hustler

iTrader: (6)

Surgery is done and I am recovering. Yes, I was all truck nice to the nurses.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

This is one of the things which I am finding most interesting about bicycling in New York City, where our traffic is legendary. At peak hours, roughly half of all vehicles on the streets of Manhattan are taxis and black cars, and livery drivers know that being involved in an accident with a cyclist or pedestrian is a career-ender, regardless of fault. Bicyclists seem to take advantage of this knowledge.

Compounding the problem is the fact that the police simply do not give a **** about what bicyclists do. Red lights don't apply to us, one-way street signs are just there to let us know which direction the cars are coming from... It's like we exist in another dimension that the police are unable to perceive.

I've long held this prejudice against cyclists who flaunt the traffic laws and give us all a bad name, and I must admit that I'm finding myself drawn into the mindset and liking it.

timk

Bummer to hear about your injuries dude.

emilio700

iTrader: (3)

There is being an reckless idiot and increasing your chances of being hit by a car and there is using traffic laws as a framework, skirting them when there is a safer way to negotiate traffic. Most car drivers don't differentiate. As a careful and considerate cyclist, you see idiot cyclists and wonder how they manage to survive. Funny how perception changes once you ride around cars for a while and learn that being safe and obeying the law are often mutually exclusive.

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

Mmmm, biking.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

So, last night two of my friends who are husband/wife chef/restaurant owners came over and made me 10 crock pot recipes, two meals each, pre-packaged, ready for slow-cooking. It's one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me.

z31maniac

Sorry to see your injury.

After riding motorcycles for years on the street, what happened to you is precisely why I can't bring myself to get a road bike.

Crazy that I went off at Hallett at 55-60 and only ended up with a concussion/banged up hip..........I'm guessing your arm just got sandwiched between you/car/curb?

TorqueZombie

iTrader: (6)

This is why I don't ride my Sport Bike here in TN. In Italy I could ride like and asshat by 'merican standards and be pretty safe. Constantly riding faster than traffic being a biggie. Totally different mindset of drivers in Europe. Here the roads/people terrify me enough that the risk/reward is just not worth it. In fact the main reason I haven't sold my SV1k is the wife is too attached to it emotionally.

Trey- Glad someone helped out. The wife's food wouldn't make the trip well. Hope you heal well.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

I'm not really sure. I don't even know if there's an abrasion on the arm from the curb.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

Thanks. I'm discovering that I have some great friends out there.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Interestingly, this is also why I actually feel safer cycling through the gritty, potholed heart of midtown Manhattan than I did across the beautiful, well-manicured suburbs of SoCal. Around here, drivers are conditioned to constantly be on alert for wayward pedestrians and cyclists. By comparison, in pretty much every other city I've ever lived in, one gets the feeling that the average driver is pretty much oblivious to everything outside the cabin. They just don't have the same mindset as people do here- cars are NOT the dominant life-form in NYC, and their drivers know it.


Anyhoo, glad to hear you're coming along, Trey. I've been there and done that, and it ain't fun.

ShockerGT

Jesus that sucks! Must have been a pretty serious wreck. How damaged is the bike?

I live in one of the most cyclist unfriendly areas of the country and it's to the point where I don't like riding alone as I constantly have cars that don't follow the 3' passing law or pass me in the middle of blind corners. Just today I was doing a quick solo ride and had at least 3 instances where I had a car pass me so close, that if I made a sudden jerk I'd be sideswiped.

Hope you have a speedy recovery and get on a trainer ASAP.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

The bike is almost untouched...so much for an excuse to buy a better frame. The right hood is bent, rubber hood covers are trashed bar tape is torn, the two week old saddle is torn-up...and that's it. There is not another scratch on the bike.

