Watch out!
Thread started by
mr rollers at 09.5.07 - 9:02 pm
Coming back along Sunset from a 20 mile solo ride, I noticed that El Cid (in Silverlake) has decided it's a good idea to place a large metal "Valet Parking" sign right smack in the middle of the bike lane in front of their establishment. Ain't there a law about obstructing a bike lane?
In the meantime, be careful out there my fellow ridazz, all kinds of insanity going on . . . and still some wonder why we travel in packs.
reply
Thanks for the heads up.
This seems like it might be a good place to post about known road hazards, so I will add to the list.
On Sunset when you are heading East just past Alvarado and right before Park, there is a nasty bump followed by a trough (sorta) in the bike lane. It's difficult to explain, but it's the kind of hazard that is created by buses running over the same patch of pavement over and over. At any rate, you don't want to hit this thing at high speed coming down that hill.
kyber09.5.07 - 9:10 pm
reply
Yeah, that's my home turf; I'm well aware of that one!
mr rollers09.5.07 - 9:15 pm
reply
Yar, I deal with that one all the time. I'm on the other side of the lake and up the hill from you, actually.
kyber09.5.07 - 9:27 pm
reply
There is some little law somewhere about obstructing a bike lane, but in the case of non-vehicles (that is, anything that does not have a VIN) it is literally unenforced and unenforceable. There's an ongoing problem in my neighborhood with people putting their trash and recycling bins in the bike lane.
Until local government decides to start doing something about it, my policy is to slow down and kick the fucking things out of the way as hard as I can. I give myself bonus points if I can knock any of them over onto their sides. I suggest you do the same with the valet sign.
PC09.5.07 - 11:57 pm
reply
I have a Huuuuge problem here with trash cans in the bike lane.
Every Tuesday and Wednesday or impossible to commute through my neighborhood. My streets are narrow enough as it is.
And the divot (tire sink?) whatever that is on Sunset took me out the first time I went flying down the hill at top speed.
Ratt_Bones09.6.07 - 12:06 am
reply
there was a similar problem going on across the street from El Cid when they were constructing those new apartment building gentrification fortresses... there were always fucking cones blocking off the bike lane. so my favorite thing to do each morning on the way back from breakfast was to see how many of em I could kick over. I got good at it too. I could hook my foot around the base and thrust em. but I decided that wasnt working because the damn cones would re-appear next day. so then my game was to pick em up by hand and fling them into the street. I would also carry a cone with me upa few blocks past tangs and throw it on the side walk so the motherfuckers would ahve to put in a little work to retrieve the cones. eventually I think that finally got through their skulls because they put the cones out of the bike lane finally.
as for El Cid.;. kick that bullshit over and make it sound loud. If I see it I'm doing it and hopefully it breaks their sign.
Roadblock09.6.07 - 12:10 pm
reply
trash cans are the best! kick em to the curb!
Roadblock09.6.07 - 12:11 pm
reply
I'm with Roadblock on this one - I just punt things out of the way when they are pblocking the bike lane.
I try to keep a cool head (these days) when riding, but I have dismounted, walked back to trash cans and jump kicked them out of the bike lane in the past few months.
If you practice your leg kicking technique, you'll be able to take out valet signs with ease.
ubrayj0209.6.07 - 1:07 pm
reply
I hate to admit it, but I have sent a few cans into the sides of parked cars. No visible property damage, but it feels like a bad thing to do.
Still, those fucking cans do NOT belong in the bike lanes.
ubrayj0209.6.07 - 1:09 pm
reply
That thing on sunset sucks so much that I might go out tonight and spray the shit out of it w/ orange paint so that someone doesn't get killed by that thing.
kyber09.6.07 - 1:16 pm
reply
Painting streets is a good thing!
*Cough coucgh figeuroa cough cough*
Ratt_Bones09.6.07 - 1:33 pm
reply
I know it's not a heavily travelled street, but watch the bump i hit n Beechwood. If you're bombing the hill it's about 1/4 mi above Franklin, right int he shadow of a tree. just stay out in the middle where the cars drive and you'll miss it.
FuzzBeast09.6.07 - 1:47 pm
reply
Well yes, I guess I can admit it now, as I was riding by I decided to give it a little slap with the palm of my hand (hurt like hell, the fucking thing is massive!) mostly intending to make a big noise, but I must have unbalanced it enough to make it teeter and finally fall over, because I was at least 100 feet down the road when I heard it crash to the ground! I looked back when I got to Santa Monica Blvd (red light) to make sure there weren't any irate valets in hot pusuit.
mr rollers09.6.07 - 1:49 pm
reply
HAHAHA the secret pleasures of commuter "cyclists"
* from now on please use the voice from dustmonkey cartoon when you seem me write the word "cyclists" hahahah
Roadblock09.6.07 - 2:11 pm
reply
need a lil dodger bat next time I roll through that shit
Roadblock09.6.07 - 2:16 pm
reply
Rollers you're too god damned violent and vengeful! I'm steering clear of you buddy!!
Roadblock09.6.07 - 2:21 pm
reply
Remember to
slow down before you kick stuff that's in the lane. If you hold your speed, most of your energy will go in the direction that you're traveling, and you will only strike a glancing blow. Slowing down allows you to direct the energy out, to the side and toward the object.
Here's a handy mnemonic to help you:
Slow DOWN, kick OUT, knock it DOWN.
PC09.6.07 - 2:51 pm
reply
Oh my, I love this thread already.
There are tons of trashcans in ridiculous places riding north on Rampart from Wilshire on Wednesday and Thursdays.
Riding east on Beverly from Virgil, be careful of the gnarly....mound? It's on the far right, right along where the cars are parked, and it's made entirely of asphalt. A genius bout of street engineering by the city, I'm sure. Anyway, it's about 3-4 blocks down, JUST as you pass Reno.
Hmmm...what else? I'm sure I'll think of more.
markedge09.6.07 - 3:02 pm
reply
just in case you disgruntle bikers didnt know this..
its a real problem..
just be careful next time you tip something over..
WATCH OUT!
El Rich
NEWB31009.6.07 - 3:12 pm
reply
soooo true PC.... so true. plus you're less likely to injure yourself.
hey Joseph I know you got issues over there by Eagle Rock blvd. I see tons of trash cans on Monday nights....... we should make a stealth ride called the jump kick ride
Roadblock09.6.07 - 3:19 pm
reply
-->
Ridazz Roulette!