Bicycle question

[turbo36]

How about dogs?


View attachment 97999


Took the pic a couple of weeks ago. No need to worry, I wasn't trying to run him over, just take this high energy level guy out for a long run in the rain.

You can tell a lot about a man by how he treats his dogs, you seem to really understand the connection between man and dog.

(edited for spelling)

 

[Sigarms]

You can tell alot about a man by how he treats his dogs, you seem to rally understand the connection between man and dog.

Thank you very much for your kind words. Coming from a man with the principles that you show for riding, personally, it means a lot.

I stand corrected though. The dog in the picture really isn't my dog, but a "foster dog" in our care for the last 16 months. We've been "working" with him to find him a good home.

The only thing we really knew about this dog is that no one wanted him, nor could "contain" him with the energy level that he has displayed. Long story short, we figure he's about three years old now, and for the first couple of years he spent his life on a 10 foot chain to a dog house (bottom line was he was where he was at because if the people at the time didn't "take him in", he would of went to animal control to be destroyed. People were afraid of him because he got so excited when he saw people, he would litterally "mug" you if you got near him. We ended up bringing him to our house because we got weary of driving close to an hour and a half round trip to feed him and try to work with him. Told my wife, we might as well just bring him home and try to work with him (along with a shepard at the time).

We'll, Jack (the dog) was a handful. Wildman with a lot of pent up energy. Dog never spent a day indoors in his life and it showed. Uncontrollable (sp?) was an understatement.

Well, close to a year and a half later...









Here's his bio if your actually interested in reading more...

Jack's Web Page

So, yes, I think you're correct, I really do understand the connection between a man and his dog.

By the way, he really does love chasing the truck!

 

[wushaw]

Can you let me in on the secret on how to pass the cyclists when they're taking up your whole lane, without having to go into the opposing lane to pass them, particularly when it's a no passing lane?

On this county road there are plenty of places to pass bikers so that's why it's so easy for me to pass.

In your case you have no choice but to grinn and bear it if you cannot pass.

 

[Timber]

I am a little saddened by the attitude of so many people. I am sure you are going to see a very large increase in Bicycle riders this year. Gasoline is going to hit $4 a gallon, diesel is all ready past that. People that can will be riding to and from work during rush hour traffic. Many of you are going to have to change your attitude to deal with this or sadly you will just be more miserable than you all ready are. Road rage is illegal and immoral regardless of who you direct it to. These people are your children, friends, coworkers, neighbors. but put spandex and helmets on them and now they are targets to take out your frustration on. I always make allowances for Bikers, animals, dog walkers, Horses. I have well over 1,000,000 miles driving semi trucks down country roads & have never disrespected pedestrian's or any other person or critter I encounter. Some of you should be ashamed of yourselves

Charlie

 

[Timber]

I think that goes for people in general not just cyclist or drivers or any other group. I believe if your not part of the cure you are part of the problem. To be prejudicial of any group regardless of who and what they are is disturbing to me. Groups are made up of individuals & judge them as 1 is insane. If you want to get right down to it Automobiles are the last on the list for right of way. The highway system is for trucking and is the reason it was designed. Right of way is in this order Pedestrian 1st, Horse and wagon next, Bicycle then Trucks and tractors & cars are the very last so to be honest it is your responsibility to yield to this traffic not the other way around. That said it gives nobody the right to obstruct unnecessarily.

Oh by the way My Dad lives in Advance, I know all about those roads down there

 

[Sigarms]

That said it gives nobody the right to obstruct unnecessarily.

That sir, is the whole issue. As mentioned, when I rode, I ALWAYS made an attempt for the vehicle to pass. Whenever I rode in a group (usually not more than 3-5 riders max), we ALWAYS road single file so vehicles could pass.

"Due unto others as you would have done unto yourself" comes to mind.

I know there are responsible cyclists out there, but apparantly they are in the minority in my area.

