Hit a pedestrian

[Claire Petersky]

Stepped in front of me in the evening gloom, without looking, while talking
on his cell phone. I wasn't going that fast to begin with, and braked
desperately, but hit him anyway, as circumstances were that I didn't have
anywhere else to go. I don't think he missed more than three beats on his
telephone conversation. I hit the pavement, and tore a hole in my tights.
For novelty, this time I tore a hole on my left knee, so I can have matching
scrapes right now.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/

[max]

In article <13l22cdjeml880a@corp.supernews.com>,
"Claire Petersky" <cpetersky@mouse-potato.com> wrote:

> Stepped in front of me in the evening gloom, without looking, while talking
> on his cell phone. I wasn't going that fast to begin with, and braked
> desperately, but hit him anyway, as circumstances were that I didn't have
> anywhere else to go. I don't think he missed more than three beats on his
> telephone conversation. I hit the pavement, and tore a hole in my tights.
> For novelty, this time I tore a hole on my left knee, so I can have matching
> scrapes right now.

teh svck!

silver lining: time to go shopping for more bikey clothes.

..max

--
The part of betatron @ earthlink . net was played by a garden gnome

[max]

In article <13l22cdjeml880a@corp.supernews.com>,
"Claire Petersky" <cpetersky@mouse-potato.com> wrote:

> Stepped in front of me in the evening gloom, without looking, while talking
> on his cell phone. I wasn't going that fast to begin with, and braked
> desperately, but hit him anyway, as circumstances were that I didn't have
> anywhere else to go. I don't think he missed more than three beats on his
> telephone conversation. I hit the pavement, and tore a hole in my tights.
> For novelty, this time I tore a hole on my left knee, so I can have matching
> scrapes right now.

At least you didn't deserve your scrape. Last rilly good knee scrape i
got came from unicycling at Rt 38 and Rt 25 in Geneva (il) in the snow,
taunting the gridlocked commuters with my mad Macerena unicycle skillz,
until i found a hole in the sidewalk, under the snow. Instant karma
and a scab the size of a debit card.

..max

--
The part of betatron @ earthlink . net was played by a garden gnome

[Bill Sornson]

Claire Petersky wrote:
> Stepped in front of me in the evening gloom, without looking, while
> talking on his cell phone. I wasn't going that fast to begin with,
> and braked desperately, but hit him anyway, as circumstances were
> that I didn't have anywhere else to go. I don't think he missed more
> than three beats on his telephone conversation. I hit the pavement,
> and tore a hole in my tights. For novelty, this time I tore a hole on
> my left knee, so I can have matching scrapes right now.

Did you get yelled at to complete the experience?

Glad you weren't injured too badly...


BS (no, really :))

[Zoot Katz]

On Fri, 30 Nov 2007 23:13:18 -0800, "Claire Petersky"
<cpetersky@mouse-potato.com> wrote:

>Stepped in front of me in the evening gloom, without looking, while talking
>on his cell phone. I wasn't going that fast to begin with, and braked
>desperately, but hit him anyway, as circumstances were that I didn't have
>anywhere else to go. I don't think he missed more than three beats on his
>telephone conversation. I hit the pavement, and tore a hole in my tights.
>For novelty, this time I tore a hole on my left knee, so I can have matching
>scrapes right now.

How's the bike?
--
zk

[Jym Dyer]

=v= Cellphone zombies do the most insane things.
<_Jym_>

[Tom Keats]

In article <13l22cdjeml880a@corp.supernews.com>,
"Claire Petersky" <cpetersky@mouse-potato.com> writes:
> Stepped in front of me in the evening gloom, without looking, while talking
> on his cell phone. I wasn't going that fast to begin with, and braked
> desperately, but hit him anyway, as circumstances were that I didn't have
> anywhere else to go. I don't think he missed more than three beats on his
> telephone conversation. I hit the pavement, and tore a hole in my tights.
> For novelty, this time I tore a hole on my left knee, so I can have matching
> scrapes right now.

I guess you feel badly about having hit somebody.
I would, too. Even if they were head-in-the-clouds
jaywalking and totally oblivious to everything.

I guess you also feel relieved about having borne the
brunt of the incident, instead of the other guy.
I would, too.

The last thing we regular folx want to do, is to
hurt other people. But sometimes we unintentionally
step on toes, or inadvertantly let a door swing shut
as someone is trying to dart through it, or whatever.
It happens to "them", it happens to "us".
Shlemiel/shlamazle. We're all just Humanity.

At least you weren't driving a forklift. Especially
one with an 8-foot chainsaw on it instead of forks.

Don't worry about it too much.


cheers,
Tom

--
Nothing is safe from me.
I'm really at:
tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

[cyclingthings@gmail.com]

On Dec 1, 2:13 am, "Claire Petersky" <cpeter...@mouse-potato.com>
wrote:
> Stepped in front of me in the evening gloom, without looking, while talking
> on his cell phone. I wasn't going that fast to begin with, and braked
> desperately, but hit him anyway, as circumstances were that I didn't have
> anywhere else to go. I don't think he missed more than three beats on his
> telephone conversation. I hit the pavement, and tore a hole in my tights.
> For novelty, this time I tore a hole on my left knee, so I can have matching
> scrapes right now.
>
> --
> Warm Regards,
>
> Claire Peterskyhttp://www.bicyclemeditations.org/

sorry to hear that. i recently fell from my bike as well. going to
fast on wet pavement.
if you need new clothes check our store
carlos
http://www.bikingthings.com

