumper sticker guy, but if I were, a leading candidate would be something like “motorcycles weaving in and out of traffic, riding between lanes need to look out for their own safety”. 

 

A couple favorite bumper stickers I did like:

 

LOTTERY: A tax on people who are bad at math

 

I like to cook with wine - sometimes I even put it in the food. 

 

Agree.  But, that's  not how America works anymore.  I'm  your  problem and you're my problem.  😉 😜 😘 

 

You better watch out for  me!

[Sig1Hunter]

1 hour ago, Augie said:

 

Little known fact, but this is why God invented Peloton. 

 

 

 

 

I’m pretty sure.....

Have you ever ridden a Peloton?? I’m pretty sure it was either invented by the devil or by a dude named Bubba from the New York State Penitentiary System. There’s no other explanation for why I had to pay so much money for my butt to hurt so badly.

[LeviF]

 

[ExiledInIllinois]

1 hour ago, Sig1Hunter said:

Have you ever ridden a Peloton?? I’m pretty sure it was either invented by the devil or by a dude named Bubba from the New York State Penitentiary System. There’s no other explanation for why I had to pay so much money for my butt to hurt so badly.

No.  But, I know it's a very Socialist  concept.  Can't  be all that bad, right? LoL...

 

https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2010/0708/Tour-de-France-101-What-s-the-peloton

 

"...The front rider in the peloton takes the brunt of the wind and air, cutting wind drag for rear riders by up to 40 percent. ..."

[Nextmanup]

Many years ago, in dense stop-and-go traffic on M. Street in Georgetown, I was at a complete stop in grid lock.

 

Out of nowhere, some idiot "bike messenger" guy comes flying through the gaps between cars and crashed into the hood of my car! He dumped his bike, hit the ground, got up, shouted and waved at me saying "Sorry" and kept going.

 

As a gear head who enjoys driving, I hate bicyclists.

 

Having said that, they have a right to use the roads too and I like the engineering of high end bicycles.

 

I think sticking to bike paths, if you can, is best for a biker. 

 

 

[ziltoid]

I used to enjoy riding a road bike.  Country roads, never hog a lane, stop at stop signs, etc.  Road bikes don't work on a bike path.  Tires are too small and bike paths are typically too rough and lots of loose gravel to crash on.  Plus a road bike can do 18-20 mph, a lot of times that is too fast for a bike path.  PLUS, I don't even wear the spandex stuff - I should get bonus points for that.

 

But after reading this, it makes me rethink what you guys are plotting when you drive past me.  

[Chef Jim]

This is a trick question right?

[4merper4mer]

2 hours ago, BeerLeagueHockey said:

I used to enjoy riding a road bike.  Country roads, never hog a lane, stop at stop signs, etc.  Road bikes don't work on a bike path.  Tires are too small and bike paths are typically too rough and lots of loose gravel to crash on.  Plus a road bike can do 18-20 mph, a lot of times that is too fast for a bike path.  PLUS, I don't even wear the spandex stuff - I should get bonus points for that.

 

But after reading this, it makes me rethink what you guys are plotting when you drive past me.  

Why do you think they spend millions of dollars on those things and name them "bike paths"?

 

The type of path that best fits in the spandex mafia seems to be socio.