My Evening Commute

[rcannon100]

Well let me give you a different point of view.

On occasion, I have jammed my chain. And I am one of those people who carries a nice collection of tools and lot on my bag. This last week, I pulled my bike off the trail to a good location, laid out a work rag, and dutifully started working on my bike. Back is to the trail, tools are in my hands, grease is covering my fingers, and everything is going swimmingly.

Now as much as I appreciate people offering help, it isnt actually helpful. In fact its an interruption. Particularly when I am at that moment of trying to convince the quick link to either let go, or get back together again. So people come flying by, with a compulsion to feel the good samaritan, and yell at me “need help.” Now realize, there is nothing about what I am doing that indicates I need help. And at this moment, me trying to respond to you in order to satisfy your definition of appropriate etiquette would NOT be helpful as I am trying to get that quick link to work (or some other frustrating task). Furthermore, as helpful as the trail community is, everyone is yelling at me as they go by and if I responded I would NEVER get my work done.

If someone looks befuddled. If someone is looking at you. If someone looks like they cant do what they are doing – good. Offer help. But people with their back to you who are working on their bikes and they dont respond to you – and you are offended. PLEASE. If you want good karma, dont be so offended. And dont be surprised if someone working on their bike doesnt want to be interrupted 20 times and respond to 20 people – but wants to get done whatever it is they are doing.

There is a difference between someone standing there hapless, and an experienced rider who is wrenching with their back to you.

Personally, I offer help all the time. I assume if they need it, they will chirp back at me as I go by. If they dont, I wont – and I am not offended (that would just be silly)

[jpaulwhite]

Oh yeah and I didn’t get soaked yesterday. Got a little wet but nothing major. *PHEW* lol

[cyclingfool]

@rcannon100 93119 wrote:

Well let me give you a different point of view.

[…]

There is a difference between someone standing there hapless, and an experienced rider who is wrenching with their back to you.

Personally, I offer help all the time. I assume if they need it, they will chirp back at me as I go by. If they dont, I wont – and I am not offended (that would just be silly)

No, I get that. And when people obviously know what they’re doing and have everything out, I usually pass by without asking anything. In this case, it was still sprinkling rain, and the guy seemed to be cluelessly poking at and pulling on his chain. If I had to hazard a guess, I’d say the jogger who stopped seemed to know more about bike mechanics than the rider, but that’s conjecture based on what I saw the cyclist doing with his bike as I approached.

In any event, given the weather there were very few cyclists out, so he clearly wasn’t being flooded with offers of assistance, er, interruptions. Besides, how hard is it just to say “I’m good, thanks.”? That’s all I’m saying. He doesn’t even need to make eye contact. Just engage his vocal chords for a split second. After all, someone on his way home from work (me) was kind enough to stop and potentially give up several minutes of my own time w/ family, etc., to make sure that guy could ride on.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@rcannon100 93119 wrote:

There is a difference between someone standing there hapless, and an experienced rider who is wrenching with their back to you.

Personally, I offer help all the time. I assume if they need it, they will chirp back at me as I go by. If they dont, I wont – and I am not offended (that would just be silly)

I’ve gotten a bit less generous (for lack of a better word) in my offers for help for this very reason…if I come across someone who looks like they’re struggling, I’ll offer help, but if a person just has a flat and is clearly handling it and uninterested in assistance, I just ride by. Of course there are people that need help that may not make that obvious, but most of the time it’s easy to tell. At this point, I’ve had so many people either ignore me or look at me like I’m a crazy person when I offer help that I no longer feel the need to offer help no matter what.

[dasgeh]

@TwoWheelsDC 93140 wrote:

I’ve gotten a bit less generous (for lack of a better word) in my offers for help for this very reason…if I come across someone who looks like they’re struggling, I’ll offer help, but if a person just has a flat and is clearly handling it and uninterested in assistance, I just ride by. Of course there are people that need help that may not make that obvious, but most of the time it’s easy to tell. At this point, I’ve had so many people either ignore me or look at me like I’m a crazy person when I offer help that I no longer feel the need to offer help no matter what.

Sometimes I’ll just say “good luck” or a sympathetic “that sucks” if I can’t help or the person looks like they got it. I also make sure that if I really am offering help, I slow. I figure a full-speed, fly-by “neeeeeddddd helllllllllpppppppppppppp” isn’t so helpful…

[Matt the Peddler]

@cyclingfool 93128 wrote:

No, I get that. And when people obviously know what they’re doing and have everything out, I usually pass by without asking anything. In this case, it was still sprinkling rain, and the guy seemed to be cluelessly poking at and pulling on his chain. If I had to hazard a guess, I’d say the jogger who stopped seemed to know more about bike mechanics than the rider, but that’s conjecture based on what I saw the cyclist doing with his bike as I approached.

