Originally Posted by erickpl (Post 1474325)

About the only time I'm towards the middle of the lane is riding in a group going around curves designated as a no passing zone. On more than one occasion, I've ridden single file down a road into a blind curve and had a car try to pass me only to see a vehicle coming towards him/us. Guess which way he swerved to avoid it? Yep, in my direction. Fortunately, I saw what he was doing, already saw the car coming and had slowed down knowing he'd come back towards the shoulder.

Most riders I know do not try to be jerks on the bike. I know a few that probably shouldn't be allowed on anything other than a merry-go-round, but the ones I ride with regularly all follow the rules and WILL take up the lane on blind curves to avoid dangerous passing situations.

Our town had a bike ride held by the mayor on Saturday. On the way to it, a group of cyclists passed my wife and me as we were about to pedal to the starting point. They ran a stop light - with a COP behind them. He lit them up and gave em tickets - as he should have.

As we rode past, we said, "Remember, traffic rules apply to us too", laughed and kept on riding (the light was green for us).

Please do not assume that cyclists are just trying to piss you off. I used to hate cyclists too, then became one. Once you're out there on a bike, some of the things cyclist do start to make sense. We have families we want to get home to as well, but also choose to engage in an activity to stay healthy, as long as people aren't hitting us or rolling coal on us.

There is enough in life to stress about without having to wait a few seconds to be able to get around a cyclist (or a group of them).

And before you say it, yes I will roll a stop light or a stop sign - but ONLY if there are NO cars anywhere near or approaching. If I can see another motorized vehicle, I will stop.

Originally Posted by JRD77VET (Post 1474194)

You may be able to keep the pace in the flat lands of FL but it's a different story here in PA.

I hope you are the considerate bike rider you present yourself to be. I'm pretty damn tired of the bike riders around here that are yelling about "share the road" and then run stop signs, red lights and ride in the middle of the road when the side / edge is smooth.

Originally Posted by 6spdC6 (Post 1474003)

Illegal here! Of course it seems that many traffic laws are ignored by many of the bikers on a regular bases. I live on the lake and I sure can write a book about things I have seen up here with all classes of people movers!

Originally Posted by erickpl (Post 1474325)

...and WILL take up the lane on blind curves to avoid dangerous passing situations.

Originally Posted by GRN ENVY (Post 1474344)

I am sure there would be quite a few hills that would kick my ass. I'm always trying to be out of the way of traffic as possible.

I'm not the person who would purposely get in the way to make a point that you share the road with cyclists.

Courtesy goes a long way. A lot of folks recognize me cycling in my area. I'm always polite, aware they are driving around me. On many cases let them proceed before I do at an intersection. Many are appreciative. Still have a few who have to pull up close next to me.

I don't yell, or raise my hand with a gesture. After all you are in a car, I'm on a bike. I will always loose in that match up :seasix:

....................

Originally Posted by Drew M (Post 1474378)

You know you don't have to lift your leg as high when you get on a girls' bike, right?

Originally Posted by bill_daniels (Post 1474527)

DrPepperspew!!!!

:lol:

Originally Posted by Iron Chef (Post 1473916)

Every single one of the riders in that video were riding safely and single file and along comes some toothless idiot who thinks it's funny to carpet bomb them with exhaust from his POS work truck. I guarantee that if one of those riders had been blinded to the point where he went off the edge it would't have been so funny.

Then again...stupidity like that is probably why Mr. Deliverance probably works for one of the guys out riding their bikes and enjoying a day in the mountains as opposed to being one of them.

Originally Posted by NEED-A-VETTE (Post 1474555)

I guess I'm in the minority. I haven't had many issues with bike riders.

Originally Posted by OddBall (Post 1474377)

I actually agree with and appreciate this. Especially since I might be the poor dumb bastard that is coming from the other direction. Just remember, on a gnarly curve, you can be unseen from both directions; meaning the guy coming up behind you may be taking the curves as hard as he can and have no time to react if you are stuck way out towards the middle.

Originally Posted by Waco (Post 1473754)

The ones that follow the rules are fine...unfortunately we all run into the assholes and remember them far more easily.

Originally Posted by Iron Chef (Post 1474605)

Nor have I, and Texas has its fair share.

I realize this opens a can of worms, but if you really want to criticize a group of riders, look no further than sport bikes. These are...without a doubt and without question...a group of the most dangerous, reckless and arrogant individuals on the road today. Nearly every time I see one coming down the road, the rider is either doing something highly illegal or or is waiting for an opportunity to do something highly illegal. All the while putting other people at risk.

Originally Posted by erickpl (Post 1474620)

My triathlon bike (Except for the new race wheels):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psp7mynobh.jpg

Originally Posted by bradc6 (Post 1474640)

Nice bikes ericpl.

I am a road biker and always obey the rules of the road. Most drivers are courteous and aware of me but there are always a few who would rather see you dead than in their way for a few seconds. I have been run off the road, had things thrown at me, had people lean out the passenger window to try to push me over, turn in front of me, pull out in front of me, the list goes on.

Things changed for me on August 19th, 2015. I was out for my daily ride of around 40 miles when I crashed. I do not remember what caused it or how long I was unconscious, I woke up when they were loading me in the ambulance. That upside down bed pan (as the OP calls it) probably saved my life.

Injuries were a broken hip with the femur pushed through the socket and a shattered pelvis. Surgery was the next day with plates and screws holding things together. I spent a week in the hospital and then 6 weeks before I could put weight on the leg. Then rehab at Andrews Institute and finally able to walk without a limp.

I have ridden a few times since then but it's just not that same anymore.

Here is my road bike after the repairs, just needed new bar tape and straighten the handle bars. I guess my body took most of the impact.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...ps2irhpajb.jpg

Originally Posted by OddBall (Post 1474780)

Pretty cool. Never seen anything like that.