HP bs

[chris mcgill]

I normally do not post anything here aside for when I need to protest Jared Nieters, however, I do feel compelled to after what happened on the noon ride at Haines Point today.

Let me first say, I am far from innocent when it comes to making macho-knuckleheaded moves on the bike in traffic. I have been racing for over 25 years and did some time as a messenger so I get it and do it. However, today while we were cruising near the Park Police station the group of 30+ got held up by a few tour buses and one car. A dozen or so folks blasted by startling the car. The car initially, from what I saw, swerved a little because they were startled but then did it intentionally and also did a brake check. Not cool, yes, but we cyclist were SO in the wrong at this point. Most of us at this time did stop to wait our turn. Sadly, one cyclist wearing a kit from one of the largest clubs in the region (really bad press) decided to take to whole incident to a whole new level of jerk by punching the cars window. WITH A CHILD IN THE BACK. Yes, WTF! A number us called this person out and they showed about the same contempt for us as they did for the child in the back of this car. I am ashamed and sadden to see such a display from someone in cycling, MABRA-land and racing community that I love.

So be warned HP dwellers, I can only assume that the police will be on high alert for the next few weeks as I can only imagine that this guy did report the incident. I would have.  He was already turning in to the police station lot to begin with (maybe he himself was an off-duty cop). I am not a dad, but I can only imagine what it felt like when a bunch of lycra wearing freaks surrounded his car with a child in the back only to have one start punching the window. Quite frankly, we deserve citations if this is the kind of BS we will allow on our rides.

Common sense and decency go a long way.

I try live without regret but I may regret posting this as I know what may happen.

Oh, while I am here, I’d like to protest Jared Nieters MTB result for this coming weekend too.

Ride hard, ride fast but try to be nice

~Chris 

[marct...@yahoo.com]

It's interesting that you would follow a car intentionally swerving and then brake checking with cyclists being in the wrong. I'm sorry that he was startled but that hardly justifies assault. I hope the driver gets arrested. 

Sent from my iPhone

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[Ross Marklein]

Well put Chris.

Honestly, those cyclists that feel it's necessary to pass slow moving cars are guilty of the exact same thing a lot of those posters on that VA 3 foot law facebook thread complained about with cyclists.  Motorists get stuck behind the cyclists and then have to wait *gasp* 30 seconds to pass safely.  O you're stuck behind a car and slow tour buses and can't get after it on a group ride that happens every week almost every day, what a rough life!

Ross

p.s. if I ever do anything unsafe or foolish on the goon ride, greenbelt, whatever, please call me out.  People make mistakes and if others comment in a calm, assertive manner maybe we can gain a little more respect from people out there who think we are entitled, be-spandexed freaks.

[Dereck Franklin]

I was the one the rapped on the window.  The car in question was in the left lane, and 2-5 riders dangerously cut off the car which caused him to press on his brakes quickly.  I even anticipated this happening, and try to tell the cyclist to slow down, but it was obviously to late and they weaved between the cars.  Mind you I was right behind the car and what happened next not only endangered myself but the other 20-30 riders who waited patiently to go through the stop sign.  The first thing he did was to slam on the brakes unnecessarily which could have easily caused myself to go down and the riders behind me.  After that he had chosen to get in the right lane to turn, and I came up on his left, clearly in the left land, and he intentionally swerved in my direction.  So, I rapped on the window, but he was obviously pissed off and flicked me off. Those riders were in the wrong, but I was not and he had not right to endanger my safety and those riders behind me because he was pissed some cyclists cut him off.

[Myke]

I protest the use of "irregardless" in a sentence

On Friday, July 4, 2014 6:52:55 AM UTC-4, Sean Chisham wrote:

I can tell you that irregardless of how justified you might feel defending yourself from harm the police will not see it that way. Touching a car even one trying to cause you injury will only give that motorist ammunition to have you charged criminally.

It sucks but police do not defend cyclists even if the cyclists life was put in danger. The best thing to do it play it as square and by the book as possible in a situation like this. The motorist always gets preference in run ins with cyclists.

[Harry Fang]

Like. 👍 wasn't someone recently on the Kane's show "war of the roses" using that term constantly?  It was so funny!

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