The Recreational Bicycling Guide to the Washington DC Area
Notice "NOT SKATE TRAIL"
ANYWAY, your so-called crash scenario is one of my survival stories. Rolling south past National Airport at 31 Mph on a glorious sunny afternoon - I noticed ahead there were two twinkle toe skaters starting to roll down a small but step hill for them.
The Mount Vernon Trail is a big favorite of area cyclists
Passing them both quickly in the open left lane was my best option as I was racing some guy for the pass 15 minutes back and forth finally ahead again. Now if they would just stay in the right lane as I passed.
The first guy I passed quickly, the other was already down the hill. As I was beginning my second pass, the twinkle toe skater does this pirouette twisty turn into the left passing lane and I couldn’t F'in believe my eyes. In a New York second just as I thought could happen with a mindless skater or jogger as I would pass at any speed, he turn forward into the passing lane and we had a instant 30+ mph head-on collision!
This guy just turned into the passing lane to face his buddy and ate a 210lbs 30mph+ bullet, drilling right into his groin and chest area of his shirtless body. .
I flew over his right shoulder rolling with him in the grass next to the river some 15 ft. off the BIKE TRAIL we both jumped up, exchanged some polite comments loudly face to face almost coming to blows.
Both realizing we were ok, we went from Defcon 5 to Defcon 1 as his friend and other started to gather around to see if we were ok.
Still angry we forgave each other, shook hands as a sign of goodwill and when our separate ways. Lucky for twinkle toes he was all muscle at 190 lbs and fit. Not a scratch between us, thanks to the grass and guardian angels.
The bike still worked but not set up for speed after the crash. The bike went to the shop for a tune up and replaced the large chainring from 52 to 56 for more high end speed.
Inclosing, cars, bikes, skaters and joggers need to work something out or this so called "HATE" will go on. I can type all day long about solutions but one easy rule is obey the street laws and respect each others SPACE.
I'd just as soon you rode your bike.
Save the racing for closed courses or wide open country roads. Pass with caution.
the twinkle toe skater does this pirouette twisty turn into the left passing lane
If twinkle toes had his head anywhere other than up his XXX, he would have looked around before doing his Tonya Harding act.
obey the street laws and respect each others SPACE.
Absolutely.