Today was the 4th freaking time I’ve ridden by this woman. Every time I ride past her (always in opposite directions) she gives me a stern point in the other direction, and I have no idea why. She looks to be above average height, 45-55 years old, wears non-cycling clothes (dark colors), rides an inexpensive bike with a basket on it, has a helmet cam, and a whistle around her neck.
The very first time I saw her was near the cemetery near west Philly. I had just rolled through a stop sign and she pointed and blew her whistle as I rode by. I thought she was pointing at the stop sign as if to say, “you are supposed to stop!”
I saw her again in the same area a few days later, this time with just a stern point, and I thought maybe I had just rolled through another stop sign.
A few days after that I saw her again, with another stern point. This time I did NOTHING wrong.
And then today, this time on the other side of Swarthmore, yet another stern point, for no reason.
Is she telling me I’m going the wrong way?
Is this her version of a cyclist’s wave?
Don’t know this one - but there’s enough material for a “strange yet recognizable denizens of Philly who you’ll see while training” thread. There used to be bee-keeper guy, then there was aqua-sports-bra-roller-blade woman, fast-handlebar-moustache-and-platform-pedals cyclist dude…
Ok, so yeah, I’ve got two. One is an older dude (60’s?) who rides/drives the SRT on his motorized tricycle, Conshy area. The next is a different older dude, scruffy, who walks MILES I think daily. I’ve seen him from Shawmont Stn out to Indian Head whatever, past Norristown and just before the woods leading to Betzwood. It’s a good distance to cover while walking. One day I endeavered to speak to him, a friendly Wow, you sure put the miles in! He cussed me out in a completely bat shit way and I now give him a huge bearth for fear he’ll really flip his lid one day.
But the woman mentioned by the OP, I know nothing about that one.
One day I endeavered to speak to him, a friendly Wow, you sure put the miles in! He cussed me out in a completely bat shit way and I now give him a huge bearth for fear he’ll really flip his lid one day.
hahahaha
yeah. there’s people like that out there, no doubt.
The next is a different older dude, scruffy, who walks MILES I think daily. I’ve seen him from Shawmont Stn out to Indian Head whatever, past Norristown and just before the woods leading to Betzwood. It’s a good distance to cover while walking. One day I endeavered to speak to him, a friendly Wow, you sure put the miles in! He cussed me out in a completely bat shit way and I now give him a huge bearth for fear he’ll really flip his lid one day.
Does he use a wheeled walker? I see one guy out there every time I ride the SRT (usually between Norristown and Betzwood) and he seems to make a subtle but conscious effort to cross over to the wrong side of the trail when he sees bikes approaching. I used to give a nod or wave but after noticing him continually doing that, now I just ignore him.
I used to see a dude riding a unicycle in Wissahickon. Like a boss too, he was impressive on that thing
I still remember seeing that guy for the first time at the Wiss… a group of about 8 of us just pulled over and stood there in awe as he hopped and rolled his way past us up a sketchy climb.
The next is a different older dude, scruffy, who walks MILES I think daily. I’ve seen him from Shawmont Stn out to Indian Head whatever, past Norristown and just before the woods leading to Betzwood. It’s a good distance to cover while walking. One day I endeavered to speak to him, a friendly Wow, you sure put the miles in! He cussed me out in a completely bat shit way and I now give him a huge bearth for fear he’ll really flip his lid one day.
Does he use a wheeled walker? I see one guy out there every time I ride the SRT (usually between Norristown and Betzwood) and he seems to make a subtle but conscious effort to cross over to the wrong side of the trail when he sees bikes approaching. I used to give a nod or wave but after noticing him continually doing that, now I just ignore him.
He used to walk unaided but now, yeah, I think that’s him. 1 step from bat.shit.crazy.
Checkout Strava flyby’s or the segment you were on when you passed her. If she uses it, she’ll be there.
I’m guessing it’s some kind of feminist anti-male protest about bicycle butt groping. Seriously, that was the only relevant google search of “weird philly bicycle lady”. Some woman around Philly protesting guys groping girl’s butts while they are out riding bikes.
Not Philly, but on my bike commute I regularly pass by an elderly Asian man who bikes on the wrong side, and gives everyone stern looks for riding on the wrong side.
He must t think we’re all incredibly dumb and inconsiderate for all riding on the wrong side.
Also, as a result of you posting this thread I now need to go explore the Bicyclists’ Baltimore Pike. I’ve noticed signs scattered around Delco (the one where the route crosses 420 in Morton comes to mind) but never looked into how it all connects.
