scary encounter.

[Callistus Valerius]

Doing a 90 mile ride, me and my friend stopped to fill our water bottles
at a water fountain. A fellow walked up to us, and informed us of a new
invention. The automobile, he said. It really kind of shocked me of how
ignorant really the general public is of cycling. We are so immersed in it,
we start assuming everyone knows what ultegra is. A wake-up call, a scary
one.

[Gary]

What does this have to do with professional wrestling: your new passion?

Callistus Valerius wrote:
> Doing a 90 mile ride, me and my friend stopped to fill our water bottles
> at a water fountain. A fellow walked up to us, and informed us of a new
> invention. The automobile, he said. It really kind of shocked me of how
> ignorant really the general public is of cycling. We are so immersed in it,
> we start assuming everyone knows what ultegra is. A wake-up call, a scary
> one.
>
>

[Gary]

What does this have to do with professional wrestling: your new passion?

Callistus Valerius wrote:
> Doing a 90 mile ride, me and my friend stopped to fill our water bottles
> at a water fountain. A fellow walked up to us, and informed us of a new
> invention. The automobile, he said. It really kind of shocked me of how
> ignorant really the general public is of cycling. We are so immersed in it,
> we start assuming everyone knows what ultegra is. A wake-up call, a scary
> one.
>
>

[Zog The Undeniable]

Callistus Valerius wrote:
> Doing a 90 mile ride, me and my friend stopped to fill our water bottles
> at a water fountain. A fellow walked up to us, and informed us of a new
> invention. The automobile, he said.

That's almost as original as "Hey mate, did you know your wheels are
going round?"

[Zog The Undeniable]

Callistus Valerius wrote:
> Doing a 90 mile ride, me and my friend stopped to fill our water bottles
> at a water fountain. A fellow walked up to us, and informed us of a new
> invention. The automobile, he said.

That's almost as original as "Hey mate, did you know your wheels are
going round?"

[serg]

what an a-hole. it amazes me how far out of their way some ppl will go to
inconvinience bikers. mu gf and her cousins were biking through town once
and some guy heading the opposite way in a car just had to yell out
something stupid. he was actually ****ed that they were biking! what the
hell! they weren't blocking traffic or anything..

"Callistus Valerius" > wrote in message
.net...
> Doing a 90 mile ride, me and my friend stopped to fill our water
bottles
> at a water fountain. A fellow walked up to us, and informed us of a new
> invention. The automobile, he said. It really kind of shocked me of how
> ignorant really the general public is of cycling. We are so immersed in
it,
> we start assuming everyone knows what ultegra is. A wake-up call, a scary
> one.
>
>

[serg]

what an a-hole. it amazes me how far out of their way some ppl will go to
inconvinience bikers. mu gf and her cousins were biking through town once
and some guy heading the opposite way in a car just had to yell out
something stupid. he was actually ****ed that they were biking! what the
hell! they weren't blocking traffic or anything..

"Callistus Valerius" > wrote in message
.net...
> Doing a 90 mile ride, me and my friend stopped to fill our water
bottles
> at a water fountain. A fellow walked up to us, and informed us of a new
> invention. The automobile, he said. It really kind of shocked me of how
> ignorant really the general public is of cycling. We are so immersed in
it,
> we start assuming everyone knows what ultegra is. A wake-up call, a scary
> one.
>
>

[Callistus Valerius]

> what an a-hole. it amazes me how far out of their way some ppl will go to
> inconvinience bikers. mu gf and her cousins were biking through town once
> and some guy heading the opposite way in a car just had to yell out
> something stupid. he was actually ****ed that they were biking! what the
> hell! they weren't blocking traffic or anything..
>
to many people, different is dangerous. one person, after much debate,
finally admitted to me, what he feared the most is that he would be forced
to ride a bike. most people are extemely lazy, and the fact they might have
to exert some energy scares the hell out of them. it's a shame because I
think if most gave it a try, they would enjoy it also.

