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
 

==

Views: 6736

Replies are closed for this discussion.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on June 29, 2012 at 9:56am

Next time I see you I owe you a beer.

Well said sir.

Just curious but have you noticed how little Jimmy responds to direct questions?

Craig S. said:

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 Doug Haynes on June 29, 2012 at 10:00am

This is why there needs to be a 'like' button here.

Peenworm Grubologist said:

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 Charlie Short 2.9 on June 29, 2012 at 10:07am

Very excellent point Serge, and I should be a little clearer if I going to make statements like this.

I ride everywhere, at all times, and I'm very serious about the on-road safety differences between Wrigleyville and Englewood, as in Engelwood is safer on the road. I am absolutely not commenting on the level of crime or the presence of folks hanging out on the corner. 

As for cat-calling, my experience with cat-calling (and witnessing it) has been far greater in those two neighborhoods. To be specific, the west-side streets I've used with regularity (all west of Pulsaki) are: Chicago, Augusta, Division, Lake, Warren/Washington and Roosevelt. The only time I was ever hassled was when I was riding on Chicago several guys kept telling (laughing and yelling, really) me I was going to break my bike riding on all of the potholes.

Jim S said:

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 Vilda on June 29, 2012 at 10:21am
Worst Thread Ever?? Fuck that noise! I love how this keeps rollin on. It took longer than expected for someone to call me a racist. I laughed and laughed. It's not race related to say an area is a shithole if the folks in that area agree it's a shit hole and given half a chance would move. Decent folks leave the west side cause it's a shit hole and more decent folks would if they could. Fuck pc nonsense and be honest - makes the world actually better vs better on the internet. Someone else brought up Englewood- wanna say - Also a shithole :). Serge thanks for the Latin and grammar lessons and Craig love blasting Blackheron all day! Best sand box ever! :)
Permalink Reply by Vilda on June 29, 2012 at 10:22am
And we've got nearly 1400 views to a lil under 500 on the legit thread. Lol :)
Permalink Reply by Vilda on June 29, 2012 at 10:35am
Shit- i almost forgot Dug!!! Love ya Dug! :)
Permalink Reply by Vilda on June 29, 2012 at 10:48am
who doesnt wanna argue with me? :) Cant wait for Cuban food Cam- hope packing is going well :)



Cameron Puetz said:

Based purely on the the number of replies (at this moment 61 vs 13), it appears arguing with Gabe is much more popular than discussing attacks on cyclists. I guess the title really does matter.

Permalink Reply by Bailey Gene Newbrey on June 29, 2012 at 2:24pm

You guys seen the mural on the liquor store on Kedzie, just South of Lake?

I think the bike lanes on Franklin and Lake are great. I love the community gardens in Garfield Park, the park, and the conservatory. Y'all know about the greenhouse on Fulton by Kostner? The West Side isn't a shithole by any means. Some folks just get shitty attitudes about things they're not familiar with.

Permalink Reply by Spencer "Thunderball" Thayer! on June 29, 2012 at 5:11pm

+1

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 Vilda on June 29, 2012 at 6:39pm

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor's lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on June 30, 2012 at 2:32am

What I got out of the OP is that riding clipless in the city is a huge mistake.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on June 30, 2012 at 2:49am

Those who live in holy houses can get away with rolling stones...

h' said:


I had a dream. Crazy dream.
Anything I wanted to know, any place I needed to go

Hear my song. People won't you listen now? Sing along.
You don't know what you're missing now.
Any little song that you know
Everything that's small has to grow.
And it has to grow!

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