I'm gonna hear it on this one

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Date: 16 Aug 2006 09:06:55
From: Steve
Subject: I'm gonna hear it on this one

Maybe it's me, but I just don't get the attitude some road cyclists
carry along with their ridiculously over-priced mules. When I'm down
at the motocross track, I don't care if a guy's turning fifty second
laps or five minute laps, chances are he's gonna be cool if you walk up
to him off the track and introduce yourself.

Wish I could say the same for the "serious" cyclists I notice in
Central Park.

Like I said, though, maybe it's just me, and I mean that. Maybe it's
just the clowns in Central Park who are getting on my nerves day after
day.

When I first began riding, more than enough guys with top-shelf
helmets, colorful jerseys, and expensive carbon fiber bikes (not to
mention the shaved legs, which is a route I will never take) would pass
me on the park's loop. Being new to the sport, I made it a
habit--albeit an incredibly short-lived habit--to glance over and say
hello. Nothing elaborate, just a quick nod of the head and, "How's it
going?"

Usually, the response included a look fitting for the filthiest of the
homeless, as if I had just asked the passing cyclist if he'd mind
sharing his wife/girlfriend in bed.

These cyclists, they're an odd bunch to say the least. Regardless, I
no longer bother with the pleasantries although in the event someone
has a hello for me, I'll be sure to open my mouth and make the effort
to say hi in return.

Further, maybe I have been riding motocross too long, because my
attitude toward the cyclists behind me is basically, "You've got
brakes. Learn how to use them." What I mean is, if I have to swerve a
few feet to the left or right to avoid a pothole, a kid, or a jogger, I
don't feel like listening to some jackass behind me yelling, "On your
right! On your right!" You know what, buddy? Shut your mouth and hit
the brakes. If I feel like sliding from one side of the lane to the
other, I guess you're just going to have to deal with that, aren't you?

Perfect example. Last night, I get in Central Park not long after 6:30
which means cars are still permitted. On the uphill approach to the
92nd Street intersection (at least I think it's 92nd Street), the light
turned red just as a cop in a scooter pulled up behind me. Recently,
city officials have been contemplating banning cycling in the park, so
I thought, "Let me slow it down rather than blow through this red light
while there's a cop right on my ass." In doing so, I drifted to the
right several feet to avoid some crossing pedestrians when immediately
I hear one of those stereotypical dickheads I've just described above
start yelling, "On your right! On your right!"

See what I'm saying about the brakes? Learn how to use 'em. I really
don't give a flying f#ck if I messed up this guy's drive/momentum.
Also, when I've got the inside line going into a corner, I'll go as
wide as I please on the exit. If you don't like me moving over on you,
too bad. You've got brakes. Learn how to use 'em. I'll worry about
what's going on in front of me, let alone what's behind me.

Date: 20 Aug 2006 20:13:28
From: Bob
Subject: Re: I'm gonna hear it on this one

Steve wrote:
> Maybe it's me, but I just don't get the attitude some road cyclists
> carry along with their ridiculously over-priced mules.

----------- snip -----------

> Further, maybe I have been riding motocross too long, because my
> attitude toward the cyclists behind me is basically, "You've got
> brakes. Learn how to use them." What I mean is, if I have to swerve a
> few feet to the left or right to avoid a pothole, a kid, or a jogger, I
> don't feel like listening to some jackass behind me yelling, "On your
> right! On your right!" You know what, buddy? Shut your mouth and hit
> the brakes. If I feel like sliding from one side of the lane to the
> other, I guess you're just going to have to deal with that, aren't you?

-------- more snipped------

> Also, when I've got the inside line going into a corner, I'll go as
> wide as I please on the exit. If you don't like me moving over on you,
> too bad. You've got brakes. Learn how to use 'em. I'll worry about
> what's going on in front of me, let alone what's behind me.

I'll leave aside the rest of your rant and just ask one question. Do
you take the same "screw 'em all- I'm the center of the universe"
attitude when you're driving a motor vehicle? If the answer is yes then
I'd say you're the one with an attitude problem. If the answer is no,
please explain why you think cycling is so different from driving when
it comes to acting responsibly.