[Callistus Valerius]

> what an a-hole. it amazes me how far out of their way some ppl will go to
> inconvinience bikers. mu gf and her cousins were biking through town once
> and some guy heading the opposite way in a car just had to yell out
> something stupid. he was actually ****ed that they were biking! what the
> hell! they weren't blocking traffic or anything..
>
to many people, different is dangerous. one person, after much debate,
finally admitted to me, what he feared the most is that he would be forced
to ride a bike. most people are extemely lazy, and the fact they might have
to exert some energy scares the hell out of them. it's a shame because I
think if most gave it a try, they would enjoy it also.

[serg]

"Callistus Valerius" > wrote in message
k.net...
> > what an a-hole. it amazes me how far out of their way some ppl will go
to
> > inconvinience bikers. mu gf and her cousins were biking through town
once
> > and some guy heading the opposite way in a car just had to yell out
> > something stupid. he was actually ****ed that they were biking! what
the
> > hell! they weren't blocking traffic or anything..
> >
> to many people, different is dangerous. one person, after much
debate,
> finally admitted to me, what he feared the most is that he would be forced
> to ride a bike. most people are extemely lazy, and the fact they might
have
> to exert some energy scares the hell out of them. it's a shame because I
> think if most gave it a try, they would enjoy it also.
>
>
agreed. they have a very small comfort zone that they can't get out of.
it's crazy how lazy some people are though. even when faced with an early
death due to inactivity, they would still rather sit in front of the tube
all day...

[serg]

"Callistus Valerius" > wrote in message
k.net...
> > what an a-hole. it amazes me how far out of their way some ppl will go
to
> > inconvinience bikers. mu gf and her cousins were biking through town
once
> > and some guy heading the opposite way in a car just had to yell out
> > something stupid. he was actually ****ed that they were biking! what
the
> > hell! they weren't blocking traffic or anything..
> >
> to many people, different is dangerous. one person, after much
debate,
> finally admitted to me, what he feared the most is that he would be forced
> to ride a bike. most people are extemely lazy, and the fact they might
have
> to exert some energy scares the hell out of them. it's a shame because I
> think if most gave it a try, they would enjoy it also.
>
>
agreed. they have a very small comfort zone that they can't get out of.
it's crazy how lazy some people are though. even when faced with an early
death due to inactivity, they would still rather sit in front of the tube
all day...

[John Forrest Tomlinson]

On Mon, 11 Oct 2004 17:55:17 +0100, Zog The Undeniable
> wrote:

>Callistus Valerius wrote:
>> Doing a 90 mile ride, me and my friend stopped to fill our water bottles
>> at a water fountain. A fellow walked up to us, and informed us of a new
>> invention. The automobile, he said.
>
>That's almost as original as "Hey mate, did you know your wheels are
>going round?"

What about "Get off and milk it!"?

JT


****************************
Remove "remove" to reply
Visit http://www.jt10000.com
****************************

[John Forrest Tomlinson]

On Mon, 11 Oct 2004 17:55:17 +0100, Zog The Undeniable
> wrote:

>Callistus Valerius wrote:
>> Doing a 90 mile ride, me and my friend stopped to fill our water bottles
>> at a water fountain. A fellow walked up to us, and informed us of a new
>> invention. The automobile, he said.
>
>That's almost as original as "Hey mate, did you know your wheels are
>going round?"

What about "Get off and milk it!"?

JT


****************************
Remove "remove" to reply
Visit http://www.jt10000.com
****************************

[Callistus Valerius]

> agreed. they have a very small comfort zone that they can't get out of.
> it's crazy how lazy some people are though. even when faced with an early
> death due to inactivity, they would still rather sit in front of the tube
> all day...
>
I know, I use to be one of them. I got into cycling by accident. I
wanted to get to know this girl from one of my classes better, and she was a
cyclist. As it turned out, I got no where with her, but I got hooked on
cycling.

[Callistus Valerius]

> agreed. they have a very small comfort zone that they can't get out of.
> it's crazy how lazy some people are though. even when faced with an early
> death due to inactivity, they would still rather sit in front of the tube
> all day...
>
I know, I use to be one of them. I got into cycling by accident. I
wanted to get to know this girl from one of my classes better, and she was a
cyclist. As it turned out, I got no where with her, but I got hooked on
cycling.

