[VikingMariner]

Did somebody say beer?

[VikingMariner]

My goal is to drink more beer after every ride. I feel as if I failed myself in 2014. Next year will be my year and the year of the Chimay. Bless those monks. Why is it that Chimay taste so much better after a long ride?

[VikingMariner]

The degree of civility by both motorists and cyclists needs to be replicated in the States. That is what I miss most able cycling and driving in Europe. Of course there is also the Dutch attitude of live and let live, which I think may never be replicated in Washington, DC. In the DC metro area, it seems everyone has an opinion about how everyone else should conduct their lives, which I would be okay with if they would also pay my bills before telling me how to live my life as a sign of good faith.

[VikingMariner]

I have some swamp land if anyone would like to buy it. PM me please.

[VikingMariner]

I will. The change in season will guarantee it.

[VikingMariner]

@jabberwocky 98169 wrote:

The problem is that, unless you have a really bright light, a flashing light in the daytime is doing nothing. Seriously, your average “be seen” blinky is not daylight visible.

At night, front blinkies are incredibly distracting, and also makes it hard for others to judge distance. Just run it on constant and you’ll get better results. I can see the argument for a blinking taillight as an attention getter on the road at least (if paired with a solid taillight as well), but seriously, turn it off on the trail. You don’t need to get peoples attention, and its just unnecessarily annoying to anyone who ends up behind you.

There is a reason that cars don’t use blinking lights. I commute on some heavily trafficked roads with poor sightlines year round; I’ve always had the best results with bright, solid lights. Thats what other road users expect from a vehicle.

I’ve never seen anyone using a blinking light on the trail at night. How in the heck would they even be able to focus at night. That’s as absurd as a flashing battery operated bike light “hurting” people in broad daylight.

Given the amateur-hour stunts (particularly by riders, who have been biking 5-7 years or less) I see on the trail I would say the daytime lights are probably more advisable on the trail than in the street.

What’s next in this control freak fest? Discussion about bike bells being too loud or perhaps high-beams on battery-operated bike lights? Haha! “That guy rang is bike bell and I nearly crashed. It was so loud. What an inconsiderate jerk.”

[VikingMariner]

@hozn 97728 wrote:

I have witnessed a couple near accidents due to people being unable to see pedestrians, related to oncoming headlights. If you can’t see in front of you, the only way to be sure you’re not going to plow into a pedestrian is to stop your bicycle. [And then risk getting plowed into by the person you didn’t know was riding behind you.]

I think it’s pretty selfish to blast down the trail with 750L and not bother to shield your light to oncoming riders. Sure, I sometimes forget or am just not able to safely shield my light from oncoming riders.

I know we have this silly debate every year. I think rcannon summed it up nicely last year. The facts are pretty simple: a sizeable portion of the population finds it unsafe to be blinded while riding on the trail at night. It bothers them; they ask people to stop doing it. People are free to run whatever ridiculous level of light they want on the trail since this isn’t regulated. It’s just inconsiderate.

This is nothing more that kit envy. I’ve watched pedestrians see such a flashing light reflecting off trail signs and other objects that have caused pedestrians to look over their shoulders before the bike arrived in broad daylight. In over 40 years of cycling these daytime running lights on and off the trail have been a major step forward in bike safety using about the same power as a nightlight. Using words like selfish and blinding is a complete misrepresentation of the utility if these products. A multiuse trail is not an underground tunnel or confined space. It’s celling is the heavens and limited only be nearby trees, ragweed, and some garden snakes.

I’ve seen numerous lights pass me in the last few months and I can honestly say I’ve never been distracted or “blinded.” Perhaps it is inconsiderate to expect riders to sacrifice their safety because another rider lacks the intelligence to not look directly into a light, or the sun, or lick a light socket. However that general lack of common sense certainly would explain why I see so many bad motorists on the roads; I wonder if they too looking at daytime LED running lights on cars as a distraction?

[VikingMariner]

A flashing bike light in broad daylight is not going to “blind” anyone. Is everyone okay? Honestly I fell out of my chair laughing! Whether tail or headlight please stop making absurd claims that novice riders may actually believe. Turn those flashing lights on during the day to give pedestrians and motorists as much warning as possible on the trail and at street crossings.

As for the photophobia afflicted, please stop looking directly into 1 watt bulbs and car headlights. Like a moth to a flame I guess. No intent to insult but I gotta call bullshit. A battery operated light flashing at a closest point of approach at 2 meters doesn’t hurt anyone’s eyes. This whole thread is about control and butting into other people’s lives for no apparent reason. Gives biking a bad name.

[VikingMariner]

Just came from there (Corolla). Glad I did not take my bike. Too dangerous (unfocused tourists in oversized vehicles on narrow roads). Running on the beach, however, was a nice substitute.

[VikingMariner]

@Geoff 93299 wrote:

This morning, heading north on the 15th St. cycletrack, a jogger and I were on a collision course because he was in the (his) left-hand lane. I suppose he was thinking he should stay left, the same as he would on the roadway. I viewed it as a MUP where everyone should stay right.

We got past each other, no collision and no angry words, but wadya think: if you’re going to jog on a cycletrack, stay right or stay left?

When there’s ambiguity like that I slowly and politely motion with my hand by first pointing to my chest and then pointing to the side I will pass the running, who is running toward me in my lane. It’s worked both here and in Miami. Just my two cents. A little smile and peace sign once there is agreement sure helps, too.

http://youtu.be/yRhq-yO1KN8

[VikingMariner]

@Tim Kelley 92677 wrote:

I’m glad you asked! Many people are under the false assumption that a pirate’s favorite letter is “R.” In fact, that’s a common misconception and one that is easy to mistake.

In reality, a pirate’s favorite letter ’tis the sea!

And that rhythms with a capital T and stands for treasure (chorus in the background repeats: That stands for treasure.).

[VikingMariner]

Yes. Here’s a video of what happened: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVb_FSMtNYA

[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.

[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.

[VikingMariner]

Regularly bike to the WH, take some happy snaps for Farcebook posting, drink water, eat some gu, watch tourists, track stand for fun, and ride off to continue the long ride home. Never had a problem with the SS. In fact, they have been kind, for example removing a barrier so I could pass. They also wave and say hello. Just my two cents. Frieden für alle.

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