[Tom Sherman]

Claire Petersky wrote:
> Stepped in front of me in the evening gloom, without looking, while talking
> on his cell phone. I wasn't going that fast to begin with, and braked
> desperately, but hit him anyway, as circumstances were that I didn't have
> anywhere else to go. I don't think he missed more than three beats on his
> telephone conversation. I hit the pavement, and tore a hole in my tights.
> For novelty, this time I tore a hole on my left knee, so I can have matching
> scrapes right now.
>
Yes, it is unfortunate that a cyclist hitting an idiotic pedestrian [1]
will usually suffer more damage than the pedestrian at fault (been
there, done that). That is why I prefer to ride a bicycle like this [2]
in urban areas, since I at least have a de-facto ram at the front, and
will come off the bicycle feet first instead of head first. Riding in
the middle chainring, so the "buzz saw" 62-T big ring is exposed also
may attract the attention of the clueless.

A LOUD air horn is also a necessity in pedestrian infested areas.

[1] This includes almost all college students and/or people leaving
bars, clubs and other places of entertainment.
[2] <http://www.ransbikes.com/Rocket07.htm>.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"Localized intense suction such as tornadoes is created when temperature
differences are high enough between meeting air masses, and can impart
excessive energy onto a cyclist." - Randy Schlitter

[Michael]

Claire Petersky wrote:
>
> Stepped in front of me in the evening gloom, without looking, while talking
> on his cell phone. I wasn't going that fast to begin with, and braked
> desperately, but hit him anyway, as circumstances were that I didn't have
> anywhere else to go. I don't think he missed more than three beats on his
> telephone conversation. I hit the pavement, and tore a hole in my tights.
> For novelty, this time I tore a hole on my left knee, so I can have matching
> scrapes right now.
>
> --
> Warm Regards,
>
> Claire Petersky
> http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/



Claire, since it seems you're bent on destroying those tights while you're in
'em, I humbly suggest that you consider encasing your knees (and elbows; why
not?) in "pads". Then, if a wild elbow or knee happens to connect with e.g. a
cell-phone-zombe, he/she might be more ... um ... deterred.

But seriously, glad you escaped real injury.

---
Michael

[Claire]

On Wednesday I stepped on some uneven ground and sprained my ankle.
The weird thing is, it was my left ankle, and it's usually my right
that goes wonky. It wasn't until today that I realized that maybe the
sprain was related to the fall. I fell to my left, bruised my left
knee -- how likely is it that I weakened something that I hurt my
ankle less than a week later?

It reminds me of how they tell you after you have a collision with a
car to collect all the relevant information. You might feel fine
directly after an accident, but the problems creep up later.

Warm Regards,


Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/

[DC1999]

On Nov 30, 11:13 pm, "Claire Petersky" <cpeter...@mouse-potato.com>
wrote:
> Stepped in front of me in the evening gloom, without looking, while talking
> on his cell phone. I wasn't going that fast to begin with, and braked
> desperately, but hit him anyway, as circumstances were that I didn't have
> anywhere else to go. I don't think he missed more than three beats on his
> telephone conversation. I hit the pavement, and tore a hole in my tights.
> For novelty, this time I tore a hole on my left knee, so I can have matching
> scrapes right now.
>
> --
> Warm Regards,
>
> Claire Peterskyhttp://www.bicyclemeditations.org/

This issue is not a laughing matter. As I posted a day or two ago, a
lady in Irvine, CA died last August in a collision between herself and
a bicyclist riding on a regular bike path. News articles indicated
she fell and hit her head. The cyclist was reportedly going between
12 - 15 mph, but the article offered no real explanation for the
collision other than the suggestion that the lady was a congregant at
an adjoining church and was "dancing" in the path. The flowers are
still there beside the bike path, and the church has put up signs and
a rope barrier to prevent members from leaving the parking lot.

Tearing my pants or knee is truly small potatoes compared to being
involved in the death of someone.

Dave

[Claire Petersky]

"max" <betatron@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:betatron-919941.01462201122007@032-478-847.area7.spcsdns.net...
> In article <13l22cdjeml880a@corp.supernews.com>,

> silver lining: time to go shopping for more bikey clothes.


Tights are ridiculously expensive. I'll probably just darn these up, just
like I've darned up others.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

[Tom Sherman]

max wrote:
> In article <13l22cdjeml880a@corp.supernews.com>,
> "Claire Petersky" <cpetersky@mouse-potato.com> wrote:
>
>> Stepped in front of me in the evening gloom, without looking, while talking
>> on his cell phone. I wasn't going that fast to begin with, and braked
>> desperately, but hit him anyway, as circumstances were that I didn't have
>> anywhere else to go. I don't think he missed more than three beats on his
>> telephone conversation. I hit the pavement, and tore a hole in my tights.
>> For novelty, this time I tore a hole on my left knee, so I can have matching
>> scrapes right now.
>
> At least you didn't deserve your scrape. Last rilly good knee scrape i
> got came from unicycling at Rt 38 and Rt 25 in Geneva (il) in the snow,...

Specifying Illinois is unnecessary, as this is the Geneva one should
assume unless otherwise specified. :)

Speaking of this intersection, did they ever build anything at the old
Hillquist Excavating site, and/or improve that right-angle corner on the
FVT?