[Callistus Valerius]

"> What does this have to do with professional wrestling: your new passion?

I said I would "watch" wrestling, not "participate" in wrestling. I
don't think, with my 155 lb frame I could hold my own in the ring.

[Callistus Valerius]

"> What does this have to do with professional wrestling: your new passion?

I said I would "watch" wrestling, not "participate" in wrestling. I
don't think, with my 155 lb frame I could hold my own in the ring.

[serg]

hahah! good for you! good thing you got the guts to try it eh? if only there
was a way to make people realize that exercising and sweating are natural
and good for you...

"Callistus Valerius" > wrote in message
.net...
> > agreed. they have a very small comfort zone that they can't get out of.
> > it's crazy how lazy some people are though. even when faced with an
early
> > death due to inactivity, they would still rather sit in front of the
tube
> > all day...
> >
> I know, I use to be one of them. I got into cycling by accident. I
> wanted to get to know this girl from one of my classes better, and she was
a
> cyclist. As it turned out, I got no where with her, but I got hooked on
> cycling.
>
>

[serg]

hahah! good for you! good thing you got the guts to try it eh? if only there
was a way to make people realize that exercising and sweating are natural
and good for you...

"Callistus Valerius" > wrote in message
.net...
> > agreed. they have a very small comfort zone that they can't get out of.
> > it's crazy how lazy some people are though. even when faced with an
early
> > death due to inactivity, they would still rather sit in front of the
tube
> > all day...
> >
> I know, I use to be one of them. I got into cycling by accident. I
> wanted to get to know this girl from one of my classes better, and she was
a
> cyclist. As it turned out, I got no where with her, but I got hooked on
> cycling.
>
>

[Dan Pavlica]

Most people are horribly lazy, fat marshmallows who will go through
taco bell drive-thrus and even drive up to their mailboxes to get the
mail out before getting out of the car. They will drive in circles
around the walmart parking lot for ten minutes just to find a spot 25
paces closer. And of course, there's the ignorance factor causing
anything different and unknown automatically to be wrong and/or
frightening. To them, we belong on the road about as much as men on
the moon. You've got to be careful, though, it *can* get downright
scary. I don't enjoy mingling with vehicular traffic, so I pick small
county roads with smooth pavement and as little traffic as possible.
I've been messed with twice in the last two months. This is North
Texas, by the way, Dallas area. One time, they shouted something nasty
100% unprovoked, and the other time they threw an object and hit me in
the back (different a-holes in each case.) What bothered me was that
the second time they drove by me soooo fast and waaaaay too close for
comfort, I guess so I couldn't catch the license plates. Both times, I
invited them to stop and discuss the issue, but the brave hearts
wouldn't, of course. Now I ride with a can of pepper spray in the
jersey pocket (works on dogs too), a knife in the camelback pocket,
and I'm considering a small gun, just for those that think they can
**** with the un****able from a safe distance. Just wait, you thought
the dude who slashed 2000 car tires was crazy...

[Dan Pavlica]

Most people are horribly lazy, fat marshmallows who will go through
taco bell drive-thrus and even drive up to their mailboxes to get the
mail out before getting out of the car. They will drive in circles
around the walmart parking lot for ten minutes just to find a spot 25
paces closer. And of course, there's the ignorance factor causing
anything different and unknown automatically to be wrong and/or
frightening. To them, we belong on the road about as much as men on
the moon. You've got to be careful, though, it *can* get downright
scary. I don't enjoy mingling with vehicular traffic, so I pick small
county roads with smooth pavement and as little traffic as possible.
I've been messed with twice in the last two months. This is North
Texas, by the way, Dallas area. One time, they shouted something nasty
100% unprovoked, and the other time they threw an object and hit me in
the back (different a-holes in each case.) What bothered me was that
the second time they drove by me soooo fast and waaaaay too close for
comfort, I guess so I couldn't catch the license plates. Both times, I
invited them to stop and discuss the issue, but the brave hearts
wouldn't, of course. Now I ride with a can of pepper spray in the
jersey pocket (works on dogs too), a knife in the camelback pocket,
and I'm considering a small gun, just for those that think they can
**** with the un****able from a safe distance. Just wait, you thought
the dude who slashed 2000 car tires was crazy...

