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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
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The nipples did you in.
 
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bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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Just last week, going into Sta. Rosalia just north of the Prison as i crested the hill there was a bicyclist coming the other way (southbound, uphill)
at me, and a Semi Truck 3' into MY LANE to avoid the T U R D. I had to take a shoulder to not be head-on'ed by a BFT, and luckily i HAD a shoulder to
take. Had it been on 90% of T.P.1 it would have been disastrous, because of the risk of roll-over along ALL of this highway, or i would've been
crushed by the front of the big Semi. I feel very fortunate just to be able to pen this epistle, and thankful i wasn't pulling my RV, was just in my
pick-up. There was enough bank on the shoulder to cause some serious mess to my 5th wheel if it was behind me. Blind curve, crest of a hill, and
normal speeds.
"slow down and share the road"? "Old geezers with big RV's"? How about autobuses, camiones, doble remolque propane trucks... all large vehicles need
'mo' (momentum) to get up the hill just like the little spandex-sporting lycra-loving MENACES that may get road rash but get other people killed by
trying to avoid their 'special healthy lifestyle'. This wasn't my first encounter either, i've had to lock up brakes several times and i mean both
feet to keep from killing them or oncoming traffic. I also turn on my emergency flashers after i pass the peddle-pushers to warn oncoming traffic
there's a VERY DANGEROUS (and annoying) situation ahead of them, same as if it was a cow or a donkey.
Also, beach camping i've been 'visited' by these ultra-hearty and brave daring-do'ers to mooch off some water to cook their ramen, or maybe get
invited for dinner or whatever they don't pack as bare necessities.
Here's a new one too; on Thanksgiving we had a young woman biking 'solo' (so we thought) come to our campground, and a few of the soft-hearted folks
here took her in, gave her a bed to sleep in, fed her (turned out for 3 days), and a few days later another couple of sprocked sponges pulled in...
seems there's a website that a large group of them have and the 'lead' bikers log in to spread the news of 'best places to camp for bikers'...
needless to say we had several more in the oncoming weeks.
My hat's off to them for their adventurous spirits, their above-average cardio workouts, and yes, everyone has a 'right' to the road. I just believe
NOT T.P.1! However Mtgoat, how slow do we have to ''slow down'' to??? 3 mph going uphill around every blind curve to appease you and save ME?
There's nothing can be done to stop it, seen 'em for 20 years. And they've seen my hand gesture every time they look inside my cab.
Yeah, there's lots of snow-domed retirees who shouldn't be behind the wheel of their 40' Land Yaught' busting side mirrors left and right, however
this Highway was CREATED FOR AUTOMOBILES, WITHOUT the luxury of bike-lanes or even flat-tire shoulders. So if it's them or me, i'd take one out in a
heartbeat.... unfortunately my last 'too-close-call' i didn't have the choice, time or distance-wise, because the semi was cresting a hill already 3'
into my lane. I wasn't speed-balling either.
Sorry for the rant, my heart's beating fast just remembering it. I would be interested to know just how many do get killed or wreck somebody else.
The ones with kiddies in tow-coaches? A travesty to me. "slow down and share the road!" ....Yeah, RIGHT.
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
Member Is Offline
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"little spandex-sporting lycra loving menaces and sprocket sponges" it don't matter what side of the fence you're on, you gotta love that! thank you!
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bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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Actually, the whole unabridged rant goes:
"Tree huggin' fern-fondlin' crystal gazin' lycra-lovin' spandex sportin' peddle-pushin' Birkenstock-wearin' tofu-eatin' pot-smokin' Lake
Powell-drainin' sons'o'britches!!" .... half of which i'm quite guilty of meself.....
Happy trails, bb.
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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ncampion
Super Nomad
Posts: 1238
Registered: 4-15-2006
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
Mood: Retired and Loving it
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Well said, bajabuddha. No amount of "sharing the road" is sufficient to avert a disaster like you described. I have imagined that senerio many times
while driving that road. It's only a matter of time and back luck before something really bad happens. In the past few years the increase in bicycle
traffic is moving the odds more and more in favor of the disaster. How about advocating for a little common sense on the part of the bikers - pick a
safer road!!!
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18375
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajabuddha
they've seen my hand gesture every time they look inside my cab. |
 real class act
p.s. why is "buddha" in your screen name? is that supposed to be ironic? 
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Timo1
Senior Nomad
Posts: 742
Registered: 11-2-2007
Location: Homeless
Member Is Offline
Mood: Lovin every minute of it
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Just speed bumps on the road to adventure as the traffic increases
Thump thump
sold out and got out !!!
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Timo1
Just speed bumps on the road to adventure as the traffic increases
Thump thump |
This brings up an interesting question. While none of us want to hit and injure or kill another person, sometimes the option of braking and/or
swerving is just not there --- sounded real close for bajabudda and I know we have had some close calls; fortunately not that close.
Recently John had to make the fast decision between swerving off the road and probably rolling the car, swerving into another lane and hitting the car
that was there, or hitting and killing a coyote. Having come around a blind curve when the coyote ran out onto the road, there was no time to brake.
We felt awful about the dead coyote.
So faced with the same situation, only the fast appearing road hazard is a person on a bicycle, what would anyone do?
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DianaT
| Quote: | Originally posted by Timo1
Just speed bumps on the road to adventure as the traffic increases
Thump thump |
This brings up an interesting question. While none of us want to hit and injure or kill another person, sometimes the option of braking and/or
swerving is just not there --- sounded real close for bajabudda and I know we have had some close calls; fortunately not that close.