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"Localized intense suction such as tornadoes is created when temperature
differences are high enough between meeting air masses, and can impart
excessive energy onto a cyclist." - Randy Schlitter

[It's Chris]

Ahhh, I'm sure you're still beautiful Claire, even with scabby knees LOL

- -
Compliments of:
"Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

If you want to E-mail me use:
ChrisZCorner "at" webtv "dot" net

My website:
http://geocities.com/czcorner

[Claire Petersky]

"Zoot Katz" <zootkatz@operamail.com> wrote in message
news:9a82l35fumkoi6mgbnbqicbp22oosh1343@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 30 Nov 2007 23:13:18 -0800, "Claire Petersky"
> <cpetersky@mouse-potato.com> wrote:
>
>>Stepped in front of me in the evening gloom, without looking, while
>>talking
>>on his cell phone. I wasn't going that fast to begin with, and braked
>>desperately, but hit him anyway, as circumstances were that I didn't have
>>anywhere else to go. I don't think he missed more than three beats on his
>>telephone conversation. I hit the pavement, and tore a hole in my tights.
>>For novelty, this time I tore a hole on my left knee, so I can have
>>matching
>>scrapes right now.
>
> How's the bike?


Bike's fine. The ironic thing is that Dane fixed my third headlight for me
that morning, so it wasn't like I wasn't throwing enough light out in front
of me.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

[Stephen Harding]

Jym Dyer wrote:
> =v= Cellphone zombies do the most insane things.

Squirrels on their cell phones!

There's true danger for ya!!!


SMH

[Tom Sherman]

Jym Dyer wrote:
> =v= Cellphone zombies do the most insane things.

I would love to have a portable cell phone blocker.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"Localized intense suction such as tornadoes is created when temperature
differences are high enough between meeting air masses, and can impart
excessive energy onto a cyclist." - Randy Schlitter

[It's Chris]

From: jym@econet.org (Jym*Dyer):

>=v= Cellphone zombies do the most
>insane things. * <_Jym_>

Obviousy, a Darwin invention...

- -
Compliments of:
"Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

If you want to E-mail me use:
ChrisZCorner "at" webtv "dot" net

My website:
http://geocities.com/czcorner

[Tom Sherman]

Tom Keats wrote:
> In article <13l22cdjeml880a@corp.supernews.com>,
> "Claire Petersky" <cpetersky@mouse-potato.com> writes:
>> Stepped in front of me in the evening gloom, without looking, while talking
>> on his cell phone. I wasn't going that fast to begin with, and braked
>> desperately, but hit him anyway, as circumstances were that I didn't have
>> anywhere else to go. I don't think he missed more than three beats on his
>> telephone conversation. I hit the pavement, and tore a hole in my tights.
>> For novelty, this time I tore a hole on my left knee, so I can have matching
>> scrapes right now.
>
> I guess you feel badly about having hit somebody.
> I would, too. Even if they were head-in-the-clouds
> jaywalking and totally oblivious to everything.

Twenty-thousand years ago, these clueless cell phone yakkers would have
been eaten by Smilodon. ;)

> I guess you also feel relieved about having borne the
> brunt of the incident, instead of the other guy.
> I would, too.

Not me. People that screw up should bear the consequences, not others.

> The last thing we regular folx want to do, is to
> hurt other people. But sometimes we unintentionally
> step on toes, or inadvertantly let a door swing shut
> as someone is trying to dart through it, or whatever.
> It happens to "them", it happens to "us".
> Shlemiel/shlamazle. We're all just Humanity.

I only really feel guilty about stepping on kitty's foot by accident.

> At least you weren't driving a forklift. Especially
> one with an 8-foot chainsaw on it instead of forks.

Cool!

> Don't worry about it too much.

Being Seattle, the pedestrian could have stepped in front of this
cyclist:
<http://www.outsideconnection.com/gallant/hpv/joe/outtaMyWay_1.mpg> and
<http://www.outsideconnection.com/gallant/hpv/joe/outtaMyWay_2.mpg>. ;)

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"Localized intense suction such as tornadoes is created when temperature
differences are high enough between meeting air masses, and can impart
excessive energy onto a cyclist." - Randy Schlitter

[Chalo]

Tom Sherman wrote:
>
> Yes, it is unfortunate that a cyclist hitting an idiotic pedestrian [1]
> will usually suffer more damage than the pedestrian at fault (been
> there, done that).

When I was in college, I nailed a ped in a campus crosswalk. I wasn't
moving that fast, but she went away in an ambulance with a truly
ghastly-looking contusion in her ankle while I got off with a few
light scrapes. It was one of those situations where she spooked and I
dodged in the same direction about three or four times in succession
before colliding. I was already braking down a short steep section,
so stopping effectively would have required a little more forethought
than I brought with me. I should have anticipated foot traffic and
yielded while I still had the room to do so.

She was in a lot of pain; I felt horrible. I still feel guilty about
it, and I bet she still carries a scar too.

