Gotta love certain drivers and editors

No I am not talking about golf. I am talking about all the different types of automobile drivers that are out there. All of us have driven a car in our lifetime. Some more than others, but that doesn't change the fact that most of us (that read this blog anyways)both drive and ride.

The reason for the blog today are a few different things. First a few weeks ago an article sparked mine and a few others interest. Well the editor of the chronicle had this to say in response to the letters that were sent to the chronicle. Louis Black said that

"Let's get realistic here. Moser's column is often a bitch-fest and frequently over-the-top. Anyone thinking that Moser and comrades are really going to plow into bike riders or are seriously encouraging others to do so is really stretching. I don't really believe most folks thought that Moser was actually advocating violence rather than vividly indulging in his sometimes Queen of Hearts, "Off with their heads!" hyperbole".

This was in response to what Moser said in his column last week.

"Speaking of bikes, my heart began to turn to stone as I was stopped at Riverside and Lamar watching a parade of bikes indulging, presumably, in some form of civil disobedience. What that meant was that dozens of clowns on bicycles took up the entire street and brought most traffic to a standstill. After several minutes of obnoxious waving and smiling from the riders, I was ready to pull a Lizzie Grubman and plow right through them and be on my way. But I was hesitant to rack up a lot of hit-and-run charges against me ... and then there would be all that damage to my car. The thing is, all the smiling and waving did not make me sympathetic to the scofflaws' 'cause.' It made me think: 'Don't give bikes the right. Give 'em the finger.'"

Now I understand that he is saying that Moser was just kidding and that he would never actually do that, but how many husbands who beat there wives and say "I'm going to kill you bitch" actually do? Quite a few I'm sure. So it would only be understandable that a few of the cyclist may take offense to what Moser said. That I am sure what most of the letters and comments about the article were about. The fact that there are people how have a strong disliking towards the cycling community. As you all know there have been quite a few "accidents" involving motorist and cyclist, and I am sure that most of them are in fact accidents.

Lets take a look at this.

Christian Stoehr recounts "We were riding downhill at approximately 30 mph when a car came up behind us, must have been doing 50 mph, and the driver started honking at us. We moved to the right in single file within seconds and the motorist pulled along Ron and started screaming at him. He then pulled in front of us with 3-5 feet to spare and slammed on his brakes, giving us no time to stop. I swerved and almost made it, clipping the car and flying through the air and landing in the street. Ron had no room to move and he went straight into the back of the car, putting his face through the back window."

The driver of the vehicle stopped his car and continued the tirade, identifying himself as a Doctor but never offering medical attention.

This is coming from the laist LA's version of the chronicle. The fact is people out there don't like the idea of someone riding a bike in the road, and taking up some of their precious time. This guy is a fucking doctor for christ sakes. This is what everyone was talking about. I'm sure this doctor has said what Moser said before because he was held up at a light for a few extra minutes.

It upsets me to hear that people want to run over cyclist, even if they are joking. I've been hit several times, spent several days in ICU for it too. I am not saying that Moser doesn't have a right to free speech, but the fact is, what he said can be taken very much out of context. If in fact he was joking.

Take this for example.

HOUSTON - Wal-Mart is pulling from its shelves a popular Mexican comic book that features a protagonist with exaggerated black features after a Houston customer complained that "Memin Pinguin" was racist.

Now I'm not saying that this particular situation is not a sensitive one, but the comic, first published in the 1940s, revolves around Memin Pinguin, a small Mexican-Cuban boy whose street smarts and adventures reflect the life of a poor boy in Mexico City. The boy, portrayed as a like able rascal, earns money shining shoes and selling newspapers to help his mother.

So people get sensitive about things, I know I did when I first read the article. I just wish that when a cyclist gets sensitive about the subject of, someone stating in a widely read paper, that they wanna plow through them, but they didn't because of it would mess up the paint on their car, that they would just read what the people were saying and take it to heart. Just as the people at Wal-mart did.

As for the whole Critical Mass part of the article, all I have to say about that is this. I don't ride in critical mass for protesting reasons. I ride because I enjoy riding my bike. I enjoy being around friends who are doing the same things. I enjoy the fact that I am less likely to get hit because of the size of the group.

I'm tired of waking up in the morning and going through my normal routine only to see something like this.

