Re: [Paddlewise] Now I'm curious: how dangerous _is_ kayaking?

From: Nick Von Robison <n.v.rob_at_deltanet.com>
Date: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 17:47:54 -0800
> That's pretty scary.  I'm a cyclist as well, and yes I do still get annoyed
> when I see someone on a bicycle riding side by side with another cyclist on
> a busy road or just being inconsiderate to traffic.  BUT I remember that
> even though I am annoyed, that person is another human being who is
> completely unprotected when compared to me in my 3,000 lb car.  Being
> inconvenienced isn't worth killing someone for so I give them some room.
>

That is scary Joe but I know the feeling.  I was in Yellowstone NP about fifteen
years ago, alone, taking the long loop drive through the park and came upon a
lone cyclist right in the middle of the right lane.  I had to slow down to his
speed as I couldn't pass since the road was curvy and hilly; essentially a no
passing road.  So I follow this jerk for a few miles hoping he'll move to the
right and let me pass (he has a helmet mirror so knows I'm there).  I toot the
horn a couple of times.  No reaction, so I move up about 10 feet from his tail
and toot again.  He flips me the bird and I have this urge just to run him
over.  I haven't seen another car for an hour and I'm thinking I could probably
get away with it.  Some rational thought returns a few seconds later and I
pulled over to the side, nauseous with the adrenalin of anger.  I still have
nightmares to this day of what I found myself possibly capable of doing in the
heat of the moment.  Or I should say, nightmares that the thought of killing
another human being because of their stupid arrogance ever entered my head.

Talk about risk!  This arrogant, inconsiderate cyclist may be just a stain on
the road for all I know if someone a lot less stable than I am has ever met up
with him.  I don't get it (sorry if this is a bit off topic), but are cyclists
like the mouse that fell into the vat of beer and came up saying "now where's
that damn cat".

-Nick


***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
Received on Tue Feb 29 2000 - 18:56:51 PST

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:30:20 PDT