*******Comments are no longer being accepted on this post. What started as good natured humor between some friends got WAY out of control. Interesting and sometimes amusing, but out of control, none the less. Thanks.
OK. . .you see these guys. Racing hard around some corner in France I believe. Anyway, look at this picture. Look closer. . . closer. . . closer. . . it’s obvious what you do see. . . bikers, spandex, cool bikes, onlookers. . .what don’t you see? Cars! That’s right you don’t see any cars. You know why? Because the day of this picture the bicyclists are in a race that has been planned and there are no cars allowed on the road today. Works for me.
However. . .
This does not mean that people who have bikes get to do this everyday as some would have you believe. Yes, some would have you believe that on any given day a person riding a bicycle should have as much right to the road as a vehicle. You think I’m kidding? Have you talked to these people? I actually had a good buddy of mine who is an avid cyclist say to me the other day that, “cyclists have as much right to the road as vehicles and the same rules apply.” Hey buddy of mine. . .NO THEY DON’T. YOU’VE GOT TO LET IT GO!
Obvious reason #1. . . Cyclists often don’t go the speed limit. See this is the major pet in my peeve. I’m driving down the road and come up on a wanna be Tour De Francer and they are in the middle of the road and they are going 20 in a 45!!! They know I’m there. . . but they don’t move. The side of the road is open . . .They don’t move!!! Seriously, this is just a little past ridiculous. You’re on a bicycle! Get out of my way.
Obvious reason #2. . . This is a road with cars on it. You see what’s next to the road? Often times there is a bike path. Neighborhoods have bike paths for you. Parks have bike paths for you. Often there is a large shoulder of the road made just for you. Cars are for the road. . .nice winding bike paths are made for you.
Last thing. . .Do you know how silly it is when one of us in a car races around you and you flip us off? Really, I mean you are wearing a funny helmet, a spandex suit and clip on shoes. It’s hard to take you seriously when this happens.
You know you’re not supposed to be there. Don’t you? Come on. . . you know. Stay on the side of the road.
Thanks.
Granted…this is from a bicycling website, but read it and weep! My spandex fits tighter than yours!!! MUHAHAHAHA
Sharing the Road: Cyclists
On the Road:
> The same laws that apply to motorists apply to cyclists
> Obey all traffic control devices
> Use hand signals to indicate stops and turns other users
Always Wear a Properly Fitting Helmet:
> Wear a helmet, no matter how short the trip
Ride on the Right:
> Always ride in the same direction as traffic
> Use the furthest right lane that heads to your destination
> Slower moving cyclists and motorists stay to the right
Ride Predictably:
> Ride in a straight line
> Don’t swerve in the road or between parked cars
> Check for traffic before entering street or intersection
> Anticipate hazards and adjust your position accordingly
Be Visible:
> Wear brightly colored clothing that provides contrast
> Use a white front light in low light conditions
> Use a red rear light in low light conditions
> Use a reflector or reflective tape or clothing anytime
> Announce yourself by making eye contact with motorists
Sharing the Road: Motorists
Drive Cautiously:
> Reduce speed when encountering cyclists
> Don’t tailgate, especially in bad weather
> Recognize hazards cyclists may face and give them space
Yield to Cyclists:
> Bicycles are considered vehicles
> Cyclists should be given the appropriate right of way
> Allow extra time for cyclists to traverse intersections
Be Considerate:
> Scan for cyclists in traffic and at intersections
> Do not blast your horn in close proximity to cyclists
> Look for cyclists when opening doors
Pass with Care:
> When passing, leave four feet between you and a cyclist
> Wait for safe road and traffic conditions before you pass
> Check over your shoulder before moving back
Watch for Children:
> Children on bicycles are often unpredictable
> Expect the unexpected and slow down
> Don’t expect children to know traffic laws
> Because of their size children can be harder
This is clearly a case of someone wanting to stir up an argument without having any knowledge in the area they are discussing…just to get some blog traffic. BICYCLIST! That’s like calling a boxer a ‘person hitter’ and then going on to authoritatively comment on the world of boxing as if you now had some type of credibility. The correct word is cyclist. But I’ll let this go and simply attempt to address the points you tried to make.
First of all a quick review in Tennessee Traffic Law in case you haven’t looked in a while:
History
[Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 71; T.C.A., § 59-872; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113.]
55-8-172. Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles – Penalty.
Statute text
(a) Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway is granted all
of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable
to the driver of a vehicle by this chapter and chapter 10,
parts 1-5 of this title…
(b) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
IN SUMMARY: Equal rights and equal responsibility.
As far as your first point…yes bicycles tend to go a little slower than cars because cars have engines and bicycles don’t. DUH! Most cyclist are killed in accidents when some “I’m in a hurry attitude motorist” decides they want to pass a cyclist in a tight spot and an oncoming car zips around the corner and the jerk who didn’t have 30 seconds before, now has up to thirty years for vehicular manslaughter. We know you are behind us but we’re waiting until it is safe for you to pass and we’ll gladly move over when there is an adiquate and safe amount of room.
Your second point not only falls into the category of ‘ignorant to the purpose of the road’ but you claim that the shoulder is made for cyclist and that is their designated area. However the Department of Transportation states that it is illegal to drift into the shoulder when being overtaken by passing vehicles, this is an abuse of the hard shoulder by ‘undertaking’ passing vehicles that are nearer the center of the road. (according to the law the term ‘vehicle’ includes bikes).