 

[Sigarms]

Oh by the way My Dad lives in Advance, I know all about those roads down there

Very familiar with that town, drove there a lot for work. Good BBQ

By the same token, as a child, lived next to Bourne on the cape.

Next time you get down this way, if you ever want to do some shooting, give me a hollar, doors always open

And Charlie, I think part of the "cure" will be new laws on where these road bikes can and cannot be ridden. Sooner or later, I'm certain with the actions of a few riders, these laws will be changed.

 

[turbo36]

Charlie, I for one am not ashamed of myself one least bit (well, maybe a little bit ).

Like yourself, I always make allowances for Bikes, animals, dog walkers and horses.

Funny enough, at least in my area, everyone but the cyclists show me the exact same respect for my rights on the road. Sorry dude, try dealing with it day after day, month after month in my neck of the woods with cyclists and I'm sure even a man like you would get a little peturbed.

By the same token, I'm sure in the eyes of the Lord that we should all feel ashamed when we feel anger towards our fellow man. That said, doesn't take away from the fact that there are some idiots riding bikes (know the saying "when God passed out brains and you thought they said trains and didn't want any?"). Well, a lot of cyclists heard God say trains.

Yes, I know there are a bunch of idiots drving cars as well, I gave up motorcycles a long time ago as well because of all the idiot car drivers (too many close calls at intersections where I didn't have a stop sign but the other road did and the drivers seemed to be just waiting for me to get to that intersection to pull out right in front of me).

However Charlie, all that said, I would love to be in your cab with you if you ever drive down one of my roads and get behind 6-10 cyclists who will make no attemps whatsoever to let you pass them. Perhaps you wouldn't get upset, however, let it happen to you day after day, month after month, well, if you don't let out a few choice words, I want some of the drugs you're taking (that, or I wish I could be half the man you are).

Oh, by the way Turbo36, see the little brown guy in my avatar? The family that adopted him from us tells us he's now the unoffical mascot of the Demon Decons (Wake Forest) soccer team

You have been blessed to know such good dogs.

I have a niece teaching over in Raleigh, my wife wants to go down and see her sometime, if I went with her we could continue this debate during a nice long bike ride!

 

[TimC]

I can understand your frustration, and maybe the cyclists are at fault at times. HOWEVER...
90% of drivers I encounter (at least here in SC) have the attitude that Bicycles have NO RIGHT to be on the roads. I've been assaulted with bottles, cans, been run off of the road, taken a rake hanging off of a landscape trailer to the back, and many more. This is all when I am riding alone, riding the line, and allowing plenty of safe passing room. I don't even ride roads that are busy. Ignorant drivers assaulting cyclists isn't helping anything either.

Also, what's up with determining that cyclists who ride in large group rides are somehow different?? People ride in groups for the same reason that people congregate on the internet discussing Tractors. It's a social outlet. As for them not moving over, conscider this... Many modern cars don't make all that much noise. I've had Hondas startle me because they don't make enough noise to be heard over the wind.

Finally, I notice that all of the drivers here defending themselves and their right to "own" the road keep talking about the "speed differential" being dangerous. I still haven't seen anyone answer to Turbo36's question about driving and allowing a safe clear distance in front of you. The next time you blaze around a blind corner or over a blind hill, or into the sun with limited visibility, just imagine what could be in the places you don't see... It might be someone's pet, a child, a cyclist, or anything else. You should drive as if there is an immovable object around that corner. Speed differential has nothing to do with it.

I'm sure everyone here feels like a responsible adult, and most of us are. We all have to realize that nobody has an inalienable right to not be annoyed.

 

[RobJ]

I've never worn any spandex, but I did have some clips to put on my pants leg to keep that chain from grabbing it. Does that count?

Be sure to get the yellow spandex shirt. Just like all the Lance wannabees.

This thread is now gone to the dogs..

