Another Close Call

[wildstreaktn]

Just need to vent about another self-absorbed car driver.I live in southern middle TN.First of all,let me say that overall most cars here are very courteous to cyclists,i.e.,they slow down and wait to pass you on two lane roads,most get over into the other lane or get as far away from you as they can when they go around you,just well mannered folks.Welll,the other afternoon I was doing my once weekly personal time trial,a 16 mile ride that I am working on paring down to 45 minutes.The first 5 miles is on a 2 lane state highway that is heavily traveled.I'm down in the groove on my tri bike,really flying.Nice folks are passing me courteously,some honking and waving,it's a great day and a great ride.So,i'm all alone,no traffic in either direction,hammering at about 25 mph when some woman in a BMW blows by me,about 6 inches away.There was no traffic,why she didn't give me some space is anyone's guess?Well,in the vernacular of my area,"That just flew right up my a** ,and over the back of my head!"In other words,it caused me to blow a fuse!I'm fairly quick-tempered anyway,so I did my best to chase her down at the red light about 2 miles up the road.I was gonna find out exactly why she felt the need to drive so fast and so close to me that she practically sucked the paint off my bike!I didn't catch her,but I travel that road a lot and maybe someday,we'll cross paths again.The legislature here just passed a law that cars passing a cyclist must stay at least 3 feet away,but short of taping a yardstick to one's butt and yelling "citizen's arrest!" that will be hard to enforce.YEEEESSSHHHH!!Thanks for listening to my rant!:mad:

[SouthernBelle]

Wild,

That law didn't go into effect until today (7/1). So you can arrest her if she does it again. ;)

[KnottedYet]

When I was visiting Oxford 23 years ago (oh, now I feel old!) most of the bikes had reflectors on sticks attached to their seatposts like the yardstick you described. They stuck out to the side so cars had to give them room or they'd get scraped by the reflector-on-a-reflective-stick. (it was like a big reflective paddle)

Someone needs to re-invent them, cuz I'd buy one!

Glad BeemerBabe didn't knock you over. (and I hope you catch her some time!)

[Trek420]

When I was visiting Oxford 23 years ago (oh, now I feel old!) most of the bikes had reflectors on sticks attached to their seatposts like the yardstick you described. They stuck out to the side so cars had to give them room or they'd get scraped by the reflector-on-a-reflective-stick. (it was like a big reflective paddle)

Someone needs to re-invent them, cuz I'd buy one!

I wouldn't because if they DO come too close that knocks you over. Unless it's completely flexible, no. What's the average persons reach? Seems it should be close to 3'.

So if i can reach out and scratch your car, you're too close :mad:

I just want the handlebar mounted paintball gun option :) :p :cool:

[KnottedYet]

They were flexible plastic thingies mounted on a spring hinge.

[Trek420]

They were flexible plastic thingies mounted on a spring hinge.

That'll work :) :D

[wildstreaktn]

Trek 420,
I like that paintball gun idea,and I know where to borrow one!!Maybe I can cut loose with a little Discovery Channel Team blue and black on BeemerBabe before I citizen's arrest her.WOO-HOO!:D

[Zen]

So did that little speed interval lower your time?;)

[wildstreaktn]

yeh,zen actually it did lower my time!amazing what adrenaline and recessive redneck genes can do when one is pissed off!!!:D