As far as your last point…I’m sure it probably does look silly from your perspective…apparently that’s the only way you can see it…from your self righteous ‘get out of my way…the world owes me’ perspective. Let me give you the thought process of a cyclist when they are being over taken by a motorist and we’ll determine how silly it is to be inclined to return a colorful gesture:
(All occurring in about 5 seconds)
“I’ve been riding for about 20 miles and I’m a little tired by now and some YUPPY guy on his cell phone just flew up behind me and there’s not enough room for me to get over and let him by….i hope he’s not mad…i can see a wide spot about 50 yards up and I think I’ll try to slide over there and let him by…I hope he’s not pissed….of course I don’t see why he should be…I pay taxes to use this road just as much as he does and surely he knows the traffic laws pertaining to cyclists…he probably doesn’t get it though…i’m afraid if i give him a little room he’ll get ballsy and try to fly past me at a dangerous spot…Coach Mitchell…that’s what his buddy said he tried to do to let someone by right before he was hit and killed in the summer of 2001….and his buddy had to tell his wife, Juliet, that an an aggressive motorist killed her husband that Saturday morning and now his 2 year old daughter will grow up without a daddy…that was the hardest funeral i’ve been to next to my own mom’s…he my high school soccer coach and an amazing Christian mentor…what a guy…dang, i hope i don’t get killed…i hope the guy behind me is respectful and can wait 15 more seconds…i don’t want to piss him off but…VRROOOOOOOOM – BRAAAAAA!!!!!!! HOLY SH## Swerve – CRAP THAT WAS CLOSE…MAN WHAT A JERK”
So at this point flipping you off is more of an instinctive reaction from a person who you just elevated their physical state to ‘flight or fight’ mode. Trust me…a middle finger is generous treatment to what would happen if you happened to run out of gas in 200 yards.
You will probably continue to have a chip on your shoulder regardless of the statements I made here but my prayer is that it doesn’t take hitting or killing another person to brush it off.
Ok. . .seriously. . .nice drama. Do you like to be behind a car that is going 20 mph under the speed limit? No. They should not be on the road.
If the laws are accurate then they defy the laws of common sense. It is not right for you to hold up traffic just b/c you can. This is akin to the guy who pulls over on the shoulder of the road in a traffic jam to make sure that no one drives the shoulder to pass the traffic. (This will be another post one day)
I would only be in trouble 200 yards down the road because I would be laughing to hard at who was bowing up on me to fight back.
On a serious note. . .
Sorry about your coach. That’s sad.
You’re exactly right…i do not LIKE to be behind a car that is going 20 MPH. I don’t even like to be behind a cyclist that is holding me up. The thing that bugs you about is bothers me too…I never said it didn’t.
The difference is your reaction is to call them stupid and put yourself above them and react in an illegal way in the name of what you think is common sense. My reaction is to tell to myself to be patient and do what is right regardless of whether I like it or not.
You’re deciding what is right based on YOU being the standard….now hear me on this: I’m not an extremist and therefore I suppose there are areas in life breaking the rules doesn’t have significant repercussions and to these areas I would say that it’s between you and God.
The problem is you’re talking about an area of life where breaking the rules kills people…so i’m not sorry for what you call the ‘drama’ because your indifference about this inconvenience in your life is rooted in the same vein that kills thousands of people each year who simply want to share the road that they are legally entitled to.
Here’s the deal Hamp…borrow a bike and come ride with me and Tardy one Saturday. You’ll get to see this issue from the other side. All we’re doing is trying to stay fit and enjoy the outdoors. It’s a shame that every cyclist has to worry about his mortality each time he/she climbs on the bike. Seriously, it’s sad that my wife holds onto me for a few seconds more EVERY time I walk out the door for a ride. I know it’d be just as easy for me to stay home and NOT go riding. Why should I be forced to do that though?
This is a standing offer…come ride with us. Borrow Bruce’s bike; he’s not gonna need it for awhile. Why? You guessed it? A car spooked him and he crashed, breaking a rib.
Tardy… “thousands????” Seriously? Try 724. http://www.churbuck.com/wordpress/?p=587
Friends dont let friends SPANDEX.
I seems to me that everyone here has some good points. Hamp who started it all has valid comments. Figurehead has a good argument which is not even his argument. “The Law States.” Tardy rehashes the law issue and throws in true stories, which in my present state of anxiety from a recent crash makes me never want to ride again. Now for my take on things. Hamp my I hack on your obvious reasons for a moment. I encounter as many idiots on the road in my jeep as I do on my bike. Human beings who just do not know how to drive, rules of the road and just plain common sense. So lets not pick on the “slow cyclist.” I agree a bike should move a far to the right as possible at all times. There is no place for those who live in the middle of the road. Its a bad place to sit,walk or ride. You might get your butt run over. Illustration: possum’s and armadillos. The same freakin thing goes for the sunday driver. The thing I’ve noticed. (my hands are on my hips and I have a scowl on my face now.) I’ve noticed there are more stupid,freakin, jerks on the road when I’m in a hurry. You know what when i’m in a hurry “I don’t care about anybody else.” It’s all about me. Be careful who the argument is about here is it about some guy or gal out for exercise or about my impatience. Woah Hoss. Round 2. Who is the road for. When I want to go its my road. Every body else get the heck out of the way. As for the bike path. Half the time some driver has parked his or her car in it. They are in MYYYY bike path. Appropiate time for a car bomb. Because i’m riding my cycle and don’t like the inconvenience of your car in front of me, or your kid on a tricycle, Oh yeah I remember walkers spread out all over the trail. What are they doing walking on my bike path. Yes everything has its place. We are all intruders on God’s earth. Perhaps a little tolerance of each other here would ease tensions. And if that doesn’t work. I’ll probably just flip you off. Read my Crash story below.