[Callistus Valerius]

I'm considering a small gun, just for those that think...

If would have to be small, a bike isn't the most stable gun platform
that I can think of.

[Callistus Valerius]

I'm considering a small gun, just for those that think...

If would have to be small, a bike isn't the most stable gun platform
that I can think of.

[Ronsonic]

On Wed, 13 Oct 2004 11:21:01 GMT, "Callistus Valerius" >
wrote:

>I'm considering a small gun, just for those that think...
>
> If would have to be small, a bike isn't the most stable gun platform
>that I can think of.

I dunno, mount a BAR barrel and action along the top tube. :0

Ron

[Ronsonic]

On Wed, 13 Oct 2004 11:21:01 GMT, "Callistus Valerius" >
wrote:

>I'm considering a small gun, just for those that think...
>
> If would have to be small, a bike isn't the most stable gun platform
>that I can think of.

I dunno, mount a BAR barrel and action along the top tube. :0

Ron

[A Muzi]

Callistus Valerius wrote:

> I'm considering a small gun, just for those that think...
>
> If would have to be small, a bike isn't the most stable gun platform
> that I can think of.

Maybe a small Ruger .25 five shot which fits nicely in a
jersey pocket. HItting anything with that would take a
miracle though.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

[A Muzi]

Callistus Valerius wrote:

> I'm considering a small gun, just for those that think...
>
> If would have to be small, a bike isn't the most stable gun platform
> that I can think of.

Maybe a small Ruger .25 five shot which fits nicely in a
jersey pocket. HItting anything with that would take a
miracle though.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

[Tom Paterson]

>From: A Muzi

>Maybe a small Ruger .25 five shot which fits nicely in a
>jersey pocket. HItting anything with that would take a
>miracle though.

Hitting comes from practice. Stopping a charging bull redneck with that popgun
would def. call for divine intercession.

Reality reference:

<http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/ccw/selection.htm>

I've known a couple of cycling policemen who could "no problem" carry and use
guns who didn't. Of course, they are practiced in various interpersonal skills
as well as effective firearm use. --TP

[Tom Paterson]

>From: A Muzi

>Maybe a small Ruger .25 five shot which fits nicely in a
>jersey pocket. HItting anything with that would take a
>miracle though.

Hitting comes from practice. Stopping a charging bull redneck with that popgun
would def. call for divine intercession.

Reality reference:

<http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/ccw/selection.htm>

I've known a couple of cycling policemen who could "no problem" carry and use
guns who didn't. Of course, they are practiced in various interpersonal skills
as well as effective firearm use. --TP

[John Thompson]

On 2004-10-14, Tom Paterson > wrote:

>>From: A Muzi
>
> Hitting comes from practice. Stopping a charging bull redneck with that popgun
> would def. call for divine intercession.

> I've known a couple of cycling policemen who could "no problem" carry and use
> guns who didn't. Of course, they are practiced in various interpersonal skills
> as well as effective firearm use. --TP

Interpresonal skills with livestock? Even here in the "Dairy State" our
police don't get that type of training! Where do you live? :-)

--

-John )

[John Thompson]

On 2004-10-14, Tom Paterson > wrote:

>>From: A Muzi
>
> Hitting comes from practice. Stopping a charging bull redneck with that popgun
> would def. call for divine intercession.

> I've known a couple of cycling policemen who could "no problem" carry and use
> guns who didn't. Of course, they are practiced in various interpersonal skills
> as well as effective firearm use. --TP

Interpresonal skills with livestock? Even here in the "Dairy State" our
police don't get that type of training! Where do you live? :-)

--

-John )

[Tom Paterson]

>From: John Thompson

>Interpresonal skills with livestock?

(I wrote):
>>charging bull redneck

not "charging redneck bull". Horse's asses, you have a case there. --TP

[Tom Paterson]

>From: John Thompson

>Interpresonal skills with livestock?

