cyclists and stoplights - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Kuan · #46 09-28-2006, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Holmes III

Your confidence is amusing.

Difference in location? Where do you do most of your driving?

John Doe · #47 09-28-2006, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Holmes III

Your confidence is amusing.

Almost robotic, isn't it?

#48 09-28-2006, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuan

Difference in location? Where do you do most of your driving?

I live twenty miles from a university town, full of 50k plus college students. My parents live a mile from campus, and there is bronken glass from accidents at almost every intersection within a five mile radius. It's not just students, it's the Hee Haw denziens who drive decrepit Astro vans with a dirty foot sticking out the passenger window. I flat spotted the tires in the the 300D today, when Deadhead in a Subaru wagon ran a stop sign and pulled out in front of me. He was probably headed to the 7-11 for twinkies.

#49 09-28-2006, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Doe

Almost robotic, isn't it?

Except he never says,"Danger Will Robinson, Danger!".

#50 09-28-2006, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retmil46

I'd say it's their different perception of the two vehicles. A vintage Willys military Jeep is easily recognizable as an antique/classic vehicle, and they might also make the unconcious connection that the older gent driving it may be a retired vet, and cut him some slack. OTOH, when they see a MB, they just assume it's some rich idiot out for a joyride.

BTW, my compliments to your father, he sounds like a very courteous gentleman.

Thanks for the kind words, and your comments make perfect sense.

My dad is in his '70s, and I hope I have his attitude when I get to that age. He reminds me of Rocky on the Rockford Files, except he doesn't drink.

Carleton Hughes · #51 09-28-2006, 08:00 PM

Unfortunately that arrogant attitude of entitlement is all to pervasive in my environs.
The weekend bikers here do not behave thus for any "green"reasons,these are the same knuckle-dragging neanderthals who double-park their Hummers and Escalades and are more concerned with the desperate exclusivity of the latest biking fashions or the price of their Italian carbon-fibre frames.

One of the few pleasures I can enjoy here is a nice sunday drive in one of my antique cars.

These pedal-pushing piltdowns generally ride 4 or 5 abreast,rather than staying single file,as the law dictates they should.

I have my own ways of dealing with this,one of my cars has a pressure oiler,when you need more engine oil you pump it from a storage tank,too much pressure and with a flick of the spark lever and a stomp on the gas and you've got a cloud of smoke an out of time diesel would envy.

My Vauxhall not only has a very loud Klaxon horn but an exhaust cutout for extra power climbing hills,scares the ***** outta these phoneys,I think a couple even ran off the road with fright when I pressed the cut-out while retarding the spark lever.

Nate · #52 09-28-2006, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carleton Hughes

I have my own ways of dealing with this,one of my cars has a pressure oiler,when you need more engine oil you pump it from a storage tank,too much pressure and with a flick of the spark lever and a stomp on the gas and you've got a cloud of smoke an out of time diesel would envy.

My Vauxhall not only has a very loud Klaxon horn but an exhaust cutout for extra power climbing hills,scares the ***** outta these phoneys,I think a couple even ran off the road with fright when I pressed the cut-out while retarding the spark lever.

AWESOME!!!

What happens when u press the cutout, and retard the spark?
backfire? how loud?

~Nate

Carleton Hughes · #53 09-29-2006, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate

AWESOME!!!

What happens when u press the cutout, and retard the spark?
backfire? how loud?

~Nate

Cutout's right behind the manifold. When I flip the spark back and she's under load the explosions are deafening,this car dynos out just about 125hp at 2,800rpm.I used to switch off the spark completely,letting the manifold accumulate unburned gas,when I switched it back on, BOOOOM,but I stopped doing that after I blew up 2 exhaust manifolds

Of course I was younger then.

Mistress · #54 09-29-2006, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A264172

In my days as a bike messenger (late 80's early 90's) I ran 'double digits' red lights-stop signs/day...time was money. When I did it I was dam sure that the cars I was amoungst could'nt have hit me if they tried... as many did try.

