CbadRider

I was heading north up the coast today on Carlsbad Boulevard past Poinsettia where the construction is currently in process on the south side. As I'm heading toward a hill I see a group of riders start to come down the bike lane toward me in the wrong direction. I almost got taken out when a guy at the front decides to turn his head away from the road to talk to his friend and swerves his bike directly at me.

If you're too lazy to take the south detour along the coast (it's what - 2 tenths of a mile longer?) then at least pay attention if you're going to be stupid and ride your bike against traffic.

{rant over}

alicestrong

Stoopid salmons. Will they ever learn?!


Did you yell at them at least?

socalslowguy

I've given up on saying anything to those people. Sadly, I think the number of wrong way riders on that strech of Carlsbad Blvd. is actually increasing. It's almost as if it's become an acceptable route.

CbadRider

Yes I yelled, which startled the idiot and he jerked his bike toward the shoulder - where I had already headed to avoid him. I ended up swerving and going in between him and the other rider.

Unfortunately the construction is supposed to go on for a few more months, so this is more likely to happen. It shouldn't be acceptable. The southbound detour is clearly marked and just takes you on Avenida Encinas until Poinsettia, not far off the coast route at all.

Revolution

i used to get mad at motorists for harassing me on the road. now i get mad at other cyclists for doing this sort of thing and endangering me.

robertkat

Go up Poinsettia and take Paseo del Norte all the way to Cannon, thus avoiding a crappy section of the 101, construction or no.

calamarichris

I'm not implying that you are even 1% at fault, but I ride both ways on that road now too and I always, always make eye contact, or since they're usually wearing dark glasses, wave & smile when passing someone coming the other way.
I've had one person who didn't respond at all, so I gave a little, non-accusatory whistle to let them know to look up. I figure it's better to mildly annoy someone, than to risk trading teeth with them.
Oh, and I usually ride out in the road (west of the shoulder) if going the wrong way and watch for traffic.

I sure hope we have a nice smooth, wide road at the end of this.

GP

CPD was at the intersection near the Hilton citing wrong way dumb****s two weeks ago.

atmdad

I had been "salmoning" this stretch for awhile, trying to be respectful by moving out into the traffic lane or actually coming to a complete stop at the curb to give the right of way to other riders. It was about 3 weeks ago I was heading north bound, traffic to the left of me and car to my right coming down the right side, somewhat sketchy feeling considering the pavement is pretty crappy there at the bottom, lo and behold a dude barreling down the hill right towards me. Not to big a deal for me as the car to the right was "blocking" for me but the oncoming dude nearly got splattered. He slowed hit the curb and went over the side. I stopped to check on him. He said he was fine, physically he just had some minor scrapes but he was visibly shaking. I asked him again and he said he was good but he was going to walk up the on ramp and take a break. As I proceded on my way I decided i'm not going to be "that guy" and have taken the detour since.

socalslowguy

Good.

Scheduled completion for the road work is Memorial Day weekend so it's not too much longer.

maddmike

I've had that happen to me too.

Least they could do is ride on the other side of the road.

nvrlnd7

First hello to all of you north county riders, Yes i've seen the salmon,and no i don't do that,i like the ride down avenida encinas. Honestly i haven't been riding the coast much lately,and when i do i go from my place over the twin oaks valley climb and then down thru la costa and then north on the 101/carlsbad blvd then back up to vista. I like the climb and loop routes more than just cruising up and down the coast, but i digress.


The ticketing makes sense,they are causing a safety issue for both cyclists and drivers,and it's just give's the motorists who hate us another reason to get a step closer to their road rage.

socalslowguy

Has anyone been on the coast today? Is southbound Carlsbad Blvd reopened yet?

GP

Closed this morning but all the equipment was gone and they were running a sweeper. Looked like they're doing their punch list and getting ready to stripe.

GP

I'm going to miss yelling obscenities at groups of strangers.

atmdad

Don't fret, summer is around the corner and there will be plenty of idiots trying to park along the road to get to the beach up and down the coast.

robertkat

Oh come now, there's still plenty of local organised rides left in the year.

Nachoman

Or there's always friends, family and co-workers.

Extort

I never hear you ranting at strangers... and I am only a half block away!