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Because Sometimes Screaming Isn’t Enough
Filed under rantsJul 20
If you look closely, you will see a silver V patch on the white part of the frame. Look above and see the crank is touching the frame of the bike. Thankfully, only a $10 repair. If the $100 pedals were bent, I'd be much more pissed. The only damage to me was a minor scratch under my left knee.Here I thought I’d take a nice bike ride in the cool of the morning before the horrible heat of the day. Less than a mile from my house, when I was crossing a driveway in front of a car, I lost the battle with a grill. Thankfully, other than the bruise you see in the picture, I think I’m ok.
See, here in the state of Texas, we don’t have bicycle lanes. I’m not sure why this is, but basically, my choices as a cyclist are to bike on the sidewalk (illegal) or bike on the road and take my chances with car drivers who hate cyclists. I was actually on the sidewalk cruising along when I came to a driveway where a car was waiting to get onto the street. No big deal, her window was open, so I started screaming
“Hey, Hey HEY HEY HEY!”
She proceeded to ignore me right as I was in front of her car. IN FRONT OF HER CAR! I honestly believe that there could have been a troop of stark naked Hawaiian fire dancers juggling their fire sticks while wearing neon stripes on their bare bodies and she would have paid no attention. Hell, I could have been accompanied by an entire MARCHING BAND and she would have claimed not to see me.
I can only imagine the dialog she had with herself as she got up this morning:
“Hmmm. Ya know. I’m feeling kinda spacey today. What should I do?”
“Hmmmm. Maybe I should stay at home and watch some TV. Nooooo. That’s too easy. I KNOW! I’LL GET IN THE CAR AND DRIVE! That way, EVERYONE can share my spaceyness!!”
The Delta Airhorn: 115 Decibels of SCREAMShe was, actually concerned, though, and she *did* help me get the chain back on the crank. I’ve had another incident where a driver actually was more concerned with his car than he was with the fact he might have killed me. Ah, Texans.
But, no fear. I’ve decided to be more prepared. I’ve invested in a neat little contraption that should give me a little more voice should a situation like this happen again: The Delta Airhorn. Considering most people in Texas drive only with their windows tightly shut and their air conditioners blasting and radios turned on, I have to wonder if even that is enough to get their attention.
I do know what *would* get their attention for sure. I am going to invest in some used golf balls and put them on my handlebars. If I think someone is *not* paying attention, I shall throw the golf ball onto the windshield. Nothing gets a Texan’s attention more than an object thrown at their car.
Though, if I do this, I’d better be willing to pedal fast. Reeal fast. Texans are also known to carry guns on them, and it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if they would shoot to protect their car from being damaged.
3 Responses to “Because Sometimes Screaming Isn’t Enough”
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BillMan said on July 20th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Poor Heather. How long have you been living in Texas, and you JUST found out they can’t drive?? Andy & Matt were born there, and I’ve been back a time or two in the ensuing period, but I’ve NEVER forgotten the reason so many of them ride horses is because the horse has more sense!!
I was going to suggest perhaps some manner or firearm for the next time, but the air horn may be just as good. -
texbiker said on July 21st, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Between drain grates with wheel-sized slots and inattentive drivers, riding streets can be dangerous. I like the airhorn the problem maybe having enough reaction time to blast the drivers.
Rick Ankrum
http://www.texbiker.net -
GreenEye Wire»Blog Archive » How Do You Stop a Car With A Bicycle? Golf Balls said on August 7th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
[...] and one other thing. I did get to use the golf ball method. After screaming and screaming with no results — this was before my airhorn arrived in the [...]
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