How do you deal with the fear of being ran over one day? Almost ran over a few times.
11-16-19, 07:50 PM
#151
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One reason I don't mention having your stuff together spiritually ... is that I figure that a person with a clue and a belief (plenty of really smart, good people out there with non-spiritual beliefs) already knows that getting that part of life in order comes first ... before Everything else.
A little extra never hurts, if you already lean that way. But .... whatever gets you through.
A little extra never hurts, if you already lean that way. But .... whatever gets you through.
11-16-19, 11:54 PM
#152
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RMoutadir;
It comes to this: Do it or do something else. Choose.
First, you know it is all in your mind. You say you are scared by individual vehicles, but not by steady traffic? Steady traffic is a stream of .... wait for it ... Individual Vehicles. One startles you, the other does not, but the other is exactly as more deadly as the number of vehicles in the stream.
Second, whether you want to admit it or not, you don't have to ride. You can get another job---people change jobs all the time. Maybe this is the job you want ... but that is a choice. Accept the choice, or make a different one. All this waffling serves only harmful purpose.
You have decided to ride on those roads. No one is holding a gun to your head. And maybe deciding to do something else would be a huge and complicated decision, a life-changing decision. But if you get hit and crippled, that is life-changing too.
Equally, choosing to accept the choices you have already made and to accept the life you have chosen, would be equally life-changing.
We all have moments when a vehicle comes too close and we get a little scared ... but then, we don't get hit.
Some of us have been hit, too. But then, some folks have been hit by lightning. Some folks have fought in wars and been killed after they got home safely. The only certainty is that we all leave here, one way or another, at some time or another. What we do here is what matters.
I know this sound harsh, but ... it is a matter of growing up. Accept your life and its risks and rewards, or change your life and its risks and rewards. People have told you everything you need to hear. Now it is a matter of you changing your mind and changing your life, one way or another.
I have ridden on the road for fifty years. I have tasted fender, eaten windshield, and sampled pavement more times than I like to remember. I still love riding. But only you are you. Choose honestly, because whatever you choose, there will be both costs and rewards.
It comes to this: Do it or do something else. Choose.
First, you know it is all in your mind. You say you are scared by individual vehicles, but not by steady traffic? Steady traffic is a stream of .... wait for it ... Individual Vehicles. One startles you, the other does not, but the other is exactly as more deadly as the number of vehicles in the stream.
Second, whether you want to admit it or not, you don't have to ride. You can get another job---people change jobs all the time. Maybe this is the job you want ... but that is a choice. Accept the choice, or make a different one. All this waffling serves only harmful purpose.
You have decided to ride on those roads. No one is holding a gun to your head. And maybe deciding to do something else would be a huge and complicated decision, a life-changing decision. But if you get hit and crippled, that is life-changing too.
Equally, choosing to accept the choices you have already made and to accept the life you have chosen, would be equally life-changing.
We all have moments when a vehicle comes too close and we get a little scared ... but then, we don't get hit.
Some of us have been hit, too. But then, some folks have been hit by lightning. Some folks have fought in wars and been killed after they got home safely. The only certainty is that we all leave here, one way or another, at some time or another. What we do here is what matters.
I know this sound harsh, but ... it is a matter of growing up. Accept your life and its risks and rewards, or change your life and its risks and rewards. People have told you everything you need to hear. Now it is a matter of you changing your mind and changing your life, one way or another.
I have ridden on the road for fifty years. I have tasted fender, eaten windshield, and sampled pavement more times than I like to remember. I still love riding. But only you are you. Choose honestly, because whatever you choose, there will be both costs and rewards.
When I mentioned about a stream of vehicles, I meant that when I get a constant stream of vehicles, the drivers are much more tame, they don't speed up and drive so unpredictably since they don't have the freedom of no traffic ahead of them. Sometimes I question if the driving school system is flawed. Even just crossing the street as a pedestrian I've been cut off and almost ran over because the driver couldn't spare a few seconds of their day and decided that it's ok to make a left turn with a pedestrian in the middle of the street.
Most of these occurrences have happened not even while working as a courier delivery guy. I work in Santa Monica and Downtown LA and the riding there is much easier. Drivers don't go over 30 mph in most of the streets there.
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11-17-19, 07:12 PM
#154
Newbie
Yeah I don't ride on roads, stupid idea.
But the 'mup's', as they're known on here, have their own hazards.
There's one particular descent I like to keep my speed up, as I'm charging my batteries on regeneration. It sweeps down past some overflow parking spaces which have cross-access, so there are posts there to negotiate. The path curves for the full duration, enough to have to lean through. This is fine, usually.
The whole area is amongst trees, so the path is currently heavily carpeted with decaying wet yellow leaves. The last few mornings I've practically slid through the posts at some 30mph, I'm pretty sure it's only a matter of time before I get it wrong...
But the 'mup's', as they're known on here, have their own hazards.
There's one particular descent I like to keep my speed up, as I'm charging my batteries on regeneration. It sweeps down past some overflow parking spaces which have cross-access, so there are posts there to negotiate. The path curves for the full duration, enough to have to lean through. This is fine, usually.
