Re: Critical Mass Tunnel Freaks - Page 2 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

07-11-2003, 10:08 PM

>I just dismissed him as some wannabe traffic-vigilante type by
>dramatically expectorating on the road in his general direction.

Well, that's as may be, but you understand that I'm always trying
to raise your consciousness in the universal road use direction.

I just can't believe there's an urban road cyclist out there who
believes CM is a good thing.

I think you hate cars too much, think of them as road furniture.

--

_______________________ALL AMIGA IN MY MIND_______________________
------------------"Buddy Holly, the Texas Elvis"------------------
__________306.350.357.38>>cwhitman@texastwr.utaust in.edu__________

07-11-2003, 10:40 PM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>,
"Eric S. Sande" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> writes:

> I just can't believe there's an urban road cyclist out there who
> believes CM is a good thing.

There's no such thing as bad publicity ;-)

cheers,
Tom

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07-12-2003, 04:47 AM

"Zoot Katz" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].ca...
> "Buck" <j u n k m a i l @ g a l a x y c o r p . c o m> wrote:
> >>
> >> I'm still trying to nail down examples to support this popular
> >> backlash myth before I'll even stick my neck out attributing it to any
> >> particular groups or other individual cyclists.
> >
> >What you just described sounds like the kind of backlash a crazy person
> >might use to get back at a CM rider. Perhaps he recognized you from your
> >last traffic jam....
>
> Oh goodie, I'm glad it's that simply, though imaginatively, resolved.
>
> But why are you so ready to excuse the jerk by pleading his sanity or
> painting him as some righteous avenger? And tell me how exactly is a
> "CM rider" is supposed to look?

Well, you got what you were looking for, didn't you? Let's quote you again,
"I'm still trying to nail down examples to support this popular backlash
myth...." If you weren't fishing for someone to respond that this is a
backlash against CM, then what were you doing?

Who excused him for anything? Your point of view is once again coloring what
you read. You gave an example of bad behavior. It was in the context of a
discussion about negative repercussions from CM. You even suggested that
this might be an example which supports the backlash "myth." So when someone
finally tells you that it could be, you put on your suit of indignation and
say that by confirming your suspicions we are 1) excusing his actions, 2)
suggesting that his actions are an act of riteousness, 3) pigenholing all CM
riders into some sort of recognizable "look."

So, you had an encounter with a moron in a truck. As you present the story,
you did nothing wrong and I believe you. Something had to motivate his
actions. You are a participant in CM and you have a recognizable bicycle.
You have stated before that you go out of your way to make sure people see
the most recognizable element, a "cars suck" sticker mounted prominently on
the fender. The moron had ample opportunity to observe said sticker as he
passed you. Thus the conclusion that perhaps he did recognize YOU from
something YOU did. Or he could just be a moron in a truck who thinks it's
fun to harrass cyclists.

If you talk to the folks that work in an emergency room, they will tell you
that things just get crazier during the full moon. Perhaps the case load is
different, but statistically, they are no more busy during the full moon
than other days of the month. As cyclists we interact with autos on a daily
basis. Perhaps there is no proof that CM causes a backlash (and it would be
difficult to prove anyway), but it has been observed, as has been posted
here several times, that traffic reacts differently (and not in a positive
way) after a CM ride.

-Buck

07-12-2003, 09:13 AM

Sat, 12 Jul 2003 12:47:45 GMT,
<RrTPa.55654$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com>,
"Buck" <j u n k m a i l @ g a l a x y c o r p . c o m> wrote:

> Perhaps there is no proof that CM causes a backlash (and it would be
>difficult to prove anyway),

Then why continue spewing it? Without proof, it's a myth. It's your
movie. Fantasyland material you created to shift the blame for
drivers' ****ty attitudes.

>but it has been observed, as has been posted
>here several times, that traffic reacts differently (and not in a positive
>way) after a CM ride.

And I'm saying that's bulldadda. A figment of overactive imaginations
on the part of persons who, without having any direct experience,
decided CM is a bad thing because it doesn't conveniently fit into
their world view.

I gave putznutz a plausible out by suggesting he may have been
reacting to a sticker or just a random self-righteous asswipe on a
mission instead of suggesting, without any proof, that his behaviour
was excusable because he may have at some time past been delayed by a
CM ride in which I may have participated.

Why couldn't his stupidity have been a reaction to some roadies
blatant disregard for traffic laws when they're out training? Or maybe
his panties get wadded over curb-jumping BMX riders. To zealously lay
blame for the caged jerks reactions directly at the feet of CM seems
to be your mission. And you seem to think it's okay to do because 'CM
riders' have an identifiable look you apparently don't like.
--
zk

07-12-2003, 04:33 PM

Zoot Katz <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message news:<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].ca>...
> Sat, 12 Jul 2003 12:47:45 GMT,
> <RrTPa.55654$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com>,
> "Buck" <j u n k m a i l @ g a l a x y c o r p . c o m> wrote:
>
> > Perhaps there is no proof that CM causes a backlash (and it would be
> >difficult to prove anyway),
>
> Then why continue spewing it? Without proof, it's a myth. It's your
> movie. Fantasyland material you created to shift the blame for
> drivers' ****ty attitudes.

It's simple. I don't like CM tactics. Period. If you claim that I have
no proof of the harm CM does, then neither can you make any claims
about the effectiveness of the rides. You can't have it both ways,
Zoot.

>
> >but it has been observed, as has been posted
> >here several times, that traffic reacts differently (and not in a positive
> >way) after a CM ride.
>
> And I'm saying that's bulldadda. A figment of overactive imaginations
> on the part of persons who, without having any direct experience,
> decided CM is a bad thing because it doesn't conveniently fit into
> their world view.

