Missed connection

[Phatboing]

On Friday.

You: cyclist in yellowish jersey, panniers et al, riding from Spring Hill Rd -> Rt 7 -> Montmorency, all the way to Clarks Crossing and the W&OD.

Me: trying (and failing) to catch you, until just barely at that last stretch down Clarks Crossing.

My legs were giving out that day anyway, and were it not for trying to Cat6 with you, I wouldn’t have HTFU-ed, choosing instead to pootle along and generally be a giant chicken. Thank you, I think.

[VikingMariner]

Yesterday during the Sunday brunch crunch on Maple Ave north of Branch Road in downtown Vienna.

You: Angry guy banging on the hood of a 4,000-pound car stopped at the traffic light because he came to close to you.
Me: Riding in my vehicle a few cars back, watching the whole thing with my family. It looked the miss distance was about three feet. Honestly.
My Wife: “Wow, what a jerk. Is that kind crazy?”
Me (my comments to family): Sorry. Sad day for biking. I want you to know I would never ride on Maple. It’s too dangerous: bad or distracted drivers. Just crossing Maple is tricky enough. Moreover, that guy should not have escalated the situation by banging on someone’s car and by riding down the middle of the street in very congested area without one bike light or bright clothing. Even motorcycles are required to have daytime running lights on. There are other, safer side streets running parallel to Maple.
My Son: Yeah, that guy is acting out other issues that have nothing to do with traffic.
You: Shooting me a dirty look as I slowly pass you in another lane entirely.
Me: After passing you, I start shaking my head and muttering the words drama queen. Hope no one from the Washington Rag, ah, I mean Post saw that crap.

[dasgeh]

@VikingMariner 92422 wrote:

by riding down the middle of the street in very congested area without one bike light or bright clothing. Even motorcycles are required to have daytime running lights on. There are other, safer side streets running parallel to Maple.

I would hope to see less victim blaming within the cyclist community. We get enough of it from outside. Daytime running lights are bright clothing are not required on bicycles (there are legitimate reasons why there are different requirements for bicycles and motorcycles) and just because someone wears a short skirt, I mean bikes on a busy road does not mean they’re “asking for it”.

*This cyclist may have been totally out of line. It was just these lines that caught me.*

[VikingMariner]

I understand the concern as a cyclist since the 1960s to the present in my case. Perhaps I was not clear. He was not the victim. The motorist did nothing wrong and was compliant with the law. Facts are facts.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@VikingMariner 92424 wrote:

I understand the concern as a cyclist since the 1960s to the present in my case. Perhaps I was not clear. He was not the victim. The motorist did nothing wrong and was compliant with the law. Facts are facts.

In the scenario you describe, the cyclists dress and lack of lights are completely irrelevant, so why even mention it? The fact that you did implies you think the cyclist somehow deserved to have a cars pass too closely.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@TwoWheelsDC 92431 wrote:

In the scenario you describe, the cyclists dress and lack of lights are completely irrelevant, so why even mention it? The fact that you did implies you think the cyclist somehow deserved to have a cars pass too closely.

I took him to be suggesting that the cyclist was generally not a cautious rider, which he exacerbated by also bring a jerk. And he pretty clearly stated the cyclist wasn’t passed too closely to begin with.

[dplasters]

speed limit of 30, red lights everywhere, a second lane that can be used for cars to pass you, generally narrow lanes so its easier to “take”… I’ve rather enjoyed my rides along Maple…. Most of the stores have bike racks too…

[Subby]

Maple is a great road. They actually have reasonable speed limits there.

[Terpfan]

Sorry to whoever it was I ended up in the one-way tunnel underneath Memorial Bridge with this morning. I had checked it, but then saw a woman coming down so I moved right. When I moved back in there were two of you. Anyway, you one went slowly and other waited. No one seemed too pissed save maybe me for not trying to check again post woman. So I’m guessing folks also thought no harm, no foul. Still a sort of a dbag move by me not thinking to check again. At least it was a nice morning.

[Drewdane]

Me, passing you on the WOD this morning: “On your left!”

You, passing me a while later: *silence*

Me, passing you again, a bit later: “On your left!”

You, passing me again still later: *silence*

Dude! WTH?!? Catch a hint, would ya?

[hozn]

@Drewdane 92547 wrote:

Me, passing you on the WOD this morning: “On your left!”

You, passing me a while later: *silence*

Me, passing you again, a bit later: “On your left!”

You, passing me again still later: *silence*

Dude! WTH?!? Catch a hint, would ya?

…. The bigger issue here seems to be that you two keep playing leap frog in the trail

[baiskeli]

Missed missed connection:

You: perfect weather, nobody driving or cycling or walking stupid, no flat tires or sore knees….

Me: happy.

[dplasters]

Big thumbs up to the several cyclists I have seen on lee highway between Nutley and Gallows and through to Fairview Park Dr the last few days. A two mile stretch of road that could sorely use some traffic calming, narrower lanes (is it weird when the lane is so wide me and an F150 can share it?) and a bike lane or two to connect two very close metro stations and several large shopping areas.

If we use it, they will improve it.

[Drewdane]

@hozn 92591 wrote:

…. The bigger issue here seems to be that you two keep playing leap frog in the trail

Nah, we were just taking turns running intervals.

[hozn]

@Drewdane 92628 wrote:

Nah, we were just taking turns running intervals.

Brilliant. I love it when people do intervals on the MUPs. But the guy that was too out of breath to call his pass was likely getting the better workout.

[Author]

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