Salmon fishing

I got him!

Approaching the intersection of Orleans and Ontario from the south, on my way from work just about an hour ago, I saw a cyclist pedaling on the east side of Orleans, getting to the same intersection from the north. Against the traffic. That he didn't have a headlight goes without saying.

I've been in a similar situation several times before, but never had a chance to try this way of dealing with that kind of fish: I slowed down, and kept as close to the curb as I can, forcing the salmon to go around me.

There was enough light still to see the expression on his face.

Priceless!

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Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on August 26, 2013 at 2:53pm

Bingo!

Permalink Reply by Tom Dworzanski on August 26, 2013 at 2:55pm

Awesome!

Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on August 27, 2013 at 1:56am

About a year ago...I was on Armitage. There was a younger hispanic guy on a mountain bike going against the flow. I tried to get him to go around. I didn't slow down. I stayed near the cars. As we got closer, his look of panic grew significantly, I thought he would just go out and around me. He wasn't slowing down either. About two seconds before collision, he ran into the parked cars and I had to swerve away from his bicycle. I don't know if he learned his lesson.

Does that mean I caught him?

Permalink Reply by JimmyD on August 27, 2013 at 2:57am

Four posts in, and this is quite an entertaining thread already! It will be interesting to hear more "salmon fishing" stories.

Permalink Reply by JMinHP on August 27, 2013 at 3:17am

It's SAT analogy time...

Forcing a salmon to go around you in to oncoming traffic:catching fish::salmon freaking out & crashing into parked cars:fish just straight up jumping into the boat



Jaik - 4.3mi said:

About a year ago...I was on Armitage. There was a younger hispanic guy on a mountain bike going against the flow. I tried to get him to go around. I didn't slow down. I stayed near the cars. As we got closer, his look of panic grew significantly, I thought he would just go out and around me. He wasn't slowing down either. About two seconds before collision, he ran into the parked cars and I had to swerve away from his bicycle. I don't know if he learned his lesson.

Does that mean I caught him?

Permalink Reply by Tom Dworzanski on August 27, 2013 at 3:30am

Wow! I'm ready to take up fishing!

JM 6.5 said:


Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on August 27, 2013 at 3:41am
I don't think this type of aggressive riding teaches the "salmon" anything. You guys just sound like entitled jerks.

Instead, say something constructive, or just wag your finger... Or just ride by and don't do anything.
Permalink Reply by JeffB on August 27, 2013 at 3:44am

Why should they swerve into traffic?  At least the salmon can see if anyone's approaching

Kelvin Mulcky said:

I don't think this type of aggressive riding teaches the "salmon" anything. You guys just sound like entitled jerks.

Instead, say something constructive, or just wag your finger... Or just ride by and don't do anything.
Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on August 27, 2013 at 3:57am
Who needs to swerve? It's no different than avoiding a pot hole or parked car in the bike lane. We do it all the time; just look over your shoulder, merge, and take the lane for a few seconds. Simple as that. If you're feeling snarky then tell them that they're riding the wrong way. No need for intimidation or aggressive behavior- we get enough of that from car drivers!

Sorry to use the cliché, but just keep calm and carry on.
Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on August 27, 2013 at 4:12am



Kelvin Mulcky said:

Who needs to swerve? It's no different than avoiding a pot hole or parked car in the bike lane.
That particular stretch of Orleans is extremely busy at rush hour. Swerving into the traffic lane is something to be avoided. I think Serge did the right thing.
Permalink Reply by David P. on August 27, 2013 at 5:38am

Kevin,

I understand you, but I don't think there's any aggression in Serge's riding. In his mindset, arguably (thought I wouldn't quite say so), but not in his riding. Further, it is the salmon's riding style that can more reasonably be called aggressive, even if he's thinking that he's being "safe" by doing it. When I come upon a salmon like this, most often I simply move a bit to the left and go past them, or else just maintain my line as they move over into the curb parking lane. But sometimes I am riding in (with) heavy traffic in a fairly narrow space when I come upon a salmon, and I am little inclined to increase my own risk when the salmon is putting both himself and other riders (e.g. me) at risk with their poor riding. In those cases, I've decided (I haven't had an incident recently) to adopt the technique of simply holding my line (to the right) and stopping. Someone who endangers other people by salmoning in heavy traffic is never going to stop doing it as long as everyone accomodates them. They are, most likely, motivated at least in part by fear but if the fear brought about by salmoning (e.g. a cyclist riding correctly who does not accomodate them) exceeds the fear that leads to the salmoning in the first place (being hit from behind) they are likely to stop. I have not particular desire to 'educate' other road users (like jerks who don't want anyone in a car to merge in front of them and block the lane) but I am not to willing to let other people put me in danger with their own dangerous riding. Better to let them bear any consequences.

Kelvin Mulcky said:

I don't think this type of aggressive riding teaches the "salmon" anything. You guys just sound like entitled jerks.

Instead, say something constructive, or just wag your finger... Or just ride by and don't do anything.
Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on August 27, 2013 at 5:59am
Right; pulling over, yielding or slowing down isn't technically aggressive. But playing chicken or forcing someone, especially someone who appears to be an inexperienced or timid rider into oncoming traffic, is morally wrong IMO.

People shouldn't force others to follow the rules of the road, that's basically a boiled down road rage mentality. When I pass a salmoning rider who is behaving badly, I'll typically tell them so before we pass, with enough time so they make a rebuttal, or whatever... If the riders look like they're experienced (messengers, commuters, etc) I might say something a little more snarky if they're doing something stupid. But I don't play chicken and I'll just stay cool about it.

I just wanted to write a little dissenting opinion in this thread before "catching" a salmon is something people start to brag about. For whatever reason salmoning riding is kinda a culural thing here in the city. It seems more common on the west side, take what you will from that. I'd hate to see experienced riders enforce their rules by endangering themselves or others.

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