There is no 3' rule here. Governor Perry vetoed the bill. Police here interpret "cyclist shall ride as close to the curb as practical" as "...possible". Henceforth, I will no longer ride in a manner that permits cars to split lanes with me on a multi-lane road. I have the scars to justify this type of behavior now.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

From the Office of the Governor website
Office of the Governor Rick Perry - [Veto Statement] Gov. Perry Vetoes SB 488

Gov. Perry Vetoes SB 488
June 19, 2009

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:

Pursuant to Article IV, Section 14 of the Texas Constitution, I, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, do hereby disapprove of and veto Senate Bill No. 488 of the 81st Texas Legislature, Regular Session, due to the following objections:

Senate Bill No. 488 would create a new class of users of roadways, called "vulnerable road users," which would require specific actions by operators of motor vehicles. These vulnerable road users would include pedestrians; highway construction and maintenance workers; tow truck operators; stranded motorists or passengers; people on horseback; bicyclists; motorcyclists; moped riders; and other similar road users.

Many road users placed into the category of vulnerable road users already have operation regulations and restrictions in statute. For example, a person operating a vehicle being drawn by an animal is subject to the same duties as a motor vehicle, and a pedestrian is required to yield the right of way to a motor vehicle, unless he or she is at an intersection or crosswalk.

While I am in favor of measures that make our roads safer for everyone, this bill contradicts much of the current statute and places the liability and responsibility on the operator of a motor vehicle when encountering one of these vulnerable road users. In addition, an operator of a motor vehicle is already subject to penalties when he or she is at fault for causing a collision or operating recklessly, whether it is against a "vulnerable user" or not.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have signed my name officially and caused the Seal of the State to be affixed hereto at Austin, this the 19th day of June, 2009.

RICK PERRY
Governor of Texas

ATTESTED BY:
COBY SHORTER, III
Deputy Secretary of State

For a detailed view of this bill, visit http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLoo...81R&Bill=SB488.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Behold, Shitibike:



$160 from Walmart.com. Surprisingly, it's of pretty decent quality as compared to the $99 RoadMaster that was stolen. Same exact shifter and derailleur that I use on the rear of the big e-bike (front on this bike is fixed, single-speed), good quality bearings, etc. It's not all that heavy, either

I replaced the tires with my usual Michelin Pilot Citys, and got rid of the stupid M-shaped handlebar that comes stock in favor of a more conventional 24° riser bar ($13 from Jensen), but aside from that, she's running all stock hardware.



(Seriously, WTF is up with that? My wrists simply don't turn in that direction!)



Came with fenders, rear rack, and big, cushy sprung saddle. Comfy, handles well, didn't take too much work to get it all adjusted properly. The wheels came out of the box pretty much perfectly straight and true, though they're starting to make that noise which signifies that they're ready to be tightened.

No real complaints other than the horrible, shitty rim brakes that don't work at all in the rain. Ordered a set of the Cane Creek "Gray Matter" pads that leafy suggested- we'll see if those suck any less...


I am *loving* the Banjo Brothers Market Pannier. It's huge, it's well-built and durable, it pops on and off the rack with ease, it's got a shoulder strap, it's just the perfect grocery-getter accessory. I'm thinking about buying a second one and permanently installing it (with through-bolts to discourage theft) in place of the collapsible wire basket that I have installed on the starboard side right now.



And a serious ******* lock, this time. I don't want this one walking away like the last one did.

Savington

iTrader: (31)

Victory for California cyclists: Riders get their three-foot cushion - Los Angeles Times

When you come out next year to get crushed in the mountains, you won't have to worry (as much) about such things.

dstn2bdoa

iTrader: (18)

Sorry to hear about the accident Trey, I've had multiple friends injured after being pushed off the road. One of them had her pelvis broken.

I rode for years, and was angry and pissed at cars all the time, now I wont ride on the street anymore. Call me a ***** but it just wasn't enjoyable anymore.

Quick healing.

z31maniac

Weird **** happens in an accident.

Either way heal quickly, we need enough in class for the purple crack contingency.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

I had to finance a car, you guys won't see me for a while.

jacob300zx

Please post up your arm pic from facebook today.