General Discussion

caraher

(6,364 posts)

34. I also had a bad experience in Idaho

Tue May 21, 2019, 12:57 AM

May 2019

Just outside Winchester a semi truck deliberately ran me off into loose gravel. There was zero traffic on a 2 lane road and he hung back for what seemed like forever, then made a move to pass me as soon as the paved shoulder ended. Once the cab cleared the front of my bike he swung all the way over to the right. I was unharmed but came to a less-than-graceful stop, and it was clear that he was waiting for that opportunity.

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Why every cyclist needs a pool noodel. [View all] ehrnst May 2019 OP

Not a bad idea gratuitous May 2019 #1

Just watch out for the fools trying to grab your noodle. KY_EnviroGuy May 2019 #2

no doubt some will try. Kurt V. May 2019 #3

Yes and it would suck for that person if the cyclist glued a razor blade Flaleftist May 2019 #9

Well, it would be the LAST time they'd try that. Haggis for Breakfast May 2019 #15

Devious but I like it!!! nt mitch96 May 2019 #33

K&R yonder May 2019 #4

Seems like a good idea Jane Austin May 2019 #5

In the photo, the cyclist forces all traffic to queue up behind him until the bend is over muriel_volestrangler May 2019 #6

That cyclist is necessarily riding in the road to protect his tires from damage... Brother Buzz May 2019 #17

Generally not. Ms. Toad May 2019 #27

Actually, that's OK. At major curves in the road MineralMan May 2019 #38

In many countries, motorists respect cyclists. cwydro May 2019 #54

No, you're wrong, I've done plenty in Britain muriel_volestrangler May 2019 #62

They are LEGALLY allowed to do so obamanut2012 May 2019 #65

Wow, you've been lucky. cwydro May 2019 #67

I've seen cyclists riding double (and done it occasionally myself) muriel_volestrangler May 2019 #68

Sadly, in this country some cyclist don't respect vehicle laws whistler162 May 2019 #63

America is just not built for Bicycle Touring. maxsolomon May 2019 #7

As a long time cyclist, I get it. But I think it will just antagonize Hoyt May 2019 #8

So I'm not the only person who has smacked someone with a bicycle in self defense? hunter May 2019 #10

I was always quick with the finger. Several times the offending drivers stopped. Pick up your bike, Hoyt May 2019 #11

Jogging in the South was just as dangerous. Haggis for Breakfast May 2019 #16

The Good Ole Boys never got it. The rural south has some killer dogs, and they'd always chase me Hoyt May 2019 #18

Junk-yard dogs are MEAN. Haggis for Breakfast May 2019 #22

Windex?? Try wasp spray. 22 ft range, and it REALLY discourages them. nt albacore May 2019 #47

I once got spat on in Idaho ProudLib72 May 2019 #21

I also had a bad experience in Idaho caraher May 2019 #34

I kicked a truck once. Ms. Toad May 2019 #26

This is for roads without a bike lane, right? sakabatou May 2019 #12

Great idea! mcar May 2019 #13

Great idea. nt Honeycombe8 May 2019 #14

Why is the biker in the middle of the road, instead of on the right? pnwmom May 2019 #19

The shoulder of roads like that is covered with crap that will shred your tires. hunter May 2019 #20

I'm not saying he should ride on the shoulder. He's riding in the center of the road, pnwmom May 2019 #23

That's a good distance for safety. Ms. Toad May 2019 #25

I suspect you don't ride bikes on roads much. Ms. Toad May 2019 #24

Different states have different laws. Many say the biker should be toward the right side of the road pnwmom May 2019 #28

Again- you must not ride on the road much. Ms. Toad May 2019 #30

No way is that a 3 foot long noodle! Look how much longer it is than a bike tire. pnwmom May 2019 #31

Right - it depends on the road caraher May 2019 #35

The 3' is the part sticking out to the left of the driver Ms. Toad May 2019 #41

Well said. Tipperary May 2019 #56

On a curve in the road like that pictured Mariana May 2019 #55

Why would they be less safe from oncoming traffic if they were a couple feet more to the right? pnwmom May 2019 #58

The biggest danger is from the cars behind - Ms. Toad May 2019 #59

Okay, thanks. n/t pnwmom May 2019 #60

Right on! Thanks. triron May 2019 #32

Because he is legally allowed to hold the entire lane obamanut2012 May 2019 #64

The noodle in this photo goes over the double yellow line. Dave Starsky May 2019 #29

I think the perspective gives that impression caraher May 2019 #36

It should also be about changing laws. Many of us have lived in states where the laws pnwmom May 2019 #44

No one should be crossing double yellow lines MagickMuffin May 2019 #39

I know. Dave Starsky May 2019 #40

Yes. NO ONE should be passing when there are double yellow lines Ms. Toad May 2019 #42

So, is it safe to assume that the cyclist will pull over... Dave Starsky May 2019 #48

Is it safe to assume a semi-truck going up the same hill will? Ms. Toad May 2019 #49

It differs in some states. NutmegYankee May 2019 #57

First of all, I'm not going to pass a cyclist with three feet to spare. I like ten feet to spare. planetc May 2019 #37

Thank you! Ms. Toad May 2019 #43

I also never pass a biker, unless he's in an actual bike lane (and we have many real ones).. However pnwmom May 2019 #46

Bike lanes would be fanastic. Ms. Toad May 2019 #50

They widened the road behind my house for bike lanes on both sides, and I heard no protests pnwmom May 2019 #51

If your pool noodle leads to an accident you can be found liable in court. n/t Opel_Justwax May 2019 #45

That's a pretty broad statement, and not legally accurate. Ms. Toad May 2019 #53

How would that happen, exactly? Mariana May 2019 #61

Wrong obamanut2012 May 2019 #66

Good idea. yortsed snacilbuper May 2019 #52