|   WHAT THE F**K MARYLAND!!!!!! | crashnburn
Aug 10, 2002 4:39 PM | | Ok, let me start off by saying this is no doubt unfair to many Maryland citizens. I'm sorry, but I've seen alot of this kinda stuff out here. Today I went riding at Patapicso State Park near Baltimore. I was feeling good and went to a short(about 40'), but fairly steep downhill. It's right beside the creek dam for those of you who know the park. It's loosely packed dirt and a bit hard for me to control my bike, but I have ridden this hill sucessfully before.anyhow, this run down it today, I lost control and ended up slamming hard head first into a tree. I did hear a small snap in my neck and for a moment had honestly thought I had broken my neck. Luckly I didn't, but I will feel it in the morning. Anyhow, I'm lying there on my back cussing aat myself for letting this happen when 2 joggers (man and woman) jog by. They look up, see me lying there, grabbing my neck with my bike lying there about 6' away and just continue on. Not even a hi. God, I hate to think what'll happen if I ever really do break my neck and can't move. Do you think it would've killed them to just at least ask if I needed help???? Luckly, After I rested for a few, I was able to move and ride away. My neck and shoulder is sore tonight, but I'll live and I'm going to try to lead a beginner ride tommorow morning. Wait and see about that one. anyhow, what is wrong with people that they can't help a fellow human?? Are people that soulless nowadays?? I did see them in the parking lot when I got there. I yelled to them I was fine and thanks for asking.
Now with that being said, let me just give a big Bravo Zulu (military talk for "Great Job") to all those who have ever stoped to help a person with a flat or other bike problem. And to those had to cut a ride short to help a injured person. God will remember you. |
| well, what did you say to them? | enem
Aug 10, 2002 4:43 PM | | nm |
| That's funny. | Finch Platte
Aug 10, 2002 5:16 PM | | Lol- "Not even a hi".
I think that would have been worse than ignoring you.
Did you notice if they had a seeing eye dog, or if they were jogging with white canes?
Fokkers.
fp |
| you've got to be kidding me.... | mtbaru
Aug 10, 2002 5:20 PM | | that you expect somebody else to be responsible for picking you up when you crashnburn????? the results of your risk-taking should become their priority???? ride with a buddy if you want to be assured that you'll be helped out of a jam. |
| you've got to be kidding me.... | wyleehi
Aug 10, 2002 5:46 PM | | umm i think he was pointing out the lack of consideration by some people...bet they were some of the first to get thosse "united we stand" bumper stickers for their car though! |
| exactly my point....... | crashnburn
Aug 10, 2002 6:52 PM | | Thanks for pointing that out to mtbaru. I don't "expect" someone to be there if I do need help, but I feel a person has a duty to help those in need if they find them. I ran into a friend in the same park last Wed. evening while riding. He and his girlfriend were sitting by the road. I stopped to say hi and he told me that his g.f. had just dislocated her shoulder. I asked if they needed my help and he replied that they a friend riding back to get their car. I then offered my ACE bandage that I carry in my pack just for these type of things thinking that they could at least keep her arm from moving till they got to the hospital, but they declined. With nothing more I could do I offered them good luck and hope it wasn't too serious before I rode off. The point is that I at least made the offer. |
| the duty is yours alone... | mtbaru
Aug 10, 2002 7:53 PM | | to ride within your limits and be prepared for your own emergencies. and you apparently don't see anything hypocritical in how "considerate" your actions were in the parking lot? i'm sure that little scene will really spark a positive change in their future behavior. |
| remember that the duty is yours alone | Yeti_Rider
Aug 10, 2002 9:16 PM | | when you keel over in a public place due to illness or other emergency and you rely upon others to help you to obtain medical attention. Yes, riding in the woods on a trail has an inherent risk, but if one is injured is that any different than getting hit by a car in a hit and run and everybody else ignores you? You still need help and everybody knows that walking in or near a street is also dangerous.
Michael |
| What's wrong with..... | crashnburn
Aug 11, 2002 1:47 AM | | informing them that I was alright??? I didn't cuss at 'em. And as far as me riding "within your limits and be prepared for your own emergencies", the only way one improves their skills is to push their limits. I'm not a beginner and have ridden hills like it many times before. The "power slide" in the Appalachian Classic, Gransville WV being one example. A hill where Beginner racers are forbidden to ride for their part of the race. I also carry an ACE wrap-a-round bandage, medical tape and some medical gauze in case I or someone else needs them. I also damn near carry a full set of tools, wire ties, duct tape, tube, etc. when I ride. And I'm more than happy to use them to help others if the need arises. |
| and if you see | Yeti_Rider
Aug 10, 2002 9:14 PM | | somebody fall over with a heart attack at the shopping center or an SUV driven by a soccer mom slams into a solo jogger because the mom was putting on makeup while smacking her kids while talking on the phone you would fault the person because they were by themselves and not help?
Sheesh, you're part of the problem
Michael |
| not at all my point that one shouldn't be a good sam | mtbaru
Aug 11, 2002 8:21 AM | | mtb'ers are and should continue to be. i took issue with cnb that he EXPECTED somebody to help him, then got pissed enough off when they didn't to make a snide comment to them later in the parking lot (and don't tell me "thanks for asking" isn't sarcastic), and continued to feel entitled enough to post an f-bomb rant on the topic. |
| mtbaru I'll... | Low_B
Aug 13, 2002 7:59 AM | | leave you on the ground if i see you hurt somewhere..You have a crappy atitude.