In any event, given the weather there were very few cyclists out, so he clearly wasn’t being flooded with offers of assistance, er, interruptions. Besides, how hard is it just to say “I’m good, thanks.”? That’s all I’m saying. He doesn’t even need to make eye contact. Just engage his vocal chords for a split second. After all, someone on his way home from work (me) was kind enough to stop and potentially give up several minutes of my own time w/ family, etc., to make sure that guy could ride on.

I can appreciate it from both sides. But as someone who was an avid runner for over 15 years before switching to cycling, one of the things that drew me straight away was the overall support and generosity of the cyclist community. I was out running once and twisted my ankle on the WO&D and was limping back home. Not one other runner even missed a step to ask me if everything was ok. However, I had several cyclists slow to make sure I was alright and ask me if I needed to use their phone or anything. When I first started cycling, I remember feeling like a total noob and being fearful of coming off as a moron to experienced cyclists with my first few flats, mechanical issues and lack of lingo. I certainly appreciate the help and generosity of fellow cyclists that not only offer their help (from air to tubes to tools to expertise), but repeatedly demonstrate that we are a community that really takes care of each other. As much as I may understand and appreciate the alternative perspective, that will not dissuade me from slowing to ask every single time I see a fellow cyclist that may possibly need assistance. Needed or not, to me the offer represents the spirit of the cycling community and outside of the joy of the ride itself, is one of the primary reasons I am proud to call myself a cyclist.

[mstone]

@Matt the Peddler 93151 wrote:

As much as I may understand and appreciate the alternative perspective, that will not dissuade me from slowing to ask every single time I see a fellow cyclist that may possibly need assistance. Needed or not, to me the offer represents the spirit of the cycling community and outside of the joy of the ride itself, is one of the primary reasons I am proud to call myself a cyclist.

I think that’s fine, as long as you don’t necessarily get a response. A generous spirit doesn’t demand gratitude.

[Dickie]

@Matt the Peddler 93151 wrote:

I can appreciate it from both sides. But as someone who was an avid runner for over 15 years before switching to cycling, one of the things that drew me straight away was the overall support and generosity of the cyclist community. I was out running once and twisted my ankle on the WO&D and was limping back home. Not one other runner even missed a step to ask me if everything was ok. However, I had several cyclists slow to make sure I was alright and ask me if I needed to use their phone or anything. When I first started cycling, I remember feeling like a total noob and being fearful of coming off as a moron to experienced cyclists with my first few flats, mechanical issues and lack of lingo. I certainly appreciate the help and generosity of fellow cyclists that not only offer their help (from air to tubes to tools to expertise), but repeatedly demonstrate that we are a community that really takes care of each other. As much as I may understand and appreciate the alternative perspective, that will not dissuade me from slowing to ask every single time I see a fellow cyclist that may possibly need assistance. Needed or not, to me the offer represents the spirit of the cycling community and outside of the joy of the ride itself, is one of the primary reasons I am proud to call myself a cyclist.

Perfect response!

[CPTJohnC]

Yesterday was one of those evenings when I felt like all the cars were trying to kill me. I rarely have those feelings. Let me set the stage: I left the office around 4:15, walked over to the CaBi station and grabbed a bike, taking time to adjust the seat and placing my helmet on my head (1st mistake? who knows!). I pedaled over to the 1st intersection, 3d st. and Independence SW. I was trying to cross Independence, with the light, and 4 cars completely ignored the pedestrian (and cyclist, and oncoming car) right of way, just bulling their way through to turn left, so they could get to the 395 entrance. I cross this intersection almost daily, and this is NOT normal. Shortly thereafter, I had a tourmobile pull away from the curb on the mall seemingly without looking, forcing me into the left lane (where I dutifully pedaled hard enough to pass the large motor vehicle). I crossed Constitution without incident, then had a car pull out of a “no parking or standing” area again seemingly without looking. Admittedly, this was not into me, but rather in front of me, however I was forced to brake… going uphill… on a CaBi – way too close for my comfort. Next incident involved a car turning right across the cycletrack on 1st st. NE, completely ignoring the 3 bikes already proceeding through on the green light, one of which was me. I managed to arrive at NoMa metro station without further incident, but not happy about having so many incidents in a 2 mile, 10 minute ride.

But almost more disturbing: after I got home, I was driving to an evening meeting and watched a cyclist cross 10-11 lanes of traffic, all against lights, with seemingly no regard for any traffic laws, rights of way or his own survival. It was dusk, he had no lights, no significant reflective gear, and he did nothing to signal his intentions or otherwise telegraph his actions for the many cars also negotiating the intersection.

[Vicegrip]

I say “Holler if you need a hand”. This leaves the option for the sidelined rider to continue on or ask for a hand.

When I am the sidelined rider I say “thanks all good”. Nice and quick to say.