Recently John had to make the fast decision between swerving off the road and probably rolling the car, swerving into another lane and hitting the car
that was there, or hitting and killing a coyote. Having come around a blind curve when the coyote ran out onto the road, there was no time to brake.
We felt awful about the dead coyote.
So faced with the same situation, only the fast appearing road hazard is a person on a bicycle, what would anyone do? |
BUTT BUMP EM
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Mexitron
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3397
Registered: 9-21-2003
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy!
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Suppose they could make the old road a bike trail with a bulldozer and some asphalt? Might spawn a new tourist industry for Baja. Then again, why
would I want more people down there.......
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bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mtgoat666
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajabuddha
they've seen my hand gesture every time they look inside my cab. |
real class act
p.s. why is "buddha" in your screen name? is that supposed to be ironic?
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I consider myself an honest act, goathead. I see you wish to have a battle of the wits, but i won't duel with an unarmed opponent. Far's my
'handle', "Rasca El Buddha por suerte". I have a big belly, and it's a self-depreciating choice. I had this same 'argument' with another donkey on
this site, criticizing my ethics for not being enough 'Buddhist-like'. Don't like my criticizm of your ''share the road'' message? Tough; slow
down and share the page. Have a nice day anyway.
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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joerover
Banned
Posts: 676
Registered: 2-3-2011
Location: earth
Member Is Offline
Mood: sleepy
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mean old guy on pills runs down kathy ireland
grumpy old guy;
domt eat any more pills you are killing people
the fat lady is breeding
which means
The fat ladys are breeding
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joerover
Banned
Posts: 676
Registered: 2-3-2011
Location: earth
Member Is Offline
Mood: sleepy
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when you see a bike
HIT THE BREAKSĄ!
the fat lady is breeding
which means
The fat ladys are breeding
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
Member Is Offline
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when you see kathy ireland
HIT THE BRAKES!
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5900
Registered: 7-18-2011
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DianaT
| Quote: | Originally posted by Timo1
Just speed bumps on the road to adventure as the traffic increases
Thump thump |
This brings up an interesting question. While none of us want to hit and injure or kill another person, sometimes the option of braking and/or
swerving is just not there --- sounded real close for bajabudda and I know we have had some close calls; fortunately not that close.
Recently John had to make the fast decision between swerving off the road and probably rolling the car, swerving into another lane and hitting the car
that was there, or hitting and killing a coyote. Having come around a blind curve when the coyote ran out onto the road, there was no time to brake.
We felt awful about the dead coyote.
So faced with the same situation, only the fast appearing road hazard is a person on a bicycle, what would anyone do? |
If it's me and my family go head-on into a big rig vs. a tope or two, I go topes.
Would hope that choice would never have to be made though.
I'm a human lover and don't want anyone dead, but that would be my decision in that circumstance.
I think for the most part bikers and vehicles can share the road on Highway 1. Both need to be on the lookout for each other. If I was on a bike on
a blind curve, I would keep my ears open for sounds of vehicles. If something was coming I'd hop off the road for a second and protect myself.
So the caution thing should be going both ways. Let's work together. If I'm on a bike (which I wouldn't be, ever, in Baja) and I see a big rig
coming and a motorhome in my rearview, I pull off till it's safe. Let them pass and stay alive. If you're on a bike, you must always be vigilant and
aware. Same as in a car.
Peace.
[Edited on 1-7-2014 by Ateo]
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liknbaja127
Nomad
Posts: 463
Registered: 1-17-2012
Member Is Offline
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Great post Ateo, I feel the same way. I have seen lots of these bike people
on the road, have not had any real close calls yet! Only takes one. that's not
how I want to spend my Baja time.
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vgabndo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3461
Registered: 12-8-2003
Location: Mt. Shasta, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Checking-off my bucket list.
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Jon, I think there is a lot of sense in what you say. I believe that there are fewer accidents than there might be because the cyclists DO have a
sense of self-preservation. They can hear the vehicles coming and I'm sure that very few make themselves WIDER thinking this will help!
Driving down "the baja" has always been a little dangerous, part of the danger is slow moving bicycles.
Do I have a bit of a PO about bicycles in the USA, which I must legally treat just like a car, you bet! But only because when I treat them just like
a car, they run the next ten stop signs, and then drive on the sidewalk for a while. It would do a lot for the reputation of cyclists if once in a
while I saw one observe a traffic control sign/device.
just sayin'
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
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durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: thriving in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajabuddha
Here's a new one too; on Thanksgiving we had a young woman biking 'solo' (so we thought) come to our campground, and a few of the soft-hearted folks
here took her in, gave her a bed to sleep in, fed her (turned out for 3 days), and a few days later another couple of sprocked sponges pulled in...
seems there's a website that a large group of them have and the 'lead' bikers log in to spread the news of 'best places to camp for bikers'...
needless to say we had several more in the oncoming weeks.
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That's the same tactic that "hobos" used to use (or stlll do?). I guess today they are classified as "homeless" and government agencies take care of
them as best the can
Bob Durrell
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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Guess its settled then
Most Nomads here are sane (up for debate) loving,,caring,,giving folks.....But bikes on the hwy (road) are not safe for anyone and that's just the way
it IS !!!
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Katiejay99
Nomad
Posts: 429
Registered: 9-3-2008
Location: Todos Santos
Member Is Offline
Mood: it is what it is
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I second Ateo. I have been wanting to chime in here, but he said it best.
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