How Was Your Commute Today?

[WindingRoad]

Wow today's commute was absolutely horrifying. As I was coming home this evening I had a whole line of cars buzzing me. One got so close it actually grazed my hand on my handlebar. The light in front of me changed and I caught up to one of the cars that buzzed me way too close. I knocked on their window and I asked the guy driving: "Sir, would please give me a little more room the next time you pass me?" He pops off "would I get on the trail". I say back "where". Because there is no access to it from that road! He is about to get all defensive so I just look at him and say "Please sir, all I'm trying to do is get to work." Looks like his wife and kids were in the car, so I didn't fly off like I really wanted to. I'm glad I didn't lose my cool but dang!

After that guy and the one who grazed my hand went around me so close and fast I jumped out smack in the middle of the lane. I NEVER do that but honestly I felt safer pissing off all the cars behind me and dealing with them that way. When I was off on the edge they were trying to squeeze by me doing 45-50 MPH which was WAY over the speed limit there. I don't know what got in to drivers today but I feel lucky to be alive after today.

The crappiest part is that there is NO way to avoid this road. I am only on it for at most a quarter of a mile, you'd think I was on there for 10 miles holding up traffic with the way these jerks were acting!

When I got home I felt like curling up in the fetal position. It didn't help I had another flat today.

[redrhodie]

Take the lane. It's safer. What's more important, a few seconds of their time, or your life? And if they honk, then at least you know they see you.

[Melalvai]

Yes, take the lane. That's been my experience any time I try to "hide out" on the edge because I'm scared of the road. The road suddenly feels much safer when I take the lane. It is hard to do, it is so counter-intuitive. But once you do, it makes so much difference.

I don't really feel like a lot of people get mad at me either. Oh, maybe someone will honk or yell, but they do that no matter what you do.

I rode in the rain this morning, in all my rain gear. I love riding in the rain--when it's not too hot for the rain gear, but not too cold either!

[redrhodie]

I was ready for rain today, but it never came. I wore a cycling cap under my helmet, just in case, and I rode my Soma DC. It was pretty cool out, in the 60s when I started this morning. It felt good. Still not cool enough for the arm warmers I brought, but their time will come soon enough. I love this time of year.

[AnnB]

I've been trying to own the road on my commute as well. I do feel lots safer, although drivers really are cranky when they have to follow a bike. Especially if it's after work

[gbunker]

My whole family commuted by bike together for the first time today! We dropped our older son (age 7) off at camp first, and he rode his own bike and parked it at the rack. He was really proud of himself. I towed son #2 (age 2) in the Burley, and my partner and I dropped him off at daycare next. We both rode off to work from there.

The whole process took about a half hour longer than it usually takes me to get to work, but I think we'll get the process streamlined and it will go faster next time.

I have been commuting by bike 2-3 days per week since May, and this was my partner's very first day bike commuting. I think we all did pretty well!
Gillian

[librarygirlMSP]

lurking a while but I had to register just to vent about this: running late for work, big stupid detour around a park I usually ride through on the edge of downtown. The detour finally gets you back on the trail for about 100yards and then off to the street again. There is a stop sign. 3-way stop. I slow down and look for any traffic, see none and yes, run the stop sign.
What did I get in return? a $100 ticket and a lecture about how "most car/bicycle accidents are the cyclists fault" and "sometimes all that's left of the cyclist is a splat on the road" etc, etc.
Could they at least save this for when they see someone doing something actually dangerous!?
ps. I got to watch about a half dozen other cyclists do exactly the same thing while I stood there waiting for the ticket. No cars passed. and I was the only one pulled over. what a morning!