Missed connection

[jabberwocky]

I think its fairly logical to assume that anyone wearing headphones isn’t that concerned with whats going on around them. I personally see calling passes as a courtesy, not a rigid rule. I always do for someone who will hear it, but if they have headphones on, why bother? They aren’t going to hear it, and they’ve already made it clear that they don’t care to.

That said, I keep a close eye on them as I pass. But I do that for everyone I pass, because if theres one thing that years of commuting on the W&OD taught me, its that people are unpredictable idiots.

[Vicegrip]

Slow closing speeds such as catching a fellow cyclist = verbally call the pass or light bell ding. Fast closing speeds and or headphones = bell, full ring. looks like the person(s) might be unclear of MUP behavior? bell full ring at a distance and a verbal call closer up. blind corner on the custis = bell.

I don’t like hitting things regardless of fault.

[mstone]

@jabberwocky 59920 wrote:

I think its fairly logical to assume that anyone wearing headphones isn’t that concerned with whats going on around them. I personally see calling passes as a courtesy, not a rigid rule. I always do for someone who will hear it, but if they have headphones on, why bother? They aren’t going to hear it, and they’ve already made it clear that they don’t care to.

And yet, I get thank you waves from joggers with earphones…

[jrenaut]

I find getting a small wave in response to my bell immensely satisfying. I’ve done what I’m supposed to do, the jogger has done what he/she is supposed to do, and we’ve successfully shared a MUP with minimal impact on each other. Society’s unwritten rules work!

This makes me happy. So I use my bell.

[CaseyKane50]

I also ring my bell with every pass. A wave or a thanks from the person I am passing is a nice confirmation that the trail is for all of us. I try always to say thanks as I pass. It is surprising to me the number of earbud wearers who acknowledge my ring.

[viennabiker]

@CaseyKane50 59944 wrote:

I also ring my bell with every pass. A wave or a thanks from the person I am passing is a nice confirmation that the trail is for all of us. I try always to say thanks as I pass. It is surprising to me the number of earbud wearers who acknowledge my ring.

My experience–mostly on the W and OD and Custis–is that those wearing earbuds seem to react to a bell but not to a verbal call. I think the bell sound just penetrates the buds better than my baritone.

My experience also–as both a biker and a walker–is that any information other than the bicyclist’s presence is lost. So I just say “passing” when I call verbally. If I say “passing on your left” I’ve had a walker/jogger interpret that as “move to your left.” When I’ve been the walker, I’ve understood why. Basically, I think that the reaction is instinctual–there is a noise from something behind you that seems to be moving fast. And before you figure out the meaning of the words with any precision, that thing has already moved beyond you. I think our ancestors must have been pursued by cyclists who did not call their passes so they did not evolve the ability to interpret much information other than the existence of a mortal threat.

[bobco85]

To the few vehicles who actually waited to pass when it was safe on the blind corners near Lorton Rd/Furnace Rd: Thank you. I much appreciate it.

Of those few vehicles, to the person in the white car who waited, even getting honked at by an impatient jerk behind him: Thank you X1000.

[rpiretti]

Agree, Vienna Biker. There is something about a bell that goes to the heart of what is actually taking place – more pin pointed response is always seen by me at least.

[creadinger]

@culimerc 59901 wrote:

Me; toodling along on the WOD this morning on my way to work, Ding!

You; on your morning walk stick your left arm out like your trying to cloths line someone and just leave it there until after I pass.

Really?!?!

I’ve seen this behavior before. It was on the long stretch between Vienna and Hunter’s Mill Rd. I guess he’s just trying to make sure cyclists give him enough personal space when they pass? It’s a real douchey thing to do, and I’m pretty sure that someone this douchey would treat any attempt at a high-5 as assault.

[mstone]

@creadinger 60044 wrote:

I’ve seen this behavior before. It was on the long stretch between Vienna and Hunter’s Mill Rd. I guess he’s just trying to make sure cyclists give him enough personal space when they pass? It’s a real douchey thing to do, and I’m pretty sure that someone this douchey would treat any attempt at a high-5 as assault.

The flip side of this is that he’s probably had experience with a bunch of douchey cyclists passing too closely (the famous “middle lane pass”–how many times have you seen an oncoming cyclist approaching while you’re about to pass an oncoming pedestrian and thought “this assho1e is going to pass between us, isn’t he?”). If I’m passing properly, it doesn’t matter–so I think I could safely ignore it.

[dasgeh]

@culimerc 59901 wrote:

Me; toodling along on the WOD this morning on my way to work, Ding!

You; on your morning walk stick your left arm out like your trying to cloths line someone and just leave it there until after I pass.

Really?!?!

He better be careful, or he’s going to get his middle finger broken.

[culimerc]

@creadinger 60044 wrote:

I’ve seen this behavior before. It was on the long stretch between Vienna and Hunter’s Mill Rd. I guess he’s just trying to make sure cyclists give him enough personal space when they pass? It’s a real douchey thing to do, and I’m pretty sure that someone this douchey would treat any attempt at a high-5 as assault.

It’s probably the same guys, cuz’ that right where it happened, right between Vienna and the Clark’s Crossing soccer fields.

[jrenaut]

Me: Safely, legally, and blinkily (that’s totally a word) occupying the far right lane on 14th NW at the speed of traffic
You: Black Mercedes convertible who chose not to acknowledge any of those things.

Thanks for at least using your turn signal so I had time to move out of the way and give you a WTF. The second one was when I was pretty sure I had moved in line with your mirrors to make sure you saw it. Next time please check your blind spot.

Related:
Thanks to the bright yellow Xterra who honked at the Mercedes on my behalf, then rolled down the window to chat about it at the light. I appreciate you speaking up for me, even though I don’t think the Mercedes had any idea what was going on.

[TwoWheelsDC]

The two guys that decided I wasn’t going fast enough down Rosslyn hill this morning and salmoned down Lee Hwy for the entire stretch just missed a connection with Darwin…and a lot of good it did them as I ended up catching up with them at the Kennedy Center.

[consularrider]

@TwoWheelsDC 60225 wrote:

The two guys that decided I wasn’t going fast enough down Rosslyn hill this morning and salmoned down Lee Hwy for the entire stretch just missed a connection with Darwin…and a lot of good it did them as I ended up catching up with them at the Kennedy Center.

May not have been you, I all too frequently see cyclists doing that, though most often just from the Marriott to N Ft Myer.

[Author]

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