Two Firsts in 24 hours
So I have ridden my bike quite a bit. Enough that I feel that when new things happen it is pretty substantial. The first was great and made me smile for the remainder of my ride. It was WINDY here in the Windy City yesterday. It was not any more windy than other days, it has been worse, but reguardless what happened was a first for me. Riding into the wind west on Adams the gust started building as I approached Wells. It is familiar, pedal harder and slow down immensly, fight the invisible barrier in front of you. Well as I was struggling into the wind it became harder and harder to pedal. I was going slower and slower. By the time I was in the middle of the intersection of Adams and Wells I was at a standstill. Standing upright on my pedals, pushing as hard as I could, but not moving foward. The wind was pushing so hard against me that I was not moving, just balancing on my bike in the middle of the intersection. The best part was as I am yelling a "Holy Fuck!" that got sweapt away into the wind, there is a guy standing on the corner yelling at me "C'mon! You can do it!" Awesome.
Then this morning. I ride my commuter, as many people would probably refer, like a sissy. There are a few stop signs i actually come to a complete stop at and one of them is Damen and Fulton as I ride west to the train in the morning. Well, this morning, I came to a complete stop to allow a pair of cars to go. Then my turn. A Northbound car was hesitant so an extra Southbound car got to go. As I roll through the intersection, which at this point I clearly have the right of way, a third Southbound car rolls up to the stop sign. But doesn't stop, and fucking hits me! Not hard, and into a architectual plan packed pannier, so there was barely any contact as I rode out of her way staying upright. My temper has cooled quite a bit over the past relativly low key year towards drivers, but I flipped a lid on this lady. I, a cyclist, stopped and waited my turn at a Fucking Stop sign and she doesn't pay enough attention to see me in clear daylight as I meander through the intersection. People can be really dumb let me tell you.
BenPopper
8 Comments
Reader Comments (8)
And you were doing so well without being hit by a car. Well as long as your ok, thats all that matters :)
NO MORE CRASHES. ok?
i had a little boy yell "go! go! go!" from his driveway in the suburbs one time. it is a good feeling when people are excited that other people exist.
it is not such a good feeling when people in control of a car that could easily kill someone, on a bike or otherwise, act like they are the only people on earth. i have been doing much more driving this past school year and it is absolutely amazing how out-to-lunch many people are.
shakaholla!
keep pushing.
that intersection is the worst! i turn there (R in the morning L @ night) and the level of driver audacity amazes me! cars 2 abreast dragracing in the bikelane to get to the viaduct faster; blatant disgregard of the fact you're supposed to stop... i don't even go THROUGH the intersection. glad your alright, man.
I'm glad you are alright! That's the 3rd one,(that I know of), no more please. I'll try to let other drivers know. Since you've been riding your bike, I've tried to be more aware of riders. I hope you really scared her to her senses. The free standing pedal into the wind sounded really cool. That's almost like I felt running up the hill in Chinatown,SF to catch a bus. Mom
that's why you just run them shits. put on a giant aero helmet, carry a swashbuckling sword and fly a giant pirate flag off the back of the commuter. people will stop.
Glad you're okay. In weather like this every one drives/bikes/walks/whatevers like it is the Rapture.
You know, Cat. 1 riders don't get stood up by any natural forces.
J/k. Glad you're OK!