 

[goodoleboy]

I ride bikes and avoid busy roads and stick to neighborhood roads and yeild and pull over in the ditch if i see a car coming to my rear, every single time... Roads are meant for cars in my opinion and fools on bikes who like to play "chicken" with cars are fools.

 

[Sigarms]

Many modern cars don't make all that much noise. I've had Hondas startle me because they don't make enough noise to be heard over the wind.

Finally, I notice that all of the drivers here defending themselves and their right to "own" the road keep talking about the "speed differential" being dangerous. I still haven't seen anyone answer to Turbo36's question about driving and allowing a safe clear distance in front of you. The next time you blaze around a blind corner or over a blind hill, or into the sun with limited visibility, just imagine what could be in the places you don't see... It might be someone's pet, a child, a cyclist, or anything else. You should drive as if there is an immovable object around that corner. Speed differential has nothing to do with it.

I can assure you that you will hear my truck before you see it. My V.W is pushing 300k miles and you can hear that baby as well, and the 97 Toyota isn't "modern".

I do drive safe most of the time. Heck, I love all the people that pass me on a rural while I'm doing the speed limit on a Sunday morning driving to church.

Like yourself, if you have read any of my posts, I know what idiots drivers of cars can be when I rode and run.

My bone of contention again is people who ride two or more abreast and make no effort what so ever to ride single file for you to pass. These are same people who ride two or more abreast of each other KNOW I'm behind them.

Yes, I realize cyclists have a legal right to the road, however, sooner or later, I sincerely think that will change. There are some roads now where cycling isn't permissable, and I think those number of roads will increase.

 

[Egon]

People don't stop playing because they get old, they get old because they stop playing

Now here is one that confuses me??? as it seems riding a bicycle can be compared to playing??

What was Lance before he was leader of the Peloton?? And don't forget Greg or Andy!! Oh, and where do they train??

Remember folks; when you put the yellow spandex in the closet you can find it when it's required! Those yellow shirts even have pockets where they should be!

Those cameo clothes get put away and are never found again. [Makes the Merchants very happy.] It may be why many don't ever seem to take them off cause they will never find them again!

And the cost of fuel keeps going up!

 

[Sigarms]

Now here is one that confuses me??? as it seems riding a bicycle can be compared to playing??

What was Lance before he was leader of the Peloton?? And don't forget Greg or Andy!! Oh, and where do they train??

When I have fun, I don't do it at the expense of other people. Sorry, but when 10 people or more are having "fun" in the middle of the road, and I'm behind them in my car, it's at my expense.

Although I don't know the training habits of world class riders, I would be curious if they ride in the middle of the road on a well ridden rural road or ride two to three abreast of each other if they know a car is behind them. Somehow, I think the the answer is no.

Personally, I found mountain biking to be much more "fun" than road biking. Then again, if I found road biking to be fun, I wouldn't need five to thirty people around me riding to make it fun.

Hey, what do you know, I did find road biking fun, and I didn't need to ride with a crap load of other people!

 

[sseelhoff]

Although I don't know the training habits of world class riders, I would be curious if they ride in the middle of the road on a well ridden rural road or ride two to three abreast of each other if they know a car is behind them. Somehow, I think the the answer is no.

Depends on the time of year. In the off season, riders train individually. I know George Hincapie, for example, rides the roads in the Greenville-Spartanburg area (he lives there), and has been seen riding the roads in the mountains near Brevard, Cashiers and Highlands, NC. (My in-laws have a place near there and have seen him.) He will typically have a chase car (but not always) following behind him carrying spare tires, tools, etc. Roads are narrow, so you have vehicle with emergency flashers and cyclist moving 20-30 on the flat, and 12mph up the mountains.

During the season, teams train together as a group. Discovery used to hold their training camp in Solvang, California. As many as 20-30 riders all together out for hours at a time on the roads, with several support vehicles behind. Many domestic teams (Chipotle-Slipstream, Nature Valley, etc....) train in the U.S. alll over the country. Same story-team training rides with support vehicles following. Coaches and Mechanics following riders in case of emergencies. Unlike mere mortals, these guys rarely have to change a tire.

