Go Back   EcoModder Forum > AltModding > Alternative Transportation
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 08-10-2008, 12:51 AM   #1 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
TrikeKid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Roy, WA
Posts: 39

The ClownCar - '91 Geo Metro Base
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Send a message via AIM to TrikeKid Send a message via Yahoo to TrikeKid
Anyone else get hassled for riding a bike?

It just keeps getting worse around here! My running tally for today is one trying to run me off the road and one stupid little highschool girl that thought it would be funny to shoot silly string at me while I'm already riding a VERY dangerous, shoulder-less road.

I rode TWELVE miles total today! That's it! I had one guy box me in with his truck because I was riding through is precious little gated community, like I do every week, and actually followed me out, regardless of the fact I've been riding there since before that community was a half of an idea in anyone's head. I didn't want to deal with it, and I figure the 8mpg he probably gets in his full size dodge 4x4 is karma enough for being a jerk. Most of the people in that community will smile and wave when you pass on a bike, even open the gates for you so you don't have to hop them (the little foot entrances are made in such a way as to block out dirt bikes, so you can't get a bicycle through either, and nothing breaks a good rhythm like having to heft your bike over a 3 foot gate.)

I must have caught both of the bad apples there though, as on my way back the person in the car ahead of me wasn't going anywhere until I left. This is where the shoulder-less highway comes in, I figure that rather than waste some poor cop's time, I'll just hop scotch driveway to driveway during breaks in traffic. On my first stint, I slipped off the edge of the pavement and ended up running along side my bike, when I heard the oh-so-familiar sound of silly string over my head. Because I was all but on the ground, I didn't get hit, but the girl spraying it was immediately on the phone to her friends about how awesome she was (the car stopped in the next driveway that I did, lots of pointing out the window and laughter).

All in all, I should have just taken my freaking truck. I don't know what happened. Two weeks ago, this area was as bike freindly as it could have ever been. This is seriously some of the sketchiest riding I've ever done (the highway part scared me to death). I try to ride the bike when I can, since you know, the easiest way to cut gas use is to drive less.

Sorry for the long winded rant, it just bugs me a lot. It's not even like we have a huge bike community here to where there would be a bunch of hoons causing problems on bikes, I'm one of the VERY few.

  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 08-10-2008, 02:36 PM   #2 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Ottawa Ontario
Posts: 6
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
are you riding for fun or for commuting?

whatever the case, if you get followed, it could be because those people suspect you of having caused whatever trouble, so you can probably explain to them that you're just riding for fun or for commuting, and they'll prolly leave you alone afterwards.

as for the silly string shooter, she needs a good thick layer of shaving cream (or teflon chain lubricant, depending on your level of revenge) on her windshield (especially since you know where she parks)
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2008, 02:42 PM   #3 (permalink)
Dartmouth 2010
 
SVOboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hanover, NH
Posts: 6,447

Vegan Powa! - '91 Honda CRX DX
Team Honda
90 day: 66.52 mpg (US)
Thanks: 92
Thanked 122 Times in 90 Posts
Send a message via AIM to SVOboy Send a message via MSN to SVOboy Send a message via Yahoo to SVOboy
Sadly, I haven't been riding enough to be troubled recently,

On a more serious note though, it sounds like you got a bad lot. I would call in the silly string girl for assault though, seriously. You don't need to go all the way to showing up at court or anything, but the cops will go hassle her and it'll be on record in case something else happens, and she'll prolly really regret it.
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2008, 08:21 PM   #4 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
TrikeKid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Roy, WA
Posts: 39

The ClownCar - '91 Geo Metro Base
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Send a message via AIM to TrikeKid Send a message via Yahoo to TrikeKid
Quote:
Originally Posted by wingbatwu View Post
are you riding for fun or for commuting?

whatever the case, if you get followed, it could be because those people suspect you of having caused whatever trouble, so you can probably explain to them that you're just riding for fun or for commuting, and they'll prolly leave you alone afterwards.

