a lovely conversation

[brianlt228]

The other day, I was at work and speaking with a staff member about my new interest....road biking. Gave up a different sport due to age and decided to bike. Anyway....she asked me if I rode my bike on the street. To this I naturally replied...of course...it is called road biking for a reason. She replied to me that she hated me and all of us that do as we all get on her nerves and we shouldn't even be on the road unless we have a motor on the vehicle. To put it lightly...I was stunned. She is normally a really nice lady.
My only response to her was that I had every right to be on that road as I pay taxes as well (We all do) and that the cause of most biking accidents are vehicle/driver negligence...not the biker. this apparently offended her. However, I did note that on her way out of the parking lot later that day....she was talking on her cell and putting on her makeup with her other hand...driving with her knees. Pulled up beside her at the stop sign and just shook my head. When she saw me...you shoulda see how quickly that cell and makeup disappeared. Don't even know what to say to her now.

[TimB]

Perhaps something just slightly more diplomatic that if she doesn't cease being a beltline Barbie, and shuts up and drives, she might be the 'bicycle' in a multi-car or car-truck accident. Few people change behavior until they see what's in it for them.

[Erica]

thats not a lovely conversation at all :( i honestly dont understand how people can be so self centered that they have no tolerance for people who are doing them no harm. even more unbelievable is that it seems the majority of people who dont ride, have this awesome disregard for the lives of those who do. i wish there was a concise, straightforward yet non-defensive way to get the point across to people like this woman that not only do we have a right to road usage, but they are completely selfish in hating us.

on a related note, i was behind a string of traffic on Poole Rd today coming into wendell. there was a BIG ol' tractor that was going about 20mph and holding up traffic. there was about 20 of us behind him, and even in the passing zones, we couldnt safely pass him because he took up half the other side of the road and wouldnt budge to the right and allow folks to pass. as sterotypical as they get, there was a good ol' boy in a supersized pickup truck in front of me. i could see his face in his rear view mirror. his brow was squinched up, his mouth was going a mile a minute, he was banging his fist on his steering wheel. i imagine hes probably the same white pickup that treated me with the same disregard (and way less respect) as he buzzed by me on a solo ride a while back, nearly taking me off my bike as he passed.

really...why are people so impatient?

[BigBoy]

thats not a lovely conversation at all :( i honestly dont understand how people can be so self centered that they have no tolerance for people who are doing them no harm. even more unbelievable is that it seems the majority of people who dont ride, have this awesome disregard for the lives of those who do. i wish there was a concise, straightforward yet non-defensive way to get the point across to people like this woman that not only do we have a right to road usage, but they are completely selfish in hating us.

on a related note, i was behind a string of traffic on Poole Rd today coming into wendell. there was a BIG ol' tractor that was going about 20mph and holding up traffic. there was about 20 of us behind him, and even in the passing zones, we couldnt safely pass him because he took up half the other side of the road and wouldnt budge to the right and allow folks to pass. as sterotypical as they get, there was a good ol' boy in a supersized pickup truck in front of me. i could see his face in his rear view mirror. his brow was squinched up, his mouth was going a mile a minute, he was banging his fist on his steering wheel. i imagine hes probably the same white pickup that treated me with the same disregard (and way less respect) as he buzzed by me on a solo ride a while back, nearly taking me off my bike as he passed.

really...why are people so impatient?

Erica I hardly doubt he was a "good ole' boy"... quit sterio typing!!! a good ole' boy wouldn't get mad at a tractor and I doubt there are to many of them up that way....

[Erica]

lol big boy....not YOUR kind of good ol' boy ;)

[Pugslyyy]

The other day, I was at work and speaking with a staff member about my new interest....road biking.
Was she being serious? Or just joking around with you?

[skiffrun]

Erica I hardly doubt he was a "good ole' boy"... quit sterio typing!!! a good ole' boy wouldn't get mad at a tractor and I doubt there are to many of them up that way....probably wasn't a "good ole boy" and I agree they wouldn't get upset about a tractor. Well, not the real ones; the "posers" might.

but as for number of tractors around Wendell: ever ridden from the north side of Wendell, to Lizard Lick, to Hopkins, to Riley, to Clifton Pond, to Royal? There be plenty enough tractors.

[Erica]

this kid was a poser good ol' boy. he was way too clean cut to be a real one, lol...unless good ol' boys come in metro-sexual these days? LOL