"poor poor jamal was hit by a car while riding to my house after midnight ridaz. he hit jamal's rear wheel throwing him to the curb on 45th. the driver was REAL drunk and insisted i not call 911. jamal grabed my phone out of my hand and called 911. as he did that the driver ran to his car and peeled off. the police came and i gave them the plate #. the car was found in the police database and mached the discription i gave for the driver. so a little scraches and about 4 houres of sleep later im a work and jamal is passed out at my house on airport. so if you want to drive his ass home GO GET HIM. i mean what a cock and ball, hit and run deaf people. now iv seen it all"

Andy

As for the case with Jamal, I really hope the APD cracks down on the driver. This is really starting to get old. Motorist just don't seem to care about anyone but themselves, and it is starting to show more and more.


til next time


OLC

Midnight Ridazz "OOOGGGAA BOOOGGGAAA" Ride

That's right kids, it is time to grab your loin cloths, club and have fun with the invention of the wheel.

The ride meets at Donn's Depot on West 5th street at 9pm.

To piggy back

On yesterdays post, I would like to also make a 30 second video that promotes bicycle safety and try and get it put on the air. It will take some help from other folks who have camera equipment and folks who would want to be in the video. I think that we could get this aired on local television and have the city help with the cost.

Let me know what your ideas are and if you want to help.


Thanks,

OLC

Austin should put something together like this

Recently, on my daily surfing of the web, I found this video on youtube.



I'm going to put together a letter and maybe a petition to get something like this put into place. I think as a police training video, this will help cyclist and police officers know the full law and actually help cyclist. The video is a little cheesy, but I am sure that if the cycling community and the APD work together, we could put something together that is very similar if not way better. Once I get the petition together I will post a link to it here. Feel free to send your email address to me, and I will keep you up to date on what is going on.

If you have any ideas, or thoughts on this, please let me know.


til next time

OLC

Fort Worth Alleycat

So I was informed that some of the folks up i Fort Worth are putting together an alleycat. These are always fun, and if I was injured, I would do my best to go up there and participate in it. These races take place on the street with no street closures. So if you race in it, be sure to be race safe. Getting first for a race is no prize for possibly getting injured.

Here are the details, if anyone goes to this, let me know how it turns out.

the sightseer
july 20 meet at 8pm
at the chatroom pub 1263 w. magnolia fort worth, tx (across the street from the spiral diner)
theres prizes to be won, and a party to follow at the chat room.

If you need more information, contact Trae at his myspace.

They're hoping based on the turnout of this race to organize an all day bike scavenger hunt in October!



til next time


OLC

Another cyclist in Austin dies

This is going to be in the statesman tomorrow (today). When are people going to start paying more attention when they are driving. How many cyclist need to die before people realize that cyclist are also traffic on the road? It is the same old story, the sun was in my eyes, I didn't see them there. Maybe if you paid a little more attention then you would see that you are not the center of the universe.

Another husband, father, brother and cyclist is now gone. I wish I didn't have to write blogs about cyclist getting hit, or dying, but I feel like the people how do read my blog need to know, and I wish that people who don't read it that would.

My heart goes out to his family and friends. If you do drive as well as ride, pay attention. I know you do, because you don't want to be on the end of being hit.

til next time

OLC

Fucking makes me SICK!!!!

Holy fuck sticks. This pisses me off so much. I cannot believe that this guy still has a job after what he posted in the Austin Chronicle. I know that everyone is titled to their opinion, and he certainly is, but when you talk about committing multiple (possible) murders/assaults, that kind of draws the line.

"FREEWHEELING I recently went to Tribeza's party at Lance Armstrong's new venture, Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop at Fourth and Nueces. I suppose if I were really into bikes, I'd have been in hog heaven, but I made do with plenty of socializing with old friends instead. Lance greeted me warmly; I thanked him for the marvelous sponsor party he gave before the Texas Film Hall of Fame. He, in turn, was most solicitous about my cancer and gave me a big spiritual boost that made the rest of the evening fly by. I especially laughed over the in-store coffee shop called Juan Pelota Cafe. You figure that one out. Speaking of bikes, my heart began to turn to stone as I was stopped at Riverside and Lamar watching a parade of bikes indulging, presumably, in some form of civil disobedience. What that meant was that dozens of clowns on bicycles took up the entire street and brought most traffic to a standstill. After several minutes of obnoxious waving and smiling from the riders, I was ready to pull a Lizzie Grubman and plow right through them and be on my way. But I was hesitant to rack up a lot of hit-and-run charges against me ... and then there would be all that damage to my car. The thing is, all the smiling and waving did not make me sympathetic to the scofflaws' "cause." It made me think: "Don't give bikes the right. Give 'em the finger.""


