This would be so bad ass to have happen when you're just enjoying a ride on the weekend, and you round a corner to this….
Hope you enjoyed this, as much as I did.
til next time
OLC
Posts
1 month ago
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Accident on Parmer
Just got this in the email.
Ok, I was realeased from the hospital this evening (Friday?), and my wife will hopefully be released on Saturday. First off, we have every right to ride on any street in the state, but riding on Parmer, until Tuesday morning, is not a big deal. Nice wide shoulder so cars and bikes can get along. And actually riding at 5:30 in the morning is safer in my book when you have flashing lights on the back alerting automobiles that something is in front of them and the traffic volume is substantially less.
My flashing lights put out as much attention getting light as any automobile. There is no reason we should have not been seen (by) this lady driving down the shoulder to wipe us out. Believe me when I say it was an extremely unfortunate acccident, but it was by no means our falult. We are trying to get some excercise and have fun commuting to work and have followed all required laws to put the required type of lighting on my bike. It boils down to the fact that auto drivers, of which I am one too, need to pull their heads out, drive safely and realize that the 30 seconds that they are slowed down by a bike on a road somewhere is not the end of the world and and won't make them be late for that all important meeting!!
Sincerely,
Sam Hughes, battered and bruised and looking for a new tandem
I'm really glad to hear that Sam is doing okay, this happened right in front of my apartment complex. Sam is correct in the shoulders being wide, and there being no excuse why the lady hit them.
I just wanted to pass this along.
til next time
OLC
Ok, I was realeased from the hospital this evening (Friday?), and my wife will hopefully be released on Saturday. First off, we have every right to ride on any street in the state, but riding on Parmer, until Tuesday morning, is not a big deal. Nice wide shoulder so cars and bikes can get along. And actually riding at 5:30 in the morning is safer in my book when you have flashing lights on the back alerting automobiles that something is in front of them and the traffic volume is substantially less.
My flashing lights put out as much attention getting light as any automobile. There is no reason we should have not been seen (by) this lady driving down the shoulder to wipe us out. Believe me when I say it was an extremely unfortunate acccident, but it was by no means our falult. We are trying to get some excercise and have fun commuting to work and have followed all required laws to put the required type of lighting on my bike. It boils down to the fact that auto drivers, of which I am one too, need to pull their heads out, drive safely and realize that the 30 seconds that they are slowed down by a bike on a road somewhere is not the end of the world and and won't make them be late for that all important meeting!!
Sincerely,
Sam Hughes, battered and bruised and looking for a new tandem
I'm really glad to hear that Sam is doing okay, this happened right in front of my apartment complex. Sam is correct in the shoulders being wide, and there being no excuse why the lady hit them.
I just wanted to pass this along.
til next time
OLC
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Actions speak louder then words....
So I posted this awhile back when it first happened(but I can't find my effin post), and many other people have posted this in their blogs and facebook accounts since the verdict was given out. But in case you haven't heard.....the Dr. was found guilty.
This is a sigh of relief for any cyclist following this story. We all encounter motorist everyday that in some way effect our lives, they don't think twice about it, but it stays in our thoughts throughout the day. You can look at the craigslist rants and raves on a daily basis and see the internet tough guys post about their frustrations with cyclist. Most of these people are tough guys who would never act out like they say they will.
There are those though, who are mentally unstable that may just act out on their feelings, which would leave most of us in the hospital. The bicycling website blogger Bob Mionske brought up a good point in his latest blog he wrote.
Bob said,
It may sound ludicrous to our ears, but that was how he attempted to portray the incident. The question at hand was whether the jury would also think it ludicrous, or whether it would be swayed by the doctor’s standing in the community, and the negative image of cyclists held by many motorists.
This leads me to think about myself with all the things that has happened to me and all of my friends that ride here. This accident seemed to spawn from one of the cyclist throwing the one fingered salute up, which we all do. The drivers that come to close to us, who almost hit us, who honk their horns at us, and spew hate as they drive by, they all deserve the universal sign of FUCK YOU.