Perhaps you are so accustomed to getting accosted that you cannot tell
the difference the day after a CM ride. I wonder about someone who has
so many stories about how bad drivers are. I have been hit by a car
ONCE, yet I can only think of one time that someone has purposely
accosted me on my bike and only three other really stupid moves by
drivers that put me at risk. But the one attack came the day after a
CM ride. I maintain the position that CM rides cannot do any good
because of the tactics they use, nothing more.

> I gave putznutz a plausible out by suggesting he may have been
> reacting to a sticker or just a random self-righteous asswipe on a
> mission instead of suggesting, without any proof, that his behaviour
> was excusable because he may have at some time past been delayed by a
> CM ride in which I may have participated.

Have you forgotten how to read? Perhaps your anger has elevated your
blood pressure to the point where you cannot comprehend what you are
reading. Let me put this into caps so you don't miss it: NOBODY HAS
SAID THAT ANY OF THE BEHAVIORS YOU HAVE DESCRIBED ARE EXCUSABLE!!!!!
Sheesh. Why is it that any time someone opposes your point of view,
they are immediately viewed by you as supporting assault with an
automobile? The question at hand is WHY he did it, not whether or not
it was an appropriate behavior.

> Why couldn't his stupidity have been a reaction to some roadies
> blatant disregard for traffic laws when they're out training? Or maybe
> his panties get wadded over curb-jumping BMX riders. To zealously lay
> blame for the caged jerks reactions directly at the feet of CM seems
> to be your mission. And you seem to think it's okay to do because 'CM
> riders' have an identifiable look you apparently don't like.

For all anyone knows, he has a deep-seated fear of cyclists and feels
the need to intimidate them every chance he gets. My mission here is
to point out that the tactics CM uses are objectionable to a large
number of drivers as well as other cyclists. I do not suggest that
every objectionable driver action is a direct result of CM actions.
But I do realize that CM is more likely to get a bad reaction than a
good one. Which rider is most likely to set off a moron like you
describe? The rider that gathers with hundreds of others to cause a
traffic jam, or the one that he passes without incident?

Now as for why you are focused on the "look" of a CM cyclist, I cannot
say. I have pointed out that many put on costumes for the ride. Do you
deny this? In fact, I only mentioned the way CMers dress in two posts,
one over two years ago. Are you afraid that everyone has you
stereotyped somehow? From what I have seen and read, there is no
identifiable look to a CM rider. Well, other than the guy riding in a
dinosaur costume.

Part of my point is that there is no way to determine who was at the
last CM unless the driver recognizes the person or the bike. That's
why I said maybe he recognized YOU. Any backlash that occurs from a CM
ride will be aimed at any and all cyclists. In fact, it will likely be
the lone cyclist on an otherwise empty road so there aren't any
witnesses....

I suppose I wish that all CMers were required to wear a big flashing
CM banner all the time so that the blame for the traffic jam would be
placed on the right people. Are you starting to understand why I don't
appreciate CM tactics? They reflect on ME although I have nothing to
do with them!

-Buck

07-12-2003, 09:17 PM

12 Jul 2003 17:33:14 -0700,
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] >,
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Buck) wrote:

>Have you forgotten how to read? Perhaps your anger has elevated your
>blood pressure to the point where you cannot comprehend what you are
>reading. Let me put this into caps so you don't miss it: NOBODY HAS
>SAID THAT ANY OF THE BEHAVIORS YOU HAVE DESCRIBED ARE EXCUSABLE!!!!!
>Sheesh. Why is it that any time someone opposes your point of view,
>they are immediately viewed by you as supporting assault with an
>automobile?

You said asswipe's actions could be the those of a crazy person.

Well, here we don't even let crazy people stand trial. They're excused
because they're crazy. That's why I said you were excusing his
behaviour by pleading his sanity.

You also are propounding that I, as an individual, was targeted
because I was recognised and remembered from some past event and so
now fukwad's actions become somehow justifiable.

Why can't you accept the guy was just a random idiot?

The day after any CM ride is always Saturday. You've said nothing to
convince me this supposed backlash exists anywhere outside your
imagination. You're projecting your own inability to come to terms
with CM onto others. You're using CM to excuse the *******s' behaviour
by shifting blame for their attitudes.

I'm not angry.
I'm laughing at the preposterous notion of your backlash boogey man.
--
zk

07-12-2003, 11:54 PM

Sun, 13 Jul 2003 00:14:32 -0700,
<rcousine-89E154.00143213072003@morgoth.sfu.ca>,
Ryan Cousineau <rcousine@sfu.ca> wrote:

>
>If anyone has any proposals, suggestions, etc. for a meeting, toss them
>to me.

I won a gift certificate to donate to the occasion.
The first $100 worth of bike fuel at Subeez Cafe (891 Homer) is on me.

Pre or post race?
--
zk

07-16-2003, 09:58 PM

Wed, 16 Jul 2003 21:06:44 -0700,
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].ca>,
Ryan Cousineau <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>To meet, I recommend that we try to rendezvous at the sharp end of the
>racecourse, on Water St., just across from the VIP area:
>
>http://www.tourdegastown.com/images/course2003.gif
>
>We'll try to meet before and after the races there, and anyone who
>misses that meeting can see us at Subeez at, say, 9:15? 9:30?

Great, that sounds easy enough.

Now all we've got to do is brow beat these non-commital types into
compliance.
--
zk