He doesn't seem to mind "crawling" the streets when it is the gay pride parade, but doesn't want to wait 5 minutes for some cyclist to have their one day where we can ride in mass.

"DRIVE-BY MOMENTS With my chauffeur/sister-in-crime Stephen Rice commandeering the Champagne-pink 1965 Cadillac Coupe DeVille convertible, we sailed (well, crawled) through the streets of Austin along the Austin Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce's Pride Parade route. I kept wondering what I really wanted to throw from the car: Rocks? Cocktails? Bon mots? Instead, we settled for tossing garish beads and Twinkies"


If I ever see this guy in person, I will tell him what I think of him and punch him in the dick. The problem with that, is he might like it. I will be sending a formal email to the chronicle to fire or at least reprimand him in some way. I hope that you who live in Austin will do the same.

til next time


Your pissed off blogger,


OLC

That area's getting more and more dangerous with the bears

Another story of a bear attack, what is going on? I know that we are in their home, but come on....

"A teenage girl riding in an all-night mountain bike race was badly injured early Sunday morning when a bear attacked her on a trail in Far North Bicentennial Park."


The bear ripped off the girl's helmet and flung it in the woods, Basinger said. Sinnott said it was pocked with the bear's teeth marks. Hill said it probably saved the girl from further injury.

Bears frequently walk on Rover's Run, Sinnott said. Most likely, Sinnott said, this bear was fishing for salmon in the creek and might not have heard the cyclist coming due to noise from the creek and from strong winds roaring through the forest.



I hope she makes it through. If I am every up in that area, I will be sure to stay away from the trails, and hopefully not run into one.


til next time

OLC

Bike Theft in the ATX

So it seems to be getting more and more rampant. I just received this information from my friend John D. If you have any information about the bikes, please let him know here.


" As some of you may know, 3 bikes went missing from our house last week, 2 of them my own.

They are as follows :
--- large frame (58 cm) yellow Centurion road bike with the Velocity Spartacus wheels and the red acid pedals,
--- 19" red Trek 4500 mountain bike with all the cool components that ive had for 4 years *so many memories...*
---and last, but not, a bike belonging to a friend who had the bike at our place for a cable replacement and a general tune-up was a dark red and silver Giant mountain bike, a smaller frame, maybe 15" or 17"

If you see thes bikes in a pawn shop or wherever, contact me please.

I want to ride again! "


Thanks


OLC

A Jackass, A F-350, A Hit and Run, A Bear, oh my....

So recently, it seems that more and more people are not paying attention to cyclist on the road. Maybe it is the heat, maybe it is the fact that they are inconsiderate assholes.

Jenn was riding south (in the bike lane) on Plesant Valley, and some jackass in their car started honking several times and as they were passing by, they opened their car door and almost hit her. I mean what is the point of that? It is not like she was in their way or taking up the whole road. Really what is the point. I don't get it. People who do this need to be punched in the dick and shot in the face.

It was also brought to my attention, that one of my friends was recently hit by a F-350. F350 one, cyclist zero.

imagine this...you buy a ticket to go to new york and visit some friends everything is going great, you make a good amount of money at work over the weekend, you buy yourself some new cycling shorts and a pimped out jersey and then BAM.....you end up underneath the front end of an F350 with your face breaking the fall on the front of this guys cast iron custom cattle guard.



back wheel of my bike.....destroyed.



my teeth......destroyed.



my pride......well its a little fragmented but its probably gonna fall apart only to be rebuilt later in the future.

Luckily, Cloyd seems to be alright.

im lucky to be alive really.....my helmet saved my life and when i hit the the cattle killer the driver had come almost to a complete stop. the impact with which my head hit the concrete shattered the back of my helmet and aside from a gash on my knee and a couple shattered teeth im fine. sore as shit

It is getting really tough to think that Austin is a "bike friendly" city. It seems that with the rising gas prices people in their cages are more pissed off at cyclist at gas prices then at the oil companies. Instead of maybe trying to find another means of transportation, lets just hit cyclist and be pissed off at the world. A about a week ago a cyclist was hit on South Congress at 8 am.

