Standing in the Bike Lane

Dearest teenage girl pedestrian,

I'm the guy riding southbound in the Kedzie bike lane, right towards you. You're completely not paying attention, yelling something to someone across the street. Situational awareness? What's that? (psst, they don't sell that at Hollister.)

Whoa, I'm closer now since you're standing still, in the bike lane, and I'm still riding. You step forward. Progress, I like it.

You step back into the bike lane. Shit - make up your mind.

I'm closer now, about 20 feet. You FINALLY look to your left, and you take a step forward, where you freeze like a deer in headlights...that's standing in the middle of the bike lane.

Knowing there's someone behind me, I manage to scream "UP UP!" and dive to the right, hoping my friend follows my lead. Unfortunately, he doesn't have time to react.

You two collide. I don't see it, but I hear the unmistakable sound. Stop the bike, look back to see a pile of humanity and bike. No good.

Everyone's shaken, stirred, and scraped up but no bones are broken. Your dad calls upon deities in various languages, yells at you. Apologizes to us, tells you to apologize to us. You're crying, but manage to get the words out.

Accepted, on one condition: Next time, DON'T STAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO TRAFFIC.

Thanks,

Road users.

New Indoor Velodrome in Cleveland!

This doesn't happen very often, so I wish the folks in Cleveland the best in executing their vision.

http://velodrome4c.blogspot.com/2010/01/velodrome-plans-announced.html

what have I broken/what haven't I broken?

I'm excluding consumables (tires, bar tape etc)...

What haven't I broken on a bike?

fork
stem
handlebars
seatpost clamp

What have I broken?

Aluminum Frame (cross frame, yesterday, sad trombone)
Carbon Frame
Speedplay Pedals
ISIS-Splined Bottom Bracket
ISIS-Splined Cranks
Front Cyclocross Chainring
Garmin Mount
Shimano R550 Wheels
Mavic Open Pro Rim (don't buy wheels at Performance!!)
Spokes (numerous)
SRAM 9-Speed Chain (2)
Shimano 9-speed 105 Chain
Shimano 9-speed DA Chain
KMC 1/8" Track Chain
105 Front Derailleur
Ultegra Rear Derailleur (2)
Shimano Ultegra Shifters
Carbon Seatpost
Saddle (Rails)


I really don't want to move anything else from the top list to the bottom. Breaking any of those items while riding would be quite... unpleasant.

"the road rage incident heard 'round the cycling world."

Like any other thing that is used to cause harm to another person, whether due to ignorance or negligence, a vehicle is a weapon.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120457877

I'm definitely a better driver for being a cyclist.