Bicycle rant 2 and 3

[finneco]

Why is it that people choose to walk on the bike paths when they NEXT TO the sidewalks? Some weeks ago I aquired a horn for my bike. I figured a horn would be so obviously absurd (it really looks and sounds like something clowns would use) that it would diffuse my own frustration with the people I am honking at as well as be irreverent enough that

Comments

[metawidget]

The Oka bike trip is terrific, and if you're feeling like predominantly rural cycling and a somewhat shorter distance, you can take your bike on the commuter train to Deux-Montagnes from TMR to Deux-Montagnes during off-peak hours. We did the train out and the whole hog coming back when we did that trip a couple of years ago.

[deltaepsilon]

Have you considered riding with a chainsaw? I suspect that people would give you more room.

[blueheron]

I have seriously contemplated buying an air horn for my bike. You can buy really small ones, as well as ones that re-fill with your bike pump. I find that 1/2 the time those wankers are also wearing headphones.

In the past I usually just whip past them going 35 KM/h within touching distance. More often than not, they jump because they didn't expect you. The jump is satisfying, and also one of the reasons that I would consider an air horn.

The absolute worst though, are the people who walk their dogs on the bike path, with retractable leashes and let their dog roam all over the place. Riding full speed into a taught leash is unpleasant (for the dog as much as for the cyclist!). Sometimes, there is just no end to stupidity.

You are unfortunately 1 year two late for me to do any serious bicycle touring. Next year might be different, depending on how well Samuel likes to hang out in the bike trailer at 18 months old or so. He might still be too young.

and I have done the trip well past Oka, to Ste-Agathe. It is a really

[blueheron]

Sorry about the timing, but I'm glad you haven't given up on future trips. I think it would have been awesome to go on bike trips as a kid, like some hardcore cyclist families do, much more interesting than whizing by the countryside in a car.

The trip up to Gaspe is something I've been eyeing as well, and once I get back from Otesha, I'll have a pretty good idea of what that kind of trip demands. I've also heard of great canoeing in the area, and going somewhere on legs and then switching to paddling would be all the more challenging/fun.

[finneco]

and that was me....

[platypus_herder]

In Cambridge the bike lanes run just outside of the parked cars. People getting out of cars and pedestrians will occasionally pop in without looking first, which can make for some very exciting acrobatics. There's one minivan with a Norwegian bumper sticker whose driver I've dodged by inches twice in two weeks.

Does this happen with motorised vehicles?

Depending on where you drive, yes, regularly and sometimes violently.

is a cyclist's tan the back of the neck and top of the knees?

Also lower arms. In fact, with the use of watch and bicycle gloves I actually managed to zebra-stripe myself one year.

[finneco]

Cyclists - humans or chamelions?

[waterandwine]

It all comes down to some people don't think ;)
Hopefully no more accidents for you. And have you been to the maison des cyclists on Rachel yet? they have brochures for all kind of bike tours around the world....