Missed connection

[dbb]

@Crickey7 154175 wrote:

Oh, fer crissakes, you whippersnappers have no idea how good you have it. Back in the day, we’d have to catch live fireflies and stick them in a Mason jar on the front handlebars!

I think Dismal still does, except he buys fireflies from China on the internet.

[cvcalhoun]

@Crickey7 154175 wrote:

Oh, fer crissakes, you whippersnappers have no idea how good you have it. Back in the day, we’d have to catch live fireflies and stick them in a Mason jar on the front handlebars!

http://classiccycleus.com/home/antique-lighting/

I recognize those generators! They were wonderful in terms of assuring that the moment you stopped at a stoplight, the light would go out and cars could rear-end you. Good times!

@dbb 154178 wrote:

I think Dismal still does, except he buys fireflies from China on the internet.

Make American fireflies great again!

[consularrider]

@Crickey7 154175 wrote:

Oh, fer crissakes, you whippersnappers have no idea how good you have it. Back in the day, we’d have to catch live fireflies and stick them in a Mason jar on the front handlebars!

http://classiccycleus.com/home/antique-lighting/

What they show as “vintage” generators are still quite common in Germany.

[Brett L.]

While I agree that high beams deserve to die in the most painful of fashions, I would characterize those with high beams still preferable over those ninjas with no beams.

Go ninja go ninja go ninja go!

[Brett L.]

Also, sure is fun to get buzzed by an oversize SUV when there’s plenty of space for them to move over (read: I’m on the shoulder and they have two lanes to choose and still buzz you). The fun part, catching up to them at a light, seeing them playing with their phone, and tearing into them about safe passing distance, seeing the look of terror that there is an enraged cyclist outside their window.

[jrenaut]

NB 11th St NW approaching Columbia Rd in Columbia Heights this morning. I was behind another cyclist. Driver in the bike lane parallel parking. Cyclist in front of me moves into the travel lane to go around. Driver apparently thought he merged too closely (or shouldn’t have merged at all, or whatever) and honked. Cyclist gave him a “wtf” gesture. The driver then swerves hard over into the bike lane, in front of the cyclist. He had time to stop but not by much. The driver got out and started yelling “If you ever point your finger at me again I’ll break it off” and threatening and generally being a crazy person. However, now that he was no longer commanding his deadly weapon, it was clearly just angry bluster. I stayed to observe while the other cyclist called 911. The driver left while he was on the phone, but the cyclist read the tags and description to the 911 operator. I didn’t get the tags, but silver Chevy SUV, MD tags.

[Steve O]

@jrenaut 154514 wrote:

However, now that he was no longer commanding his deadly weapon, it was clearly just angry bluster.

If you had pulled out your phone and started video-taping, that would have made the crazy guy even more uncomfortable.

Recently I had the revelation that my u-lock is instantly grab-able off my rear rack (it’s just bungied on, and I can pull it right out) and makes for a serious weapon, in case I ever encounter one of these crazies.

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[jrenaut]

Other cyclist had his camera going and mentioned this to the angry man. I should really get a camera.

[bentbike33]

E-bike rider going about 30 mph last night passing me close without warning on the last downhill on the western end of the Custis: if you want to buzz cyclists at high speed, get a black SUV with MD War of 1812 plates like everybody else.

[Crickey7]

@jrenaut 154519 wrote:

Other cyclist had his camera going and mentioned this to the angry man. I should really get a camera.

I find this defuses most situations. It’s also in the delivery. It’s especially effective when you stop talking and announce in a loud, clear voice, something to the effect of “Operator of vehicle with license plate X, you are being video recorded. Copies of this video will be provided to the police if you do not cease and desist.” The more officially you can make it sound, the more it clicks with them.

[secstate]

@jrenaut 154514 wrote:

I was behind another cyclist. Driver in the bike lane parallel parking. Cyclist in front of me moves into the travel lane to go around.

Just in case any cyclists are confused by jrenaut’s use of slang: for obscure historical reasons, the auxiliary stopping/standing (ASS) lanes in Columbia Heights are occasionally referred to as “bike lanes.”

[jrenaut]

@secstate 154531 wrote:

Just in case any cyclists are confused by jrenaut’s use of slang: for obscure historical reasons, the auxiliary stopping/standing (ASS) lanes in Columbia Heights are occasionally referred to as “bike lanes.”

In fairness, the driver that the cyclist moved over to avoid was in the process of parking, so he/she was in the bike lane legally. I agree that this is not the norm, though

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

[elbows]

2/5 at 3pm
Me: Cycling along 4MR in Barcroft Bog, keeping an eye out for Skunk cabbage.
You: Jogger coming toward me in the left lane.
(Both of us come upon an Asian adult male and female walking slowly and gazing at the woods with a child in the middle holding hands in the left lane, walking towards you in your lane. I slow while I wait to see how you decide to go around them.)
You: Erupt into a profanity laced tirade in the presence of a four-year-old child because they are in the wrong lane, when you can easily pass them in the gravel.
Me: I wasn’t thrilled that they were walking the left lane, but do not think that offense in those circumstances in any way justified your outburst. I sure hope you aren’t also a cyclist. I’m sorry I was too awestruck by your behavior to say anything.

[OneEighth]

@bentbike33 154520 wrote:

E-bike rider going about 30 mph last night passing me close without warning on the last downhill on the western end of the Custis: if you want to buzz cyclists at high speed, get a black SUV with MD War of 1812 plates like everybody else.

Yeah, I’ve recently noticed that we’ve got an e-moped-riding Captain Special heading eastbound on the Custis in the mornings. Likes to ride right up on people real fast, pass where he shouldn’t, and doesn’t call passes. Might be your boy.

[bentbike33]

ME: Westbound on Custis later and darker than usual because work, cresting a small rise and passing a ninja jogger at the beginning of a straight section.

YOU: Walking eastbound and switching on your head-mounted thermonuclear device, pointing it directly at me.

ME: Raising my left hand to block your glare to ensure I didn’t run into any other ninjas.

YOU: Leaning toward me as we pass yelling: “You like to blind people?!?”

Evidently not as much as you. If you had been at all observant during your little revenge fantasy tirade you would have seen my light was illuminating you no higher than mid-thigh once the trail leveled out and we actually got close together. Just because a light is on and you can see it does not mean it is shining full force in your face. But if all lights bother you, try putting your own hand up to block glare from an oncoming light. It works magnificently for all kinds of lights including cars and the sun.

[Author]

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