Fairfax County General :
Fairfax Underground
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
My observations, as a relatively new bicyclist in Northern Virginia
Posted by:
Relatively New Bicyclist
()
Date: April 12, 2018 08:39PM
As I've picked up riding as a better alternative to the gym (which was boring, with lots of smelly folks), I have a few observations from bicycling around Fairfax County.
In no particular order, I'll outline what I've seen in my past months of riding, and share a few experiences. Perhaps some will find this interesting. For the trolls, I am sure it's annoying.
First, I do not wear biker tights or tour-de-France type shirts. I generally stick to the trail network, which is quite nice in the county, and respect not only traffic laws, but larger vehicles. I've got lights and reflectors, and since I've been riding since about 6 years old, even remember the hand signals:
Anyways, here goes...
As I mentioned, there's some pretty amazing trails in the county. Suggest if you haven't checked out the trails map on the Fairfax County Website, it's a must.
Longest ride has been over 35 miles. Typically, I ride between 50-100 miles/week.
Given that fact, I actually have ridden my bike further than I've driven my own car the past year.
My raves are over the trail system and general beauty this county has to offer.
My rants are about clueless motorists and their me-first attitudes as the make right-on-red without stopping. Checking their email or phone in other ways, extra bonus.
Most friendly motorists? Ladies in the 25-55 year old demographic. Usually brunettes. Especially like the waves.
Most arrogant motorists? Men, usually 35-50, no matter what they are driving, but especially BMW cars, any SUV or truck, and Mustangs.
Weirdest things seen? Picking nose while driving, cars running on curb/median, and not even slowing, and the aforementioned running the right-on-red.
What have I learned? Nothing really new...
But thanks for all who are courteous and paying attention while they traverse the roads shared with bikes, or allow for crossing on the signals, etc. Much appreciated.
If you are a cyclist, what are some of your observations, good or bad?
In no particular order, I'll outline what I've seen in my past months of riding, and share a few experiences. Perhaps some will find this interesting. For the trolls, I am sure it's annoying.
First, I do not wear biker tights or tour-de-France type shirts. I generally stick to the trail network, which is quite nice in the county, and respect not only traffic laws, but larger vehicles. I've got lights and reflectors, and since I've been riding since about 6 years old, even remember the hand signals:
Anyways, here goes...
As I mentioned, there's some pretty amazing trails in the county. Suggest if you haven't checked out the trails map on the Fairfax County Website, it's a must.
Longest ride has been over 35 miles. Typically, I ride between 50-100 miles/week.
Given that fact, I actually have ridden my bike further than I've driven my own car the past year.
My raves are over the trail system and general beauty this county has to offer.
My rants are about clueless motorists and their me-first attitudes as the make right-on-red without stopping. Checking their email or phone in other ways, extra bonus.
Most friendly motorists? Ladies in the 25-55 year old demographic. Usually brunettes. Especially like the waves.
Most arrogant motorists? Men, usually 35-50, no matter what they are driving, but especially BMW cars, any SUV or truck, and Mustangs.
Weirdest things seen? Picking nose while driving, cars running on curb/median, and not even slowing, and the aforementioned running the right-on-red.
What have I learned? Nothing really new...
But thanks for all who are courteous and paying attention while they traverse the roads shared with bikes, or allow for crossing on the signals, etc. Much appreciated.
If you are a cyclist, what are some of your observations, good or bad?
Re: My observations, as a relatively new bicyclist in Northern Virginia
Posted by:
Bubba in my big 4x4
()
Date: April 12, 2018 08:53PM
Some advice son. If you hear or see me a comin' down the road, get your libtard, spandex wearin', faggity ass the fuck out my way.
Re: My observations, as a relatively new bicyclist in Northern Virginia
Posted by:
bike lanes or nothing.
()
Date: April 12, 2018 09:20PM
Roads were built for and should be exclusively the domain of vehicles that can maintain the speed limit. Cyclists cannot do that, and thus have no place on the road. This practice of allowing cyclists to ride in the middle of the road is pure insanity, a product of our equally insane politicians inconveniencing an entire community so that they may signal to a truly insignificant minority of people. If they absolutely must ride on the road, they should be required to register the bike, put a plate on their bike, and carry insurance, just like every other permitted road-going conveyance. Of course they should also be expected to follow the rules of the road, which my own informal survey suggests nearly none of them do.
In short, there's absolutely no good argument for mixing road and bike traffic - it's an idea based entirely on irrationality.
Oh, by the way, I'm an avid cyclist, and it's safe to say I'm not a member of the militant, "rules for thee, none for me" crowd that currently dominates the bike advocacy message.