I’ve been thinking a good bit about cycling crashes since last Wednesday. It may be a bit simplistic, but I think there are some basic scenarios that can play out when you overcook a corner.
1. You plot a tangent off the arc of the corner. That is, you keep on riding off the road and deal with whatever lies in wait along that path: guard rails, curbs, ditches, trees, brambles, boulders, cliffs. This is really a game of Russian roulette. You may hit something nasty or you may get lucky and just roll out into a relatively benign patch of meadow or road shoulder. I had a miracle escape of this sort last spring. I was cornering hard on a fast descent when I crossed through a small patch of gravel and both wheels began to slid out. There was a guard rail directly in front of me. I went down and slid under the guard rail between the post. My helmet stopped at the guard rail. Injury……… only a little road rash to the left elbow and arm. No bike damage.
2. You lay it down. If one or both wheels go and you don’t save it, you slide, like a feet-first slide into second base. If you don’t hit anything, and if your contact with the pavement is at enough of an oblique angle, the worst you’ll get out of your adventure is some road rash. This often looks horrific and can be quite literally a pain for healing. But overall, it’s better than the other options. A joker in the deck in all three of these scenarios is oncoming traffic. If your crash is in a right-hander, your momentum will almost always carry you into the other lane, and if there is traffic there…This is not a scenario I have experienced but have thought about. Some days you’re the windshield; some days you’re the bug. I prefer to not be either.
3. You high-side it. For some reason, the bike stops but stays upright and you go over the top or off the outside. This is what I did in the latest crash. All else being equal, I think these three scenarios have the potential to be the most violent and potentially catastrophic incidents.
In Wednesday’s crash I did a fancy front somersault with a half twist. My form wasn’t great, but the degree of difficulty was quite high, so the judges awarded me high marks overall. The cars right on my tail said it looked really spectacular and terrifying. They thought I would turn out to be much more badly injured than I was. (They all managed to avoid running over the top of me, thank you very much.)
I was cornering to fast into a blind tunnel. As I committed to the tunnel a car appeared at the opposite opening. I always stay in the middle of the road here because there is generally mud, water, or debris in the tunnel to my right. Seeing the car in front of me my only option with the amount of speed I had was to take the mud and wall or hit the car. I took the slick mud which caused my bike to uncontrollably begin to slid. My right shoulder and head were bouncing along the right side of the tunnel wall with a car to my left. I distinctly remember thinking, “I’m glad I have my helmet on.” After bouncing my head and shoulder along the concrete wall of the tunnel, and staying upright through slick mud. I hit dry pavement which dipped sharply to the right. my front wheel which was somewhat sideways grabbed and stopped. I pitched sideways over the handle bars and landed hard on the pavement on the outside point of my left shoulder, and head. I distinctly remember hearing my helmet strike the pavement and feeling the impact on my shoulder as my body slammed down all along my left side. The big knot of my left elbow joint hit the pavement as the handle bar dug into my back ribcage, as I fell and flipped. My guess is either the handle bars or my elbow hammered into my ribs, breaking the fourth rib down in my back.. I was blessed that was all. I can’t blame road conditions or traffic or weather or other riders. Operator error, plain and simple. It was a purely jackass move on my part. One I hope to learn from. So don’t be asking to borrow money that I might have acquired in a lawsuit. I should have exercised more caution when approaching the tunnel. I’ve zipped through there a hundred times without a hitch.
Fortunately my bike was uninjured yesterday and I was able to ride the remaining 8 miles on into work after my accident, in time for a shower, breakfast and a movie. I did not ride in this morning but brought her (my bike) with me. I’m taking her in for a checkup at lunch just to make sure she is all right. I will probably rest her for a few days. I assumed it would be trashed, as the crash felt extremely violent (to my poor old body). I have seen much less violent crashes where wheels were tacoed or bars or brake pods or forks were destroyed. This time, I took the abuse but the bike was fine. I give high marks to the Mavic 16 spoke wheel set. They are tough suckers. As for the rest of the bike, front fork it’s all carbon, and if carbon doesn’t shatter, not much else can happen to it. It certainly won’t bend. Everything else was fine with the bike except it had mud all over it. Mud, to much speed in the corner, no where to go in a tunnel, and a shoulder that dipped to the right led to the unfortunate incident.
A moderately fit adult can usually fall from a standing position without much trauma. But for cyclists, add a little more height from the perch on the bike; add whatever awkwardness ensues from being tangled up with the bike frame (still clipped in, for instance); and most importantly, add a good bit of speed. Put all that together and you ratchet up the odds of injury considerably. My entirely subjective guess is that half of all “serious” cyclists have broken either a rib, ribs or clavicle. (collar bone). This generally does not deter their riding for long. Case Tyler Hamilton who a few years ago broke a bone early in the Tour and continued to ride and even won a stage. I do intend to be more careful. But hope to be back on the road in a few weeks.