Chalo

[max]

In article <firom8$sfv$1@registered.motzarella.org>,
Tom Sherman <sunsetss0003@REMOVETHISyahoo.com> wrote:

> max wrote:
> > In article <13l22cdjeml880a@corp.supernews.com>,
> > "Claire Petersky" <cpetersky@mouse-potato.com> wrote:
> >
> >> Stepped in front of me in the evening gloom, without looking, while
> >> talking
> >> on his cell phone. I wasn't going that fast to begin with, and braked
> >> desperately, but hit him anyway, as circumstances were that I didn't have
> >> anywhere else to go. I don't think he missed more than three beats on his
> >> telephone conversation. I hit the pavement, and tore a hole in my tights.
> >> For novelty, this time I tore a hole on my left knee, so I can have
> >> matching
> >> scrapes right now.
> >
> > At least you didn't deserve your scrape. Last rilly good knee scrape i
> > got came from unicycling at Rt 38 and Rt 25 in Geneva (il) in the snow,...
>
> Specifying Illinois is unnecessary, as this is the Geneva one should
> assume unless otherwise specified. :)
>
> Speaking of this intersection, did they ever build anything at the old
> Hillquist Excavating site, and/or improve that right-angle corner on the
> FVT?

Nothing yet, but at least there's a clear view through the chainlink
fence around the lot.

..max

--
The part of betatron @ earthlink . net was played by a garden gnome

[John Kane]

On Dec 1, 8:47 am, Tom Sherman <sunsetss0...@REMOVETHISyahoo.com>
wrote:
> max wrote:
> > In article <13l22cdjeml8...@corp.supernews.com>,
> > "Claire Petersky" <cpeter...@mouse-potato.com> wrote:
>
> >> Stepped in front of me in the evening gloom, without looking, while talking
> >> on his cell phone. I wasn't going that fast to begin with, and braked
> >> desperately, but hit him anyway, as circumstances were that I didn't have
> >> anywhere else to go. I don't think he missed more than three beats on his
> >> telephone conversation. I hit the pavement, and tore a hole in my tights.
> >> For novelty, this time I tore a hole on my left knee, so I can have matching
> >> scrapes right now.
>
> > At least you didn't deserve your scrape. Last rilly good knee scrape i
> > got came from unicycling at Rt 38 and Rt 25 in Geneva (il) in the snow,...
>
> Specifying Illinois is unnecessary, as this is the Geneva one should
> assume unless otherwise specified. :)

Actually it was useful. I had never heard of Geneva Illanois. The
only Geneva I knew was in Switzerland and I believe it snows there
too :)

I'm reading this on rec.bicycles.misc which is international.

John Kane, Kingston ON Canada

[ZBicyclist]

Tom Sherman wrote:
> Jym Dyer wrote:
>> =v= Cellphone zombies do the most insane things.
>
> I would love to have a portable cell phone blocker.

http://www.phonejammer.com/cell-phone-jammer/p2jbz.asp
I've been tempted to get one myself.

My current pedestrian complaint is people in the front row at a stoplight
talking on phones who don't keep their foot on the brake with enough
pressure, and slide forward slowly into the crosswalk.

--
Mike Kruger
Error is eternal, and wisdom consists in living with it, not letting
our vanity tell us that it has been transcended. - Michael T. Ghiselin

[Tom Keats]

In article <firp69$u5q$1@registered.motzarella.org>,
Tom Sherman <sunsetss0003@REMOVETHISyahoo.com> writes:

>> I guess you also feel relieved about having borne the
>> brunt of the incident, instead of the other guy.
>> I would, too.
>
> Not me. People that screw up should bear the consequences, not others.

Well, /everybody/ screws up sooner or later.
That's why we can empathize with each other,
and have foregiving hearts.


cheers,
Tom

--
Nothing is safe from me.
I'm really at:
tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

[Sir Ridesalot]

On Dec 1, 10:20 am, "Claire Petersky" <cpeter...@mouse-potato.com>
wrote:
> "max" <betat...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
>
> news:betatron-919941.01462201122007@032-478-847.area7.spcsdns.net...
>
> > In article <13l22cdjeml8...@corp.supernews.com>,
> > silver lining: time to go shopping for more bikey clothes.
>
> Tights are ridiculously expensive. I'll probably just darn these up, just
> like I've darned up others.
>
> --
> Warm Regards,
>
> Claire Peterskyhttp://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
> See the books I've set free at:http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky


Hey there Claire.

The other day I had a passenger in a car yell at me to "Ride on the
sidewalk!" when I slowed down to to come to a stop. I yelled back at
her that riding on the sidewalk is actually illegal for a bicyclist.

BTW another good source for tights is a skating apparel store. I found
the skating tights were about 1/4 the cost of cycling tights but could
not see any difference in them.

Last year I bought 3 exellents pairs of thick tights at a Value
Village thrift store for $4 Cdn each pair. This summer I bought 2
pairs of skating skinsuits at a Goodwikll for $4 Cdn each. I'm all set
for Arctic conditions. LOL

Peter

[Leo Lichtman]

"Claire Petersky" wrote: (clip) I'll probably just darn these up, (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
An incident like this calls for stronger language than just "darn."

[max]

In article
<ab59c50c-a458-4ed8-bad2-52525f9ddbf4@w56g2000hsf.googlegroups.com>,
Sir Ridesalot <i_am_cycle_pathic@yahoo.ca> wrote:

> On Dec 1, 10:20 am, "Claire Petersky" <cpeter...@mouse-potato.com>
> wrote:
> > "max" <betat...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> >
> > news:betatron-919941.01462201122007@032-478-847.area7.spcsdns.net...
> >
> > > In article <13l22cdjeml8...@corp.supernews.com>,
> > > silver lining: time to go shopping for more bikey clothes.
> >
> > Tights are ridiculously expensive. I'll probably just darn these up, just
> > like I've darned up others.
> >
> > --
> > Warm Regards,
> >
> > Claire Peterskyhttp://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
> > See the books I've set free at:http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky
>
>
> Hey there Claire.
>
> The other day I had a passenger in a car yell at me to "Ride on the
> sidewalk!" when I slowed down to to come to a stop. I yelled back at
> her that riding on the sidewalk is actually illegal for a bicyclist.
>
> BTW another good source for tights is a skating apparel store. I found
> the skating tights were about 1/4 the cost of cycling tights but could
> not see any difference in them.
>
> Last year I bought 3 exellents pairs of thick tights at a Value
> Village thrift store for $4 Cdn each pair. This summer I bought 2
> pairs of skating skinsuits at a Goodwikll for $4 Cdn each. I'm all set
> for Arctic conditions. LOL
>
> Peter

Thanks for the pointer!!!

