Say something to hands-off cyclist?
09-25-19, 07:26 PM
#151
Junior Member
If, while jogging down a pubic trail I elevate the intensity of my workout by shadow boxing a series of imaginary opponents, maybe even using small weights, other trail users are going to perceive that as putting them at risk. It doesn't matter if I've never hit anybody. It doesn't matter if others engage in the same behavior without hitting anybody. The perception is there.
If I can increase everyone's enjoyment of public space by forgoing behavior many would perceive as placing them at risk, that's the way I'll go. I can change my behavior, all I can do is complain about their perception.
09-25-19, 07:35 PM
#152
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 740
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 359 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times
in
58 Posts
The actual degree of risk is irrelevant.
If, while jogging down a pubic trail I elevate the intensity of my workout by shadow boxing a series of imaginary opponents, maybe even using small weights, other trail users are going to perceive that as putting them at risk. It doesn't matter if I've never hit anybody. It doesn't matter if others engage in the same behavior without hitting anybody. The perception is there.
If I can increase everyone's enjoyment of public space by forgoing behavior many would perceive as placing them at risk, that's the way I'll go. I can change my behavior, all I can do is complain about their perception.
If, while jogging down a pubic trail I elevate the intensity of my workout by shadow boxing a series of imaginary opponents, maybe even using small weights, other trail users are going to perceive that as putting them at risk. It doesn't matter if I've never hit anybody. It doesn't matter if others engage in the same behavior without hitting anybody. The perception is there.
If I can increase everyone's enjoyment of public space by forgoing behavior many would perceive as placing them at risk, that's the way I'll go. I can change my behavior, all I can do is complain about their perception.
Likes For sumgy:
09-25-19, 07:42 PM
#153
Junior Member
Dangerous to the car driver? I find that difficult to believe. If they perceive it as dangerous to the cyclist it says more about their evaluation of their own abilities to handle a vehicle. Perhaps they should go to a driving school for a refresher course.
09-25-19, 07:54 PM
#154
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 740
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 359 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times
in
58 Posts
There are often comments from motorists on Facebook about cyclists being a danger.
Based on your comment the best way to solve this issue is to forgo the perceived dangerous behaviour.
09-25-19, 07:58 PM
#155
Senior Member
The actual degree of risk is irrelevant.
If, while jogging down a pubic trail I elevate the intensity of my workout by shadow boxing a series of imaginary opponents, maybe even using small weights, other trail users are going to perceive that as putting them at risk. It doesn't matter if I've never hit anybody. It doesn't matter if others engage in the same behavior without hitting anybody. The perception is there.
If I can increase everyone's enjoyment of public space by forgoing behavior many would perceive as placing them at risk, that's the way I'll go. I can change my behavior, all I can do is complain about their perception.
If, while jogging down a pubic trail I elevate the intensity of my workout by shadow boxing a series of imaginary opponents, maybe even using small weights, other trail users are going to perceive that as putting them at risk. It doesn't matter if I've never hit anybody. It doesn't matter if others engage in the same behavior without hitting anybody. The perception is there.
If I can increase everyone's enjoyment of public space by forgoing behavior many would perceive as placing them at risk, that's the way I'll go. I can change my behavior, all I can do is complain about their perception.
You're favoring ignorant people. A few people ought to learn that some people are in total control of their bike without their hands. But instead of confronting this stupidity, you say they're entitled to it, and others should adjust to make them more comfortable with their ignorance.
09-25-19, 09:22 PM
#156
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 18
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
2 Posts
The actual degree of risk is irrelevant.
If, while jogging down a pubic trail I elevate the intensity of my workout by shadow boxing a series of imaginary opponents, maybe even using small weights, other trail users are going to perceive that as putting them at risk. It doesn't matter if I've never hit anybody. It doesn't matter if others engage in the same behavior without hitting anybody. The perception is there.
If I can increase everyone's enjoyment of public space by forgoing behavior many would perceive as placing them at risk, that's the way I'll go. I can change my behavior, all I can do is complain about their perception.
If, while jogging down a pubic trail I elevate the intensity of my workout by shadow boxing a series of imaginary opponents, maybe even using small weights, other trail users are going to perceive that as putting them at risk. It doesn't matter if I've never hit anybody. It doesn't matter if others engage in the same behavior without hitting anybody. The perception is there.
If I can increase everyone's enjoyment of public space by forgoing behavior many would perceive as placing them at risk, that's the way I'll go. I can change my behavior, all I can do is complain about their perception.
where everyone is limited by the irrational fears of others.
p.s. It's interesting that you've changed your argument from "puts others at risk" to "The actual degree of risk is irrelevant." Way to move the goal posts!