 

[Lloyd_E]

In my younger years I did alot of training and touring with 30-40 lbs of gear.
My training runs were 60 miles in three hours. Most touring days were 100 to 150 km days. I was lead man for a group of us. This meant leading and following the group and instilling the 'rules' of the road, which in this province means the motor vehicle act. As cyclist, we have as much right to be on the road as cars BUT we must follow extra rules and one of them is riding single file.

If you're in a group, single file is the best way...the lead man works while the others draft.

I had one accident in all my years of cycling. A driver(woman) stopped at a green light to let her friend out of the passenger side. I came up on the inside and caught the corner of her door. I was riding my track bike with fixed wheel and hand break and couldn't get stopped in time.

This was on the eve of a two week venture...boy was I sore the next day.
We managed to cover about 150 km the next day though.

If I do see a group I usually give a little toot to let them know I am approaching (on secondary roads) if I get a negative response I have no problem stopping and telling them to read the motor vehicle act!

Any one remember tubulars and campy equipment?

Lloyd

 

[TxTom]

I'm talking about roads that are outside city limits; actually state owned and controlled roads. I have no idea whether they had any kind of permits or not, and I never saw a police vehicle anywhere. But you're right about it being some kind of organized event.

And no, I would not have a different opinion if it was a Memorial Day, Harvest Festival, or anything else if they block what was just about the only route for 20 or more miles with no advance warning to the public.

There were possible alternate routes, much longer distances, but I would have even done that, started earlier, etc. if there'd been any warning that the idiots would have the road blocked. Almost any other "organized" activity would have been posted in the local newspaper, but I subscribed to the paper and never saw anything about the bikers. And since bicycles have the same "rights" without the same responsibilities on the roads, I doubt that they had any kind of permit or anything else, because it would not have been required, and I can't imagine that kind of people doing anything they weren't absolutely required to do.

Bird, I very well could have been one of those "idiots" riding your roads. I've done the Tour de Italia (Italy, TX) several years which benefits a number of local charities. Yes, we actually pay good money to ride 60-100 miles in the June heat on rough Texas chip seal roads. If it makes me any less of an "idiot", I did draft about 3 miles behind a Ford 8610 pulling a New Holland round baler on the road.

 

[RobertN]

I can assure you that you will hear my truck before you see it. My V.W is pushing 300k miles and you can hear that baby as well, and the 97 Toyota isn't "modern".

Loud pipes save lives... You are indicating something to that effect(although not specifically that you have a loud vehicle).

Having rode Harleys for 20+ years, before they were yuppified, I just don't think that stands. I had louder pipes; all it did was tweak my hearing in my right ear, and annoy the neighbors(my bike actually runs stronger across the rpm range with a milder, slightly restrictive pipe).

I have had too many people not hear me, or deer jump out in front of me, with loud pipes blaring away, to say that if I was on my road bicycle I would hear them.

I really like to bike, but don't have the opportunity that often lately. I also ride Harley's, and have a Dodge Cummins pickup(2001, so it is before they quieted them down).

When I am out riding on the road, I often do not hear vehicles such as mine, until they are upon me. We're in the middle of the Calif Gold Country, and get lots of bicyclist, and motorcyclists on the road. I have had plenty of Harley's with pipes louder than mine, come up behind me that I did not hear approach, until they were close.

FWIW, as a rural road driver, and bicyclist/motorcyclist, I do not appreciate how many bicyclist will hog the road around here either. Common courtesy aint so common any more.

 

[Sigarms]

He will typically have a chase car (but not always) following behind him carrying spare tires, tools, etc

Interesting, most of the local riders in my area have a chase vehicle as well, that chase vehicle being me.

You don't think they would be upset if I didn't have spare tires or bike tools in my car do you?