..max
rims of glory.

--
The part of betatron @ earthlink . net was played by a garden gnome

[Claire Petersky]

"Sir Ridesalot" <i_am_cycle_pathic@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
news:ab59c50c-a458-4ed8-bad2-52525f9ddbf4@w56g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> On Dec 1, 10:20 am, "Claire Petersky" <cpeter...@mouse-potato.com>
> wrote:
>> "max" <betat...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
>>
>> news:betatron-919941.01462201122007@032-478-847.area7.spcsdns.net...
>>
>> > In article <13l22cdjeml8...@corp.supernews.com>,
>> > silver lining: time to go shopping for more bikey clothes.
>>
>> Tights are ridiculously expensive. I'll probably just darn these up, just
>> like I've darned up others.

> Last year I bought 3 exellents pairs of thick tights at a Value
> Village thrift store for $4 Cdn each pair. This summer I bought 2
> pairs of skating skinsuits at a Goodwikll for $4 Cdn each. I'm all set
> for Arctic conditions. LOL

Per this suggestion I went to the Goodwill today. All the winter stuff is
pretty much gone, but I did score a mid-calf length pair of tights for
spring, and a nice fleece mid-layer.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

[Patrick Lamb]

On Sat, 01 Dec 2007 16:12:56 GMT, "ZBicyclist" <ZBicyclist@excite.com>
wrote:

>Tom Sherman wrote:
>> Jym Dyer wrote:
>>> =v= Cellphone zombies do the most insane things.
>>
>> I would love to have a portable cell phone blocker.
>
>http://www.phonejammer.com/cell-phone-jammer/p2jbz.asp
>I've been tempted to get one myself.
>
>My current pedestrian complaint is people in the front row at a stoplight
>talking on phones who don't keep their foot on the brake with enough
>pressure, and slide forward slowly into the crosswalk.

Sounds like a good use for an Air Zound!

Email address works as is.

[DC1999]

On Dec 1, 10:22 am, max <betat...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> In article <firom8$sf...@registered.motzarella.org>,
> Tom Sherman <sunsetss0...@REMOVETHISyahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > max wrote:
> > > In article <13l22cdjeml8...@corp.supernews.com>,
> > > "Claire Petersky" <cpeter...@mouse-potato.com> wrote:
>
> > >> Stepped in front of me in the evening gloom, without looking, while
> > >> talking
> > >> on his cell phone. I wasn't going that fast to begin with, and braked
> > >> desperately, but hit him anyway, as circumstances were that I didn't have
> > >> anywhere else to go. I don't think he missed more than three beats on his
> > >> telephone conversation. I hit the pavement, and tore a hole in my tights.
> > >> For novelty, this time I tore a hole on my left knee, so I can have
> > >> matching
> > >> scrapes right now.
>
> > > At least you didn't deserve your scrape. Last rilly good knee scrape i
> > > got came from unicycling at Rt 38 and Rt 25 in Geneva (il) in the snow,...
>
> > Specifying Illinois is unnecessary, as this is the Geneva one should
> > assume unless otherwise specified. :)
>
> > Speaking of this intersection, did they ever build anything at the old
> > Hillquist Excavating site, and/or improve that right-angle corner on the
> > FVT?
>
> Nothing yet, but at least there's a clear view through the chainlink
> fence around the lot.
>
> .max
>
> --
> The part of betatron @ earthlink . net was played by a garden gnome

in August, a lady died in collion with bicycle on regular bike path in
Irvine CA.

[Jym Dyer]

>> =v= Cellphone zombies do the most
>> insane things. <_Jym_>
> Obviousy, a Darwin invention...

=v= Unfortunately, unevolved motorists
zombify on them, too. :-(
<_Jym_>

[Tom Sherman]

Tom Keats wrote:
> In article <firp69$u5q$1@registered.motzarella.org>,
> Tom Sherman <sunsetss0003@REMOVETHISyahoo.com> writes:
>
>>> I guess you also feel relieved about having borne the
>>> brunt of the incident, instead of the other guy.
>>> I would, too.
>> Not me. People that screw up should bear the consequences, not others.
>
> Well, /everybody/ screws up sooner or later.
> That's why we can empathize with each other,
> and have foregiving hearts.