Likes For L8APEXN:
09-26-19, 05:03 AM
#157
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 1,680
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 980 Post(s)
Liked 776 Times
in
402 Posts
Using your "logic," everyone should stop doing things that others perceive to put them at risk, even when there is no risk. What a crappy world that would be,
where everyone is limited by the irrational fears of others.
p.s. It's interesting that you've changed your argument from "puts others at risk" to "The actual degree of risk is irrelevant." Way to move the goal posts!
where everyone is limited by the irrational fears of others.
p.s. It's interesting that you've changed your argument from "puts others at risk" to "The actual degree of risk is irrelevant." Way to move the goal posts!
09-26-19, 05:16 AM
#158
Tragically Ignorant
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,613
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8186 Post(s)
Liked 9,095 Times
in
5,053 Posts
The actual degree of risk is irrelevant.
If, while jogging down a pubic trail I elevate the intensity of my workout by shadow boxing a series of imaginary opponents, maybe even using small weights, other trail users are going to perceive that as putting them at risk. It doesn't matter if I've never hit anybody. It doesn't matter if others engage in the same behavior without hitting anybody. The perception is there.
If I can increase everyone's enjoyment of public space by forgoing behavior many would perceive as placing them at risk, that's the way I'll go. I can change my behavior, all I can do is complain about their perception.
If, while jogging down a pubic trail I elevate the intensity of my workout by shadow boxing a series of imaginary opponents, maybe even using small weights, other trail users are going to perceive that as putting them at risk. It doesn't matter if I've never hit anybody. It doesn't matter if others engage in the same behavior without hitting anybody. The perception is there.
If I can increase everyone's enjoyment of public space by forgoing behavior many would perceive as placing them at risk, that's the way I'll go. I can change my behavior, all I can do is complain about their perception.
I would be worried about the shadow boxing jogger because I wouldn't be able to evaluate quickly whether the guy miming an assault as I am passing in the other direction is engaged in a workout or is actually threatening me. You're not comparing like things. Maybe if the no-hands cyclist was practicing a nunchuck routine?
09-26-19, 07:34 AM
#159
Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Elk Grove, CA
Posts: 33
Bikes: Fuji Gran Fondo 2, Easy Racer recumbent, Raleigh Sojourn, Yuba Mundo, Kuota K-Factor
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
09-26-19, 09:26 AM
#160
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 3,947
Bikes: Trek 1100 road bike, Roadmaster gravel/commuter/beater mountain bike
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2281 Post(s)
Liked 1,710 Times
in
936 Posts
Once again, it's that old "if I don't like it, then nobody should be allowed to do it" mentality.
09-26-19, 09:41 AM
#162
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
Just because I can't do it doesn't mean that it's dangerous or even difficult for others.
09-26-19, 05:41 PM
#163
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,629
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4729 Post(s)
Liked 1,530 Times
in
1,001 Posts
This is BF, where everyone's minimum cost of entry should be able to say they can turn on a dime with no hands. 
09-26-19, 07:45 PM
#164
Callipygian Connoisseur
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,373
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 564 Post(s)
Liked 350 Times
in
190 Posts
There’s a kid in my neighborhood who rides backwards while sitting on the handlebars. He has to look over his shoulder to see where he’s going. He rides all over the place like that — helmet loosely on his head with the strap hanging.
Am I supposed to call the police on him?
I confess I had to try it myself. It’s really not hard at all, but craning my neck around to see where I’m going is more than my old bones can handle.
-Kedosto
Am I supposed to call the police on him?
I confess I had to try it myself. It’s really not hard at all, but craning my neck around to see where I’m going is more than my old bones can handle.
-Kedosto
09-27-19, 12:46 PM
#165
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Looney Tunes, IL
Posts: 7,398
Bikes: Wabi Special FG, Raleigh Roper, Nashbar AL-1, Miyata One Hundred, '70 Schwinn Lemonator and More!!
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1549 Post(s)
Liked 941 Times
in
504 Posts
The best one I read here on BF was a person who said they would fly in the bike lane past cars stuck in traffic... while riding no hands and playing air guitar. 
09-27-19, 12:59 PM
#166
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 154
Bikes: 1996 Cannondale R900, 2016 Trek Boone, 2005 Giant Yukon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 584 Post(s)
Liked 66 Times
in
54 Posts
What I would say? I would say "hi" and be done with it. No reason to be a jerk off. You think someone cares about your opinion? Especially when you're yelling and telling them what to do?
Likes For 86az135i:
Likes For Unapomer:
09-27-19, 03:42 PM
#168
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
A guy came shooting towards me yesterday on the MUP, no handed, and I thought of this thread. But he was so rock-steady and calm that I had zero apprehension about it, wouldn't have even noted it ... except this thread ...
