Thursday, September 29, 2016
Rolling Coal - Has It Happened To You Yet?
They call it "Rolling Coal," and it's the latest salvo in the war on the environment and anyone who even appears to care about it. These jackasses modify their diesel pickup trucks to dump huge plumes of thick, black (and poisonous) smoke - then use it to annoy or intimidate the rest of us. Cyclists are reportedly a popular target, as are Prius drivers. There was a pretty good article in the NYTimes this month about it. It happened to me once. Has it happened to you? Leave a comment - share your tale.
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Yes, as I cycled on the wide shoulder of a 4-lane 45-MPH (posted, more like 55 MPH really) road. It was blatantly on purpose. Then he had to stop at the next light. I got mad, put on some speed and was on course to catch him stopped at the light. Suddenly he decided he had to turn right after all, and sped off down the side road. Coward.
ReplyDeleteBlech. We've got a prime example around here. Sporting, of course, three Trump stickers, an American flag, and a "Police Lives Matter" flag.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing you picked up on the irony of the "America. . . Love it or Leave it" slogan, along with a rebel flag bumper sticker. Yes - I actually saw someone sporting that oxymoronic combination.
Deletehttps://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdDxjge5hmY
ReplyDeleteUnbelieveable -- Just F-ing unbelieveable.
DeleteIs that legal?
ReplyDeleteI believe it may be technically illegal to tamper with emissions equipment. I think that's one of the things these morons find attractive about it.
DeleteIt's illegal to tamper with emission controls. It's also assault to discharge toxic pollutants at someone.
DeleteYes, it has happened to me once. Big pick-up truck with two stacks. It wasn't pleasant by any means. These people are very stupid. I've seen videos on Youtube where the AH had his head down a stack while someone blew exhaust. How dumb can one get?
ReplyDeleteAnd they walk among us.
ReplyDeleteLast weekend a Harley accelerated hard away from a stop light in our otherwise quiet neighborhood. The incredible racket left pedestrians and cyclists enjoying the late summer Sunday afternoon visibly shocked. I caught up the the Harley rider some blocks later where a cop - on a bicycle! - was examining his papers.
ReplyDeleteYeah - noise pollution can be a serious problem, too. Many of the Harley guys I've met like to say "Loud pipes save lives," but that's complete BS. Usually, people can't hear them until the motorcycle is passing them, at which point, they're already out of the blind spots. I enjoy motorcycles almost as much as bicycles - but I hate obnoxiously loud ones.
DeleteDon't sweat it, it won't be going on much longer. I've had it happen numerous times. The fun part is that most modern trucks belch out vapor. Kinda sucks due to the steam being extra warm, but not as rewarding to the driver to not see soot.
ReplyDeleteHere's a better question: How many have been burned from the exhaust out of an emergency vehicle or hybrid city bus? The tail pipe is usually at waist height while on the bicycle. I've been roasted many times by one travel through DC city streets or being stuck at a light when one pulls up. The passengers seem to think it funny. I've gone to fire houses and followed EMS vehicles until they stop. I have had zero sympathy from drivers or Lieutenants.
It happened to me recently in Colorado while riding the Great Divide. I just laughed to myself and thought "What a Moron". 99% of the drivers encountered were good, even the massive pick up trucks.
ReplyDelete