Or if you screw up, deal with the consequences without complaining.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"Localized intense suction such as tornadoes is created when temperature
differences are high enough between meeting air masses, and can impart
excessive energy onto a cyclist." - Randy Schlitter

[Tom Keats]

In article <fit82a$ip3$1@registered.motzarella.org>,
Tom Sherman <sunsetss0003@REMOVETHISyahoo.com> writes:
> Tom Keats wrote:
>> In article <firp69$u5q$1@registered.motzarella.org>,
>> Tom Sherman <sunsetss0003@REMOVETHISyahoo.com> writes:
>>
>>>> I guess you also feel relieved about having borne the
>>>> brunt of the incident, instead of the other guy.
>>>> I would, too.
>>> Not me. People that screw up should bear the consequences, not others.
>>
>> Well, /everybody/ screws up sooner or later.
>> That's why we can empathize with each other,
>> and have foregiving hearts.
>
> Or if you screw up, deal with the consequences without complaining.

Sure, but it's still okay to talk about it. We've gotta
understand the diff between complaining and explaining.
^^^ ^^

cheers,
Tom


--
Nothing is safe from me.
I'm really at:
tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

[Tom Sherman]

Chalo Colina wrote:
> Tom Sherman wrote:
>> Yes, it is unfortunate that a cyclist hitting an idiotic pedestrian [1]
>> will usually suffer more damage than the pedestrian at fault (been
>> there, done that).
>
> When I was in college, I nailed a ped in a campus crosswalk. I wasn't
> moving that fast, but she went away in an ambulance with a truly
> ghastly-looking contusion in her ankle while I got off with a few
> light scrapes. It was one of those situations where she spooked and I
> dodged in the same direction about three or four times in succession
> before colliding. I was already braking down a short steep section,
> so stopping effectively would have required a little more forethought
> than I brought with me. I should have anticipated foot traffic and
> yielded while I still had the room to do so.

Who had the right of way?

> She was in a lot of pain; I felt horrible. I still feel guilty about
> it, and I bet she still carries a scar too.

You could have been riding a Joe Kochanowski style armored bicycle!

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"Localized intense suction such as tornadoes is created when temperature
differences are high enough between meeting air masses, and can impart
excessive energy onto a cyclist." - Randy Schlitter

[Ryan Cousineau]

In article
<3a64f360-4d47-4454-bb38-6a4d5d2f1ba0@n20g2000hsh.googlegroups.com>,
Chalo <chalo.colina@gmail.com> wrote:

> Tom Sherman wrote:
> >
> > Yes, it is unfortunate that a cyclist hitting an idiotic pedestrian [1]
> > will usually suffer more damage than the pedestrian at fault (been
> > there, done that).
>
> When I was in college, I nailed a ped in a campus crosswalk. I wasn't
> moving that fast, but she went away in an ambulance with a truly
> ghastly-looking contusion in her ankle while I got off with a few
> light scrapes. It was one of those situations where she spooked and I
> dodged in the same direction about three or four times in succession
> before colliding. I was already braking down a short steep section,
> so stopping effectively would have required a little more forethought
> than I brought with me. I should have anticipated foot traffic and
> yielded while I still had the room to do so.
>
> She was in a lot of pain; I felt horrible. I still feel guilty about
> it, and I bet she still carries a scar too.

And well you should: you were the one that made the choice to drive a
vehicle capable of such dangerous speeds and of such limited mobility
that it requires its own right-of-way to be safely operable around
pedestrians. It is madness that our society allows such vehicles except
perhaps as toys to be used on private land, where the only people
exposed to their dangers are consenting adults.

:P

Also, I'm pretty sure Frank Krygowski agrees with me,

--
Ryan Cousineau rcousine@sfu.ca http://www.wiredcola.com/
"My scenarios may give the impression I could be an excellent crook.
Not true - I am a talented lawyer." - Sandy in rec.bicycles.racing

[Tom Keats]

In article <fitaql$qvt$1@registered.motzarella.org>,
Tom Sherman <sunsetss0003@REMOVETHISyahoo.com> writes:
> Chalo Colina wrote:
>> Tom Sherman wrote:
>>> Yes, it is unfortunate that a cyclist hitting an idiotic pedestrian [1]
>>> will usually suffer more damage than the pedestrian at fault (been
>>> there, done that).
>>
>> When I was in college, I nailed a ped in a campus crosswalk. I wasn't
>> moving that fast, but she went away in an ambulance with a truly
>> ghastly-looking contusion in her ankle while I got off with a few
>> light scrapes. It was one of those situations where she spooked and I
>> dodged in the same direction about three or four times in succession
>> before colliding. I was already braking down a short steep section,
>> so stopping effectively would have required a little more forethought
>> than I brought with me. I should have anticipated foot traffic and
>> yielded while I still had the room to do so.
>
> Who had the right of way?

In Vancouver, pedestrians /always/ have the ROW.
Doesn't mean they ever get it. Doesn't mean anybody
ever respects it.

>> She was in a lot of pain; I felt horrible. I still feel guilty about
>> it, and I bet she still carries a scar too.
>
> You could have been riding a Joe Kochanowski style armored bicycle!

Grow a heart. And maybe use it.

Are all recumbentists such jaded heartless nerds/lusers
who feel such a separation from their fellows?