But what if the motorist that deserves that "fuck you" is someone like the good ole Dr. or a good ole boy in his big pick up that wants to teach us a lesson?
This is a direct quote from the Dr. at the scene of the accident
Thompson said that he was “tired” of the cyclists on Mandeville Canyon Road, and “I wanted to teach them a lesson.”
Which makes you think about all the cycling accidents here in Austin, and how many of are accidents. This happened right in front of my apartment complex. I ride Parmer lane often, and it has a HUGE shoulder to ride on, and I really doubt that the cyclist were in a lane that goes 60+ miles an hour.
This could be any road that we travel everyday. Dr. Thompson's attorney says that this was “an unfortunate accident.” What is an unfortunate accident, is something that is just that, an accident. Not something that was intentional. Dr. Thompson's actions, were not an accident. Which leads right into this, in some cases cycling fatalities/injuries may be, but this isn't the first time the Dr. has encountered cyclist and had "something to say/prove/teach" to them.
I think most of my friends that are cyclist, do the right thing when it comes to cycling, yeah, we may not stop at every single stop sign, or every single light, but neither do most motorist. My problem with most motorist is that they play the card of all cyclist don't follow the law, we all know that this is not the case. Just because a few bad apple rotten, doesn't mean the whole bunch is. The same can be said for motorist as well.
I guess the point of writing this post is, we are always going to be scrutinized for the actions of ourselves or other cyclist. The new 3ft law is not always going to protect us. We need to protect ourselves, and be aware of our surroundings (I know we all are). No one is going to look for us, so we have to look for them. If you do get close to being hit/buzzed/shit thrown at you/called names/cut off, just remember, someone like Dr. Thompson, may behind the wheel. So try and keep those middle fingers down, and lets show the motorist, that WE ARE BETTER THEN THEM.
til next time
OLC
This is a sigh of relief for any cyclist following this story. We all encounter motorist everyday that in some way effect our lives, they don't think twice about it, but it stays in our thoughts throughout the day. You can look at the craigslist rants and raves on a daily basis and see the internet tough guys post about their frustrations with cyclist. Most of these people are tough guys who would never act out like they say they will.
There are those though, who are mentally unstable that may just act out on their feelings, which would leave most of us in the hospital. The bicycling website blogger Bob Mionske brought up a good point in his latest blog he wrote.
Bob said,
It may sound ludicrous to our ears, but that was how he attempted to portray the incident. The question at hand was whether the jury would also think it ludicrous, or whether it would be swayed by the doctor’s standing in the community, and the negative image of cyclists held by many motorists.
This leads me to think about myself with all the things that has happened to me and all of my friends that ride here. This accident seemed to spawn from one of the cyclist throwing the one fingered salute up, which we all do. The drivers that come to close to us, who almost hit us, who honk their horns at us, and spew hate as they drive by, they all deserve the universal sign of FUCK YOU.
But what if the motorist that deserves that "fuck you" is someone like the good ole Dr. or a good ole boy in his big pick up that wants to teach us a lesson?
This is a direct quote from the Dr. at the scene of the accident
Thompson said that he was “tired” of the cyclists on Mandeville Canyon Road, and “I wanted to teach them a lesson.”
Which makes you think about all the cycling accidents here in Austin, and how many of are accidents. This happened right in front of my apartment complex. I ride Parmer lane often, and it has a HUGE shoulder to ride on, and I really doubt that the cyclist were in a lane that goes 60+ miles an hour.
This could be any road that we travel everyday. Dr. Thompson's attorney says that this was “an unfortunate accident.” What is an unfortunate accident, is something that is just that, an accident. Not something that was intentional. Dr. Thompson's actions, were not an accident. Which leads right into this, in some cases cycling fatalities/injuries may be, but this isn't the first time the Dr. has encountered cyclist and had "something to say/prove/teach" to them.
I think most of my friends that are cyclist, do the right thing when it comes to cycling, yeah, we may not stop at every single stop sign, or every single light, but neither do most motorist. My problem with most motorist is that they play the card of all cyclist don't follow the law, we all know that this is not the case. Just because a few bad apple rotten, doesn't mean the whole bunch is. The same can be said for motorist as well.
