Bicycle rant 2 and 3
Why is it that people choose to walk on the bike paths when they NEXT TO the sidewalks? Some weeks ago I aquired a horn for my bike. I figured a horn would be so obviously absurd (it really looks and sounds like something clowns would use) that it would diffuse my own frustration with the people I am honking at as well as be irreverent enough that they have more to react to that my wanting their space. Sometimes the honk and point to the sidewalk is sheepishly accepted by the people I am encouraging off the road, but too often, those walking along the bike path are angry youngish men who are trying to be aggressively territorial. Sure, it sucks when someone cuts off your badass strutting because you're infringing on their speedway and they aren't going to accommodate your ego. I guess I am asking to be called a "fucking bitch", just like I guess I am cowardly for biking past instead of settle the affront with some proper violence. Does this happen with motorised vehicles?
Generally speaking, my riding about has been going well. My legs are getting firmer, my wind longer, and having finally stumbled upon the greatness of la route verte I am looking forward to some off island adventures, including a bike and camping trip to the Oka provincial park before the summer is out. But today, I got into my first bicycle/bicycle accident and got a well earned lesson in roadway participation. No one was hurt, the bikes are fine, but I was totally at fault for not thinking about the traffic I couldn't see. Who knew handle bars could lock like horns or antlers? Despite his initial expelative, the guy I ran into was very nice about the whole thing and I was more chastised by my sense of foolishness than his anger. Lucky for Montreal traffic, my fear of embarrassment trumps all other motivations, and my attention will be much better placed for a while to come.
Finn
P.S. If a farmer's tan is from the shortsleeve line down, is a cyclist's tan the back of the neck and top of the knees?
Generally speaking, my riding about has been going well. My legs are getting firmer, my wind longer, and having finally stumbled upon the greatness of la route verte I am looking forward to some off island adventures, including a bike and camping trip to the Oka provincial park before the summer is out. But today, I got into my first bicycle/bicycle accident and got a well earned lesson in roadway participation. No one was hurt, the bikes are fine, but I was totally at fault for not thinking about the traffic I couldn't see. Who knew handle bars could lock like horns or antlers? Despite his initial expelative, the guy I ran into was very nice about the whole thing and I was more chastised by my sense of foolishness than his anger. Lucky for Montreal traffic, my fear of embarrassment trumps all other motivations, and my attention will be much better placed for a while to come.
Finn
P.S. If a farmer's tan is from the shortsleeve line down, is a cyclist's tan the back of the neck and top of the knees?