In short, there's absolutely no good argument for mixing road and bike traffic - it's an idea based entirely on irrationality.
Oh, by the way, I'm an avid cyclist, and it's safe to say I'm not a member of the militant, "rules for thee, none for me" crowd that currently dominates the bike advocacy message.
Re: My observations, as a relatively new bicyclist in Northern Virginia
Posted by:
Relatively New Bicyclist
()
Date: April 12, 2018 09:24PM
Bubba in my big 4x4 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Some advice son. If you hear or see me a comin'
> down the road, get your libtard, spandex wearin',
> faggity ass the fuck out my way.
While I am sure you are just trolling, it's clear you either didn't read my post, or can't. Either way, not worried.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Some advice son. If you hear or see me a comin'
> down the road, get your libtard, spandex wearin',
> faggity ass the fuck out my way.
While I am sure you are just trolling, it's clear you either didn't read my post, or can't. Either way, not worried.
Re: My observations, as a relatively new bicyclist in Northern Virginia
Posted by:
Pretty stupid.
()
Date: April 12, 2018 09:33PM
Relatively New Bicyclist Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Bubba in my big 4x4 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Some advice son. If you hear or see me a comin'
> > down the road, get your libtard, spandex
> wearin',
> > faggity ass the fuck out my way.
>
>
> While I am sure you are just trolling, it's clear
> you either didn't read my post, or can't. Either
> way, not worried.
It's pretty foolish of you not to be worried. I see this frequently - cyclists behaving passively aggressive, assuming the rule of law will prevent the anonymous person behind the wheel about which you know absolutely nothing will prevent them from killing you. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't let a stranger hold my wallet, much less trust them with my life. A quick search of the internet should disabuse you of that ill-considered policy.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Bubba in my big 4x4 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Some advice son. If you hear or see me a comin'
> > down the road, get your libtard, spandex
> wearin',
> > faggity ass the fuck out my way.
>
>
> While I am sure you are just trolling, it's clear
> you either didn't read my post, or can't. Either
> way, not worried.
It's pretty foolish of you not to be worried. I see this frequently - cyclists behaving passively aggressive, assuming the rule of law will prevent the anonymous person behind the wheel about which you know absolutely nothing will prevent them from killing you. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't let a stranger hold my wallet, much less trust them with my life. A quick search of the internet should disabuse you of that ill-considered policy.
Re: My observations, as a relatively new bicyclist in Northern Virginia
Posted by:
cant argue with the google
()
Date: April 12, 2018 09:37PM
Pretty stupid. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
A quick search of the
> internet should disabuse you of that
> ill-considered policy.
Type Bicyclist into Google, the first suggested search is bicyclist killed, the second is bicyclist hit.
-------------------------------------------------------
A quick search of the
> internet should disabuse you of that
> ill-considered policy.
Type Bicyclist into Google, the first suggested search is bicyclist killed, the second is bicyclist hit.
Re: My observations, as a relatively new bicyclist in Northern Virginia
Posted by:
Relatively New Bicyclist
()
Date: April 12, 2018 09:45PM
Pretty stupid. Wrote:
> It's pretty foolish of you not to be worried. I
> see this frequently - cyclists behaving passively
> aggressive, assuming the rule of law will prevent
> the anonymous person behind the wheel about which
> you know absolutely nothing will prevent them from
> killing you. I don't know about you, but I
> wouldn't let a stranger hold my wallet, much less
> trust them with my life. A quick search of the
> internet should disabuse you of that
> ill-considered policy.
Agreed on trusting, but since I mostly stick to the paths which parallel major roads, or the other trails in the county, a motor vehicle should not be on those paved or cinder dust trails. Of course, every now and then, a random WO&D incident is reported with a vehicle cutting down the path.
Still, I see a lot of cyclists taking chances on the lanes, which is pretty risky.
> It's pretty foolish of you not to be worried. I
> see this frequently - cyclists behaving passively
> aggressive, assuming the rule of law will prevent
> the anonymous person behind the wheel about which
> you know absolutely nothing will prevent them from
> killing you. I don't know about you, but I
> wouldn't let a stranger hold my wallet, much less
> trust them with my life. A quick search of the
> internet should disabuse you of that
> ill-considered policy.
Agreed on trusting, but since I mostly stick to the paths which parallel major roads, or the other trails in the county, a motor vehicle should not be on those paved or cinder dust trails. Of course, every now and then, a random WO&D incident is reported with a vehicle cutting down the path.
Still, I see a lot of cyclists taking chances on the lanes, which is pretty risky.
