Missed connection

[cyclingfool]

Two from this AM w/in about 1/8 of a mile of each other.

You: Driving a white Chevy Impala south on Potomac Avenue just on the Alexandria side of 4MR with your left blinker on.
Me: Thinking, “Hey, your blinker is on, and there’s nowhere to turn left for at least 1/4 mile, and I strongly doubt that you’re going to see a movie at 7:30 AM, which means no left turns for over a mile. You’d be more likely to realize it was on if you weren’t head down staring at your phone while driving.” Also glad I was not on your side of the road. #distracteddriving

You: The Alexandria PD cop that had a speeder pulled over on Potomac Ave by South Glebe presumably for a speed infraction in Alexandria’s jurisdiction.
Me: Thanks!

[DCAKen]

@dbb 70865 wrote:

You: Lady running north on the MVT between the inlet to Roaches Run and the Gravelly Point parking lot.
Me: Cyclist behind you saying “Whoa” at my loudest traffic control volume when you did a Crazy Ivan this morning about 0630. That your running partner did one about 15 feet ahead of you was a clue to me that excitement was coming. Sorry (not really) if I startled you. Crazy Ivans at turns on the trail are just, well crazy.

This is why I’ve gotten into the habit of always calling my passes. I want to not only minimize the possibility of a Crazy Ivan, but to also be snarky if they complain about getting buzzed.

[dasgeh]

You: Dad with a kid on a seat behind you, riding up 1st St SE just now.
Me: Walking along…

Your kid was super adorable holding on to your back pockets as you rode. Better watch out, though, or in a few months s/he will be able to get to your wallet.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@dasgeh 70915 wrote:

You: Dad with a kid on a seat behind you, riding up 1st St SE just now.
Me: Walking along…

Your kid was super adorable holding on to your back pockets as you rode. Better watch out, though, or in a few months s/he will be able to get to your wallet.

As if there’s any avoiding that outcome.

When a colleague of mine was first going to have kids, he asked his father-in-law how much he should expect it to cost. The answer: All of it, son.

[dbb]

@DCAKen 70897 wrote:

This is why I’ve gotten into the habit of always calling my passes. I want to not only minimize the possibility of a Crazy Ivan, but to also be snarky if they complain about getting buzzed.

I rang my bell first, and came close to ringing hers but a moment later.

[consularrider]

@dbb 70927 wrote:

I rang my bell first, and came close to ringing hers but a moment later.

It seems like many walkers mistake my bell for a starters pistol and take off running just as I start to pass.

[dkel]

@dbb 70927 wrote:

I rang my bell first, and came close to ringing hers but a moment later.

A similar thing happened to me this morning: the gentleman was moving leaves from his yard on one side of the WOD to the curb on the opposite side of the WOD, and didn’t hear–or didn’t understand the significance of–my bell (twice). He turned around and there I was, buzzing him inadvertently. I felt bad, because I really don’t want to be “that guy on the bike.” It’s becoming clear to me that if someone isn’t using the trail, they won’t respond like a trail-user to those around them, even if they are physically on the trail (if that makes sense).

[americancyclo]

On my way to pick up the car from the shop in tysons.
Me: trying to move over to the left lane to turn in the dealership.
You: in the pickup with the marine corps stickers, flipping me off as you boxed me out, then speeding up to wait at the red light to cross route 7

[Fast Friendly Guy]

@dkel 70941 wrote:

A similar thing happened to me this morning: the gentleman was moving leaves from his yard on one side of the WOD to the curb on the opposite side of the WOD, and didn’t hear–or didn’t understand the significance of–my bell (twice). He turned around and there I was, buzzing him inadvertently. I felt bad, because I really don’t want to be “that guy on the bike.” It’s becoming clear to me that if someone isn’t using the trail, they won’t respond like a trail-user to those around them, even if they are physically on the trail (if that makes sense).

If I don’t see any response to my bell or “Heads up!” I give ’em a blast (or two) from my lifeguard/police whistle–you can hear it right through headphones (and leaf blowers) I sometimes get an annoyed response, but I’d rather have ’em annoyed than both of us hurt!

[TwoWheelsDC]

You: rat with suicidal tendencies on the TR troll

Me:

[aflapr]

@dkel 70941 wrote:

A similar thing happened to me this morning: the gentleman was moving leaves from his yard on one side of the WOD to the curb on the opposite side of the WOD, and didn’t hear–or didn’t understand the significance of–my bell (twice).

It must be a yard work thing, I was almost clotheslined this morning by somebody trying to put spear-sized branches into their trash along Gallows. The branches extended horizontally out through the width of the bike lane as he swung them into position. With traffic on my left, I had to lock both brakes to stop in time.

[dbb]

Where is dogsled guy when you need him?

Last night coming down the MVT between the bridges and Gravelly Point, I addressed an oncoming cyclist with a strobe flashing (he also had a steady light on) by saying “No flash please!”

He responded, “bite me”

Do you think animal control would give that one a pass for dogsled guy because of the cyclist’s volunteer status?

[rcannon100]

Based on his response, I think I know that guy

[birddog]

Every morning and every night I see people with strobes on the trail. This causes all other trail users to be distracted and not be able to see. Accidents will happen because of this scenario and people will be hurt .

Is there anything we can do other than yell?

[ronwalf]

@birddog 71000 wrote:

Is there anything we can do other than yell?

If you just had a bright enough light, you wouldn’t notice the blinking at all!

[Author]

Posts