Likes For wphamilton:
09-27-19, 06:19 PM
#169
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 18
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
2 Posts
What's annoying is when you're riding no hands-free and the guy coming the other way is staring at his front wheel and drifting towards a head on so you have say something and then put your hands back on the bars in case distracted rider dude doesn't look up and you need to brake.
Run on sentences are also annoying.
Run on sentences are also annoying.
09-27-19, 07:56 PM
#170
well hello there
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Point Loma, CA
Posts: 15,430
Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 503 Post(s)
Liked 336 Times
in
206 Posts
.
edit: never tried, and never would try, on the tandem.
__________________
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
09-27-19, 08:16 PM
#171
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 3,947
Bikes: Trek 1100 road bike, Roadmaster gravel/commuter/beater mountain bike
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2281 Post(s)
Liked 1,710 Times
in
936 Posts
There’s a kid in my neighborhood who rides backwards while sitting on the handlebars. He has to look over his shoulder to see where he’s going. He rides all over the place like that — helmet loosely on his head with the strap hanging.
Am I supposed to call the police on him?
I confess I had to try it myself. It’s really not hard at all, but craning my neck around to see where I’m going is more than my old bones can handle.
-Kedosto
Am I supposed to call the police on him?
I confess I had to try it myself. It’s really not hard at all, but craning my neck around to see where I’m going is more than my old bones can handle.
-Kedosto
09-28-19, 04:31 AM
#172
Member
If the no-hand rider is steady and looking forwards then I don't see any reason to intervene.
If you see someone riding down a bike path on a unicycle do you also yell at them?
If you see someone riding down a bike path on a unicycle do you also yell at them?
Likes For Decadence:
09-29-19, 03:08 PM
#173
Full Member
omg I would love to see someone riding a unicycle holding a handlebar in the air
09-30-19, 12:48 AM
#174
Rhapsodic Laviathan
Some of you sound like whiny little [expletives deleted]. Get over yourselves, anybody brave enough to ride no-handed, probably has decent cycling skills. Stability comes with speed. It's a good way to relax ones back after being hunched over for who knows how long and not need to stop.
I ride no-handed when I feel like it. I didn't go mowing down a paceline of orphans carrying kittens in front racks. Sometimes I make running motions with my arms to tease joggers. I've hit potholes and bumps and didn't crash in to anything. But I've also been known to stand up on my bike while coasting, if I'm in a good mood I might even be dancing on it, even in traffic. The only "real danger" is everybody else.
My only scare riding no-handed happened the other day. I was riding the section of road I salmon on the way to work. Because I'm not crossing five lanes to go to the store, cross them again, and then cross them again a block later, before or after I cross the roughly seven lane cross street. Anyway; I was on that section no-handed and a semi drove by and the gust blew my front wheel. Thought I was gonna eat it.
I've only had two bikes I couldn't ride no-handed; my old 60s Sears&Roebuck I made a fixie, the fork was weird on that thing. Imagine the castors on a baskart but backwards. My sketchy chopper(A Schwinn Link I put a Stingray fork on and a 20" bmx wheel). My ratrod(Huffy Nel Lusso) with a tripple tree fork sometimes got the death wobbles. Side story; my old 150 scooter would get death wobbles if you were going under 40+ mph, would scare my at the time fiance, I found it funny.
There. It's fixed for the snowflakes.
I ride no-handed when I feel like it. I didn't go mowing down a paceline of orphans carrying kittens in front racks. Sometimes I make running motions with my arms to tease joggers. I've hit potholes and bumps and didn't crash in to anything. But I've also been known to stand up on my bike while coasting, if I'm in a good mood I might even be dancing on it, even in traffic. The only "real danger" is everybody else.
My only scare riding no-handed happened the other day. I was riding the section of road I salmon on the way to work. Because I'm not crossing five lanes to go to the store, cross them again, and then cross them again a block later, before or after I cross the roughly seven lane cross street. Anyway; I was on that section no-handed and a semi drove by and the gust blew my front wheel. Thought I was gonna eat it.
I've only had two bikes I couldn't ride no-handed; my old 60s Sears&Roebuck I made a fixie, the fork was weird on that thing. Imagine the castors on a baskart but backwards. My sketchy chopper(A Schwinn Link I put a Stingray fork on and a 20" bmx wheel). My ratrod(Huffy Nel Lusso) with a tripple tree fork sometimes got the death wobbles. Side story; my old 150 scooter would get death wobbles if you were going under 40+ mph, would scare my at the time fiance, I found it funny.
There. It's fixed for the snowflakes.
09-30-19, 09:29 AM
#175
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
I was thinking of this thread yesterday when I was out for a mellow ride on the ARBT. Weekend mornings tend to be busy, so there's plenty of traffic coming and going. At one point, I sat up and rode no-handed to pull out a banana and eat it. Not one person yelled at me. Maybe we just have fewer busybodies here, I dunno.
