Contact Sport

Many have criticized the cycling industry for marketing road cycling as a kind of "extreme sport". I can see many types of Mountain biking easily fitting into this label, even Cyclocross. Shit that is generally a hazard to your well being! Until recently I would have countered the notion of road cycling as an extreme sport, but I now realize, the cycling industry has it all wrong.

So extreme!

  The real extreme part of road cycling is urban cycling, which includes commuting. Aside from the occasional jostle, bumps, and the most unfortunate crashes, road cycling isn't as "extreme" as many X-game sports (and is rightly excluded). I always seem to unconsciously put far more intense music into my "Almost Hit Series"(videos showing my commuting in the streets) than my "Shut Up Legs Series" (videos of my group rides). The tamest urban cycling video I have is "Filters", but to be fair, it is a very sanitized video of my commute, showing the good times.

More like the fun times!

  So why is this? The simple answer is urban cycling produces some hairy situations because of all the variables thrown into the soup that is driving in Miami. Road cycling, in a group though, not so much, it is far more controlled, and there is a certain etiquette to maintain. What this means is, the music I select is more reflective of the video's feel. So sure the videos may be more entertaining, but every bad encounter with a driver may put my life at risk. It is a delicate tightrope I maintain between riding on the dangerous main streets ( which get me from A to B faster) and sticking to the side streets ( usually tacking on 15 to 20 minutes to my commute). I try to make these videos as a kind of awareness, keeping it interesting to viewers, but I fear it comes off as pursuant. We all love some dramatic encounters with others of our species...

Hardly....

As safe as I try to ride, it seems (regardless of my intentions) that bad drivers also seem to be the angriest ones, hell bent on raging if you try to confront them. I am not even sure if this is reaching a wide enough audience, and by the statements of MDPD's Chief, they seem to have more disdain than care for cyclist. I do not expect help and certainly not enforcement from them. 

It's not easy being a cyclist

There is no redemption out on these streets. Even with a camera and reports filed, there's no punishment for these drivers. I can just hope their License plates being broadcast for the world can give me some solace. In order of appearance, FCH-043, BRG-P58, BCT-Y28, ICW-562, and X50-4GG, if you see them, give them the only finger that matters, for me.

Come get some...

Window Service

  The thing about being a cyclist in Miami, is the never ending shitstorm, that is the drivers, in this city. I have even been so cynical, and bitter, that my friends are starting to worry. Well, shit, I guess it is high time I let these driver's know how I feel.  Even ran into a police officer, and well, he was just as ignorant.

My face when the Internal Affairs Department tells me I cannot complain about an officer's conduct, behind an advocacy group... "TravellingDirtbags", I would need to come in to the station myself and present the video... Sounds like a trap...

Well aside from the new video, I have a couple of other edits down the pipe, so stay tuned for that stuff. Also make sure to rate and subscribe to the video or even leave a comment if you liked it or even disliked it.

Not this time asshole...

A pleasurable ride to the beach without my GoPro! Oh the the ridiculousness and the fun! Look how wacky this sign is WOAHH!

Some of the most touristy crap we got here in Miami

Down the Pipeline

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Stop Last

When I first set out on my bike, I was a hefty 230 pounds. I could barely run for 5 minutes straight and getting around on the bike was a planned affair. To traverse the 3 miles on my commute to work would take a grueling hour, not to mention the massive bag I lugged around that slowed me down. I was constantly on the sidewalk ruining my fragile Fuji "Adonis".

...He has seen some shit

In the one year since I've started cycling, I have done two long tours: one to the Everglades National park and the second to Key West, which sent me to the hospital. Now, with more than a year's biking experience behind me, I can pedal 7 miles in 30 minutes while taking it easy and I can crush 3 miles in 10.

Video of the Everglades tour

Everglades! 

Currently, I stick to the road to preserve my steed, "Phil" Jamis. Commuting on the roads day and night has given me a totally different and unbecoming challenge here in Miami. It is one in which both officials and citizens seem completely apathetic and uncaring to; one I didn't realize as a driver myself. Cycling is looked down upon, scorned, and, depending on your bumper sticker, hated...

Mmmm cheeky...