Pray that I’m a quick healer (different from a blue healer) and please don’t make me laugh for a few days.
I will however from this point on evaluate the aggressive nature by which I ride in corners,tunnels and other dangerous spots
In California pedestrians on crosswalks always have the right-of-way. But it still doesn’t mean you can step out in front of a car going 57 miles per hour in a 35 MPH zone…even if it is Beverly Hills…but that’s another story. The bottom line is; the smaller you are the more careful you have to be. Do you wanna be right? or do you wanna be able to walk?
Good thing things don’t work the way you think.
Dumbest. Post. Ever.
I am a long haul trucker and put in literally 100,000 miles a year.
My nephew actually lives in Nashville. I have been ther many many times and have yet to see these bike riders you talk about riding in the middle of the road.
Your attitude is horrible and THAT is the problem.
Nice Christian attitude William I am sure your friend at The Journey Church are proud of you.
I used to agree with you until I started riding my bike. Now I realize that all I have to do is move over a few feet and I won’t hit a bike or scare them. There is no reason to hong, throw things at someone who is excercing. Most cyclist that I see are not riding in the center of a lane unless there are several of them and they generally go faster than a single individual. I have ridden in groups pushing 30 mph in a 40mph zone and this is on a 3 lane road. For the love of God, Just go around, don’t touch your horn and leave your cup in the cup holder.
It’s funny, the more blogs out there the more ignorant people will have one.
Your ‘rules’ or what you think are road rules are yours only. Not ones that are correct despite your ‘obvious reasons’.
Ignorance is bliss so I won’t educate you further. Just read the most recent posts.
The bottom line, your pet peeves are acceptable – slow drivers and slow bikers who don’t follow the rules of the road piss me off too. But… they do ’share’ the road and have the same rights to it as you do in your car.
I don’t come across a ton of bikers where I drive. But I do come across a ton of horrible drivers and to me, that’s worse than a guy in spandex riding a bike.
Most guys on bikes are also secure with their ‘manly-hood’ and can wear spandex without feeling insecure or funny. To make that slant how a cyclist looks really adds value to your argument doesn’t it? None at all. – and proves homophobes live in Nashville too.
Are you making fun of me because i ride a bike and wear cycling shorts? Well, your post allows me to make fun of you for writing babble. You need a class from Howard Stern if you want to really go shock jock on the internet world. That “D” in your name should have stood for Dumbshit as your parents may have seen your future when they gave you the initial.
Really, I mean you are wearing a funny helmet, a spandex suit and clip on shoes. It’s hard to take you seriously when this happens.
Really? Well…
It’s hard to take someone seriously when they are an idiot.
Ok gang…loosen up the spandex and chill out on Hampton. He’s a friend of mine and I think the overall tone of his post is being mistaken. He doesn’t hate us (cyclists). This post was basically a poke at myself and Tardy.
How many of you people ripping Hamp are the people out riding your bikes for 5-6 hours on Sunday morning instead of being father’s and husbands? Give your heads a shake. Lighten up…you’ll never be Lance (neither will I unfortunately).
Good job, you’ve officially made yourself suspect anytime a cyclist is a victim of a hit and run in your area.
A cyclist’s place is on the road. History, the law and social convention all agree on this point. It’s the way it is. Suck it up, stop whining, act like an adult and the next time you feel like harassing a cyclist on the road remember that there’s a family and maybe even young kids waiting for them to arrive safely at home.
How do you think they trained to be able to race in that picture? They used roads with CARS!
Oh, and it’s the LAW that cyclists have as much right to be on the road as cars.
Wow…all I can say is wow…..
I hope that you can reach an understanding..and that is, that the world does NOT revolve around you and your car. I try to be as accommodating as possible, but I’ve had my share of close calls, and I definitely want to see my daughter grow up….What is the problem with simply moving over a little and giving them some space…..are you really encountering cyclists every fifty feet? I don’t get what the problem is, besides you being too self absorbed to share the road once in a while…
Look, seems that much of this got started when Tardy posted on beginner triathalete.com some untrue statements. Listen I stand by what I said. If your a cyclist and on the road. . .GET TO THE SIDE. I NEVER said, I like to “blow by them and scare them.” I’ve never done that. Was simply stating a frustration of cyclists who ride in the middle of the road when the side is available. Read my post with a little humor and lighten up.
You’re a retard. Seriously.
FYI: Riders injured and killed… http://www.rideofsilence.org/memoriam.php
And FIGUREHEAD: How many of you people ripping Hamp are the people out riding your bikes for 5-6 hours on Sunday morning instead of being father’s and husbands?
Seriously now. I’m a damn good father, fatherhood is a priority. I ride my bike two hours a week on a Saturday morning and I do it before the break of dawn so I can get home and make breakfast for my kids when I get home.
My son would tell me to get a life if I didn’t have one. And training on my bike is the way I stay healthy and fit as I approach 50. What do you do on your own time that takes away from YOUR kids? Nothing? Then I have to ask, what kind of father are you if you can’t show your kids some sort of dicipline like cycling, or anything else ‘outside’ fatherhood.
Idiot.