Regards,
Bob Hunt

Date: 19 Aug 2006 14:48:56
From: TomP
Subject: Re: I'm gonna hear it on this one

Date: 16 Aug 2006 13:28:17
From: Steve
Subject: Re: I'm gonna hear it on this one

> Off the back of the pack, with leaders off the front and only having a
> 6 minute defict isn't that bad! Usually what happens is you lose a lot
> of time right when you get dropped because the pack is going fast, and
> you are fried from hanging on. As soon as you recover a bit, the gap
> doesn't grow as fast.
>
> Averaging 19mph for 3 laps in Central is pretty good too. One of the
> things to develop to hang with races is bustable power. Ability to keep
> it in the red zone long enough to hold on to the group until they calm
> down after an attack. It's the constant jumping that can wear you down
> if you don't train for it. 19mph for an hour sounds like you are strong
> enough already to start thinking about a semi-scientific approach to
> training.
>
> Joseph

It's the constant jumping that can wear you down
> if you don't train for it.

Agreed. I hung with the pack for a single lap and then I heard
"Break!" from the front as soon as we reached the one big hill and
everyone took off. Tried to keep up but my legs had other ideas, so I
just fell back and did what I could, keeping well out of the way every
time the 1-2-3 racers went flying by (don't know how they do it).

Recently picked up a copy of Chris Carmichael's "Ultimate Ride." I'll
get into that soon and figure out how to approach training with a bit
more brains.

Date: 16 Aug 2006 12:47:40
From:
Subject: Re: I'm gonna hear it on this one

Steve wrote:
> > Back in the days, I learned from the Jamaican guys in Prospect. They
> > had the most patience, and the desire to share what they knew. Find
> > guys who aren't dicks and learn from them. Don't let the others get
> > under your skin.
> >
> > So are you getting faster?
> >
> > Joseph
>
> I hope so, dude. I raced in Prospect Park a week-and-a-half ago in
> Category 5 (5 laps--17 miles) and got beat by almost six minutes when
> the leader finished at 45:32 and I came in at 51:00 (according to my
> cycling computer). Last week, I finished 18 miles in Central Park at
> 58:30--figured the hills in Central Park had to do with slowing me
> down. Last night, I did the same 18 miles in 57:00, so I think the
> work is paying off.

Off the back of the pack, with leaders off the front and only having a
6 minute defict isn't that bad! Usually what happens is you lose a lot
of time right when you get dropped because the pack is going fast, and
you are fried from hanging on. As soon as you recover a bit, the gap
doesn't grow as fast.

Averaging 19mph for 3 laps in Central is pretty good too. One of the
things to develop to hang with races is bustable power. Ability to keep
it in the red zone long enough to hold on to the group until they calm
down after an attack. It's the constant jumping that can wear you down
if you don't train for it. 19mph for an hour sounds like you are strong
enough already to start thinking about a semi-scientific approach to
training.

Joseph

Date: 16 Aug 2006 15:22:12
From: dgk
Subject: Re: I'm gonna hear it on this one

On 16 Aug 2006 09:06:55 -0700, "Steve" <okaywonderful@gmail.com >
wrote:

>Maybe it's me, but I just don't get the attitude some road cyclists
>carry along with their ridiculously over-priced mules. When I'm down
>at the motocross track, I don't care if a guy's turning fifty second
>laps or five minute laps, chances are he's gonna be cool if you walk up
>to him off the track and introduce yourself.
>
...

I sort of agree. I rarely get the chance to bike up the west side path
but it's really nice so I do it once in a while. I'm always amazed at
the guys who use it as a speedway. I mean, if you want to move that
fast, use a street, you're not looking at the river anyway.

However the east side, which is my commuting route, has a path for
bikes only and I regularly yell at the walkers/joggers who can't
figure out that it is not for them. Many of them are ok and walk or
jog on the edges, which is fine, but others just stroll along in the
middle of the path and I do yell at them.