I guess the point of writing this post is, we are always going to be scrutinized for the actions of ourselves or other cyclist. The new 3ft law is not always going to protect us. We need to protect ourselves, and be aware of our surroundings (I know we all are). No one is going to look for us, so we have to look for them. If you do get close to being hit/buzzed/shit thrown at you/called names/cut off, just remember, someone like Dr. Thompson, may behind the wheel. So try and keep those middle fingers down, and lets show the motorist, that WE ARE BETTER THEN THEM.
til next time
OLC
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Race night from METAL JIM
Thanks Jim for taking all the photos you did….. I hope your bandwith holds up :)
We'll start the night with pre race stuff….. like route planning and shoe pile ups.
And so it begins….
First person off…. is Kate!!
Then I was off to Wahoo's. Thanks Lee, for letting me borrow the long john.
This was the prize setup,
People starting to come in,
Jenn was super stoked on getting first ladies!
Prize Ceremony,
Thanks Jim for all the pictures!!!! You guys can check the rest of them here. Thanks again for everyone coming out to the race!!!!
We'll start the night with pre race stuff….. like route planning and shoe pile ups.
And so it begins….
First person off…. is Kate!!
Then I was off to Wahoo's. Thanks Lee, for letting me borrow the long john.
This was the prize setup,
People starting to come in,
Jenn was super stoked on getting first ladies!
Prize Ceremony,
Thanks Jim for all the pictures!!!! You guys can check the rest of them here. Thanks again for everyone coming out to the race!!!!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
race report....with update
So thanks everyone for coming out to the race!!!! I had a blast, and I hope you did too. The free food and beer definitely make everything a lot better. Daniel from thyneighborsbike took some great pics of the start of the race and of the prize ceremony. I'm sure he is still uploading a few, so be sure to check back to his blog for more pics to come.
I am also still waiting to get some pics from some other folks, so be sure to check back for that as well.
So if you were not at the race, it started at AustinBikes. I made everyone take their shoes off and make a dash for them and then back to their bikes. I know I got a bit of hate for it, but you know I am going to do something to you at the beginning of my races.
Below are a couple of pics that Daniel and James took….
Again, I am still waiting for some pics to be sent to me during the race and the prize ceremony, but here is what I have for now.
James just sent me a link to some of the pics he was able to capture...below are a few....
Route planning...
Russell and Angel…. as Maverick and Goose,they got fifth overall and they also won best costume.
Frye, got first overall, the wheels were donated by Austin Bikes.
Ali, got second overall, and won a limited edition bag from Crumpler
Whetstone, got first fixed, and won a custom made bag from Psyclist: Subversive Cycling
John, got second fixed, and won a Crumpler
Jasmine, got second ladies, and won a rad bag from Crumpler
That is all I have for right now, hopefully I will have more pics of the race and the prize ceremony.
BIG shout out to all the sponsors for helping make the race bad ass as well.
til next time
OLC
I am also still waiting to get some pics from some other folks, so be sure to check back for that as well.
So if you were not at the race, it started at AustinBikes. I made everyone take their shoes off and make a dash for them and then back to their bikes. I know I got a bit of hate for it, but you know I am going to do something to you at the beginning of my races.
Below are a couple of pics that Daniel and James took….
Again, I am still waiting for some pics to be sent to me during the race and the prize ceremony, but here is what I have for now.
James just sent me a link to some of the pics he was able to capture...below are a few....
Route planning...
Russell and Angel…. as Maverick and Goose,they got fifth overall and they also won best costume.
Frye, got first overall, the wheels were donated by Austin Bikes.
Ali, got second overall, and won a limited edition bag from Crumpler
Whetstone, got first fixed, and won a custom made bag from Psyclist: Subversive Cycling
John, got second fixed, and won a Crumpler
Jasmine, got second ladies, and won a rad bag from Crumpler
That is all I have for right now, hopefully I will have more pics of the race and the prize ceremony.
BIG shout out to all the sponsors for helping make the race bad ass as well.
til next time
OLC
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