Worst Possible Thread

Edit: Thanks to Peenologist for the Worst Thread Ever crown.

Edit edit: D'oh! he said Worst Possible Thread, not Worst Thread Ever.

7/17: "was Fight with Gabe" removed from subject line for the sake of beauty, privacy, and security.  Representative images added (too bad threads can't have their own custom avatars):

 

 

Picked up on OPCC listserv per Bill W; presumably posted today.

I don't know why Active Trans didn't put a warning out about the previous incident mentioned here.

===

Authored by Tom McGee and posted on the Oak Park Cycle Club facebook page.  :
Tom McGee
LAKE STREET WARNING: With the warm weather, and newly added bike lanes on Lake Street, there have been more bike commuters heading into the city...unfortunately, there are some rough neighborhoods people need to cycle through and area street punks see the increase in riders as well.

On my way home from the city to Oak Park last night I was jumped by 2 male teens in an attempt to steal my bike. This occured at Lake & Lavergne. One guy was on the sidewalk, the other hidden behind an L pillar. As I was approaching, I sensed it was bad, but it was too late to react. They came at me from the left and right and pushed me off the bike. I was clipped in and went head first over the handlebars, landing on the right side of my face and shoulder. They did not go for anything but the bike, so when I realized that, I wrestled with them and kept my bike. A motorist stopped to help me, and seeing this they ran.

A number of good samaritans stopped to help me, called 911, and paramedics were on the scene within 10 minutes to get me to the ER. I'm stitched and bumped and bruised, but it could have been a lot worse.

I strongly suggest that riders get the word out to friends who commute, try to ride w/others (there are a number of group rides to/from the loop from what I've heard), and try not to ride too early or too late when other people may not be around to help. 

I've already spoken with John Lankford, Bikeways Campaign Coordinator w/Active Transporation Alliance. He said there was a similar incident on Lake the morning of Bike The Drive. So they are aware of the problem, and will be approaching people @ CDOT and the city to try and address it.

Ride safe,
Tom McGee
 

==

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 29, 2012 at 8:05am

Wrightwood is a decent east-route near Fullerton - quieter with a lot less traffic.

David Barish said:

There are times when friends will all talk about a television program that excites them. If I have not seen the previous episodes I am lost when watching the current episode...I then viewed this thread and had that same feeling. Well...(and returning to our previosuly scheduled programing...)

 

Judgements aside, we all make decisions about how to get from Point A to Point B and consider the traffic, condition of the road and a variety of factors. Given the shared original post there is a valid assumption about routing. Frankly, its one that has changed very little in well over a generation.  Long ago I decided to ride to play Ultimate Frisbee with a friend's team during the evening in Oak Park.  I was going from work in the loop. I decided to take a straight line path. I took Madison. I got there without incident but with great hesitation.  I chose to take Fullerton back east on my return trip. This was a less stressful trip.  I think I made a wise choice for the ride back east and would probably route myself the same way today.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 29, 2012 at 8:07am

This is why I often find riding Halsted through Lincoln Park and Boystown much more stressful than riding Vincennes or Cottage Grove - prevalence of the "entitlement mentality" vs. a distinct lack thereof.

MagMileMarauder said:

From experience, I find around  90% of Audis, BMW's and Porsches; people updating the Facebook status, taxis, and doors in the "safe" parts of town more threatening than any potential attack from a thug in the rough parts of town.

Permalink Reply by Craig S. on June 29, 2012 at 8:46am

There are all excellent points, Howard.

I have to ask what was it that Gabe said was incorrect?  Also, if you'll look over the record, he didn't start this little internet dust up, it was our very own James Baum, who once again, needed to voice his superior outrage.

h' said:

Fair question.