Date: 16 Aug 2006 11:51:13
From: Steve
Subject: Re: I'm gonna hear it on this one

> Back in the days, I learned from the Jamaican guys in Prospect. They
> had the most patience, and the desire to share what they knew. Find
> guys who aren't dicks and learn from them. Don't let the others get
> under your skin.
>
> So are you getting faster?
>
> Joseph

I hope so, dude. I raced in Prospect Park a week-and-a-half ago in
Category 5 (5 laps--17 miles) and got beat by almost six minutes when
the leader finished at 45:32 and I came in at 51:00 (according to my
cycling computer). Last week, I finished 18 miles in Central Park at
58:30--figured the hills in Central Park had to do with slowing me
down. Last night, I did the same 18 miles in 57:00, so I think the
work is paying off.

Date: 16 Aug 2006 11:37:33
From:
Subject: Re: I'm gonna hear it on this one

>
> Joggers in the bike lane? Yeesh. Remind me not to ride Central Park. Ever.

When the park is closed to traffic, there are 2-3 lanes available to
bikers, and the bike/jogging lane is for the joggers and that works out
well. When the park is open to cars, bikes and jogger share the same
lane. It's a disaster that is worth avoiding at all costs.

> > The plan was to roll through
> > slowly in order to not give the cop anything to bitch about. If he/she
> > did decide to stop me, I could have said, "Sorry, officer, but I slowed
> > down enough, saw no danger whatsoever, so decided to go for it. Trying
> > to get in shape."
>
> Ah, something I just plain won't do. If the light's red, I stop, regardless of
> whether I could get away with running it. Hence my regular use of hand signals
> (not that I often have other bikes on the road in my neck of the woods).
>

These lights are for crosswalks in the middle of a winding road.
Running these reds isn't like running regular reds.

Joseph

Date: 16 Aug 2006 11:31:45
From:
Subject: Re: I'm gonna hear it on this one

Steve wrote:
> Maybe it's me, but I just don't get the attitude some road cyclists
> carry along with their ridiculously over-priced mules. When I'm down
> at the motocross track, I don't care if a guy's turning fifty second
> laps or five minute laps, chances are he's gonna be cool if you walk up
> to him off the track and introduce yourself.
>
> Wish I could say the same for the "serious" cyclists I notice in
> Central Park.
>
> Like I said, though, maybe it's just me, and I mean that. Maybe it's
> just the clowns in Central Park who are getting on my nerves day after
> day.
>
> When I first began riding, more than enough guys with top-shelf
> helmets, colorful jerseys, and expensive carbon fiber bikes (not to
> mention the shaved legs, which is a route I will never take) would pass
> me on the park's loop. Being new to the sport, I made it a
> habit--albeit an incredibly short-lived habit--to glance over and say
> hello. Nothing elaborate, just a quick nod of the head and, "How's it
> going?"
>
> Usually, the response included a look fitting for the filthiest of the
> homeless, as if I had just asked the passing cyclist if he'd mind
> sharing his wife/girlfriend in bed.
>
> These cyclists, they're an odd bunch to say the least. Regardless, I
> no longer bother with the pleasantries although in the event someone
> has a hello for me, I'll be sure to open my mouth and make the effort
> to say hi in return.
>
> Further, maybe I have been riding motocross too long, because my
> attitude toward the cyclists behind me is basically, "You've got
> brakes. Learn how to use them." What I mean is, if I have to swerve a
> few feet to the left or right to avoid a pothole, a kid, or a jogger, I
> don't feel like listening to some jackass behind me yelling, "On your
> right! On your right!" You know what, buddy? Shut your mouth and hit
> the brakes. If I feel like sliding from one side of the lane to the
> other, I guess you're just going to have to deal with that, aren't you?
>
> Perfect example. Last night, I get in Central Park not long after 6:30
> which means cars are still permitted. On the uphill approach to the
> 92nd Street intersection (at least I think it's 92nd Street), the light
> turned red just as a cop in a scooter pulled up behind me. Recently,
> city officials have been contemplating banning cycling in the park, so
> I thought, "Let me slow it down rather than blow through this red light
> while there's a cop right on my ass." In doing so, I drifted to the
> right several feet to avoid some crossing pedestrians when immediately
> I hear one of those stereotypical dickheads I've just described above
> start yelling, "On your right! On your right!"
>
> See what I'm saying about the brakes? Learn how to use 'em. I really
> don't give a flying f#ck if I messed up this guy's drive/momentum.
> Also, when I've got the inside line going into a corner, I'll go as
> wide as I please on the exit. If you don't like me moving over on you,
> too bad. You've got brakes. Learn how to use 'em. I'll worry about
> what's going on in front of me, let alone what's behind me.

