LexRides

jdbaum3 · hipster Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 132

Chicago guy died in an alleycat up there today. There's some info on it http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=391217

brokebike · cutter Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2434 Location: local

truly sad news to shake you up...

it's dangerous enough just casually riding around from one place to another on any given day, let alone riding fast with a purpose through town with large packs of other riders doing the same thing. Drivers get freaked.

Alleycats are fun as hell, but you still have to remember to be safe and make intelligent decisions. The glory of a local race just isn't worth getting plowed into by a vehicle, or causing others to get hurt. I'm not passing judgment on the victim of this incident, because it's awful to hear about anyone getting killed... but after reading several different accounts on a few websites from people who were actually riding next to the guy when it happened, it seems that he and several others were blowing through a busy intersection, hoping that the oncoming cars would stop for them...

That said, I know I've done some really stupid things during a race... it's hard not to in the heat of the moment. Ride fast, but ride safe.
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DHB · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:39 pm Post subject:

One commenter made a good point that for most big city alleycats many of the racers are people who ride bikes for a living, so they know how to handle themselves and the streets. But then you get other racers who don't ride nearly as often and hurt themselves try and keep up.

While Lexington doesn't exactly have messengers, I can see how that same idea could easily carry over.

brokebike · cutter Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2434 Location: local

I'm also a member of the chicago fixed gear forums (chifg.com), and I've been reading the threads over there concerning this incident since hearing about it last night...

sounds like the shit may be getting ready to hit the fan about alleycats in chicago. Apparently the Tribune is running a story tomorrow (directly related to the death this weekend) about alleycat racing.

oops, while I was typing this it looks like they already posted the story. Here's a link:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-biker_fatal_26feb26,0,533633.story
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mcrib · townie Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 232 Location: 40502

should never read the comments about a bicycle related article, regardless if the article is positive or negative people still manage to say stupid shit that just pisses me off.

Sad to hear of someone dying but the manner in which he died deserves contemplation as Brian has suggested.
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Albert Einstein trembled when he found out time was water. Seeping through the rafters to put out this burning world.

jkizzle · cutter Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 519 Location: I.L.L.

yep, people are idiots. hopefully sooner or later the gas will really hit their pocketbook, and be forced to bike or walk, they will begin to realize the impact driving has and the responsibility they have to other people on the street...

it took me forcing my girlfriend to ride to convince her to check bike lanes before making turns.

brokebike · cutter Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2434 Location: local

mcrib · townie Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 232 Location: 40502

Ya I think you're missing the point. The discussion has to do with self survival. Running red lights at busy intersections may be too big of a risk to take for limited reward (the orange jersey). The car had a green light when it stuck the rider, it was not braking any traffic laws.
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Albert Einstein trembled when he found out time was water. Seeping through the rafters to put out this burning world.

jkizzle · cutter Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 519 Location: I.L.L.