Hampton’s last post is right…i took it too far on bt.com. He’s not a jerk and he doesn’t actually blow by people and scare them…My post on BT was out of line because i just wanted to get some triathletes riled up…it worked but i feel like i did it too impulsively to the point of insulting a friend.
Let’s keep it light and keep it about the issue…and not the people…Hampton, Figurehead and I are all buddies…let’s keep it fun and light. Sorry i goofed.
Hi William. Spotted a link to your blog on roadbikereview.com
William, do you actually believe I avoid bike paths so I can piss of drivers? Just to endanger myself a little bit? Or to show off some spandex?
Its statistically safer, and convenient to stay on the road. So you get a little upset every time you see a fitness freak obstacle delaying you for a few microseconds. Its natural to get upset. Its natural wanting the most convenient.
My interests. Your interests. Live with it.
Nice try Bill or should I say Boob. How about getting off of your lazy computer chair and doing something productive like enjoying life instead of bashing others who are living life. You look familiar, haven’t I seen you on Dateline? “Bow Up” what are we on the grade school playground. Does your church and family condone your “likes to fight” mentality?
Hampton’s post was not right. His slam on fatherhood and biking on a Sunday morning is absurd.
Makes me wonder what kind of friends all of you are? First you say to slam the guy for what he writes and he doesn’t even write what you said he writes. Then everyone comes to his defense yet offends fathers who cycle on the weekends.
Yeah, I’ll take posts like this lightly when I should. But when I’ve gotten hit by a car and the driver doesn’t even stop, it kinda pisses me off that someone takes this stance and we’re supposed to laugh about it.
You freaking (bi)cyclists need to chill. This was a post meant to poke fun at a couple of guys in our office, but one of those guys grew stupid and decided to publicly embellish the story and blow it way out of proportion on arguably one of the largest triathlete forums in existence. Who’s the idiot now? Oh wait, it’s Paul, who can’t seem to see through his hate clearly enough to distinguish Hampton from The Figurehead.
Viva La Figurehead!!!!
Uh… Hate? Who started the hate Chris?
Figurehead made a statement about fatherhood and I quoted him. “Hamp” wrote the blog about cyclists…
So yeah, read it and figure that I do know the two idiots.
Why am I justifying what I know?
Here’s what Hampton DID NOT WRITE… “This post was to poke fun at a couple of guys in our office,”
Are all you guys in TN idiots or what? Where’s the disclaimer that states it was made to poke fun to a specific group of guys? NOWHERE until you – CHRIS – pointed it out. Are we as cyclists supposed to assume it is?
Oh, you answered my question – one of the guys in your office is stupid… and its not Hampton or Figurehead… Hmmm… that leaves Tardy. Oh, and now you.
Where’s the hate? No hate… Post this on THE RIDE OF SILENCE website who memorialize riders injured or killed and tell me you won’t get the same response.
Again… ignorance… Bliss…
Ah yes, as only an annonymous commenter could phrase it
Paul,
I, Tardy AM the idiot…my language was too rough on bt.com and i should have kept it fun…which I happened to know what Hampton’s intention even though he didn’t post it that way…Chris is cool…we’re all cool. No Hate.
Yeah – your post was pretty pretty harsh which got me stirred up so I appolgize for the idiot comments. I mean, you wanted a bashing, I gave it.
I’ll leave it at that.
Sorry for the ‘hatin’.
PH
Paul, calm down dude. You need your blankie or something? This was your quote: “Hampton’s post was not right. His slam on fatherhood and biking on a Sunday morning is absurd.” Just admit you got a little mixed up. It’s okay. Happens to the best of us. And the most irrational. This blog you’re reading would never have been seen by any of you except for the public broadcast of it on the triathlete forum.
Are all you guys in TN idiots or what?
Hey, I live in TN and I resent that! How could misrepresent and write off an entire group of people so easily! How ignorant!
I’m posting that comment on ILoveTennessee.com…I’m pissed!
Not knowing anything about the poster I know this;
When people are too lazy to get fit, they become fitness haters. These people hate runners, cyclists, gym-rats, anybody with a little motivation. Same with fat-acceptance, i could accept it, or you could go to the gym. Bottom line, this guy is not fit enough to get his bike to the bottom of the driveway, yielding to cars of course.
BTW…I’m kidding, I’m kidding…just trying to lighten the mood fellas.
Here’s the deal…everyone likes spandex. Just not at an amusement park on a 284 pound sweat covered woman who you have to ride the Magnum XL 2000 with.
What?
No…I have no personal memory etched like a laser into my brain about that. No…make it stop! Make it stop!!!! PLEASE!!!!!
wonder of wonders, Bono is an avid cyclist and blog commenter
Chris,
Again I appolgize and I did get mixed up on the names. No need to justify anymore…
I’ve backed off and cooled way down. My slant on TN is just a slant from a guy who lived a large portion of my youth in AL (Killen, AL) to be exact! And I did work in Collinwood, TN for a while so… yeah… my hate of the VOLS!
Because you totally know him, right Brynn? Because all fit people ride bikes, right Brynn? I mean, you can’t be fit without owning/riding a bike, right Brynn? Brilliant.
Hampton is one of the most competitive and motivated people i know…that’s how i knew his initial blog was intended to poke fun. In my opinion this still doesn’t justify his position on sharing the road but it should be known that he is in great shape and respects people who apply themselves physically. Again I’m sorry to take it too far…can we PLEASE keep it about the issue of “to share or not to share the road”
Paul,
Don’t worry brother, I hate them Vols too…Go Vandy!