It's good to let off steam.

Moto-x is more of a bike handling type of sport than road cycling, so
moto-x guys are more ready for whatever gets thrown at them. Cycling is
more about the endurance, thus the wimpy complaints about sudden
manouvers. That said, these guys are probably dicks. But looking at it
from their perspective, you may appear to be the newest of newbies
ready to create a dangerous situation at any moment, and they are just
preempting you a bit. This guy rolling up on you has no idea what sort
of clown you may be and doesn't want to hit the pavement to find out.

Back in the days, I learned from the Jamaican guys in Prospect. They
had the most patience, and the desire to share what they knew. Find
guys who aren't dicks and learn from them. Don't let the others get
under your skin.

So are you getting faster?

Joseph

Date: 16 Aug 2006 10:53:49
From: Steve
Subject: Re: I'm gonna hear it on this one

BDBAFH,

Those are some good points, but until I move to Brooklyn in a few weeks
(and then I get to contend with Prospect Park, which is even smaller),
I'd rather ride in the park than on the NYC streets. If I gotta slow
down for pedestrians who have the right of way, rickshaws, or horse
carriages, you won't hear me complaining. While a handful of jackass
pedestrians in the park refuse to look in either direction while they
cross the street nowhere near a crosswalk, most people are cool with
letting cyclists by even when we're riding across a red light (do you
really want to stop a few times every lap? Not really).

And to Kristian, do you know the intersection of which I'm speaking?
It's usually crowded even after 7 when cars are prohibited from the
park. The light was red, a few cars had stopped, a cop in a box was
slowing behind me while I was in the bike lane. With a few joggers in
the bike lane ahead of me and with the possibility of pedestrians
stepping off the curb into the bike lane without looking, I started
moving to the right into the left side of the left-hand car lane as I
approached the intersection, no longer pedalling, fingers on the
brakes, ready to stop if necessary. The plan was to roll through
slowly in order to not give the cop anything to bitch about. If he/she
did decide to stop me, I could have said, "Sorry, officer, but I slowed
down enough, saw no danger whatsoever, so decided to go for it. Trying
to get in shape."

And that's how it went down last night. Otherwise, even with slowing
down a few times, I had a great ride--took more than a minute off my
best time so far doing 3 laps--18 miles--around the park.

Date: 16 Aug 2006 18:06:53
From: Kristian M Zoerhoff
Subject: Re: I'm gonna hear it on this one

In article <1155750829.465817.170520@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com >,
okaywonderful@gmail.com says...
>
> And to Kristian, do you know the intersection of which I'm speaking?

I'm outside Chicago, so no :-)

> It's usually crowded even after 7 when cars are prohibited from the
> park. The light was red, a few cars had stopped, a cop in a box was
> slowing behind me while I was in the bike lane. With a few joggers in
> the bike lane ahead of me and with the possibility of pedestrians
> stepping off the curb into the bike lane without looking, I started
> moving to the right into the left side of the left-hand car lane as I
> approached the intersection, no longer pedalling, fingers on the
> brakes, ready to stop if necessary.

Joggers in the bike lane? Yeesh. Remind me not to ride Central Park. Ever.

> The plan was to roll through
> slowly in order to not give the cop anything to bitch about. If he/she
> did decide to stop me, I could have said, "Sorry, officer, but I slowed
> down enough, saw no danger whatsoever, so decided to go for it. Trying
> to get in shape."

