Missed connection

[ursus]

On Sunday, I was headed eastward on the W&OD approaching the switchbacks at Clarks Gap where the path is narrow and on the left side of Dry Mill Road. I was slowing down as I always do because ahead is an approximately 180-degree turn before the downhill switchbacks, and I can’t negotiate the turn, even though it is the outside lane, at speed. Heading up the switchbacks this is less of a problem for me, even though the turn is sharper, because I go so slowly uphill. Anyway, I see two cyclists ahead heading uphill at that turn relatively fast. The first takes the turn wide and the second somehow stays in lane. They were far enough away from me that they caused no trouble. Suddenly a third rider appears going even faster and with his head down. He makes the turn very wide and almost hits me, but I was going so slowly in preparation for the turn that we missed as he swerved to avoid me. He said “sorry” and said something else which I thankfully couldn’t make out completely. As I went down the switchbacks I passed at least three more riders heading up hill. They probably were all riding together

[MFC]

@ian74 123613 wrote:

Since I call out “passing on your left, thank you!” about 100 times a day when I commute, I find myself doing it in the supermarket when pushing my grocery cart down the crowded aisles.

Same here. Sometimes I want to preface it with “Bing!” because I don’t have my bell.

[baiskeli]

@MFC 123760 wrote:

Same here. Sometimes I want to preface it with “Bing!” because I don’t have my bell.

Me too. Cycling has definitely affected my sense of propriety while walking. If someone walks on the wrong side, it annoys me. And it’s drives me insane when someone doesn’t use their side of a double door, getting in my way or holding a door for me instead. Ignorance is bliss.

[83b]

@baiskeli 123762 wrote:

Me too. Cycling has definitely affected my sense of propriety while walking.

I now catch myself doing shoulder checks constantly while walking around the city if I’m going to alter my course even slightly. A couple of times I’m pretty sure people have thought I was brazenly craning my neck around to check out some attractive person. Somehow I don’t think anybody would buy me protesting, “No really, I’m not a lecherous old man; I’m a punctilious transportation nerd!”

[jrenaut]

You: Turning left through the 15th St cycletrack. From the center lane. Without looking.
Me: HEY!
You: Screeching to a stop, telling me that I had to pay attention.

I WAS paying attention. That’s why I slowed down and yelled “HEY” really loudly, which is essentially my horn, and didn’t get run over by an inattentive driver making an illegal left turn.

I find it helpful, btw, to channel my anger at bad drivers into volume rather than homicidal impulses. It helps me stay calm and I think it’s even lowered the amount of profanity that slips out.

[bentbike33]

Crazy Ivana (w/o The Donald) on the Humpback Bridge this morning pirouetted into my path even though I had just rung-up the jogger a few yards behind her to pass (because EARBUDS!). Fortunately, prior oncoming cyclist had caused me to slow down so the overall level of kinetic energy was insufficient to cause a crash.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@83(b) 123769 wrote:

I now catch myself doing shoulder checks constantly while walking around the city if I’m going to alter my course even slightly. A couple of times I’m pretty sure people have thought I was brazenly craning my neck around to check out some attractive person. Somehow I don’t think anybody would buy me protesting, “No really, I’m not a lecherous old man; I’m a punctilious transportation nerd!”

Some of us manage to be both.

[baiskeli]

The light turns green to cross the Intersection of Doom. A bus immediately turns right toward the bridge, blatantly violating the no-turn-on-red sign and endangering cyclists.*

But there happens to be a cop right behind him!**

Instead of doing nothing, the cop pulls the transgressor over and gives a ticket. Hurrah!***

*This actually happened.
**This also actually happened.
***This didn’t happen.

[bobco85]

@baiskeli 123987 wrote:

The light turns green to cross the Intersection of Doom. A bus immediately turns right toward the bridge, blatantly violating the no-turn-on-red sign and endangering cyclists.*

But there happens to be a cop right behind him!**

Instead of doing nothing, the cop pulls the transgressor over and gives a ticket. Hurrah!***

*This actually happened.
**This also actually happened.
***This didn’t happen.

Disliked because you got my hopes up (good storytelling, though).

[dasgeh]

@baiskeli 123987 wrote:

Instead of doing nothing, the cop pulls the transgressor over and gives a ticket. Hurrah!***

Did you get the number on the car? Was it ACPD? Definitely worth reporting, even if you don’t have the number…

(By “green” I assume you mean walking person, not green for cars)

[Terpfan]

I saw this one posted elsewhere from a group ride on Falls Rd last weekend:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjWMRS4W7JM

Wow. But the police are apparently investigating.

[DCLiz]

@Terpfan 124034 wrote:

I saw this one posted elsewhere from a group ride on Falls Rd last weekend:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjWMRS4W7JM

I will not read comments on the internet. I will not read comments on the internet. I will not read comments on the internet.

[Terpfan]

@DCLiz 124046 wrote:

I will not read comments on the internet. I will not read comments on the internet. I will not read comments on the internet.

I may be jinxing it, but it seems we have gone a couple months without a Courtland commentary.

[dasgeh]

@Terpfan 124034 wrote:

I saw this one posted elsewhere from a group ride on Falls Rd last weekend:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjWMRS4W7JM

Wow. But the police are apparently investigating.

Did you see the video labeled “more context” — there was a white car before this guy. Wow.

[bobco85]

@dasgeh 124054 wrote:

Did you see the video labeled “more context” — there was a white car before this guy. Wow.

Wow, so the “more context” video actually gives, um, more context. Really, there were 2 stupid drivers in luxury cars making ridiculously dangerous passes that almost resulted in head-on collisions for each of them.

In chronological order:

Screenshots of the first stupid driver’s pass
[IMG]http://bikearlingtonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=9617&stc=1[/IMG]
[IMG]http://bikearlingtonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=9618&stc=1[/IMG]

Screenshots of the second stupid driver’s pass
[IMG]http://bikearlingtonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=9619&stc=1[/IMG]
[IMG]http://bikearlingtonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=9620&stc=1[/IMG]

[Author]

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