Oh and to clear things up, my name is Paul Hanson… but Hewson is cooler right?
Onto the argument…
Just kidding.
I wish cities would approve more bike paths and build them. Especially with gas prices going up like they do, maybe making it easier for cyclist to ride safer would be the option.
So, when I am on the side of the road, and there is construction forcing me into a lane, what will you do? Hit me? Ride up on my bike wheel? Race around me hitting my shoulder with your mirror?
this is what your church (prominently displayed and linked on your blog) teaches you? No patience in that dogma?
troll
I have read many people responding to this blog with a list of traffic laws and every one of them state that they should obey the rules of the road.
Check out this pdf file of Tennessee Speed laws:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/enforce/speedlaws501/toc/tnspeed.pdf
** Please pay special attention to the part that says:
I. No person shall operate a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic. ‘55-8-154(a)
II. On interstate and four-lane controlled-access highways, it is unlawful for a person to operate a motor vehicle in the left lane at a speed
Okay: My response keeps getting cut-off
(cont)
In Michigan the saying goes: Same Roads, Same Rights, Same Rules.
Glad we don’t have you TN rednecks up here.
It’s funny how you Church goin people are usually the biggest idiots!
(cont)
Yeah, well Michigan. I’m from Ohio and I’m not surprised by your comment. We have to give you Wolverines a little slack since our last football go around. You must be pretty sore and possible suffering from head injuries.
Since we’re citing Tennessee laws…if it’s unsafe on the right (trust me, we’d rather be there than anywhere near an angry, pissed off impatient-hasn’t-been-laid-in-months driver), a cyclist can be in the lane.
[Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 74; T.C.A., § 59-875; Acts 1985,
ch. 138, § 4; 1989, ch. 591, § 113.]
55-8-175. Riding on roadways and bicycle paths – Penalty.
Statute text
(a) (1) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at
less than the normal speed of traffic at the time
and place and under the conditions then existing
shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand
curb or edge of the roadway, except under any of the
following situations:
(A) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding
in the same direction;
(B) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or
into a private road or driveway; or
(C) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions including,
but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or
moving vehicles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards,
or substandard width lanes that make it unsafe to
continue along the right-hand curb or edge. For
purposes of this section, “substandard width lane”
means a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and
another vehicle to travel safely side by side within
the lane.
I’ve been a road cyclist for 20 years. Raced when I was younger, wear spandex, blah, blah, blah.
Like Mr. Hampton, one of my bigger peeves is coming up on a single or a pair of riders in the middle of a busy road/highway who will not move over. For the love of Pete, people, move over. We share the road, we don’t own it.
If you’re riding in a bigger group, paceline, echelon, etc. then please try and confine it to secondary roads. If I come up on you on a lightly traveled road, I’m happy to wait for a safe opportuinty to pass. However, it drives me nuts when a single rider is in the center of the road and won’t budge because “it’s his/her right”.
Cyclists, if we want goodwill from the driving public, show some considertion to them. I don’t overlook knuckleheaded behavior by other cyclists just because I ride too.
what amazes me most about this, is how gun slingers come along without ever reading a comment thinking that their $.02 is actually worth $.02, when if they they took the same amount of time to read as they did to get all aggitated and comment they might save themselves some carpal tunnel, or maybe contribute a worthwhile comment
Well, the issue may be settled in TN pretty soon. There is a bill to have motorists give at least 3 feet between cars and bicycles. It also grants the same rights and responsibilities to bicyclists that motorists have. It unamiously passed the State House and is on the way to the Senate for voting. Go to this link to view the article in the Tennessean.http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770312063
I know this was posted to poke fun at a few cyclist buddies, but the scary thing is that a lot of people think this way and don’t realize what the rules of the road actually are.
True, cyclists should not be riding in the middle of the road. However, sometimes we don’t have a choice as there may be obstacles in the bike lane which would cause us to swerve into the middle of the road or crash in the middle of the road, both of which are much more dangerous situations than establishing a position towards the center of the road for a bit. If a cyclist is riding constantly in the middle of the road, than he is in the wrong and should move to the side.
Often the driver comes upon on a cyclist suddenly and doesn’t realize he may have just pulled out further from the side of the road a few seconds ago. Rather than wait 10 seconds the driver says to himself “look at this a-hole, I’m going to teach him a lesson” as he buzzes within inches of the cyclist.
I’ve been hit by a ’stupid motorist’ who wasn’t paying attention and lucked out with some minor bumps and bruises. There are plenty of those on the road that we could rant all day about…soccer mom, bmw guy on the phone, redneck in the truck, old lady in the caddy. However, 2 guys I used to ride got hit in the last couple years and weren’t so lucky. One is paralyzed from the neck down and the other is still going through surgeries to fix his legs and back. There are a lot of cyclists out there who either have been hit or know someone whose been hit, so this is a touchy subject regardless of how it was meant to be taken. You do have other readers of your blog besides the Figurehead, Tardy & Chris don’t you…you had to know a response like the one you got was inevitable.