Ah, something I just plain won't do. If the light's red, I stop, regardless of
whether I could get away with running it. Hence my regular use of hand signals
(not that I often have other bikes on the road in my neck of the woods).

--

__o Kristian Zoerhoff
_'\(,_ kristian.zoerhoff@gmail.com
(_)/ (_)

Date: 16 Aug 2006 09:46:06
From:
Subject: Re: I'm gonna hear it on this one

Steve wrote:
> Maybe it's me, but I just don't get the attitude some road cyclists
> carry along with their ridiculously over-priced mules. When I'm down
> at the motocross track, I don't care if a guy's turning fifty second
> laps or five minute laps, chances are he's gonna be cool if you walk up
> to him off the track and introduce yourself.
>
> Wish I could say the same for the "serious" cyclists I notice in
> Central Park.
>
> Like I said, though, maybe it's just me, and I mean that. Maybe it's
> just the clowns in Central Park who are getting on my nerves day after
> day.
>
> When I first began riding, more than enough guys with top-shelf
> helmets, colorful jerseys, and expensive carbon fiber bikes (not to
> mention the shaved legs, which is a route I will never take) would pass
> me on the park's loop. Being new to the sport, I made it a
> habit--albeit an incredibly short-lived habit--to glance over and say
> hello. Nothing elaborate, just a quick nod of the head and, "How's it
> going?"
>
> Usually, the response included a look fitting for the filthiest of the
> homeless, as if I had just asked the passing cyclist if he'd mind
> sharing his wife/girlfriend in bed.
>
> These cyclists, they're an odd bunch to say the least. Regardless, I
> no longer bother with the pleasantries although in the event someone
> has a hello for me, I'll be sure to open my mouth and make the effort
> to say hi in return.
>
> Further, maybe I have been riding motocross too long, because my
> attitude toward the cyclists behind me is basically, "You've got
> brakes. Learn how to use them." What I mean is, if I have to swerve a
> few feet to the left or right to avoid a pothole, a kid, or a jogger, I
> don't feel like listening to some jackass behind me yelling, "On your
> right! On your right!" You know what, buddy? Shut your mouth and hit
> the brakes. If I feel like sliding from one side of the lane to the
> other, I guess you're just going to have to deal with that, aren't you?
>
> Perfect example. Last night, I get in Central Park not long after 6:30
> which means cars are still permitted. On the uphill approach to the
> 92nd Street intersection (at least I think it's 92nd Street), the light
> turned red just as a cop in a scooter pulled up behind me. Recently,
> city officials have been contemplating banning cycling in the park, so
> I thought, "Let me slow it down rather than blow through this red light
> while there's a cop right on my ass." In doing so, I drifted to the
> right several feet to avoid some crossing pedestrians when immediately
> I hear one of those stereotypical dickheads I've just described above
> start yelling, "On your right! On your right!"
>
> See what I'm saying about the brakes? Learn how to use 'em. I really
> don't give a flying f#ck if I messed up this guy's drive/momentum.
> Also, when I've got the inside line going into a corner, I'll go as
> wide as I please on the exit. If you don't like me moving over on you,
> too bad. You've got brakes. Learn how to use 'em. I'll worry about
> what's going on in front of me, let alone what's behind me.

Steve,

When I'm on the bike, I want to get as far as as possible from people
and cars. I'd like to keep my cadence and heart rate steady and up. The
idea of competing with horses, walkers, joggers, runners, roller
bladers, fat tire riders, fatty masters and actual cyclists for space
in Central Park has never appealed to me. Then again, the idea of
moving into Manhattan (from Jersey) hasn't appealed to me, either.

Its New York F!@king City - what do you expect? Its not called that for
nothing. With the recent efforts by the NYPD against cyclists:
http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/nypd_gets_wheel_tough_on_bikers_regionalnews_david_seifman.htm
I have no desire to take a bike into Manhattan whatsoever.