The whole area is amongst trees, so the path is currently heavily carpeted with decaying wet yellow leaves. The last few mornings I've practically slid through the posts at some 30mph, I'm pretty sure it's only a matter of time before I get it wrong...
11-18-19, 12:02 PM
#155
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How do you deal with the fear of being ran over one day? Almost ran over a few times.
I too have had metaphysical musings about cycling. For example:
I too have been getting close calls with the cars, trucks, and buses but I never got hit.
OP, ask Jesus to protect you and he will. His Angel's are constantly at work. Either pray before riding a bike in the busy traffic or at least expect him to protect you. This is serious.
OP, ask Jesus to protect you and he will. His Angel's are constantly at work. Either pray before riding a bike in the busy traffic or at least expect him to protect you. This is serious.
Certainly not pushing my religion on anyone else, but I absolutely pray before every ride. Twice. Once, the night before. Then, again right before I head out.
I ride through some pretty questionable areas of town at 430 in the morning some days. Guy just got stabbed on a MUP I am on routinely.
I'm not 30 years old anymore. I figure I need all the assistance I can possibly get.
I ride through some pretty questionable areas of town at 430 in the morning some days. Guy just got stabbed on a MUP I am on routinely.
I'm not 30 years old anymore. I figure I need all the assistance I can possibly get.
One reason I don't mention having your stuff together spiritually ... is that I figure that a person with a clue and a belief (plenty of really smart, good people out there with non-spiritual beliefs) already knows that getting that part of life in order comes first ... before Everything else.
A little extra never hurts, if you already lean that way. But .... whatever gets you through.
A little extra never hurts, if you already lean that way. But .... whatever gets you through.
Hi MNHarv,
You may recall I likened your signature line to a Road Cyclist's Prayer, "Dear Lord, Just three paved feet to the right of the white fog stripe is all I need."
You may recall I likened your signature line to a Road Cyclist's Prayer, "Dear Lord, Just three paved feet to the right of the white fog stripe is all I need."
On my first major ride of last year [in 2014], down in Rhode Island, I did adopt this roadside statue as an icon of my Guardian Angel of the Road.
It reminds me of this Guardian Angel figure from the illustrated cartoon strip, who assumes that protective warrior image in times of danger to his ward.
It reminds me of this Guardian Angel figure from the illustrated cartoon strip, who assumes that protective warrior image in times of danger to his ward.
When I'm peeved by a driver’s actions, instead of the middle finger and obscenties, I give my own special Bicyclist's Curse. I vigorously and repeatedly point my finger at the offender while shouting, “You, you, you…” with the intention that future harm befalls them. It’s more satisfying to me than the other gesture, with the hope of future metaphysical retribution.
I do also bestow Bicyclist's Blessings to drivers who show even a modicum of respect and compassion, with a friendly wave, a “Bless You,” and wishes for good things for them in the future. Even in car-crazy Boston, I perform numerously more blessings than curses. Probably about 2-3 blessings a day on a 14-mile commute vs about 1 curse every 3-4 weeks.
I feel empowered to perform these rituals, because my friend who introduced me to adult cycling once commented when a threatening rain turned sunny, “God smiles on His Bicyclists.” …
I do also bestow Bicyclist's Blessings to drivers who show even a modicum of respect and compassion, with a friendly wave, a “Bless You,” and wishes for good things for them in the future. Even in car-crazy Boston, I perform numerously more blessings than curses. Probably about 2-3 blessings a day on a 14-mile commute vs about 1 curse every 3-4 weeks.
I feel empowered to perform these rituals, because my friend who introduced me to adult cycling once commented when a threatening rain turned sunny, “God smiles on His Bicyclists.” …
Originally Posted by Matthew 16:19
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven
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11-20-19, 06:38 AM
#156
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I go under the assumption, that there are idiots ahead of me and jackasses behind me.
That said, from my motorcycling days the lesson I learned from the advanced rider classes was "SIPIDI", or Sip Dee. See it, plan it, do it.
I assume the idiots in front will not yield to me, the jackasses behind will cut me off to make a right turn and think of some evasive action, just in case. Many times I'm not disappointed, they do.
I survived 20 years of riding a motorcycle and way more years on a bicycle...knock on wood.
That said, from my motorcycling days the lesson I learned from the advanced rider classes was "SIPIDI", or Sip Dee. See it, plan it, do it.
I assume the idiots in front will not yield to me, the jackasses behind will cut me off to make a right turn and think of some evasive action, just in case. Many times I'm not disappointed, they do.
I survived 20 years of riding a motorcycle and way more years on a bicycle...knock on wood.
12-05-19, 05:50 PM
#158
C*pt*i* Obvious
Cameras and mirrors are useful tools.
Lots of party crashers out there, spot them before they spot you, avoid them, and do not engage.
I've also found that if I soft pedal away from stoplights, it allows motorists to feel superior. (until they are stopped at the next light)
Lots of party crashers out there, spot them before they spot you, avoid them, and do not engage.
I've also found that if I soft pedal away from stoplights, it allows motorists to feel superior. (until they are stopped at the next light)