You poor, life-deprived guy.


cheers,
Tom

--
Nothing is safe from me.
I'm really at:
tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

[Tom Sherman]

Tom Keats wrote:
> In article <fitaql$qvt$1@registered.motzarella.org>,
> Tom Sherman <sunsetss0003@REMOVETHISyahoo.com> writes:
>> Chalo Colina wrote:
>>> Tom Sherman wrote:
>>>> Yes, it is unfortunate that a cyclist hitting an idiotic pedestrian [1]
>>>> will usually suffer more damage than the pedestrian at fault (been
>>>> there, done that).
>>> When I was in college, I nailed a ped in a campus crosswalk. I wasn't
>>> moving that fast, but she went away in an ambulance with a truly
>>> ghastly-looking contusion in her ankle while I got off with a few
>>> light scrapes. It was one of those situations where she spooked and I
>>> dodged in the same direction about three or four times in succession
>>> before colliding. I was already braking down a short steep section,
>>> so stopping effectively would have required a little more forethought
>>> than I brought with me. I should have anticipated foot traffic and
>>> yielded while I still had the room to do so.
>> Who had the right of way?
>
> In Vancouver, pedestrians /always/ have the ROW.
> Doesn't mean they ever get it. Doesn't mean anybody
> ever respects it.

So there are no "Don't Walk" lights at signaled intersections, and
pedestrians are supposed to cross at right angles to traffic that has a
green light???

>>> She was in a lot of pain; I felt horrible. I still feel guilty about
>>> it, and I bet she still carries a scar too.
>> You could have been riding a Joe Kochanowski style armored bicycle!
>
> Grow a heart. And maybe use it.

The rules of the road are there for a reason. If brainless pedestrians
endanger cyclists by wandering out into traffic, too bad if they get
injured for their stupidity. I do not plan on being victimized by one again.

> Are all recumbentists such jaded heartless nerds/lusers
> who feel such a separation from their fellows?
>
> You poor, life-deprived guy.

I prefer to live in the reality based community, not some pollyanish
delusion.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"Localized intense suction such as tornadoes is created when temperature
differences are high enough between meeting air masses, and can impart
excessive energy onto a cyclist." - Randy Schlitter

[Tom Keats]

In article <fitfcg$85d$1@registered.motzarella.org>,
Tom Sherman <sunsetss0003@REMOVETHISyahoo.com> writes:
> Tom Keats wrote:
>> In article <fitaql$qvt$1@registered.motzarella.org>,
>> Tom Sherman <sunsetss0003@REMOVETHISyahoo.com> writes:
>>> Chalo Colina wrote:
>>>> Tom Sherman wrote:
>>>>> Yes, it is unfortunate that a cyclist hitting an idiotic pedestrian [1]
>>>>> will usually suffer more damage than the pedestrian at fault (been
>>>>> there, done that).
>>>> When I was in college, I nailed a ped in a campus crosswalk. I wasn't
>>>> moving that fast, but she went away in an ambulance with a truly
>>>> ghastly-looking contusion in her ankle while I got off with a few
>>>> light scrapes. It was one of those situations where she spooked and I
>>>> dodged in the same direction about three or four times in succession
>>>> before colliding. I was already braking down a short steep section,
>>>> so stopping effectively would have required a little more forethought
>>>> than I brought with me. I should have anticipated foot traffic and
>>>> yielded while I still had the room to do so.
>>> Who had the right of way?
>>
>> In Vancouver, pedestrians /always/ have the ROW.
>> Doesn't mean they ever get it. Doesn't mean anybody
>> ever respects it.
>
> So there are no "Don't Walk" lights at signaled intersections, and
> pedestrians are supposed to cross at right angles to traffic that has a
> green light???

Pedestrian lights are advisory, and the painted lines
of a crosswalk don't necessarily demark it -- pedestrians
are given a certain amount of latitude on either side of
those lines. At any rate, /any/ intersection is a pedestrian
crosswalk, whether painted, lighted, or not.

>>>> She was in a lot of pain; I felt horrible. I still feel guilty about
>>>> it, and I bet she still carries a scar too.
>>> You could have been riding a Joe Kochanowski style armored bicycle!
>>
>> Grow a heart. And maybe use it.
>
> The rules of the road are there for a reason. If brainless pedestrians
> endanger cyclists by wandering out into traffic, too bad if they get
> injured for their stupidity. I do not plan on being victimized by one again.

The rules of the road are there to decide contentions
of who gets to go, when those contentions occur. One
of our local rules of the road is that pedestrians
should receive precedence. Of course, that rule is
hardly ever upheld. The rules of the highway have
been so uspurped by drivers, they're now a joke.

>> Are all recumbentists such jaded heartless nerds/lusers
>> who feel such a separation from their fellows?
>>
>> You poor, life-deprived guy.
>
> I prefer to live in the reality based community, not some pollyanish
> delusion.

Well, I hope you enjoy your private Idaho.
Without inflicting it on others, of course.


cheers,
Tom

--
Nothing is safe from me.
I'm really at:
tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

[Tom Sherman]

Tom Keats wrote:
> In article <fitfcg$85d$1@registered.motzarella.org>,
> Tom Sherman <sunsetss0003@REMOVETHISyahoo.com> writes:
>> Tom Keats wrote:
>>> In article <fitaql$qvt$1@registered.motzarella.org>,
>>> Tom Sherman <sunsetss0003@REMOVETHISyahoo.com> writes:
>>>> Chalo Colina wrote:
>>>>> Tom Sherman wrote:
>>>>>> Yes, it is unfortunate that a cyclist hitting an idiotic pedestrian [1]
>>>>>> will usually suffer more damage than the pedestrian at fault (been
>>>>>> there, done that).
>>>>> When I was in college, I nailed a ped in a campus crosswalk. I wasn't
>>>>> moving that fast, but she went away in an ambulance with a truly
>>>>> ghastly-looking contusion in her ankle while I got off with a few
>>>>> light scrapes. It was one of those situations where she spooked and I
>>>>> dodged in the same direction about three or four times in succession
>>>>> before colliding. I was already braking down a short steep section,
>>>>> so stopping effectively would have required a little more forethought
>>>>> than I brought with me. I should have anticipated foot traffic and
>>>>> yielded while I still had the room to do so.
>>>> Who had the right of way?
>>> In Vancouver, pedestrians /always/ have the ROW.
>>> Doesn't mean they ever get it. Doesn't mean anybody
>>> ever respects it.
>> So there are no "Don't Walk" lights at signaled intersections, and
>> pedestrians are supposed to cross at right angles to traffic that has a
>> green light???
>
> Pedestrian lights are advisory, and the painted lines
> of a crosswalk don't necessarily demark it -- pedestrians
> are given a certain amount of latitude on either side of
> those lines. At any rate, /any/ intersection is a pedestrian
> crosswalk, whether painted, lighted, or not.