I have multiple group rides to select from and plenty of space to
explore.

I avoid the area parks that are crowded with walkers, joggers, runners,
recreational bike riders that require 2 lanes wide of road to stay up -
whose direction of motion is ... Brownian at best.

Buy an indoor trainer and save it up for long rides out of The City on
the weekends.

Any time you vary from a straight line, you should give some indication
of your action to those overtaking you from behind, whether you are in
a car, on a snowboard, skis or on a bike.

-bdbafh

Date: 16 Aug 2006 15:26:12
From: Roger Houston
Subject: Re: I'm gonna hear it on this one

<bdbafh@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1155746765.985920.144090@p79g2000cwp.googlegroups.com...
>
> When I'm on the bike, I want to get as far as as possible from people
> and cars. I'd like to keep my cadence and heart rate steady and up.

One word.

Rollers.

Date: 16 Aug 2006 09:44:32
From: Steve
Subject: Re: I'm gonna hear it on this one

> You should at least attempt a hand signal if you're going to do this. Failure
> to do so is considered rude, and will get you rear-ended someday. Save yourself
> some pain and, more importantly, damage to your bike. Remember, you don't have
> brake lights.

I'm not talking about jumping from one side of a lane to another in an
erratic manner--I'm talking I began moving over to the right slowly.
As much as I gripe, I constantly look over my shoulder when moving at a
decent speed to see who's behind me, but when I'm approaching a red
light--either in the park or out of it--and I start moving over to
avoid pedestrians, I don't need some dweeb blowing by and giving me lip
(I know it's not really lip, but you know what I mean).

Date: 16 Aug 2006 16:54:51
From: Kristian M Zoerhoff
Subject: Re: I'm gonna hear it on this one

In article <1155746672.802961.44260@75g2000cwc.googlegroups.com >,
okaywonderful@gmail.com says...
> > You should at least attempt a hand signal if you're going to do this. Failure
> > to do so is considered rude, and will get you rear-ended someday. Save yourself
> > some pain and, more importantly, damage to your bike. Remember, you don't have
> > brake lights.
>
> I'm not talking about jumping from one side of a lane to another in an
> erratic manner--I'm talking I began moving over to the right slowly.
> As much as I gripe, I constantly look over my shoulder when moving at a
> decent speed to see who's behind me, but when I'm approaching a red
> light--either in the park or out of it--and I start moving over to
> avoid pedestrians, I don't need some dweeb blowing by and giving me lip
> (I know it's not really lip, but you know what I mean).

If it's a red light, why are you moving over? You should never enter the
crosswalk, so why dodge pedestrians? Are they all over the road? Or are you
trying to time the light to avoid stopping?

--

__o Kristian Zoerhoff
_'\(,_ kristian.zoerhoff@gmail.com
(_)/ (_)

Date: 16 Aug 2006 16:26:06
From: Kristian M Zoerhoff
Subject: Re: I'm gonna hear it on this one

In article <1155744415.109596.126810@i3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com >,
okaywonderful@gmail.com says...
>
> Further, maybe I have been riding motocross too long, because my
> attitude toward the cyclists behind me is basically, "You've got
> brakes. Learn how to use them." What I mean is, if I have to swerve a
> few feet to the left or right to avoid a pothole, a kid, or a jogger, I
> don't feel like listening to some jackass behind me yelling, "On your
> right! On your right!" You know what, buddy? Shut your mouth and hit
> the brakes. If I feel like sliding from one side of the lane to the
> other, I guess you're just going to have to deal with that, aren't you?

You should at least attempt a hand signal if you're going to do this. Failure
to do so is considered rude, and will get you rear-ended someday. Save yourself
some pain and, more importantly, damage to your bike. Remember, you don't have
brake lights.

> In doing so, I drifted to the
> right several feet to avoid some crossing pedestrians when immediately
> I hear one of those stereotypical dickheads I've just described above
> start yelling, "On your right! On your right!"