Only once in my entire time cycling did I ever witness a driver getting pulled over after passing way too close. When I caught up to the officer, the driver was getting a ticket, not for endangering my life, but for illegally sharing the lane next to me with another car. I was the catalyst, but not the reason for the infraction. The officer argued that he may pass and that what he did was not illegal. When I countered with the 3 foot clearance rule, he disregarded it. This is a problem.

The Good ole days before my GoPro 3

I feel like this blog really isn't changing much and I have no idea how to move ahead. I guess the best thing I can do is record these license plates, send them to the proper authorities, and post them online. Is this a solution? No, but it is illumination, shedding some light on many who cannot afford a car payment, or, like me, want to be healthy and hate the hassle of a car. The solution is hard; it will take time and take convincing. We will need infrastructure, but for now education will have to spearhead the change. 

TL;DR: More bike lanes, I am healthier because of cycling, and 3 feet PLEASE!!!

Until next time!

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Almost Hit

Pretty accurate illustration of how I ride..

After a too long battle with Bronchitis, and apparently a hell of a lingering cough, I'm back in the saddle. Riding has reminded me that being as forthcoming and safe as possible yields the best results. I often try to empathize with other road users, but too often I just get blatant assholery and far too often witness other cyclist being complete idiots...

To be fair, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line

It is things like this that really make me shake my head in shame. Yeah I know me yelling at terrible drivers is a drop in the bucket and more education AND infrastructure is far more helpful, but look at these two. In front of tens of drivers they just run a red light and simultaneously cut off two drivers turning from opposite directions. That is a special kind of ignorance that is seldom seen. Unfortunately at this moment they are on bikes. 

On a lighter and happier note I ended up traversing Kendall after a canceled bike ride and went thrifting. The local Goodwills and Salvation Army can sometimes bring up good finds, and boy did I luck out today! The retainer was badly damaged but I had a hunch that this helmet was worth more than a cool Benjamin. After heading over to my bike shop Cycle World Miami, they quickly found me the bike retainer that I needed for the Gyro Atmos, turns out, it is lighter and completely redone, that's just dandy! The full price version.... In all honestly I am a bit on the poor side, I do my best to support my local bike shop. Especially those with the means, head over to Cycle World Miami to get fitted for a new bike, they are good people and do great work!

Cycle World Miami's Service

Here is another "I almost died again!" video, but I hope the new focus on art instead of documentation makes it more entertaining. I sencerly apprciate feedback and hell critisize it, but if anything, watch it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7YB_reS6i4&feature=youtu.be

And follow and subscribe!

People who needed a lecture

"As of 2011, the lane position and bike lane law include an exception for avoiding a potentially unsafe condition. This is significant in that it allows bicyclists to anticipate dynamic conditions which have the potential to make a bike lane or far right lane position unsafe." - See more at: http://floridabicycle.org/bicycle-traffic-law/#sthash.xeVUn4AP.dpuf

What is this thing... I want it!

   It seems as if more often than not motorist do not (or care not) to follow the law. I was particularly stunned and honestly ashamed for the Doral Police force. I was getting buzzed by this guy in a SUV and when I confronted him he flashed his badge (even though he was off duty) and then preceded to tell me I was wrong fro being in the middle of the road and not on the shoulder... I mean wow, then he huffed sarcastically how I know more about the law then he does... I feel drained of the good cops being overshadowed by the terrible ignorant ones.

Then a couple of days later after a pretty cool and fun night ride through traffic, I get into it with some guy and well, he tries running me off the road or more likely tries to run me over. Absolute madness, and this one will be going to the police. But after watching the first video, you need to ask if they even care. The federal government has done such a good job militarizing and jackbooting the cops up, I'm sure they don't (for the most part) care. 

Guys... there is plenty of room on the road, just go around me, all I want is three feet, I'm not even asking for much. 

This is overworked every ride out

Oct. 30, 2013, Justice at Last?

 On the ride home tonight I always have to take a main section of road, 117th St. for the most part I get buzzed  between Sunset Dr and Miller Dr. It is my least favorite place to ride, ever. Tonight however, some justice was served, I never got his name but thank you officer.

 Till next time! Follow and Subscribe!