"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
06/03/2015 at 08:13 • Filed to: None
1
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"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
06/03/2015 at 08:13 • Filed to: None | 1
| 34 |
Here we have a superb example of a squid. They are easily recognized by a few key characteristics:
Older sportbike in a questionable state of maintenance.
Mis-matched bodywork. This example has bodywork from at least three separate sources - original seat/tail (with decals peeled off, leaving adhesive behind), an aftermarket cowl, and a fairing from a separate source which, although misaligned, is haphazardly screwed to the cowl.
Missing windscreen.
Frame slider (sticking out of the fairing) showing no signs of wear, an indication of recent replacement.
Inner rear fender removed.
License plate relocated under seat or, as in this case, completely missing.
Tail light with at least one bulb burnt out.
Missing amber indicators, both front and rear.
Protective jacket worn for the “cool” factor, not protection.
Wearing work boots for foot and ankle protection, rendered useless by lack of lacing.
Wearing jeans.
Lack of gloves.
Backpack not centered on back due to unequal-length straps, indicating it is usually slung over one shoulder, not two.
His behavior was also telling. He worked his way over to the left lane from the adjacent convenience store. The entire time he was sitting in front of me, his head never stopped swiveling. From the crazed look in his eyes, I thought he might be running from someone. Perhaps this is just a conditioned response from too many run-ins with the police.
He did surprise me by leaving with traffic in a reasonable manner. He didn’t even race up the on-ramp when we merged onto the freeway. Kudos to him for looking, but not driving like a squid!
450X_FTW
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/03/2015 at 08:17 |
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Agree with almost all of it, except the jeans. Pretty sure 90% or more of motorcycle riders are wearing jeans when they ride, myself included.
The Ghost of Oppo
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/03/2015 at 08:20 |
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I’d wager those tires are dangerously bald
LongbowMkII
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/03/2015 at 08:21 |
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he’s wearing half the safety equipment. so can’t be a squid. come back with flip flops.
Maybe he’s just poor(or on meth) and trying to build his own frankenbike. the helmet looks nice but maybe he got it cheap. he doesn’t sound nearly as bad as a true squid.
themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
> 450X_FTW
06/03/2015 at 08:22 |
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I had a pair of kevlar jeans but they didn’t fit so I had to send them back, then they ran out of my proper size. I’m limiting my riding until I can get a proper pair. Road rash looks like a bitch.
Biggus Dickus (RevsBro)
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/03/2015 at 08:23 |
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I get your point but I usually define a squid as a rider with no protective gear.
yamahog
> LongbowMkII
06/03/2015 at 08:24 |
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Yea, for real. In Michigan we have a bunch of idiots running around with no helmet, no jacket, etc, just sunglasses, shorts, and flip flops.
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450X_FTW
> yamahog
06/03/2015 at 08:27 |
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My favorite in Michigan is the guy who’s wearing an actual protective leather jacket with carbon fiber knuckle gloves, but no helmet. So he cares about his hands, chest, back, but not his face or his head.....
pip bip - choose Corrour
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/03/2015 at 08:27 |
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rat rod style bike perhaps?
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> Biggus Dickus (RevsBro)
06/03/2015 at 08:29 |
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I think with the rise of stunting, many of them are starting to wear at least some protective gear. Too many videos of under-protected squids hitting the pavement.
Opposite Locksmith
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/03/2015 at 08:38 |
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When an someone on this site cobbles together a car from various parts, it's considered badass. When you do it with a bike you're a labeled a squid. I'm too afraid of the judgement from others to ride
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> 450X_FTW
06/03/2015 at 08:45 |
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I’ll just leave this here:
https://rideapart.com/articles/why-w…
I learned this lesson by watching a rider go down and do a low-speed slide through an intersection. His leather jacket would have worked better if it hadn’t slid up and exposed his lower back. There wasn’t much left of his jeans. The bloody streak he left (from his) behind stuck around most of the summer. I know because I rode my bicycle through that intersection every day.
BigBlock440
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/03/2015 at 08:48 |
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The entire time he was sitting in front of me, his head never stopped swiveling.
Being aware and looking out is behavior of a squid?
505Turbeaux
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/03/2015 at 08:49 |
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I wear jeans when riding sometimes...
