[donskiman]

This happened a few days ago while I was out running. I was running on a 3 lane road. One in each direction, and a middle lane used for left turns. The road had almost no shoulder - maybe 6 inches - so I was running on the white line along the edge. Off to the side of the road were piles of melting snow, ice, and mud. This is not a real busy road and I run on it regularly. I see a guy on a road bike coming toward me because I always run facing traffic. He is riding almost on the white line. As he gets nearer I expect him to swerve out a bit to go around me. That didn't present any problem as there were no vehicles anywhere in site on the road at the time. He does not move. At the last second I was forced to jump off the road into the mud. At first I could not believe the guy had done that and was stunned. Then I let loose with a stream of obsenities. He did not stop.<br><br>
Now I see cyclists on a regular basis on many of my runs and we always acknowledge each other. This was the first time I've had one who pulled a stunt like this. That being said, I will be on guard for this kind of thing and if it were to happen again, the biker will be going down.<br><br>
What would you do?

 

[LeftRightRepeat]

Not waste my energy on stupid people. Step off. Grumble for a moment - maybe issue an expletive or two. Then quickly get over it and move on.

 

[melistic]

pst. you could have jumped into the road where you could see there were no oncoming cars.<br><span style="color:#FF0000;">OR <b>You could have knocked him over. Bikes don't handle a sideways shove too well</b></span>

 

[RunningForT3]

Ah Don, that was you?? <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
Last week I went to ride outside. When coming back, I was going up this steep hill, a huge truck was passing me on the left, and this guy comes running down right at me. On my right side, there was plenty of grass, it was all dry, but the guy wouldn't move. The truck was right by my side when I was preparing for impact, but the guy jumped on the grass at the last moment. I heard him yelling something, I showed him the finger, he was stupid, I wish I had turned back to punch him.

 

[MBannon]

Well, as rude as he was, I wouldn't push him over. That would be just about the time a car would come and run him over, landing me in jail for homicide.<br><br>
Like LRR said, jump out of the way, curse a bit, and get on with life. There are rude people everywhere. I even saw a rude runner once!

 

[donskiman]

This was a flat stretch of road with a clear view for a mile or so. There were no vehicles at all. If there had been vehicles I would have been looking for a place where I could have gotten off the road so he would be safe. That was not what happened.<br><br>
It may never happen again.<br><br>
I have learned to expect this kind of stuff from people in vehicles, especially the ******* types on some of the farm roads around here where I bike. This as the first, and hopefully last time I will have trouble with a biker while I'm running. In the past I've had to tell roadies to get off my wheel on my training rides - but that's a story for another day.

 

[Kate60]

Rude yes, but safer for him. You were looking at traffic he wasn't. Also I don't like to serve out into the road on a bike because you never know what can sneak up behind you.<br><br>
Curse a bit then move on.

 

[RunningForT3]

I agree with you Kate, when riding with the traffic it can be dangerous to swerve.

 

[Tri_coach06]

I'm not sure why you even care that they are there. I get wheel suckers all the time. Last year training for one Im I had people that would wait for me at the side of the road because they knew I would be coming and they could get a free ride.<br><br>
As long as they tell you they are there and don't just sneak up, it should make no diff. Your not working harder to break the wind for 2.<br><br>
I also agree with LLR. People are asshats, move on.<br><br>
CS

 

[RunningForT3]

If Sheldon, Thor and others would ride in my neighborhood, I'd wait for them to get on their wheel too <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[Tri_coach06]

I start out solo and end up with 15 people behind me. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> I can't wait until March when I pick up the big distances again.<br><br>
CS

 

[Tithers]

I'm gonna make Sheldawg ride behind me for tricamp. He'll be so bored with my "speediness" He'll whip me with the wooden spoon and pretend I'm his chariot horse.

 

[4boysmom]

I hate it when people suck my wheel and don't tell me!!! I was doing one organized ride where we were riding directly into a headwind. One of those that nearly blows you backwards... Well, I coast long enough to let loose a string of four letter words at the wind (like that's gonna do anything...). That's when I realized I had someone on my wheel. The guy curses me because he nearly touched my wheel. Uh, dude, you are 250+lbs. I'm 120lbs. Have you no pride?! Plus, how much draft are you really getting off of me?!<br><br>
As for rude people--curse 'em if you feel the need, then get on with your run/ride. Life is way too short!

 

[donskiman]

You all are probably right that I should just blow it off and get on with my run if it happens again. I was livid when it happened and there likely would have been fists flying if the guy had stopped. All it would have taken was for him to glance over his shoulder to see if it was clear to move over, just like every biker in the past has done. There was no traffic at the time in either direction though.<br><br>
The wheel sucker situation almost always has involved someone sitting there unannounced. I don't want people sitting on my wheel when I don't know about it. If I slow down for any reason they can take me down.

 

[Tri_coach06]

Um, I think he was enjoying the scenery <img alt="uhoh2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/uhoh2.gif"><br><br>
CS

 

[hobey]

1! I had a couple of guys latch on last Sunday. If they're nice about it, it's a good way to pass a few miles.

 

[TheProFromDover]

I'm all good with tangents, but back on the original topic, I thought of while running today.<br><br>
When I get front sided by a car (or anything) coming at me with wheels over the white line, I do this...I stop in my tracks, and face them with arms kind of half out, palms up. A clear "what the heck do you expect me to do pose". It generally works, and it gives me a second to try and time my jump into the rough (which I have had to do).<br><br>
It's never happened with a biker. I treat them as a vehicle and give them all the room I can (as a biker myself). But if one came at me, with no back traffic, and wouldn't give, I'd be tempted to lower my shoulder. (Well, if stepping off prevented an accident, maybe I'd do that. But then grouse about it, since he was such an &^(*)&$%).

 

[Cashmason]

M x A = F. Mass times acceleration = force. Man on bike has more mass than a runner, with the weight of the bike. Man on bike accelerates faster than runner.<br><br>
Therefore man on bike hits runner with way more force than runner hits biker.<br><br>
Result runner gets way injured and biker gets road rash.

 

[TheProFromDover]

You're so logical.

 

[pete_72]

<i>if it were to happen again, the biker will be going down.<br><br>
What would you do?</i><br><br>
Think you've got this one covered Don. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
Let's be careful out there folks!!<br><br>
Seriously: I've now been on the receiving end of road rage twice while on the bike in only a dozen or so rides. Both times from 4*4 drivers (that's SUV to you guys). Both times from bald men (am prepared to accept this is a coincidence for now, but three strikes and I'm declaring it significant). These vehicles are UNNECESSARY (for one) but ignoring the political ramifications of that statement they are also badly driven by people who do not appreciate the size (particularly width) of their vehicle. I'll admit to having been interested in these cars in the past, but now i know better. The new Fiat 500 comes out next week, and I'm first in the queue <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">. and think of the Tribike I could get with the change!!