as for the silly string shooter, she needs a good thick layer of shaving cream (or teflon chain lubricant, depending on your level of revenge) on her windshield (especially since you know where she parks)
Riding for fun, needed to head over to buddy's place anyway to check out a bike, figured why bother starting the truck when I need to get some exercise anyway. I explained to the guy that I would spend all of 8 minutes total inside the gates. I almost wanted to ask him if he was a cop, and if he said no tell him to call one if he has a problem. I'm just being less confrontational lately I guess, less stress the better right now for me.
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2008, 11:18 PM   #5 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: indiana
Posts: 233

Iwishthiswasamanual - '98 Ford Escort ZX2
90 day: 32.95 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm sure I'll have stories real soon. Wednesday school starts, when I'll be riding to school everyday. I won't care though, I'll have my fixie going soon =]
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2008, 09:11 AM   #6 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Tallmadge, OH
Posts: 313
Thanks: 6
Thanked 26 Times in 21 Posts
I do most of my traveling by bicycle--my '06 Dakota only has 17,000 on it. I have 3 bikes and use the safest one for any given ride. Skinny tire road bike for best road conditions, fat tires if I'm likely to have to be off road onto the gravel shoulder, heavy steel bike with racks if I have a lot to carry.

In my years of cycling I have a horror story to match just about anyone's, except the silly string. There are a lot of morons out there. My latest retaliation is using a cell phone calling 911 reporting the vehicle as a suspected drunk driver--He's weaving all over the road and almost hit me. Its only been once that I have actually passed the driver pulled over, but it made my day.
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2008, 01:09 PM   #7 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
akcapeco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Va Beach
Posts: 104

V-strom 650 - '07 Suzuki DL-650 V-strom
90 day: 55.03 mpg (US)

07 Focus ZXW - '07 Ford Focus ZXW SE
90 day: 30.09 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Do what a guy in this story did... pull out a camera and say:

"I'm working on a project, I'm photographing people who've tried to kill me... smile please."

Moving Targets, by Jan Hoffman, The New York Times, August 8, 2008,


.
.
__________________

  Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2008, 01:31 PM   #8 (permalink)
igo
Master EcoModder
 
igo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Wheeling, WV
Posts: 410

Mini Box Truck - '05 Scion Xb
90 day: 32.87 mpg (US)

It FITs - '09 Honda Fit Sport
90 day: 36.2 mpg (US)

Impreza - '13 Subaru Impreza Sport
90 day: 30.92 mpg (US)
Thanks: 12
Thanked 14 Times in 10 Posts
I have had my fair share of close passes (mainly because the streets are so narrow arround here). It can get a bit crazy around rush hour.
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2008, 01:33 PM   #9 (permalink)
Ecoformance Engineer
 
Vince-HX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Arizona
Posts: 239

EJ7 - '96 honda civic Hx
Last 3: 58.02 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
round here they just run you over

one of my bros has been run over/into 6 times on his road bike

I would carry a bat, lol
__________________

70 mpg or die modding

www.full-race.com

Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG View Post
looking forward to seeing what kind of uber-sipper slinks out of the full race skunkworks.
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2008, 01:43 PM   #10 (permalink)
Dartmouth 2010
 
SVOboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hanover, NH
Posts: 6,447

Vegan Powa! - '91 Honda CRX DX
Team Honda
90 day: 66.52 mpg (US)
Thanks: 92
Thanked 122 Times in 90 Posts
Send a message via AIM to SVOboy Send a message via MSN to SVOboy Send a message via Yahoo to SVOboy
Quote:
Originally Posted by akcapeco View Post
Do what a guy in this story did... pull out a camera and say:

"I'm working on a project, I'm photographing people who've tried to kill me... smile please."

Moving Targets, by Jan Hoffman, The New York Times, August 8, 2008,


.
.
OMG, BSNYC quoted by NYT quoted by EM! Interestingly, I read both the original post and then the post about how he was quoted...

I think I'm a groupie.

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread




Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Summer FE options - Scooter, bike assist, etc friedlbug Alternative Transportation 16 02-20-2009 02:41 AM
ten reasons to bike instead of drive johnpr Alternative Transportation 58 07-03-2008 08:29 PM
Bike maintenance, how to do it myself to save some money NoCO2 Alternative Transportation 16 06-18-2008 12:01 AM
The Ultimate Commuter Bike NoCO2 Alternative Transportation 13 02-29-2008 01:45 PM



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com