Coincidentally I was riding "The Isle of Rocky" (Oakland / Berkeley hills) this weekend and (as always) as I approached a group of bike riders, I gave a brief "toot" of my horn. This was a group of 3 adult men in their Lance costumes, riding 3 abreast with the inside rider closer to the double yellow than the bike lane (there is a 2 ft. wide painted shoulder for bikes in this section) as I approached the rider closest to the center moved even further towards the center, stuck his left arm straight out to his left side, while flipping me off with said hand.......I lined him up, and as I passed him at about 70-80 mph, made sure his hand hit my armored shoulder. Final score; Armored shoulder = 1
Lance wanna be = 0
I'm sure he's on some bike chat board screaming about how I intentionally hit him (I DID!) but, alas, my bike doesn't rock a licence plate, so, oh well.....
The bicyclists' formation in the road is difficult to determine from the limited descriptions in the article. IF they were 3 traveling side-by-side-by-side and thus blocking cars.......they do not have my sympathy. Since the bicycle does not purchase gasoline (and thus pay taxes dedicated for roads), they are mooching from the car drivers' largese. The roads are not paid/maintained by revenues from bicyclists beyond a mere decimal_dust amount. When I ride the bicycle, I minimize my impediment to car drivers and pay attention to what happens behind me. After all, if there is an accident, the bicycle/motorcyclist may have been in the right, but in the world of cold hard physics, the 2-wheeler will lose. Maybe you think that is not fair, but physics trump trendy social utopian thinking. Traveling side by side and obstructing traffic is real stupid, yelling F You to those you annoy and mooch from is provocative....and someday some physics happens, such as when face meets windshield glass at speed.
I don't condone what happened, but be aware of what is going on and take precautions. Pay attention to what is going on behind you and take precautions.
Just to clarify, one lane each way, double yellow center line (limited views, winding mountain road) with a designated painted bike lane on each side. Three "adults" on road bikes riding side by side, with the furthest left rider being within 2 feet of the double yellow (2-3 ft gap between all riders) I honked horn as I approached (this being on a 1/8 mike long flat straight section) to let 'em know I was approaching (as if they wouldn't hear the bike!?) just to be safe......and THEN they make themseves even WIDER to further block the lane...............Sorry to repeat, but just wanted to clarify the incident. In the past I've found even the most animated of bike riders will chill when a motorcyclist u-turns to "discuss" the hand or vocal messages aimed at riders. Must be the realization that helmeted opponents make bad sparring partners.....
Semper Fi!
-Rocky-
__________________
ROCKYMT
Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."
In the past I've found even the most animated of bike riders will chill when a motorcyclist u-turns to "discuss" the hand or vocal messages aimed at riders.
-Rocky-
A lot of road users are like that, big and brave untill confronted.
__________________ "...let us not ignore the truth among ourselves, that we are the aggressors and they defend themselves. The country is theirs, because they inhabit it, whereas we want to come here and settle down."
David Ben-Gurion (the father of Israel) "When fascism comes to America it will be draped in a flag and holding a cross." Sinclair Lewis I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands. One nation, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.
__________________ "...let us not ignore the truth among ourselves, that we are the aggressors and they defend themselves. The country is theirs, because they inhabit it, whereas we want to come here and settle down."
David Ben-Gurion (the father of Israel) "When fascism comes to America it will be draped in a flag and holding a cross." Sinclair Lewis I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands. One nation, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.
Just to clarify, one lane each way, double yellow center line (limited views, winding mountain road) with a designated painted bike lane on each side. Three "adults" on road bikes riding side by side, with the furthest left rider being within 2 feet of the double yellow (2-3 ft gap between all riders) I honked horn as I approached (this being on a 1/8 mike long flat straight section) to let 'em know I was approaching (as if they wouldn't hear the bike!?) just to be safe......and THEN they make themseves even WIDER to further block the lane...............Sorry to repeat, but just wanted to clarify the incident. In the past I've found even the most animated of bike riders will chill when a motorcyclist u-turns to "discuss" the hand or vocal messages aimed at riders. Must be the realization that helmeted opponents make bad sparring partners.....
Semper Fi!
-Rocky-
they probably drink some sort of wheat beer light...
Hey, there's nothin' wrong with wheat beer. But I catch your drift.
Widmer Hefeveitzen (spelled wrong, I know ). When I lived in Portland we drank alot of that tasty stuff. Portland is beer town (and bridge town)...and blues town. Cold and cloudy too phucking much though. Sold my Ninja because of it. Moved back to Cali and got a RC51. Much better now, thanks .
__________________ "...let us not ignore the truth among ourselves, that we are the aggressors and they defend themselves. The country is theirs, because they inhabit it, whereas we want to come here and settle down."
David Ben-Gurion (the father of Israel) "When fascism comes to America it will be draped in a flag and holding a cross." Sinclair Lewis I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands. One nation, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.
Yeah, my WIFE drinks wheat beer (Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat ) REAL men drink Guiness! (I do rock with Brown Shugga or a tasty Belgian Chimay though) But alas, Tanqurey, lime 'n Schwepps is the current choice....
Semper Fi!
-Rocky-
__________________
ROCKYMT
Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."
Tangerine beer? No, no, no.
Can't stand flavored beer. It's an abomination.
Still kicking myself for being in Dublin but not going through Guiness.
Can't hold his latte. Hah, hah . And spandex. Geez, cyclists are such and easy target..fags .
__________________ "...let us not ignore the truth among ourselves, that we are the aggressors and they defend themselves. The country is theirs, because they inhabit it, whereas we want to come here and settle down."
David Ben-Gurion (the father of Israel) "When fascism comes to America it will be draped in a flag and holding a cross." Sinclair Lewis I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands. One nation, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.
). When I lived in Portland we drank alot of that tasty stuff. Portland is beer town (and bridge town)...and blues town. Cold and cloudy too phucking much though. Sold my Ninja because of it. Moved back to Cali and got a RC51. Much better now, thanks
) REAL men drink Guiness! (I do rock with Brown Shugga or a tasty Belgian Chimay though) But alas, Tanqurey, lime 'n Schwepps is the current choice....
. And spandex. Geez, cyclists are such and easy target..fags
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