Police are looking for the driver in a hit-and-run involving a cyclist in South Austin.

Amy McNair was riding her bike south along South Congress Avenue when she was hit from behind near the intersection of Annie Street about 8 a.m. Saturday.

"There was screeching, and I knew that it was too close to me," McNair said. "I just remember hearing a really loud impact, lots of pain."

McNair opened her eyes to see a white car speeding away. Her body is scraped and bruised and so is her cycling gear. The impact with the car split the frame of Amy's back tire in half.

This is just getting ridicules.

Now on a lighter note, this is a little funny, but scary at the same time.Bicyclist Going 45 MPH Hits Bear In Boulder Co. A cyclist in Boulder County was injured after a run-in, literally, with a bear.

Tim Egan, 53, was riding on Old Stage Road Tuesday afternoon when suddenly a bear appeared in front of him. Egan hit the bear and ended up skidding across the road.

"This bear looked at me with a look of terror on his face and sort of made a noise," said Egan. "I looked at him with a look of terror and we went, 'aaaahhhhh.'"

I can't imagine what would be going through my mind if I saw a bear in the road and I was about run into it....It would probably be AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! as well.

The rider seems to be ok, considering running into a bear.

He cracked some ribs, suffered cuts on his head and had road rash. Egan said he and the bike flipped and flew over the bear, hitting the pavement hard.



His bike was okay so he got back on it and pedaled to the hospital.



It seems this area is not safe for cyclist or bears.

The accident was the second involving a bear and cyclist in Left Hand Canyon in the past two years. A woman in the Boulder Triathlon ran into a bear in the same area last year.

Just keep an eye out everyone, because no one is looking for you on the road.

til next time


OLC

You know what really grinds my gears...

So I have started noticing a lot more lately that city employees don't use there signal lights. I mean I have always noticed this, but being a cyclist, it is really frustrating. I mean, police officers will just turn right in front of you without signaling. What the hell is that? I mean, they give out tickets for this. I have even had a friend get a ticket on his bicycle because he didn't signal. Now I understand when an emergency vehicle is on the go or even a squad car with his sirens a blazing, but when they are just driving and not signaling, that just pisses me off. This is partially how I got hit, a no signaling driver. I would just like it if cops would follow the normal laws of signaling when they are turning. Thats all.


til next time

your "gay and stupid" blogger

OLC

Worst of ATX Craigslist #6

So I can't help but look through craigslist list to see if there is something that I wouldn't mind picking up. It always seems there are just a few people out there that are just trying to take you.

First up,

Vintage Pashley - $750 (round rock)
Reply to: sale-712434272@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-06-08, 2:21PM CDT




Very good condition bicycle from England. I have had the bicycle for 10 years, but it is older than that. It has the original tires and rare Mechanical Brakes. Serious only please.

If you want, you can buy one of these for around the same price, but brand new. Not to say that "vintage" is nice, but all of there bikes new or vintage, look about the same.



shwinn lowrider
Reply to: sale-712284057@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-06-08, 12:07PM CDT



"heres a picture 200 obo"

I think I even know this guy, good friend, but come on 200? I watched you take that thing apart....good thing you put "or best offer".


80's PEUGEOT - VITUS 979 - Size 54 --- great shape/ one of a kind - $350 (Nw Austin)
Reply to: see below
Date: 2008-06-08, 10:14AM CDT"



"This bike is in good condition. It has been in my garage for several years and hardly ever ridden. The frame is aluminum and the bike is very very light. Weinmann brakes, stronglight components, shifts and brakes very well. old Handlebar tape coming apart a little and the rubber parts around the top of the brake levers are wearing down. The bike has no rust and tires are in good condition. Rare bike especially in this condition".


I just want to know what makes the bike such a "one of a kind" I mean was the bike built just for you? I have seen several of Puegeot's owned a couple too, but none of them were one of a kind.

Now for my favorite one of the day,


Drum roll please......


Ventage 10 Speed Bike - $200 (RR)
Reply to: sale-712043384@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-06-08, 7:17AM CDT



Spell check ....maybe?



