Published July 12, 2007. |
2-Wheeled Road Rager
|
On behalf of the *mostly* responsible bike commuters out there I'd like to apologize to anyone (on a bike or in a car) who had the misfortune to encounter a hard-care commuter on an XC race bike this past Tuesday, the 10th. This guy almost slammed into me as I approached the turn leading into the Armdale Rotary via St.Margarets Bay Road(heard the skid as I was avoiding something in the road). Didn't think much of it, but then as a I rolled along with the traffic I watched him attempt to cram between a car and the curb. He went up and over the bars and his pedals clipped the car or bumper, probably scratching the car. I saw some pieces going somewhere, anyway. So he makes his way along. Did he learn from his mistake? No, he does the EXACT same thing to another car 4 or 5 cars ahead! WTF!?!
Here's a hint: when roads turn, cars tend to crowed towards the inside of the turn, you can get by them by slowly (and cautiously) passing on the outside where there is plenty more room (and there it divides into two lanes)
Also, putting your hands on the inside portion of the bars so you can get more 'areo' works great in races but is plain stupid in traffic when you have to brake and steer a lot. When I saw you doing that, I had to laugh out loud, I've seen people do it on long dirt road stretches of a race course, but never in morning traffic.
Based on your riding skills and the 1998ish age of your XC hardtail I have you pegged as either an adventure racer or a triathlete. Which is it?
Oh yeah, when you asked me what my problem was when I asked you where you learned to ride a fucking bike? My answer was "Because you're making us ALL look bad".
Stick to driving a car, you've got the attitude down pat.
|
Guy with a bike,
|