Orignially:

1) I personally feel it's important to get the word out about these sort of incidents

2) I personally would like to see people riding bicycles all over Chicago safely

3) I would like to see people able to ride a bicycle from Oak Park to the Loop safely

4) I would like to see people not give up hope that conditions in this city could be better

5) I would like to see our advocacy organization play a role in making sure potentially affected cyclists are aware of these sort of trends, rather than sit on info provided when someone contacts them, or learn why there is not an effort to get the word out if there is a reason
6) I would like to see cyclists exchange information in order to help each-other get from A to B safely, particularly suggestions for minor and specific route modifications that do not dismiss a wide swath of Chicago unfairly as not safe enough to ride through

 

After the "west side is a shithole and everybody knows that" response:

1) To provide our beloved Gabe with a little sandbox in which to get his internet slugfest fix.

2) See #1.


Spencer "Thunderball" Thayer! said:

Howard, what were you attempting to accomplish with this thread?

Permalink Reply by Craig S. on June 29, 2012 at 8:59am

Yes, I knew you had it in you, that the words would come back and you play the victim so well.  Speaking of words, those are some big ones U R using, I need to get my dictionary out so I can see what it is I am.

Before I go, let me correct you about something.   You seem to think that I'm someone who gives a fuck what you say.  I've complimented you before, but you don't remember meeting me, or you were scared as you didn't have your keyboard to hide behind, and as I've said, everyone is entitled to their opinion but are they entitled to alway express that opinion?  

However, when I do take the time to read this forum, which isn't much unless I'm incredibly bored, there isn't a thread on here that doesn't have your stamp.  If that's what you need to do to feel worthwhile, I guess those of us who do find you irritating as fuck (trust me, there are many!) don't have to pay attention.  It is a free forum after all.

Now I need to get my dictionary and another afternoon beer.

James BlackHeron said:

Cant a guy have breakfast in peace without having to defend himself RIGHT AWAY to every accusation of misconduct within the hour?

Seriously -is this an internet forum or an Inquisition?   Can you put that request in writing and mail it to me in a registered letter so I am sure to get it?

You take yourself pretty seriously Craig.  Serously serious.   Good luck with that.  

Me, not so much.  I'm an iconoclast.  I smash icons.  You are an iconophile (like many of the other folks who seem to have a problem with my personal opinions) and Iconoclasts seem to attract Iconophiles such as yourself like manure attracts flies.   I'm fine with that.   I don't have a problem with negative attention to Iconophiles who feel the need to be The Internet Police whenever somoene who's opinions stick up from the crowd and demand they be filed down smooth like the surface of flatville.  

Keep it up, keep up the good fight.  As long as you and other iconophiles such as yourself are focused on me you are not shaving down all the other folks who might want to stick their heads up out of the crowd and express "dangerous" views and opinions that don't meet with your approval.  Sooner or later the paradigm may shift and things might begin to change.  I hope someday there is a future where all views are as openly accepted as the very narrow few that you (and the other Mrs. Grundy voices)  approve of and people are not afraid to speak them without iconophile bullies like you to come berate them for not fitting in. 



Craig S. said:

Me?  I'm just waiting on you, James, as you're never at a loss for words, on any topic.  Well, this reply of was an exception.

I've met you, introduced myself to you in fact.  I told you I agree with very little, if anything of what you state in the numerous times you felt compelled to offer up your concise social commentary on all things in life.  I also told you I find you well written and entertaining and many times informative.

Your contribution to this thread has been anything but.

You blatantly attacked Gabe, try to cover yourself by blaming the victim, and then you bitch and whine and cry wolf and feel the need to justify yourself to the "bike community" (whatever the fuck that is) when you feel you're attacked.  If you'd not opened your pie hole, again, in the first place you wouldn't have been called out. But, everyone's entitled to express their opinion.

So, I'm just waiting to read more of your bloviation and faux umbrage but I've moved onto morning cocktails, I can't be bothered with coffee.

James BlackHeron said:

et tu?


Time for popcorn.

Craig S. said:

Give it a rest, James.  Do you always need to comment on every freaking thread of this forum?

You directed your earlier comment directly at Gabe; it's quite obviously an ad homenim  and it's even more rich that you cry "Foul, oh horrid foul!" when you're so good at leveling ad homenims at anyone who's ever disagreed with you.  You may have not had any of your words by the mods deleted but I do know you've had more than your fair share of complaints leveled against you, especially when you were James Baum.  