(I wrote):
>>charging bull redneck

not "charging redneck bull". Horse's asses, you have a case there. --TP

[A Muzi]

> On 2004-10-14, Tom Paterson > wrote:
>>Hitting comes from practice. Stopping a charging bull redneck with that popgun
>>would def. call for divine intercession.
>>I've known a couple of cycling policemen who could "no problem" carry and use
>>guns who didn't. Of course, they are practiced in various interpersonal skills
>>as well as effective firearm use. --TP

John Thompson wrote:
> Interpresonal skills with livestock? Even here in the "Dairy State" our
> police don't get that type of training! Where do you live? :-)

A 'redneck' is not a dumb animal. Or is he?


--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

[A Muzi]

> On 2004-10-14, Tom Paterson > wrote:
>>Hitting comes from practice. Stopping a charging bull redneck with that popgun
>>would def. call for divine intercession.
>>I've known a couple of cycling policemen who could "no problem" carry and use
>>guns who didn't. Of course, they are practiced in various interpersonal skills
>>as well as effective firearm use. --TP

John Thompson wrote:
> Interpresonal skills with livestock? Even here in the "Dairy State" our
> police don't get that type of training! Where do you live? :-)

A 'redneck' is not a dumb animal. Or is he?


--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

[Bruce Jackson]

(Dan Pavlica) wrote in message >...

> I've been messed with twice in the last two months. This is North
> Texas, by the way, Dallas area. One time, they shouted something nasty
> 100% unprovoked, and the other time they threw an object and hit me in
> the back (different a-holes in each case.) What bothered me was that
> the second time they drove by me soooo fast and waaaaay too close for
> comfort, I guess so I couldn't catch the license plates. Both times, I
> invited them to stop and discuss the issue, but the brave hearts
> wouldn't, of course.

I've been riding in North Texas for over 20 years. I've been buzzed
and had obscenities shouted at me numerous times. Heck one time I
was at the side of the road changing a flat tire on my car and
several passing cars shouted obscenities (wide shoulder and I was
well off the road so there was no way I was inconveniencing them).
There are some folks who can only feel good about themselves when
they put someone else down. Cyclists may be an easy target but
they aren't the only one.

> Now I ride with a can of pepper spray in the
> jersey pocket (works on dogs too), a knife in the camelback pocket,
> and I'm considering a small gun, just for those that think they can
> **** with the un****able from a safe distance. Just wait, you thought
> the dude who slashed 2000 car tires was crazy...

There are a lot of people who get their jollies messing with you but
few who want to escillate it to a mortal battle. Texas does allow
concealed carry so it is certainly within your right to pack here.
Do remember that carrying a weopon is a huge responsibility. I've
read a lot of articles both pro-handgun and anti-handgun as well
as looking at various statistics and the best I can tell a handgun is
more likely to get you into trouble than get you out of trouble. If
you do find yourself in the very unlikely situation where you have to
defend yourself against someone who intends to kill or maim you a
handgun can be very handy otherwise it is more of a liability.

While North Texas is an area more bike hostile than most I've done
just fine ignoring abusive drivers. Inviting them to stop and
"discuss" the situation is asking for trouble. I've certainly felt
threatened many times while riding but nothing ever came of it.
After the driver was out of sight and my adrenaline stopped coursing
through my veins I was none the worse for the wear.
--
Bruce Jackson

[Bruce Jackson]

(Dan Pavlica) wrote in message >...

> I've been messed with twice in the last two months. This is North
> Texas, by the way, Dallas area. One time, they shouted something nasty
> 100% unprovoked, and the other time they threw an object and hit me in
> the back (different a-holes in each case.) What bothered me was that
> the second time they drove by me soooo fast and waaaaay too close for
> comfort, I guess so I couldn't catch the license plates. Both times, I
> invited them to stop and discuss the issue, but the brave hearts
> wouldn't, of course.