Diamond Back, Mens Bike from the 70'S,lightweight, sells for around $600 Used, My son says it has to go, has custom pedals, great racing bike, call 248-0330

sells for around $600

Are you kidding? Awesome....I'd like to know who would pay six bills for this bike. I would much rather buy this and for the money and get the remaining needed parts. Maybe a little more information might help you sell it also...like size. Just an idea.


That's it for the day, I need to continue working on the old cruiser.


til next time


your "gay and stupid" blogger


OLC

It's Friday

I don't have to much to say, other than I am going to get drunk tonight, and go see a show. Unwed Sailor is playing tonight at Emo's. If you haven't seen these guys before you should go and check them out. I know this is not a bike related post, but I don't feel like talking about anything bike right now. It gets depressing sometimes knowing that I can't ride.

If you care to know I went to the doctor last week and the X-rays are looking good. I have another appointment on the 23rd and if all goes well, then I might be able to take this brace off. If the doc gives me the approval I will be back on the bike, because I am just a few steps away from having the cruiser done. If he does in fact give me the thumbs up I will ride, but I will do it with the brace on, that way I am less likely to injure myself more.

Alright, if you made it this far, here is some bike porn for you.

Something interesting

As some of you may know I am restoring an old Schwinn cruiser. Jenn had found the bike along time ago in a pond and thought it was cool. I ended up taking over the project. I haven't taken any pictures of it yet, and I forgot to take some of it while it was in it's original state before I started the process. Check back later and I will add some pictures (to this post, if you care to see) of how it is coming along. While I was sanding down the bike, I found the serial number and I was curious to what year the bike was made. Jenn went to the Schwinn website and found out when it was "born". Turns out the bike I have was born on April 9th 1953. The bike is now 55 years old, awesome.

So after reading the website, I found what I think some interesting facts.

In 1899, Paced by a locomotive, Mile-a Minute Murphy is the first man to go... you guessed it... 60 mph


1902, Bicycling is an adult-driven market. A racing bike costs $150 ($27,450 in today's dollars). Time payments are still a long way from reality.

Bicycles are where most advances in machining and metallurgy take place.

Keep in mind these were single speed fixed gears. I'd like to see what kind of fixed gear you would get now a days with that kind of money.

1936, Schwinn presents the "Auto Cycle" Deluxe balloon tire bicycle - featuring the Schwinn full floating saddle and seat post, plus twin headlights and speedometer.


1941, Drafting a race car, French racer Alfred Letourner sets the speed record of 108.92 mph on a Paramount bicycle with 255 gear inches. Now that's pushing a BIG gear.




That gear is fucking HUGE!!!. I would not want to do that, and brake less at that. It reminds me of this video I saw awhile back.

I thought it was a little interesting how fast some of these people have gone on a bicycle before most of us were born.


til next time

your "gay and stupid" blogger


OLC

Worst of Craigslist ATX missed connections

This is always a little fun. A little different this time. Enjoy.


Massages for great bike! (south Austin)
Reply to: sale-706963868@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-06-03, 11:58PM CDT



Hello,

I'm a licensed massage therapist who would give 4 massages ($70 value each) in exchange for a bicycle in great shape. First come, first serve pretty much, or best offer. If interested, please email me directly. Thank you.

Peace and love.



Why don't you just do four massages at an office building, and pay for a bike? I mean that is your profession right?


I almost hit you with my car, you on your bike - w4m - 22 (hyde park)


Reply to: pers-699245669@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-05-29, 12:18AM CDT


Not sure what the intersection was, but it was somewhere around 52nd and guadalupe... There was one of those circular medians in the middle of the intersection that you have to go around. I was driving a dark grey yaris, you on your bike, i saw you and hit my brakes, we made eye contact and smiled, I was pretty embarrassed. I had a friend with me. We should go bike riding some time.

So let me get this straight. You almost hit someone on their bike and then you want to go for a ride?


Death of a Blue Peugeot - w4m - 24 (Central)
Reply to: pers-705751605@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-06-03, 1:08AM CDT


To the kind, beautiful guy who laid my bike to rest at the Bicycle Sports Shop- Thank you. It was (almost) a bearable loss because of you.


I like a peugeot's as much as the next guy, but they are quite easy to put down.