Re: My observations, as a relatively new bicyclist in Northern Virginia
Posted by:
Of course
()
Date: April 12, 2018 09:48PM
cant argue with the google Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Pretty stupid. Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> A quick search of the
> > internet should disabuse you of that
> > ill-considered policy.
>
> Type Bicyclist into Google, the first suggested
> search is bicyclist killed, the second is
> bicyclist hit.
Politicians could end this senseless death, but they'd rather signal to the .00000001% that use a bike as their primary means of transportation AND think bikes deserve to occupy the same space as vehicles that weigh 4000lbs and have several hundred horsepower. It's tantamount to advocating for hangliders to use and be given right of way in the same airspace reserved for commercial aircraft. It's absolutely preposterous on it's face, but the people who advocate for it (and the politicians who feel it makes electoral sense to listen to them) live in a subjective world far removed from the objective, empirical one most of the rest of us do.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Pretty stupid. Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> A quick search of the
> > internet should disabuse you of that
> > ill-considered policy.
>
> Type Bicyclist into Google, the first suggested
> search is bicyclist killed, the second is
> bicyclist hit.
Politicians could end this senseless death, but they'd rather signal to the .00000001% that use a bike as their primary means of transportation AND think bikes deserve to occupy the same space as vehicles that weigh 4000lbs and have several hundred horsepower. It's tantamount to advocating for hangliders to use and be given right of way in the same airspace reserved for commercial aircraft. It's absolutely preposterous on it's face, but the people who advocate for it (and the politicians who feel it makes electoral sense to listen to them) live in a subjective world far removed from the objective, empirical one most of the rest of us do.
Re: My observations, as a relatively new bicyclist in Northern Virginia
Posted by:
causeican
()
Date: April 12, 2018 10:46PM
bike lanes or nothing. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Roads were built for and should be exclusively the
> domain of vehicles that can maintain the speed
> limit. Cyclists cannot do that, and thus have no
> place on the road. This practice of allowing
> cyclists to ride in the middle of the road is pure
> insanity, a product of our equally insane
> politicians inconveniencing an entire community so
> that they may signal to a truly insignificant
> minority of people. If they absolutely must ride
> on the road, they should be required to register
> the bike, put a plate on their bike, and carry
> insurance, just like every other permitted
> road-going conveyance. Of course they should also
> be expected to follow the rules of the road, which
> my own informal survey suggests nearly none of
> them do.
>
> In short, there's absolutely no good argument for
> mixing road and bike traffic - it's an idea based
> entirely on irrationality.
>
> Oh, by the way, I'm an avid cyclist, and it's safe
> to say I'm not a member of the militant, "rules
> for thee, none for me" crowd that currently
> dominates the bike advocacy message.
Good point(s). Thanks for checking in.
Attachments:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Roads were built for and should be exclusively the
> domain of vehicles that can maintain the speed
> limit. Cyclists cannot do that, and thus have no
> place on the road. This practice of allowing
> cyclists to ride in the middle of the road is pure
> insanity, a product of our equally insane
> politicians inconveniencing an entire community so
> that they may signal to a truly insignificant
> minority of people. If they absolutely must ride
> on the road, they should be required to register
> the bike, put a plate on their bike, and carry
> insurance, just like every other permitted
> road-going conveyance. Of course they should also
> be expected to follow the rules of the road, which
> my own informal survey suggests nearly none of
> them do.
>
> In short, there's absolutely no good argument for
> mixing road and bike traffic - it's an idea based
> entirely on irrationality.
>
> Oh, by the way, I'm an avid cyclist, and it's safe
> to say I'm not a member of the militant, "rules
> for thee, none for me" crowd that currently
> dominates the bike advocacy message.
Good point(s). Thanks for checking in.
Attachments:
Re: My observations, as a relatively new bicyclist in Northern Virginia
Posted by:
Unicyclist
()
Date: April 12, 2018 11:19PM
Most cyclists bitch about cars but then completely disregard stop signs, red lights and all other manner of traffic control.
Re: My observations, as a relatively new bicyclist in Northern Virginia
Posted by:
Huh???
()
Date: April 12, 2018 11:45PM
You may have the right of way there, Almira Gulch...but, when a cager crushes you, what good is the right of way? You're dead...and no one cares because you chose to ride a bicycle in the most dangerous traffic on earth.
Don't put your finger in the alligator's mouth and then cry like a bitch when it gets bit off...
Don't put your finger in the alligator's mouth and then cry like a bitch when it gets bit off...
Re: My observations, as a relatively new bicyclist in Northern Virginia
Posted by:
Run em over
()
Date: April 13, 2018 01:35AM
Biketards