Basically, people need to slow down and think a bit about others when they drive. If they don’t, they are going to either hurt/kill someone and spend some time in jail, or they are going to piss of the wrong guy in spandex who catches up to them at the next red light and beats the crap out of them as they are laughing about the spandex. Getting buzzed by a car is scary, and as much as us slowing you down a few seconds pisses you off, something like that will often draw a much stronger reaction from a cyclist than a middle finger if they happen to catch you up the road. Remember, these people are often in pretty good shape and many of them hit the gym in addition to ride. There are plenty of guys I ride with that could deliver a serious ass beating if called upon.
I had a fun experience with this a couple weeks ago after getting ‘buzzed’ by a middle-aged guy who yelled “get off the f-ing road faggots!” as he whizzed by my friend and I with a few inches to spare. Fortunately for us there was a red light around the corner, and our new friend was quite surprised and a bit more tight lipped when we pulled up to his drivers side window. After calming myself down a bit, I got a great laugh as this pudgy little guy in his Mercedes tried to stammer out an apology and explain to me why he felt it necessary to put my life in danger that morning. I also enjoyed explaining to him that he would be running later than expected that morning, because we had his license plate and were calling the cops. Florida has a great new law in an effort to protect cyclists, where the motorist has to give at least 3 feet of space when passing a cyclist. He sped off, the cops caught him a few miles up the road and my friend and I smiled and waved as we rode past…as far to the right as we could.
Why do you think you are above the law?
I’ve been swiped a couple times in my life. Mostly on my dirt bike or my mountain bike. People have turned in front of me on a right turn, people have cut me off… I’m sure most cyclists have experienced this.
I tried riding my road bike a couple of times on the street after I got started in Triathlon back in Jan 2006, and nearly got hit twice. And I’ve always followed the rules of the road – too cautious in some people’s books but you can never be too cautions.
So now the only place I ride is around the Rose Bowl or during a Triathlon.
The last time I almost got swiped I swear the guy did it on purpose.
We share the road and the points made above may be pet peeves, but they aren’t definate ‘obvious’ definition of who ‘owns’ the road.
Hey asshole, the law states that cyclists, of any kind, have the same rights to the roads as any automobile.
“YOU’VE GOT TO LET IT GO!” excellent advice for yourself.
Douchebag.
Wow! Where to begin? Let me start by paraphrasing Ron White: Bicyclists have the right to be on the same roads as motor vehicles, they just don’t have the ability.” Listen people, I have been on two wheels for the last 27 years. Of course mine are powered by a 92 inch motor. I don’t impede the flow of traffic; I set the pace, and do so without looking like a refugee from a Gay Pride Parade. I have yet to meet a bicyclist who can be on a road with motor vehicles and not impede the flow of traffic. I would also think that bicyclists would acknowledge their vulnerability when faced with 4000 pounds of Detroit Muscle. With all the bike paths, sidewalks, and trails available, I don’t see the need for bicyclists on streets with a speed limit of more than 25 mph. So Bicyclists, do all of us a favor, take your stretchy pants, pink flowered baskets, and ice cream jingle bell horns to China if you are so interested in riding your bikes in the middle of traffic.
Scolai
Scolai, do you really think a bike path is a safe place for a road bike…….???? I can cruise at about 18-20mph without pedaling really hard, and can go A LOT faster in a race, Do you think thats safe on a multi use trail with runners, kids, people walking their dogs, roller bladers, skateboarders, and couples walking with their kids????
I will take the ROAD any day.
To the OP…the reason you are getting flamed a little bit, is that we can be pretty sensitive, most of us realize we are pretty vulnerable out there, and we are depending on motorists judgement to keep us alive. After a few close calls, and some heated discussions with redneck idiots, you can get a little sensitive to the topic.
Laura, a bicycle is not a “motor vehicle” and is not defined as such by TN state code. Try again.
There is a section that deals with bicycles staying to the right when not able to maintain the legal speed limit and going slower than traffic. I’m sure you can find it.
If you don’t like the law take it up with your legislators.
Please know the law and yield to cyclists. Just obey the law, that’s all any of us cyclists ask.
Oh, one more thing, the posted speed limit, is the MAXIMUM speed, not the minimum.
The Scolai -
YEAH!!! You Da MAN!! oh wait, no, you’re just an ignorant piece of trash.
Wow guys. Is having your *stuff* packed in spandex what made you so agressive? I dont care how you use the road, you need to be careful out there…and lighten up.
Great response Sparky (that’s you bobman). Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything reasoned from a Luddite with an obvious fetish for a self propelled two wheel conveyance. I wonder, do you have a pretty pink basket on your bikie, or a pretty pink drool bucket? I’m betting on the latter.
Scolai
Dare I say it???? No….I better not.
Ah….what the heck…..
VIVA LA FIGUREHEAD!!!!!
TriathleteNut:
My OP was simply an observation that most of us have seen cyclists behave as if their rights to the road comes without responsibilities.
I’ve had stuff thrown at me, been brushed by mirrors, taken my share of hand gestures and obscenities, been cutoff by cars/trucks/buses/etc. There are some nutcases out there. Why needlessly antagonize other folks on the road?
Is it my right to ride on a main road at 5:30 PM on a Friday with rush hour traffic. Sure. But by being there I accept the risks that go along with it. I’ve seen it too many times to count. Ditto riding with headphones IN BOTH EARS.
Mr. Hampton’s OP was that cyclists riding in the center of the road (while the right side of the road is clear) and under the posted speed limit are a pet peeve. I beleive his comment was move over/get out of my way. In the case he described, I agree.