I've been riding in North Texas for over 20 years. I've been buzzed
and had obscenities shouted at me numerous times. Heck one time I
was at the side of the road changing a flat tire on my car and
several passing cars shouted obscenities (wide shoulder and I was
well off the road so there was no way I was inconveniencing them).
There are some folks who can only feel good about themselves when
they put someone else down. Cyclists may be an easy target but
they aren't the only one.

> Now I ride with a can of pepper spray in the
> jersey pocket (works on dogs too), a knife in the camelback pocket,
> and I'm considering a small gun, just for those that think they can
> **** with the un****able from a safe distance. Just wait, you thought
> the dude who slashed 2000 car tires was crazy...

There are a lot of people who get their jollies messing with you but
few who want to escillate it to a mortal battle. Texas does allow
concealed carry so it is certainly within your right to pack here.
Do remember that carrying a weopon is a huge responsibility. I've
read a lot of articles both pro-handgun and anti-handgun as well
as looking at various statistics and the best I can tell a handgun is
more likely to get you into trouble than get you out of trouble. If
you do find yourself in the very unlikely situation where you have to
defend yourself against someone who intends to kill or maim you a
handgun can be very handy otherwise it is more of a liability.

While North Texas is an area more bike hostile than most I've done
just fine ignoring abusive drivers. Inviting them to stop and
"discuss" the situation is asking for trouble. I've certainly felt
threatened many times while riding but nothing ever came of it.
After the driver was out of sight and my adrenaline stopped coursing
through my veins I was none the worse for the wear.
--
Bruce Jackson

[SpearSlinger1]

Something I've been considering is to carry a notepad, pen and cel
phone. If accosted on the road, do nothing to acknowledge the driver
presence since it's almost always a case of a coward looking fo
attention. Try to observe the vehicle make, model and license plate
Then when they're out of sight call the local cops and report a drive
speeding, wreckless, littering, assault and any other violations tha
may apply. Some places will write citations on a call in, but I don'
know if that's true everywhere

--
SpearSlinger1

[SpearSlinger1]

Something I've been considering is to carry a notepad, pen and cel
phone. If accosted on the road, do nothing to acknowledge the driver
presence since it's almost always a case of a coward looking fo
attention. Try to observe the vehicle make, model and license plate
Then when they're out of sight call the local cops and report a drive
speeding, wreckless, littering, assault and any other violations tha
may apply. Some places will write citations on a call in, but I don'
know if that's true everywhere

--
SpearSlinger1

[woodworking-greg]