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450X_FTW
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/03/2015 at 08:52 |
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Yes I know I need to upgrade the pants part. Just started riding street a few months ago (supermoto), so I’m slowly acquiring new gear. Spend most of my money on dirt gear instead
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450X_FTW
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/03/2015 at 08:52 |
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Do you wear leathers or kevlar jeans?
The Dummy Gummy
> Opposite Locksmith
06/03/2015 at 08:59 |
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One you’re in a protective cage the other you’re not.
SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/03/2015 at 09:04 |
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That’s not a squid
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> 450X_FTW
06/03/2015 at 09:10 |
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When I owned a streetbike, I did not. On dirt, I wear full armor. I am on streetbike hiatus until my kids are old enough to fend for themselves. When I do return, I will be sporting aerostitch .
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> BigBlock440
06/03/2015 at 09:12 |
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This went beyond being aware. He had a more paranoid look. Given that his bike wasn’t tagged and was missing lights and mirrors (I missed those in the first post!), I wouldn’t be surprised if he were paranoid about cops.
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BigBlock440
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/03/2015 at 09:17 |
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Forgot about the no plate thing, that’s a good reason to keep a watch out.
nermal
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/03/2015 at 09:36 |
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Nah, there’s still a ton more stupid stuff they could be doing.
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450X_FTW
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/03/2015 at 09:45 |
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I’m the same way on dirt, I know I’m going to fall so I’m armored up head to toe.
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450X_FTW
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/03/2015 at 09:46 |
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Cocaine is ahelluva drug.
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> 450X_FTW
06/03/2015 at 10:49 |
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It’s easy to justify the armor when heading out to play in the dirt. I know I’m going to fall. I know it’s going to hurt more without the gear. I know I’m going to be riding for hours.
It’s harder to justify the armor when heading off to work. It’s going to rumple my clothes. It’s going to make me hot and sweaty. I still know there’s a chance of falling, but I’m not going to do anything stupid. I’m only going to be on the road for 20 minutes....
But I try to remember having road rash from bicycle wrecks (low speed, no protection) and witnessing other people’s misfortune from motorcycle wrecks. When offered the opportunity for a street ride and I don’t have my gear, I always decline. It just isn’t worth the pain and suffering.
JEM
> nermal
06/03/2015 at 10:57 |
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also, because Gixxer.
Santiago of Escuderia Boricua
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/03/2015 at 11:13 |
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So what exactly would you wear over slacks/chinos to go to work? I wear jeans when I ride now, but I know I shouldn’t
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> Santiago of Escuderia Boricua
06/03/2015 at 11:31 |
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Back in the 90s when I was riding regularly, I lusted after an Aerostitch Roadcrafter. I was an avid reader of motorcyling magazines and this was the go-to suit for many of their authors. You can bet what I read didn’t focus on bikes with two cylinders and a single crank pin.
It has been replaced with the R-3. I haven’t been in the market, so I don’t know what the improvements might be.
boxrocket
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/03/2015 at 12:02 |
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How did the name come about? My familiarity with the slang term “squid” was as a decades-old semi-(or fully) derogatory reference to someone in the US Navy by someone from another branch of the US Military.
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> boxrocket
06/03/2015 at 12:07 |
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Urban Dictionary claims it came from the contraction of “squirrely kid.” I heard from a nurse that they referred to them that way since the head, encased in a helmet, was in perfect condition and the rest of the body, lacking protection, came in as a pink slimy mess. But you know how rumors go.
Makoyouidiot
> 450X_FTW
06/03/2015 at 17:12 |
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I wear armored underpant type things under my jeans, so there you go :)
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Makoyouidiot
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/03/2015 at 17:14 |
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You know you can get armored undergarments, right? I have some that I wear under regular jeans, they are boss, and not as hot as you might think.
http://www.bohn-armor-pants.com/catalog/
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> Makoyouidiot
06/03/2015 at 22:22 |
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Nifty. I’m not sure they would be good under a pair of dress pants all day.
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Makoyouidiot
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/04/2015 at 18:37 |
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They’re ok under jeans, I dunno about dress pants. Although they come off pretty quick during a quick bathroom stop, so there is that.
Tohru
> boxrocket
06/08/2015 at 03:27 |
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I have heard the backronym “Stupid, Quick, Underdressed, Imminently Dead.”