Almost lost my head today to a ten-speed

[Veer_G]

I was at a local mass transit station, and had to walk from one side of the complex (local buses) to the other (regional rail), passing under the tracks, in order to purchase a weekly pass for my son (long story there, <span style="font-style: italic">ugh</span>). So I cross the maneuvering area behind the bus side and stop at the edge of the roadway to tie my shoelace, foot up on the high curb, bent over and intent upon task.

Unbeknownst to me, the sidewalk that goes along the trackway to the stairs that lead underneath and then come back up onto the other side are also integral to a bikepath that is part of a regional network much used by locals, some of whom are excessively aggressive in their approach to use of their bikes and to anyone who isn't on a pair (or more) of foot-propelled wheels.

I'm hunched over, and all of a sudden I'm experiencing this weirdly instant screaming Doppler effect, and as I jerk my gaze upward I find myself about four inches, tops, in front of flying ankles and black-and-neon-babyshit green spandex-covered self-righteousness. Flying by, right to left towards the city and disappearing rapidly, looking very much like Ace and Gary on a date, they seem perturbed that I might have intended to share the sidewalk with them, much less use its edge for personal maintenance. What really pissed me off is that the sidewalk was wide enough for them to have maintained some distance, although it might have slowed them down, and thus their emotional display.

Really, though it might sound uncharitable, I begin to understand those tempted to drive around with nails and spare broomhandles.

 

[mexicanmatch]

Re: Almost lost my head today to a ten-speed

Was at one of the local malls with my mother abt 2 yrs ago and some punks on bikes were on the side walk speeding like they owned the place. Mom was 87 at the time on a cane and slow but this one dp shit came so close he knocked her into the wall she was shook up but not hurt. I saw them turn around laughing and heading back so i put mom inside a door way and when Mr speedy came buy i stuck moms cane in his front wheel. Damn near broke my wrist but it was worth it to watch him go over the bars and plant his face into the concrete. Cane was bent but not as bad as that kid. He had to be taken to the hospital, i told the cop i started to get uneasy on my feet and put the cane out so as not to fall and didn't even see the bike. Cop said that's good enough for me and we went on are way.

 

[Grimm]

Re: Almost lost my head today to a ten-speed

When I lived on Hunter AAF biking got big and Perimeter Road is not what one might charitably call wide. After they built new family housing next to the trap and skeet range a paved bike path was built along the entire perimeter, wide enough for me to drive my Mini on. Everytime I saw a pair of those Lance Armstrong wetsuit wannabes taking up the entire lane afterwards I just wanted to run them over or doorcheck them. In convoy or in the duty van my rage only doubles, and then fucking miracle of miracles the one time our company used the bike path for a ruck some shitstick on a bike clipped one of my troopers...can't fucking win. In short bicycle enthusiasts are in the bottom section of my list and Veer's story surprises me not a bit.

 

[gathert]

Re: Almost lost my head today to a ten-speed

I hate it that all the hippies ruin good biking for people like me. I actually pay attention to whats going and and most of the time I'm riding in the woods anyway. However if someone decides to step in front of my 43 lb bike while I'm avoiding them, its their problem. That bike does not like to be stopped once it starts rolling.