Missed connection

[Terpfan]

Usually I offer complaints here. Today, a compliment. To the guy biking byJefferson along Ohio Drive (ok, I know it’s called something else right there by the Jefferson, but I’m too lazy too look it up and I forget what it is), awesome Imperial beer jersey. Pura vida.

[KelOnWheels]

Who did I just see in a Bike Arlington vest riding a red Merckx south at 3rd & C NW?

[acc]

Confession: this week I’m riding a beat up beach cruiser I talked a nice lady into renting me by the day instead of by the hour. I mean come on– renting by the hour, how far can I get in an hour? It is rusting, has no gears and the brakes—what brakes? But all that aside, even riding the Flintstone bike I obey things like STOPLIGHTS. Unlike the father and 12 year old son on road bikes next to me. Dad insisted that kid blow through the redlight. Yeah, at the beach where everyone drives super careful.

FWIW– A beach cruiser is a blast to ride in flip flops and board shorts.

[DaveK]

@KelOnWheels 28157 wrote:

vest[/quote]

Quote:

Merckx

Does not compute.

[JustinW]

@acc 28163 wrote:

FWIW– A beach cruiser is a blast to ride in flip flops and board shorts.

— and did you BYO rhinestones?

[vvill]

Someone on a red Giant (TCX 3?) in a BikeArlington jersey with a backpack around 8:30am today going E/SE near the beginning the W&OD? Very skinny, tall, Schleckesque and going a good pace.

[Jason]

Dear people walking on the trail near the Iwo Jima: Please keep your fat child from reaching out and trying to grab a piece of me to eat while I ride by. The four of you are not entittled to to take up the entire path AND eat me. I wish to keep all my limbs and vital stickey-out bits. Thank you.

Kidding aside, a large mammalian child did try and reach out and grab me as I rode past while his parents laughed about it. WTF? Am I ok in yelling out “control your animals” because thats what I did. I nearly went hardcore punk – mosh on them.

[DismalScientist]

Speaking as a parent, children are wild and unpredictable animals. They just don’t make leashes short enough. I would never take my kids on one of the busier trails when they were younger.

That said, be prepared to take evasive maneuvers anytime when around children. Pass as far away as possible and consider not calling out passes around kids.

This in no way excuses the parents in this episode. Laughing is inexcusable. The appropriate response is for the parent to tell the kid that what he did was dangerous. However, physically controlling them may not be possible.

[Jason]

@DismalScientist 28318 wrote:

Speaking as a parent, children are wild and unpredictable animals. They just don’t make leashes short enough. I would never take my kids on one of the busier trails when they were younger.

That said, be prepared to take evasive maneuvers anytime when around children. Pass as far away as possible and consider not calling out passes around kids.

This in no way excuses the parents in this episode. Laughing is inexcusable. The appropriate response is for the parent to tell the kid that what he did was dangerous. However, physically controlling them may not be possible.

TOTALLY! I pass SUPER wide from kids, learned that after the first month of commuting, the HARD way a few times. Was not prepared for children actually running up to me to grab me. Especially 12 year olds, shoudlnt they know better. I swear, large mammals from the suburbs will be the death of me.

[eminva]

@Jason 28310 wrote:

Am I ok in yelling out “control your animals” because thats what I did.

Jason, you are starting to sound like the rest of us here!

Anyway, the nice weather brings ample quantities of tourists, families and joggers to our trails. Expect it to be like this until serious fall weather sets in.

I’ve noticed it is not unusual for kids jogging or cycling with their parents behind them to turn their head to look back, and naturally their bodies follow, taking them right into the path of oncoming traffic. I usually give a sharp “Hello!” or “Heads Up!” just to get the kid’s attention and focus back where it belongs. I’m surprised at how few parents seem to register any reaction. You’d think the natural preservation instinct would kick in and they’d want to protect their kid from a head on collision.

Liz

[Jason]

@eminva 28323 wrote:

Jason, you are starting to sound like the rest of us here!

Anyway, the nice weather brings ample quantities of tourists, families and joggers to our trails. Expect it to be like this until serious fall weather sets in.

I’ve noticed it is not unusual for kids jogging or cycling with their parents behind them to turn their head to look back, and naturally their bodies follow, taking them right into the path of oncoming traffic. I usually give a sharp “Hello!” or “Heads Up!” just to get the kid’s attention and focus back where it belongs. I’m surprised at how few parents seem to register any reaction. You’d think the natural preservation instinct would kick in and they’d want to protect their kid from a head on collision.

Liz

yeah, I am working on exactly the right timing with the bell, the “behind you” or “heads up” depending on what kind of tourist, how far away I am, their speed, my speed, ect. Its a complex mix of social engineering, experience, and luck. In the meantime, I am hoping not to get eaten by any zombie children.

[Amalitza]

@eminva 28323 wrote:

Jason, you are starting to sound like the rest of us here!

I’ve noticed it is not unusual for kids jogging or cycling with their parents behind them to turn their head to look back, and naturally their bodies follow, taking them right into the path of oncoming traffic. I usually give a sharp “Hello!” or “Heads Up!” just to get the kid’s attention and focus back where it belongs.

Liz

I always tell the kids “you’re fine where you are, I’m just letting you know where I am” or something along those lines if they turn around and look at me. I figure they don’t know why these grown-ups on bikes are yelling at them about passing if no one tells them, and most kids are likely thinking they’re supposed to *do* something in response to an adult telling them something. So I make sure to let them know they are not supposed to move anywhere, and what my purpose is for telling them I’m passing them. And I *always* tell children “I’m passing you now!” rather than just dinging the bell, as I also assume they have no idea what the bell means.

[rcannon100]

Bright flashing lights. Bright primary colors. Bells going ping (one ping only). Sometimes cool jerseys. Bicycles. Yup – that’s gonna attract a kids attention.

One of the reasons I will avoid the MUPs on the weekends – when the parentals bring their replicants out to the trails to learn how to ride. Like taking a teenager to the audoban to learn how to drive.

[Certifried]

They’re pinging away with their active bike bells like they’re looking for something, but nobody’s listening. They’re moving at almost forty knots. At that speed, they could run right over my daughter’s stereo and not hear it.

(para-phrased)

[Amalitza]

Dear guy in white t-shirt and no helmet this morning at richmond hwy and fort hunt rd.

Dude. I am not a fanatic about other bicyclists wearing helmets, not at all. That said, if you are going to 1) run red lights, 2) on Richmond Highway, 3) in rush hour traffic, 4) by flying out into the intersection from between two lanes of stopped cars, you might want to think about wearing yours. I prefer to not start my morning by having to look at your brains splattered all over the road. tyvm.

[Author]

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