Hi Dan,
I can sympathize with you. I can recall times when I would defiantly, do the
unthinkable. I would rethink the thing about riding with a gun. Pretty soon
you'll be thinking in your mind - you wish you could just get even with this
imaginary SOB.
Couple times I have dealt with what you have experienced.
I was riding in 35mph traffic at night, and some dude in a car hits me in
the back of the head with a snowball thing. I thought I got hit by a
brick-no helmet back then. I followed them all the way to their house and I
was thinking all kinds of nasty things to do to them. More than that they
lived only like 3 bocks from my house. I figured that when I was young I
might have done something like that even though I didn't, so I let it go.
Back in the 60's everybody knew everybody in this neighborhood and we
treated everybody better than I see people treating each other today.
Another time I was riding at night, and 2 dudes in a car hang a U-Turn and
follow me from behind. They pull up along side me and I see a handgun poke
out the passenger window and pow. I was shot in the butt. That time I called
the cops. I was unable to get the licence plate of that car and nothing
happened to those SOB. The shooter just nicked me and no damage, but this is
the time I would have shot back for sure. But thinking about it I figure its
just kids these days and times have changed.
My best time, well if you could call it a best time. Two women came up from
behind riding on a Harley, and the one woman riding behind decides to slap
me in the ass. Well they were riding like 40mph and it was like being
slapped by a 2 X 4 in the ass. They just whooped it up and rode ahead of me
laughing.
Where does the story go from here you might ask?
I can say that I have done more harm to myself than any person or group of
persons. You could say that riding along and getting hit by a snowball or
shot, thats nothing.
I have had a fractured skull, I woke up in the hospital.
I have had a concussion, I woke up in the ambulance.
I have broken my front teeth.
Recently, it will be 2 years July 31st, I crashed high speed and broke my
colar bone and collapsed my left lung. Without a helmet on this occasion I
might not be here.
I sometimes imagine that when its my time to leave this world that it will
be in the course of doing what I love doing - riding a bike.
And not to mention I saw a guy almost get smashed by a car last year. I mean
imagine a car, exiting the freeway and not stopping and we were going like
30mph- he almost got broadsided. Something worse yet. I am riding along and
meet up with another rider and when I catch my breath take lead. Then
another rider comes up from behind and we are all three riding like a pack.
We do not know each other but we are riding along like a team each rider
taking the lead. We're going downhill at a fast pace like 40mph down skyline
to Hwy92, and he takes the lead by like 5 inches. He could have crashed us
all.
So I am learning to be a little more carefull and understanding of others.
God Bless us all.
Your Friend
GREG
"Dan Pavlica" > wrote in message
om...
> Most people are horribly lazy, fat marshmallows who will go through
> taco bell drive-thrus and even drive up to their mailboxes to get the
> mail out before getting out of the car. They will drive in circles
> around the walmart parking lot for ten minutes just to find a spot 25
> paces closer. And of course, there's the ignorance factor causing
> anything different and unknown automatically to be wrong and/or
> frightening. To them, we belong on the road about as much as men on
> the moon. You've got to be careful, though, it *can* get downright
> scary. I don't enjoy mingling with vehicular traffic, so I pick small
> county roads with smooth pavement and as little traffic as possible.
> I've been messed with twice in the last two months. This is North
> Texas, by the way, Dallas area. One time, they shouted something nasty
> 100% unprovoked, and the other time they threw an object and hit me in
> the back (different a-holes in each case.) What bothered me was that
> the second time they drove by me soooo fast and waaaaay too close for
> comfort, I guess so I couldn't catch the license plates. Both times, I
> invited them to stop and discuss the issue, but the brave hearts
> wouldn't, of course. Now I ride with a can of pepper spray in the
> jersey pocket (works on dogs too), a knife in the camelback pocket,
> and I'm considering a small gun, just for those that think they can
> **** with the un****able from a safe distance. Just wait, you thought
> the dude who slashed 2000 car tires was crazy...

[Peter Cole]

woodworking-greg wrote:

> I can say that I have done more harm to myself than any person or group of
> persons. You could say that riding along and getting hit by a snowball or
> shot, thats nothing.
> I have had a fractured skull, I woke up in the hospital.
> I have had a concussion, I woke up in the ambulance.
> I have broken my front teeth.
> Recently, it will be 2 years July 31st, I crashed high speed and broke my
> colar bone and collapsed my left lung. Without a helmet on this occasion I
> might not be here.
> I sometimes imagine that when its my time to leave this world that it will
> be in the course of doing what I love doing - riding a bike.

Er, maybe cycling just isn't your sport.

[Doug Huffman]

Dying is part of life. Did you tell your insurance company about your
'cycling'?


"Fritz" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 14 May 2005 12:43:37 -0400, Peter Cole
> > wrote:
>
>>woodworking-greg wrote:
>>
>>> I can say that I have done more harm to myself than any person or group
>>> of
>>> persons. You could say that riding along and getting hit by a snowball
>>> or
>>> shot, thats nothing.
>>> I have had a fractured skull, I woke up in the hospital.
>>> I have had a concussion, I woke up in the ambulance.
>>> I have broken my front teeth.
>>> Recently, it will be 2 years July 31st, I crashed high speed and broke
>>> my
>>> colar bone and collapsed my left lung. Without a helmet on this occasion
>>> I
>>> might not be here.
>
>
>>> I sometimes imagine that when its my time to leave this world that it
>>> will
>>> be in the course of doing what I love doing - riding a bike.
>>
>>Er, maybe cycling just isn't your sport.
>
>
> Crashing and breaking a bone now and then is part of the sport of
> cycling.
>
>

[Peter Cole]

Fritz wrote:

> Crashing and breaking a bone now and then is part of the sport of
> cycling.

Not for me, thanks.