Bicycle Commute Challenge

[kfergos]

Day 1, Morning Commute (20 miles):
Sunny in Kirkland/Bellevue/Seattle despite predictions of rain, but high, sustained south winds with gusts up to over 40 mph meant I worked very, very hard to creep along at a whopping 13.3 mph. Lots of blowdown and branches on the roads. Crossing the I-90 bridge was a hair-raising exercise in controlling the bicycle so as not to be dashed into the railing or into the lake (not sure if that's possible, but it did cross my mind). I'm still riding the extremely upright hybrid rental bike -- going on Week 7, I think, although I've kind of lost count -- and I would have given my jacket for a bike with drop handlebars today.

Finished the ride by having a guy in a small pickup truck honk at me as I rode down S. Dearborn St. I was out in the lane, avoiding the bike lane because lots of motorists right hook cyclists and I've seen many narrow misses on that road. When the bike lane went away, he stopped honking. Eventually he pulled up next to me -- I was in the far left lane, turning left, and he was in a middle lane going straight -- and he wagged his finger at me sanctimoniously. I shook my head and pointed emphatically to indicate I was in the right place. He rolled down his window and we had the following exchange:

Him: You have to ride in the bike lane.
Me: No, bikes can ride anywhere on the road.
Him: No, bikes have to ride in the bike lane.
Me: I work for the Bicycle Alliance, I know this. Bikes can ride anywhere.
Him: No, bikes have to ride in the bike lane.
Light turns green and we start to go.
Me: Bikes are vehicles!

...at least I got in the last word. It wasn't an angry exchange at all, just one in which we were clearly in totally different worlds, communication-wise.

[XMcShiftersonX]

Good for you for sticking up for yourself. I'm always amused by motorists who make it a point to scold cyclists but don't actually know the rules of the road. I would say overall cyclists know the rules of the road better than most motorists. Just an observation.

[TsPoet]

I'm impressed with you for riding today! Here on the other side of the state we are having sustained 30 mph winds that seem to be swirling from every direction. The dust in the air has all but obliterated the sun.
I was going to ride today, get ride to work month off right - but I'm glad I chickened out!
Tomorrow won't be significantly different. Maybe I can start the month off on Wednesday!

[Biciclista]

good for you! i wimped out today, but 'm glad you were out there
AND you defended all cyclists.

AND got the last word in..

[kfergos]

AND got the last word in..

That's the most important part.

Hopefully tomorrow will be more conducive to riding for everybody. It is a tad disappointing to start off Bike to Work Month with a day so blustery that only crazy people choose to ride.

[Biciclista]

That's the most important part.

Hopefully tomorrow will be more conducive to riding for everybody. It is a tad disappointing to start off Bike to Work Month with a day so blustery that only crazy people choose to ride.

not just the crazies, also the oblivious.. (at least at my office)