I do not know where to start other than WTF was up with all the drivers yesterday? O.K. it is raining and I am riding a bike. You most likely are thinking that one should not ride a bike while it is raining. Maybe I should not be riding, but that last time I looked I do have the same rights as you. I pay my taxes, I stop at all the lights and obey the traffic laws, etc.
Everything started well enough leaving work. There was only a light rain and the temps were great for riding especially with my rain gear on. For the first 5 or so miles things are fine. All the cars/trucks are passing with plenty of room. Then I decide to take HOA bridge instead of my normal (safer) Chouteau route. This may have angered the Gods or something because as soon as I got off my normal route and got closer to downtown KC all the drivers started to driver real aggressive. The worst being some guy in a white Ford Taurus. At 12th and Oak Street the light changes and I proceed North on Oak. The Ford Taurus then proceeds to pass me and comes so close to me that the brushes my elbow. This caused me to nearly crash as I am thrust into the curb. I turn into the curb and my front wheel slides along as I fight to stay upright. The wet roads/curb helped I think and I was able to stay on two wheels. I was very mad, but could not do anything about it. The guy kept driving like nothing happened. I still do not even know if he even saw me. I think he did because I could swear I saw him smiling in his rear view mirror.
After settling down some I continued on and one aggressive driver after another showed their ugly face. One would pass me then turning right directly in front of me. I had 3 cars honk their horns at me on Hwy 9 in North KC. I soon got off that road real quick (well, I guess it did take 3 honks to finally get the message). Things started to settle down some, then this crazy blind guy pull out in front as I approached on a downhill section at around 25 mph. It is very hard trying to stop a bike going that fast with wet rims. Scary to say the least.
I was a very happy camper once I got off the main roads and into some neighborhoods. This morning I had to think twice before I ventured out on the wet roads again but I knew days like yesterday only happen once in awhile. I decided to go ahead and ride and encountered zero problems (expect wet roads) on my normal route. I think I will take the extra time and keep it safe.
2 comments:
You're not the only one brother! I've already had the one dipshit driver get right next to me and turn right, then tell me I should have been on the sidewalk. Yes, i'm counting down the days to when I never have to road ride in Johnson County again. Just wish I had a finite number of days to count down from :-)
Glad you made it in okay. I think there are routes that do generate more issues than others. I know Mission road, 143rd, Switzer and a few around where I live have high bike traffic and generally the drivers pretty good. Move one road off those routes and suddenly it is a different story with cars honking and coming way to close.
Post a Comment