[jpaulwhite]

@CPTJohnC 93354 wrote:

Yesterday was one of those evenings when I felt like all the cars were trying to kill me. I rarely have those feelings. Let me set the stage: I left the office around 4:15, walked over to the CaBi station and grabbed a bike, taking time to adjust the seat and placing my helmet on my head (1st mistake? who knows!). I pedaled over to the 1st intersection, 3d st. and Independence SW. I was trying to cross Independence, with the light, and 4 cars completely ignored the pedestrian (and cyclist, and oncoming car) right of way, just bulling their way through to turn left, so they could get to the 395 entrance. I cross this intersection almost daily, and this is NOT normal. Shortly thereafter, I had a tourmobile pull away from the curb on the mall seemingly without looking, forcing me into the left lane (where I dutifully pedaled hard enough to pass the large motor vehicle). I crossed Constitution without incident, then had a car pull out of a “no parking or standing” area again seemingly without looking. Admittedly, this was not into me, but rather in front of me, however I was forced to brake… going uphill… on a CaBi – way too close for my comfort. Next incident involved a car turning right across the cycletrack on 1st st. NE, completely ignoring the 3 bikes already proceeding through on the green light, one of which was me. I managed to arrive at NoMa metro station without further incident, but not happy about having so many incidents in a 2 mile, 10 minute ride.

But almost more disturbing: after I got home, I was driving to an evening meeting and watched a cyclist cross 10-11 lanes of traffic, all against lights, with seemingly no regard for any traffic laws, rights of way or his own survival. It was dusk, he had no lights, no significant reflective gear, and he did nothing to signal his intentions or otherwise telegraph his actions for the many cars also negotiating the intersection.

EVERY Friday evening is like that for me. I swear I’m about to start riding on the sidewalks on Fridays and just deal with angry pedestrians. You do not want to be on Carlin Springs road between 6 and 620 on a Friday between Route 50 and Ballston

[CPTJohnC]

@jpaulwhite 93380 wrote:

EVERY Friday evening is like that for me. I swear I’m about to start riding on the sidewalks on Fridays and just deal with angry pedestrians. You do not want to be on Carlin Springs road between 6 and 620 on a Friday between Route 50 and Ballston

I admit it: if I had a piece of my route that was like that on a regular basis, I think I’d be looking for an alternate. But I suppose that would mean I should be trying to avoid the Intersection of Doom, and I don’t, really. Maybe a nice bunch of helium balloons with a big Mylar one that says “Share the Road — Even on Friday” tied to your seat on Fridays?

[Terpfan]

@CPTJohnC 93354 wrote:

Yesterday was one of those evenings when I felt like all the cars were trying to kill me. I rarely have those feelings. Let me set the stage: I left the office around 4:15, walked over to the CaBi station and grabbed a bike, taking time to adjust the seat and placing my helmet on my head (1st mistake? who knows!). I pedaled over to the 1st intersection, 3d st. and Independence SW. I was trying to cross Independence, with the light, and 4 cars completely ignored the pedestrian (and cyclist, and oncoming car) right of way, just bulling their way through to turn left, so they could get to the 395 entrance. I cross this intersection almost daily, and this is NOT normal. Shortly thereafter, I had a tourmobile pull away from the curb on the mall seemingly without looking, forcing me into the left lane (where I dutifully pedaled hard enough to pass the large motor vehicle). I crossed Constitution without incident, then had a car pull out of a “no parking or standing” area again seemingly without looking. Admittedly, this was not into me, but rather in front of me, however I was forced to brake… going uphill… on a CaBi – way too close for my comfort. Next incident involved a car turning right across the cycletrack on 1st st. NE, completely ignoring the 3 bikes already proceeding through on the green light, one of which was me. I managed to arrive at NoMa metro station without further incident, but not happy about having so many incidents in a 2 mile, 10 minute ride.

But almost more disturbing: after I got home, I was driving to an evening meeting and watched a cyclist cross 10-11 lanes of traffic, all against lights, with seemingly no regard for any traffic laws, rights of way or his own survival. It was dusk, he had no lights, no significant reflective gear, and he did nothing to signal his intentions or otherwise telegraph his actions for the many cars also negotiating the intersection.

The damn Duck Tour thing nearly got me hit on Independence today. He decided to stop in the middle of Independence (admittedly with his flasher son) to explain something. This forced the many speeding cars to all swerve to the left and right. One decided it didn’t matter that I was in the right lane and brushed by ever so close that I think a quarter wouldn’t fit between us.

[bobco85]

@jpaulwhite 93380 wrote:

EVERY Friday evening is like that for me. I swear I’m about to start riding on the sidewalks on Fridays and just deal with angry pedestrians. You do not want to be on Carlin Springs road between 6 and 620 on a Friday between Route 50 and Ballston

What area are you headed to? Between Ballston and Route 50, I use Carlin Springs until I cross the bridge over George Mason, then I turn right onto Edison (first street after the bridge) and cut through the neighborhood to reach the Bluemont Junction Trail which takes me to the W&OD/Four Mile Run. (Edit: this is for heading from Ballston to Route 50.)

(Edit: adding this) If heading from Route 50 to Ballston, you could use W&OD/Four Mile Run -> Bluemont Junction Trail -> Wilson Blvd to get to Ballston

[mstone]

@Terpfan 93393 wrote:

admittedly with his flasher son

Autocorrect fail.

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