I've got nothing to do this morning, I'll enjoy watching this internet dust up, just let me make more coffee.  

Permalink Reply by Charlie Short 2.9 on June 29, 2012 at 9:01am

I will take Garfield Blvd over Clark and Addison every day of the week and twice on Sunday. And I think you get just as much catcalling in Uptown and Rogers Park as you do on the West Side.

Anne Alt said:

This is why I often find riding Halsted through Lincoln Park and Boystown much more stressful than riding Vincennes or Cottage Grove - prevalence of the "entitlement mentality" vs. a distinct lack thereof.

MagMileMarauder said:

From experience, I find around  90% of Audis, BMW's and Porsches; people updating the Facebook status, taxis, and doors in the "safe" parts of town more threatening than any potential attack from a thug in the rough parts of town.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on June 29, 2012 at 9:04am

Thank you for correcting my Latin Serge.   It's not my first language.  If you find any other spelling errors, typos, or gross grammatical errors please feel free to point them out to me.  I am always willing to learn from my mistakes.

Serge Lubomudrov said:

Just to clarify: it's ad homInEm.

James BlackHeron said:

As for the slithery ad homenim . . .

Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on June 29, 2012 at 9:15am

I understand that you need to get your point across, but my eyes squinted in disbelief a little bit. As a resident of Andersonville, I ride Uptown and Rogers Park a whole lot, and would have to say that I've never had trouble at any hour of the day or night. I have ZERO reason to ride in Englewood, but I'd hazard a wild guess that it's probably a lot more treacherous than RP/Uptown.
 
Charlie Short said:

I will take Garfield Blvd over Clark and Addison every day of the week and twice on Sunday. And I think you get just as much catcalling in Uptown and Rogers Park as you do on the West Side.

Anne Alt said:

This is why I often find riding Halsted through Lincoln Park and Boystown much more stressful than riding Vincennes or Cottage Grove - prevalence of the "entitlement mentality" vs. a distinct lack thereof.

MagMileMarauder said:

From experience, I find around  90% of Audis, BMW's and Porsches; people updating the Facebook status, taxis, and doors in the "safe" parts of town more threatening than any potential attack from a thug in the rough parts of town.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on June 29, 2012 at 9:41am

I think you would make a fine Latin, Serge.  

Again, Mr. Lubomudrov, I thank you for correcting my mistake(s)  here on The Chainlink.  No one wants to continue to be ignorant -or do they?   I feel that you really should branch out and start correcting everyone's mistakes on this forum.  I'm sure it would do a world of good!



Serge Lubomudrov said:

You're welcome, James.

As you are so willing to learn, here's another one for you: there must be a comma between "Latin" and my name in the first sentence. I am not Latin, and I am not yours or your Latin.

I understand that rules of grammar and punctuation flew out of the window (or were defenestrated, if you prefer) in our times of speed texting, etc., but still.

You could say that English is not my first language, either (and would be correct), but Russian and English have much in common, including the comma that should separate vocative (address) from the rest of a phrase.

So there.

James BlackHeron said:

Thank you for correcting my Latin Serge.   It's not my first language.  If you find any other spelling errors, typos, or gross grammatical errors please feel free to point them out to me.  I am always willing to learn from my mistakes.

Serge Lubomudrov said:

Just to clarify: it's ad homInEm.

James BlackHeron said:

As for the slithery ad homenim . . .

Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on June 29, 2012 at 9:48am

Iconoclasts can not take hints. They smash hints.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on June 29, 2012 at 9:52am

Iconoclasts never back down to bullies...

Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on June 29, 2012 at 9:55am

while we're in the Worst Possible Thread I may as well point out a li'l observation that for the life of me I can't think of a single instance in which someone has sad ad hominem in earnest who wasn't a total clown.

This is a bad post.

Permalink Reply by Jason W on June 29, 2012 at 9:56am

+2

Derek said:

+1

MagMileMarauder said:

From experience, I find around  90% of drivers of Audis, BMW's and Porsches; people updating their Facebook status, taxis, and doors in the "safe" parts of town more threatening than any potential attack from a thug in the rough parts of town.

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