I grew up in the suburban Maryland area and I feel most of the people in the area are only conserned with themselves and you can not expect any of those self centered yuppies to extend any kindness to another. |
| exactly! I grew up in the DC suburbs of MD, and I would not... | gonzostrike
Aug 11, 2002 6:40 AM | | expect anyone to come to my aid unless they were fellow riders on a group ride.
a "jogger" doesn't know the difference between a mtb rider who's laying down for rest, and a rider who's laying down because he's injured and can't get up. how would they possibly know you were hurt?
also, DC area -- this includes Patapsco since Ellicott City now is a yuppie haven for commuter couples with one spouse working near Bmore and the other near DC -- is full of obnoxious people who follow the Manhattan Code. That means they think that being helpful to another person is a sign of weakness, because they believe that many grifters and other con men use helplessness as a ploy to pick your pocket, etc.
DC area is full of Type A arsewholes who are self-centered and dismissive of anyone else not in their social stratum. if you want to see helpful people, move to a place where those aggressive "gotta be number 1" work attitudes don't spill over into personal lives. |
| You mean | cleatgrrl
Aug 12, 2002 11:32 AM | | MD suburbs of DC, don't you? Do I know you? |
| At least they didn't kick you a coupla' times... | Dirt Pilot
Aug 10, 2002 5:57 PM | | ...Maybe they're the types who feel that you, as a MTBer are encroaching on "their" space. I still can't believe that they, as human beings could pass another who is obviosly injured and not offer assistance or at least ask if you're OK....JERKS!
Hope you're feeling better, jamming your neck sux big time. |
| and another thing... | lckdspks
Aug 10, 2002 7:00 PM | | Dogs at Patapsco.
I am a dog owner (I don't take mine there though), and I don't really care if you bring your dog as long as your dog gets along with the rest of the world.
I had a Dalmation chase me on the trail that runs from the little pond parking lot, along the river back toward the entrance. Dog was barking his head off, wasn't on a leash and the owner just let him go!
Well, Im a big brave boy, military too, and been through every survival school Uncle Sam has to offer so I wasn't about to run from fido.
I stop, put the bike between me and the pooch (who was pissed) and yelled BACK OFF and started walking toward him/her more than ready and willing to stick my Chameleon up his a$$ when the owner, a jogger, catches up.
This plick gets his 'poor' dog by the collar and gives me this eat-excrement and die look. F off dude, I pay my 60 bucks a year for state park access, I can read "no pets" at the entrance, can't you?
Anyway, that said there are some real jerk joggers out there. Also, you MTBrs that ask "you got everything you need" as I fix a flat - good on you. Im cool, but mucho gracias for asking. You riders that zip by and don't even say "Hi", come on. We aren't road riders now are we? This is supposed to be a friendly group. Save the race attitude for Sundays. BTW, I have even stopped in a race (Gambrill St Park) to help an expert rider that had a flat and NO pump and NO tube. Hey, I'm not going to come in first in sport class and the dude was 4 miles maybe from the start of the loop, so why not?
I guess when it comes down to it, some bikers, joggers, dogs, hikers and the occasional horse riders can be jerks. It's a shame we can't build them their own park.
And if any of you guys/girls see me out there (Im out there about 5 or 6 times a week these days), a bald guy with a blue Chameleon, and I don't say "hi", throw something at me please. Food prefered! |
| and another thing... | wyleehi
Aug 11, 2002 4:05 AM | | now dont get all on dog owners now, i have a dog. i took the time to train him to stay out of the trail when a bike comes along...also id like to think that a roadie would help me out if i was in a jam...we are all bikers ( not sure about mbtaru, hes got some screwed up ideals for bein a mtber). it is all consideration, which is lacking in todays society |
| I've moved to Minnesota, but where I came from... | splitty
Aug 11, 2002 12:06 PM | | which was eastern Iowa you were constantly asked if you needed help if you were off your bike, let alone prone on the ground! However, maybe that's because it was mostly a dedicated mountainbiking area. When we rode Sedona my partner endo'd on a nasty drop-in on rock face and the hikers not 6 feet away just kept walking, almost as if they were happy a biker bit it. Just a thought... |
| I'd have stopped...... | Dave in Md.....
Aug 11, 2002 4:34 PM | | even though I've had the same thing happen. I remember when my family first moved to Maryland. We were going at a grocery store, and my mother held the door for an elderly lady, the elderly lady replied "you're not from around here are you?" There are many from Maryland who I know would stop to see if you were OK, but there are many more who seem to care less. Don't know why-just seems to be the way it is. I have come to accept it, still don't like it. |
| well | polariss
Aug 11, 2002 6:03 PM | | If you can move and cuss, then your alright...
;P
Hi everyone...I'm back...still haven't ridden...but got some nice stress fractures during training...I'll have to tell you call about it on another post....Cleatgrrl, please e-me, I have some questions for you...thanks!!! |
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