Chacham's Journal: Chronicle: Bike riding, hill, coming close to car, complaint

Having a broken car has gotten me on my bike, and now i am riding for pleasure too. I went for a couple hours(?) yesterday and enjoyed it thoroughly. Maybe i'll actualy get a helmet one of these days.

I rode up a steep hill (in "Oak Park Park") have to go into lowest gear, and stand and push. I was moving very slowly, but it was quite the fun. Coming down was scary though. Pretty much brakes the entire way. I have *got* to go again.

I was riding the bicycle yesterday (my endurance is raising, thanx Froman) and saw a car coming on the perpendicular street. I didn't see it until late, probably from not looking, and things obstructing my view, and quickly assessed my two choices: Slam on the brakes and hope for the best, or make a sharp turn. I opted for the latter as although close, i had enough room, for she could either brake or move a bit over to the left, and she wasn't hugging the curb, so i really had the room anyway. I slowed down and made a tight turn, only to have her pass and stare. She then parked in a nearby driveway, rolled down her window, and mentioned that i shouldn't just come out in front of cars like that. Well, she didn't know what had gone through my mind, so it didn't bother me. Instead, i replied, as i was still riding and getting farther away, that i thought that i had had enough room. She just kept staring. I guess i let her down. She probably wanted me to stop and apologize or something. Perhaps i should have. Although i don't think i did anything wrong, a few words would have made her happy. Isn't it worth it?

she was just scared that she almost killed ya =)

[huckda]

so she was looking for positive affirmation to the contrary...thus relieving her of a feeling of guilt.

Women often have this problem, stemming from years at the bottom of the socio-corporate ladder.

Re:she was just scared that she almost killed ya =

[Chacham]

I'm not so sure it was negative. Perhaps she could have thought more about it, but certainly nothing malicious. I even feel sad for her. :)

Hmmm...

[FroMan]

I couldn't really picture the incident with the lady in the car in my
mind, so I am not exactly sure what happened there. However, when
riding you have the same authority as a car when on the road, and the
same responsibilities. One additional thing though, when on a bike,
you are also to stay to the right of the lane. So when making a left,
you would still go into the left turn lane, but stay towards the right
side of the lane.

A second note, as I read once or twice, when on a motorcycle, keep your
eyes pealed

Re:Hmmm...

[Chacham]

Thanx for the heads up. :)

I feel the need...the need for speed!

[ncc74656]

I rode up a steep hill (in "Oak Park Park") have to go into lowest gear, and stand and push. I was moving very slowly, but it was quite the fun. Coming down was scary though. Pretty much brakes the entire way. I have *got* to go again.

A tall hill is an excuse to get your bike going as fast as it can. The fastest I've ever gone on a bicycle was a little bit over 40 mph. There was a particularly steep hill not far from where we lived in Germany. I'd take my little BMX bike (single speed, coaster brake)

Re:I feel the need...the need for speed!

[Chacham]

:) I'm with ya.

Not only did i not have protective gear, the brakes aren't the greatest, and there are sticks and stones, and holes and other obstacles there. Not safe at all. At least not if i'm not familiar with it.

When they were building a local freeway some years back, I696, we used to go down the ramps and see hopw fast we could go on smooth road. *That* was wonderful.

I bike alot

[Neop2Lemus]

and i've found that whenever i see a vehicle i look at the driver. If they are not looking at me I must assume that they haven't seen me. Many haven't, and some ignore you and do what they want, if they hit you, big deal, they'll just drive away, you were in their way anyways.

Total defensive driving when biking.

Re:I bike alot

[Chacham]

Good point. Thanx.