That is just stupid. Get rid of the traffic lights altogether if a green
light does not imply right-of-way.

>>>>> She was in a lot of pain; I felt horrible. I still feel guilty about
>>>>> it, and I bet she still carries a scar too.
>>>> You could have been riding a Joe Kochanowski style armored bicycle!
>>> Grow a heart. And maybe use it.
>> The rules of the road are there for a reason. If brainless pedestrians
>> endanger cyclists by wandering out into traffic, too bad if they get
>> injured for their stupidity. I do not plan on being victimized by one again.
>
> The rules of the road are there to decide contentions
> of who gets to go, when those contentions occur. One
> of our local rules of the road is that pedestrians
> should receive precedence. Of course, that rule is
> hardly ever upheld. The rules of the highway have
> been so uspurped by drivers, they're now a joke.

So pedestrians are allowed to blunder into the paths of the hapless
cyclists who have to deal with completely unpredictable behavior? What a
terrible idea.

>>> Are all recumbentists such jaded heartless nerds/lusers
>>> who feel such a separation from their fellows?
>>>
>>> You poor, life-deprived guy.
>> I prefer to live in the reality based community, not some pollyanish
>> delusion.
>
> Well, I hope you enjoy your private Idaho.
> Without inflicting it on others, of course.

Things are going to go very badly in the next 100 years, due to the
selfish desire of some to over-breed at the expense of the worldwide
ecosystem. Deal with it.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"Localized intense suction such as tornadoes is created when temperature
differences are high enough between meeting air masses, and can impart
excessive energy onto a cyclist." - Randy Schlitter

[Michael]

John Kane wrote:
> Actually it was useful. I had never heard of Geneva Illanois. The
> only Geneva I knew was in Switzerland and I believe it snows there
> too :)
>
> I'm reading this on rec.bicycles.misc which is international.
>
> John Kane, Kingston ON Canada


Me too, neither. :-) Geneva, NY was my first thought.

[Tom Sherman]

John Kane wrote:
> On Dec 1, 8:47 am, Tom Sherman <sunsetss0...@REMOVETHISyahoo.com>
> wrote:
>> max wrote:
>>> ...
>>> At least you didn't deserve your scrape. Last rilly good knee scrape i
>>> got came from unicycling at Rt 38 and Rt 25 in Geneva (il) in the snow,...
>>
>> Specifying Illinois is unnecessary, as this is the Geneva one should
>> assume unless otherwise specified. :)
>
> Actually it was useful. I had never heard of Geneva Ill[i]nois. The
> only Geneva I knew was in Switzerland and I believe it snows there
> too :)

Yeah, but is there an intersection of Route 25 (South Bennett Street)
and Route 38 (East State Street) in Geneva, Switzerland? Besides, past
postings indicate that ".max" regularly cycles in the Fox Valley.

> I'm reading this on rec.bicycles.misc which is international.

No excuse for being ignorant of the Fox Valley geography. ;)

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"Localized intense suction such as tornadoes is created when temperature
differences are high enough between meeting air masses, and can impart
excessive energy onto a cyclist." - Randy Schlitter

[Michael]

Claire wrote:
>
> On Wednesday I stepped on some uneven ground and sprained my ankle.
> The weird thing is, it was my left ankle, and it's usually my right
> that goes wonky. It wasn't until today that I realized that maybe the
> sprain was related to the fall. I fell to my left, bruised my left
> knee -- how likely is it that I weakened something that I hurt my
> ankle less than a week later?

A "light sprain", asymtomatic, from the collision, turns into a sprain upon
subsequent stress?
I dunno about that, Claire. Way above my pay grade.

My first thought was that you favored the left knee after the accident - forced
the right leg to carry your weight more of the time - so that, in a somewhat
weakened state, the right ankle buckled when that final straw hit the camel's
back.

> It reminds me of how they tell you after you have a collision with a
> car to collect all the relevant information. You might feel fine
> directly after an accident, but the problems creep up later.

Yes. Last winter I hit black ice on a 90-degree right turn and went down hard
on my right side. Since everthing seemed to be in the right place, I got up,
dusted snow off the right arm, and continued. When I undressed that night I
found a large (4"x3") burn on the bottom of the lower right arm; cotton/wool
shirt had apparently violently scrubbed the skin. Other that the burn, that arm
felt fine. Some days later I felt pain at the outside of the bottom of the
upper arm bone (i.e. just above the joint) when I flexed (bent) the arm. Either
tore or chipped something, I suspect. But symptoms were delayed.



>
> Warm Regards,
>
> Claire Petersky
> http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/