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Post by birddog1 on Jul 11, 2009 12:39:22 GMT -5
Ok as newbie I try follow all the rules, Since I stated ridding this summer I realize just how crazy people can be. Today I was blatantly almost run off the road training on GCT Sprint course. As I was approaching railroad track on Newal road I was cutoff nearly run off the road by a women in a black regular cab f150. She literally tried to push me off the road. This women slowed to crawl and waved to me in her rear view trying to taunt me. I told her how I felt !@#$%^&*(). I never impeded this women at all. Newal road isn’t busy and there was plenty of room to go over the tracks. What’s best way to handle drivers like this?
Birddog1 Ed
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Post by MarkD on Jul 11, 2009 17:12:09 GMT -5
Two approaches here: 1. Laugh it off - literally. If you smile when they are f*%*ng with you, they realize how rediculous they are being and are less likely to do it again. 2. Pick a fight. Get off your bike and motion for them to "come on". Although this will provide you short term gratification, in the long run, it doesn't get ya anywhere - BUT - like in #1, the idiot in the vehicle will think twice next time 'cause they know you are prepared to kick their lilly white a$$ !!
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Post by Steve Yutzy on Jul 11, 2009 21:03:13 GMT -5
Best thing to do (in my opinion of course) is do your very best to be a good ambassador for our sport. Follow the rules, try to be courteous to drivers on the road and give them room to pass if there's room to do so safely, and generally do everything you can to give the world a good impression of cyclists. There will always be a$$holes in every group, that's just life.
There's no use in picking a fight with drivers, many of them are ignorant of the bicycle laws anyways. If I had a nickel for every time I was told I'm not allowed on the road... Feel free though to yell at any cyclist who is making our community look bad.
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Post by Steve Yutzy on Jul 12, 2009 8:38:16 GMT -5
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Post by MarkD on Jul 12, 2009 14:00:03 GMT -5
Great advice. Couldn't agree more with that article. Kinda brings it all back to reality...
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Post by jen on Jul 12, 2009 17:28:21 GMT -5
Wow. Pretty scary.
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Post by MattCollister on Jul 12, 2009 18:08:49 GMT -5
Not that it helps you on the road, but it's good to be familiar with: www.ohiobike.org/bicycle-law-digest.htmlDemerly's tips are right on. I think the biggest thing is use of common sense. Not to say that you weren't, but I see people on bikes all the time doing stupid $hit who really ought to know better. Never assume is good too. I've been hit twice and both times the first thing out of the driver's mouth was "I didn't see you." I am 6'1", nearly 200#, and one of the times I went over the hood I was wearing a safety-yellow jersey.
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Post by Aussie Rob on Jul 12, 2009 18:58:45 GMT -5
Depends who you're riding with. If it's with Reddy or Doren you don't need to do anything cause they'll likely throw down for the entire group and you can just enjoy the show. Honestly though, you get numb to it eventually. If someone tries particularly hard to kill me ill try and make eye contact and give a non-verbal "wtf is your problem?" If a light is coming up ill make an effort to hang with them on my bike to show them that we're more than capable of traveling at, or close to the speed limit. It's usually uncomfortable for them for us to roll up next to them at a light after they were dickheads to us, or to have us on their bumper in a line of traffic. People usually aren't so tough when they're not so anonymous inside their steel cage with a clear exit strategy. Mostly though, i just ignore them. Ride long enough and it just becomes par for the course and you won't give a frak. Besides, i can barely hear the verbal abuse they scream over my ipod anyway
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