I rode today. Did you?

Nice first ride in the COLD.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jenn_5.5 mi on May 23, 2014 at 9:55am

I can be a smart ass... If someone passes within 2ft of me, I call out 'Whoa! On my Left/Right, Thanks for letting me know'. (If you take the lane to pass me, I don't care if you call out because it is unlikely for me to veer into you, etc.)

I am slow, please pass me when it is safe, if you have to do it in a tight spot just let me know and I will hold my line. I always thank the ones that tell me and tell those that I pass. Just be nice!

Other than that, I am enjoying this not-too-hot weather.

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Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on May 23, 2014 at 9:58am

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Permalink Reply by Robert Underwood on May 23, 2014 at 11:32am

I think he was just having a bad morning... I carefully and respectfully passed five feet away from him, and he had just been passed by two other cyclists before me.

Jenn_5.5 mi said:

I can be a smart ass... If someone passes within 2ft of me, I call out 'Whoa! On my Left/Right, Thanks for letting me know'. (If you take the lane to pass me, I don't care if you call out because it is unlikely for me to veer into you, etc.)

I am slow, please pass me when it is safe, if you have to do it in a tight spot just let me know and I will hold my line. I always thank the ones that tell me and tell those that I pass. Just be nice!

Other than that, I am enjoying this not-too-hot weather.

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Stahlman on May 23, 2014 at 1:07pm

I am an advocate for a light bell ringing when passing rather than calling out. How could one get upset at such a civilized way of announcement?

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Permalink Reply by Eli on May 23, 2014 at 1:19pm

How could one get upset at such a civilized way of announcement?

I don't know, but some people find a way. I rang my bell on the North Shore Channel Trail when passing a runner once, only to get a screamed, "Thanks for scaring me!" as I passed. (I should note that I rang the bell when I was at least 30 feet back so that she would have plenty of warning.)

At this point, since I've been yelled at for every possible course of action (doing nothing, ringing my bell, saying "on your left"), I've decided that since I can't make other people happy no matter what I do I might as well do what is easiest for me, which is nothing.

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Permalink Reply by Simon Phearson on May 23, 2014 at 1:29pm

That's a fine way to do it. If you're a NERD.

Ryan Stahlman said:

I am an advocate for a light bell ringing when passing rather than calling out. How could one get upset at such a civilized way of announcement?

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Stahlman on May 23, 2014 at 1:43pm

You bet! I've got fenders with reflectors too.

Simon Phearson said:

That's a fine way to do it. If you're a NERD.

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Permalink Reply by grayn8 on May 23, 2014 at 2:07pm

My fenders with reflectors bring all the cars to the yard. Dang right.

Sadly today's ride was beautiful, but kept waxing and waning back to OYL or bells. Can't please em all.

And the bells and the yelling, sometimes don't cut over the wind or the headphones people wear. We all are at times solipsistic on the paths trying to mentally paint happy fluffy clouds.

Rage less. Pizza, beer, donuts more. (All this gluten free shenanigans has lead to some angry sugar deprived beasts)

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Permalink Reply by Simon Phearson on May 23, 2014 at 2:59pm

What I need is a good way to communicate, "Don't worry, I'm not trying to draft or intimidate you, I'm just having a little trouble properly adjusting my speed while I wait for oncoming traffic to clear so that it's safe to pass you, at which point I'll let you know my intention in advance. Totally chill back here."

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Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on May 24, 2014 at 3:08pm

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Permalink Reply by David Beazley on May 25, 2014 at 9:39am

WOW! This morning was the best day of biking I can remember in a long time--if not ever. Instead of braving the mayhem of Bike the Drive (been there, done that), I decided to take a solo century run up to Racine. That was quite nice. Caught an interesting shot of the crescent moon, Venus, pre-dawn light, and the power plant up in Waukegan.