cfsmtb wrote:
>
> I'm helping to compile re****ts + images of the Australian Rides of
> Silence. Please free free to PM (if on cycling forums) or email
> infoATwoj.com.au
>
> In all, there was eleven rides across Australia in Adelaide, Bendigo,
> Bowral, Canberra, Geelong, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Mount Isa, South West
> Rocks, Sydney and Townsville.
>
> Additional re****ts, blogs, images, media coverage (including pdf scans)
> and feedback are most welcome.
>
> Many thanks to all for creating such an inspirational national event.
> ;)
>
> --
> cfsmtb
Good to see that 230 riders here gave the public a message.
I forgot it was on, and did a ride of 100km from Watson to Mt Stromlo,
Point Hut via the suburbs, then Gordon, Theodore, Belconnen.
But in the last 3km before returning home a guy rides past me at Yowani
golf course,
and at the Barton Hwy he runs the red light, and nearly gets hit by a
ute with a trailer making a turn left from the Hwy
into Northbourne Ave because the driver thought he had a clear run,
because he saw the cars all stopped
at the lights where I was.
The lights went green, I take off, and catch up to this dude, and
attempt to pass him and
after a "g'day", he doesn't reply, and I notice he's wired for sound
from a walkman.
He sure didn't like an old bastard like me passing, and takes off with
haste, and I cruise in the draft until
I stopped to turn for home about 300metres further.
Not only are some cyclists silly and blind at traffic lights, they are
not friendly.
And like idiots, some ride with music to drown out the noise, which
deprives them
of any sound of approaching vehicles which can be deadly.
I don't recall breaking too many road rules myself yesterday.
I slowed down for the dog walkers and toddlers and everyone else on the
"cycle paths".
There is a lot of fear amoung the non cyclists who use the "cycle paths"
for everything except cycling.
However, most of them realise that if they KEEP LEFT at all times,
and avoid sudden movement to the right, the inevitable cyclists who do
ride past
without a bell ring won't crash into them.
But I never insist mums with prams move quickly, and I often have to
ride off in the rough around them. The mothers think their kids are more
im****tant than a damned cyclist.
Cyclists don't like that, but after doing it countless times, I've never
copped a puncture
or damaged anything.
Recently, an older woman here went walking in Westbourne Woods along the
cycle path, a very pretty walk
around Lake BG and well forested. She was hit by a cyclist as some
speed.
He'd yelled "BIKE!" when he was only 10 metres behind her and this woman
steps right instead of left
and the cyclist crashes right into her. Older ladies are fragile
creatures, and she's taken
a long time to recover so far.
The young male cyclist roared abuse at her when the accident occured,
fini****ng off
with "I ain't gonna fit a ****ing bell to a $7,000 bike, OK!!!" after
she'd
complained she didn't hear a bell.
Well, I have a couple of road bikes worth only $500 each maybe;
one has a beautiful Reynolds 753R frame, and since I can ride past a
heck of a lot
of younger riders with $7,000 bikes, maybe I am right in thinking
my bike is damned priceless.
And I have a bell, and I use it all the time.
For stupid agressive young males to expect old ladies et all to have
eyes in the back
of their heads or have fast and correct reaction times is just
unforgivable and idiotic.
There is a strong case for all cyclists to carry a license number plate
of the same size as an auto number plate, firmly fixed to the top tube
of the frame.
This would mean a cyclist must act with respect and care as he could be
identified.
( maybe it'd prevent so many bike thefts as well ).
The young fellow who would insist he's in the right might have got his
come-uppance
if a male friend of the lady had extended a knuckle sandwich to him,
as well as trampling his carbon fibres into splinters.
One can get oneself into trouble thinking you are always right,
and that you have rights above those of others towards whom you think
you have no duty of care.
And despite the numerous slowing downs during my ride, I averaged 25kph
for my 100k ride
on a mix of 50% cycle paths and roads.
So there is always time to use the brakes.
Patrick Turner.
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