I agree Mistress. Right of way means nothing on a bike. It's all physics and the sympathetic nervous system.

Do you still have your bike shorts?

Mistress · #55 09-29-2006, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carleton Hughes

Cutout's right behind the manifold. When I flip the spark back and she's under load the explosions are deafening,this car dynos out just about 125hp at 2,800rpm.I used to switch off the spark completely,letting the manifold accumulate unburned gas,when I switched it back on, BOOOOM,but I stopped doing that after I blew up 2 exhaust manifolds

Of course I was younger then.

I bet you'd do it again if you could.....age means nothing when it comes to having fun!

mwood · #56 09-29-2006, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maroon 300D

They're supposed to get in the turn lane. It might be absurd, but them's the rules.

I don't think so, we have bike lanes and cross walks here in Cali, that's what they're supposed to use.

mwood · #57 09-29-2006, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

I'm not sure about my current home-state, but MO was my last one. It's illegal to ride your bicycle on the sidewalk or on a pedestrian crosswalk in MO. Same offence as doing so in your car, of course. It's also illegal to ride opposing traffic, for the same reason.

Just how many minutes of your life do you spend behind a bicycle? And would you really get to your destination that much faster if it were a slow driver in front of you?

I've spent years commuting exclusively on a bicycle, and have had a lot of close calls, due to cars thinking that I don't need even half a lane. I have banged my fist on a number of car deck lids, when the driver was close enough. But at least I did no damage.

Some people I knew back then hated car drivers. Two stories come to mind:

1: A car passed very close to the rider, who saw it coming and retrieved a tool out of the back pocket of his jersey. Put a nice scratch down the side of the car. Driver stopped, and the cyclist offered to put a matching scratch on the other side, no charge!

2: Similar situation, but the cyclist reacted after the car passed. Grabbed a glass beer bottle out of his water-bottle holder (it was actually legal in MO to drink while driving then, so no law broken by having the beer while riding), threw it at the car and shattered the bottle on the back window. The driver stopped and started to look menacing, until the cyclist retrieved a rather large chain from his bag. The driver got back in his car and left.

I ride a bike also (but I refuse to don the outfit!) and use the bike lanes and cross walks to get from one side to the other, it doesn't take me that much longer and I don't risk my life by riding in a traffic lane. Is that too much to ask of other bike riders, to use the BIKE lane and leave the traffic lanes to motor vehicles?

Carleton Hughes · #58 09-30-2006, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwood

I ride a bike also (but I refuse to don the outfit!) and use the bike lanes and cross walks to get from one side to the other, it doesn't take me that much longer and I don't risk my life by riding in a traffic lane. Is that too much to ask of other bike riders, to use the BIKE lane and leave the traffic lanes to motor vehicles?

You the man,Got nothing agin'those who obey the laws,in fact you would be F*cking shocked if you saw the "bike"I ride on Lloyd Neck.

So yeah,I got nothing against bikes,just obey the laws and for Chrissakes!!!!!!

Obey the local laws!!!!!!

t walgamuth · #59 09-30-2006, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mistress

I bet you'd do it again if you could.....age means nothing when it comes to having fun!

it is not because of fun. it is because it is expensive to make repairs!

i did the same thing in my dad's 59 rambler american until i did it once really big and immediately the exhaust went BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. i split the muffler wide open.

no more backfire fun after that!

tom w

Matt L · #60 09-30-2006, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carleton Hughes

You the man,Got nothing agin'those who obey the laws,in fact you would be F*cking shocked if you saw the "bike"I ride on Lloyd Neck.

So yeah,I got nothing against bikes,just obey the laws and for Chrissakes!!!!!!

Obey the local laws!!!!!!

The problem here is that motorists do not know the laws, and assume that because a bicycle lacks an engine, that it has no business being on the road. These motorists think they're obeying the local laws, but they don't know what they are.

Next time you see a bicycle on the road, instead of thinking "This damn cyclist is slowing me down," say to yourself, "There's another free parking spot and another couple of gallons of fuel for me."