I disagree with his bike path comments and assume he feels that way because of ignorance. From his statements, I’d sure he doesn’t ride and so is unaware that the majority of bike paths are used by joggers/walkers/roller bladers/baby strollers/etc./etc./etc and that trying to ride a bike on one at a pace faster than a brisk walk is akin to driving a Ferrari through a student parking lot 2 minutes after High School has let out. It can be done, but the frustration level is near critical and the near misses are many.
Pino,
All kidding and sarcasm aside, are the near misses on the bike paths, fewer than those on the road? And wouldn’t the type of mishaps that may take place on the bike path be less likely to lead to serious injuries for the rider?
Scolai
Uh…Hampton?
“OK. . .you see these guys. Racing hard around some corner in France I believe. Anyway, look at this picture. Look closer. . . closer. . . closer. . . it’s obvious what you do see.”
Have you ever been outside of Tennessee? Look closer. . . closer. . . closer. . . it’s obvious what you do see. The roads in France aren’t marked that way. Those are good ol’ US roads. My guess is one of the city finishes to the Tour of California.
Hope you look closer at things when you are driving your car…
scolai-
are you trying to imply something with the pink comments? are you trying to question my manhood? keep coming, keep demonstrating your ignorance. what’s your deal with that inference and the previous reference to the gay pride refugees? what you think you can only be manly in your wife beater tank top, jean shorts and baseball hat? just another piece of trash littering the road…and a big motorcycle badass to boot…you’re a freaking joke.
The Scolai:
First, I need to qualify the bike paths I deal with. I live outside Des Moines, Iowa. The bike paths I’ve tried to ride are not bike lanes that many major cities now have that are well maintained and used nearly exclusively by cyclist. I deal with true bike paths that developers add to neighborhoods. Typically they are not well maintained, have curves/corners that are too tight to take at more than 7 or 8 MPH. For many homeowners (myself included), these are the perfect place to go for a stroll in the evenings, teach junior how to ride his bike/rollerblades/push the new baby in the stroller, etc.
When I train I typically try (emphasize try) to keep my heart rate consistently in a zone that translates to somewhere between 16 to 24 MPH (depending on terrain) for over an hour. It’s just not possible to do that on our bike paths when I’m braking/shifting/swerving to avoid other users. I witnessed an accident where a cyclist riding at full tilt hit a small child on roller blades and have never ridden our paths since. For the record, our paths are officially designated “multi-use”.
So I take it to the road, knowing full well that most motorists see me as I see small kids on bike paths. They’re not sure if I’m going to swerve out in front of them at the last second or maybe I’ll just plain stop.
When I ride on the road I accept that there are risks. With a few exceptions, I assume that those driving are reasonably alert and will pass giving me as much room as is safe for them. In turn, I take up as little lane space as is safe for me, wear bright, neon clothes just in case you’re on your cell phone and need a retina “jolt” to register my existence, etc. etc.
So for me, even though the risks may be greater on the road, drivers are much more consistent than those folks on our bike paths.
The Scolai:
To fully answer your previous question, I’ve seen multiple accidents on bike paths and uncountable near misses where the cyclist was usually not the one at fault.
I’ve been fortunate and only been on the ground once while riding the road (not including when I raced), and it was at least 50% my fault. A joker in a pickup (sorry for the stereotype) followed me too closely for a fairly long time (he had several opportunities to pass) and then laid on the horn just a few feet behind me. Even though I knew he was there and thought it was fishy he didn’t pass, it still scared the **** out of me and I ended up taking the ditch/over the bars/onto my face. Funny guy.
If you just relax and drive patiently, you will find most ‘cyclists’ will move out of your way when they get the chance. They have, by law, an equal right to access the road.
Clothes I wear are not to impress you, they keep me cool when I’m doing 25-30mph. You try it and let me know how you find it.
First rule of the road is first-come-first-served. If you’re behind me, you’re just going to have to wait until there’s room to safely pass. Sorry for your delay, but trust me when I say I’d wait for you if I were overtaking you.
Hope you don’t take this stuff too seriously, because after all we’re both just trying to get somewhere. Enjoy life. That’s what I’m doing, anyway.
Cristallo,
Considering that asphalt is paid for with gas taxes,I’d say Hampton has paved considerably more improved roads than you have.
Scolai
I fell in love with cycling. It helped me get my health back and loose weight (finally). I love to travel under my own power; to save money on gas; to not be wasteful.
I am courteous on the road. I ride safe.
I had someone with your apparent mentality swerve at me once…just because I want to live well and enjoy travelling on the roads that I helped pay for?… Can’t you spare 20 seconds for a fellow human being?
Maybe someone who can’t is a little too spazzed out and self-absorbed?
Let’s think about this for a minute. A “Speed Limit” is the maximum speed allowed by law to operate a “vehicle” safely. It is not a minimum speed in any way shape or form. Even if a “Speed Limit” was posted at 45mph, if it is snowing you should slow down. If there is a semi in front of you going slower you slow down. When a vehicle buzzes a bicycle, blares the horn and causes me to fear for my safety, that can be construed as assault. If convicted of Assault you can go to the “booty house” and be someone’s wife. Steep price to pay for being self important, huh?
I know that you have already been blasted, so I will lay off of the rest. I just wanted to point out the obvious.