Radio host infuriates cyclists

The Raleigh News & Observer ^ | 10/1/03 | BRUCE SICELOFF

[Heyworth]

I shaved my legs when I raced, I don't race, so I don't now.

The thing about leg shaving is that you have to earn it. If you're not fast enough or at least logging enough hours on the bike, you're the dorkiest kind of poser if you shave. The team kit thing is similar. A US Postal yellow jersey is usually the sure sign of a beginner. Full team kit--jersey and shorts--is much more gauche than just the jersey. Most serious guys wear either a club jersey or just a plain-colored one. Or a souvenir one from some organized ride they've done.

Coincidentally to this thread, in the last few weeks I've heard about three cyclists killed by drunks. Two retired guys on the second day of their dream cross-country bike trip were plowed off the shoulder by a drunk in the California desert, and in the south somewhere, a fairly well-known bicycle advocate (not a critical mass hippie type, just a long-distance rider who had written extensively about traffic safety) was run over by a drunk in a pickup who had literally just been released from jail on a DUI charge a couple of hours before. He apparently went straight from jail to a bar, got drunk, got in his truck and ran over this guy. He's facing murder charges now.

[olorin]

I think that is per tire - still cheaper than what I paid.

[olorin]

Your insults wound me so . . .

[Servant of the 9]

Who is Arianna and Dean, and how did they get so wise? ;-)

You can't really be that stupid.

Arianna Huffington and Howard Dean.

You can find out all about them and your other spiritual compatriots on DU.

So9

[toothless]

yes per tire. its cheap if they work.

[HIDEK6]

Biking cleats?

(guffaw)

[Skip Ripley]

You're picturing me? Please, keep me out of your masturbatory fantasies.

Unless you're a hot chick..

[newgeezer]

If a bicyclist can't accelerate and keep up with traffic, he is doing something to me. At the least he needs 3 feet of 1/2" galvanised pipe tossed into his front spokes.

Well, we meet again.

Have you ever actually bumped a cyclist in traffic? Or, do you just enjoy talking about it whenever the opportunity arises?

By the way, when I looked up that old post, I couldn't help but notice the name change. What did you do to earn such distinction?

[ironman]

I'll rub the tire clean when needed. I always wear gloves except when racing. I train on clinchers and race on tubulars. Many years ago I actually patched a tubular. Never again even though flatting one of my race tires is super expensive.

[Skooz]

Ahhhh....that must be insider cycle speak. :0)

[stylin_geek]

Unless you are me, with my Spiderman Jersey, and No Fear shorts. I bought the jersey due to my being very tall and thin, and long before the movie came out.

[Sloth]

I've looked it up in the State of Virginia driving manual and I can not find where it says a bike can't pass on the right. I've passed cops on the right and never once has one told me not to do it.

What side you pass on is irrelevant -- I'm talking about what vehicles are supposed to do at a stop light; specifically, 'STOP'. *Behind* the vehicle(s) that stop in front of you. *Until* the light turns green & traffic resumes moving. A red light does not signal a free-for-all to see who can weave their vehicle into the best starting position. All I'm saying is that if bicyclists want to be treated like cars, they ought to act like them consistently.

[ironman]

You raise many good questions that I do not know the answers too. IIRC, cyclists do get points on their license. I'd be willing to bet that far more cyclists have been run off the road by cars than the situation you described where a driver swerved to avoid a bicyclist. Same thing as taking evasive maneuver to avoid a deer. If an accident happens I don't think you are going to get a ticket.

[olorin]

The answer may lie with statutes governing motorcycles. In CA it is legal for motorcycles and bicycles to "lane split," in other words to pass between stopped cars, but it is illegal to lane split in MN. As I've always understood the onus is on the lane splitter to make sure it is safe to do so.

[Heyworth]

No Fear shorts? You must be a MTB'er. Roadie rules don't apply. Re: Spiderman Jersey--might be cool. I'd have to see it. I saw a guy with a Wolverine jersey once that I kinda covet. But that's not a team. Imagine a guy showing up for a company picnic softball game with a complete New York Yankees uniform and you'll have the effect of full team kit.

[Hatteras]

"The thing about leg shaving is that you have to earn it. If you're not fast enough or at least logging enough hours on the bike, you're the dorkiest kind of poser if you shave."

I took my son to the local bike shop to get his brakes fixed on his bmx. We walked in and there were 3 or 4 guys hanging out waiting for one guy to get some parts. They were all in their little bicycle outfits and each taking an extra look at themselves in the mirrored wall. Of the group, one looked to be in extremely good shape (I guess) for a bicyclist. The others were working overtime to keep the guts in.

One of the oversized bicyclists was actually talking about shaving his legs! My son looked at me and rolled his eyes and we both had a good chuckle.

[johnb838]

For those drivers who feel like taking out a little aggression on a cyclist I have one thing to say - concealed carry.

For those cyclists who enjoy having the power of holding up traffic, I have one word too.... Paintball Gun.

(Yes I know that's two words)

[biblewonk]

I'm sure glad to see there are a few bikers on the FR. It's getting to where I hate the expense of keeping my cars running and insured since that would buy me a new bike about every couple of months.

[ironman]

"This is part of the 'price' for using the road that
I must pay."

I've paid that price too. My car has tags. Last time I got tags was 10 years ago though. I can see why cars need tags but they are of little value for a bike.

[Heyworth]

The others were working overtime to keep the guts in.

Don't misunderestimate some of those fat old guys, though. I've had a few of them just ride away from me going up some long hills.

Oh, another rule of thumb: the further you actually are from your bike, the stupider bike clothes look.