Passing on the right is a general no-no, and presumably the peds were visible
to the guy behind you, so in that case, yeah, f*** him, but again, throw out
the hand signal. Then he has no excuse.

Did the cop do anything (I assume this guy was going to blow said red light)?

--

__o Kristian Zoerhoff
_'\(,_ kristian.zoerhoff@gmail.com
(_)/ (_)

Date: 16 Aug 2006 11:18:53
From: Pat in TX
Subject: Re: I'm gonna hear it on this one

You have some good points, but the post reminds me of the local people who
write to the editor of the newspaper to say: "Jeers to the man in the white
Bronco that cut me off while I was merging on to I20 west at I35 on Thursday
morning at 7 a.m. You need to know how to drive!"

The chances that the people who actually NEED to read your post are terribly
tiny. They'll never see it and they'll never change their ways....

Pat in TX

Date: 16 Aug 2006 09:17:40
From: gds
Subject: Re: I'm gonna hear it on this one

Steve wrote:
> Maybe it's me, but I just don't get the attitude some road cyclists
> carry along with their ridiculously over-priced mules. When I'm down
> at the motocross track, I don't care if a guy's turning fifty second
> laps or five minute laps, chances are he's gonna be cool if you walk up
> to him off the track and introduce yourself.
>
> Wish I could say the same for the "serious" cyclists I notice in
> Central Park.
>
> Like I said, though, maybe it's just me, and I mean that. Maybe it's
> just the clowns in Central Park who are getting on my nerves day after
> day.
>
> When I first began riding, more than enough guys with top-shelf
> helmets, colorful jerseys, and expensive carbon fiber bikes (not to
> mention the shaved legs, which is a route I will never take) would pass
> me on the park's loop. Being new to the sport, I made it a
> habit--albeit an incredibly short-lived habit--to glance over and say
> hello. Nothing elaborate, just a quick nod of the head and, "How's it
> going?"
>
> Usually, the response included a look fitting for the filthiest of the
> homeless, as if I had just asked the passing cyclist if he'd mind
> sharing his wife/girlfriend in bed.
>
> These cyclists, they're an odd bunch to say the least. Regardless, I
> no longer bother with the pleasantries although in the event someone
> has a hello for me, I'll be sure to open my mouth and make the effort
> to say hi in return.
>
> Further, maybe I have been riding motocross too long, because my
> attitude toward the cyclists behind me is basically, "You've got
> brakes. Learn how to use them." What I mean is, if I have to swerve a
> few feet to the left or right to avoid a pothole, a kid, or a jogger, I
> don't feel like listening to some jackass behind me yelling, "On your
> right! On your right!" You know what, buddy? Shut your mouth and hit
> the brakes. If I feel like sliding from one side of the lane to the
> other, I guess you're just going to have to deal with that, aren't you?
>
> Perfect example. Last night, I get in Central Park not long after 6:30
> which means cars are still permitted. On the uphill approach to the
> 92nd Street intersection (at least I think it's 92nd Street), the light
> turned red just as a cop in a scooter pulled up behind me. Recently,
> city officials have been contemplating banning cycling in the park, so
> I thought, "Let me slow it down rather than blow through this red light
> while there's a cop right on my ass." In doing so, I drifted to the
> right several feet to avoid some crossing pedestrians when immediately
> I hear one of those stereotypical dickheads I've just described above
> start yelling, "On your right! On your right!"
>
> See what I'm saying about the brakes? Learn how to use 'em. I really
> don't give a flying f#ck if I messed up this guy's drive/momentum.
> Also, when I've got the inside line going into a corner, I'll go as
> wide as I please on the exit. If you don't like me moving over on you,
> too bad. You've got brakes. Learn how to use 'em. I'll worry about
> what's going on in front of me, let alone what's behind me.

Must be a NYC attitude thing. Wonder why you expect friendly responses
when yor stated position is that you don.t "give a flying F#ck" about
them. Perhaps when you get a bit more experience you'll discover why
having a cyclist drift into your path is not a good thing. Stopping a
bicicle at speed in a crowded situation is not so simple as just using
your brakes.