I’m going to vent a bit here…
I may have said this before, but people in big SUV’s…Excursions, Expedition, Tahoe, and the like all seem to think they are smaller than what they really are. They remind me of the evil step sisters in Cinderella trying on the glass slipper…they can’t fit cuz their feet are way too big!
That’s the same with big SUV’s. They maneuver them around town…especially around schools as if they are this tiny little Mazda Miata…you know the type, weaving in and out of traffic, parking in spaces clearly marked for “compact” and not seeing any cyclists that are on the road.
I’m guessing this must be a SoCal thing, but more so in Orange County, but people…LOVE their big SUV’s. Owning one would be the same as a middle aged man marrying a 22 year old blonde bombshell. These vehicles represent a social status for these owners, I guess it makes them feel rich or something. But c’mon! How rich do you feel when you’re shelling out almost $100 per tank of gas!
The kind I can’t stand the most are the SUV/Big trucks that have the front end lifted higher than the rear end. They try to make it look like a desert pre-runner, but absolutely has no use in the middle of Orange County driving down the 405 freeway. When they lift their trucks like that, they have a hard time seeing what’s in front of them and all around the truck. Which makes them a bigger risk for cyclists on the road.
Ok tantrum is over….phew…that felt much better!
Popularity: 16% [?]
Bike Commuter Essentials at PricePoint.com
14 responses so far ↓
1 Evan // Jan 16, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Agreed! For additional reading you may want to check out http://www.fuh2.com/
2 Ghost Rider // Jan 16, 2008 at 2:04 pm
It’s not just a SoCal thing…SUVs are a status symbol in most metro areas these days.
Here’s the real crazy thing: down in Miami, big diesel-powered monster pickups (F-450s and the like) are hot among the Cuban-American community — all tricked out with running lights, chrome rims, etc.
3 RL Policar // Jan 16, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Apparently this is the worlds biggest SUV…another pointless piece of machinery….
4 Ghost Rider // Jan 16, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Holy. Christ.
At least it’s a diesel…can you say “Greasel conversion”?
http://www.goldenfuelsystems.com/
5 R. // Jan 16, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Wow, you too? I have the exact problem where I work only they (Ford Expeditions especially) like to park in three parking spaces. That way, no one can park near main screening. I also love how they like to park illegally next to the bike rack. Then they back into my rack and take off before I can catch the idiot.
I can commiserate whole heartily with your sentiments . I have a really hard time not wishing them ill.
6 Smudgemo // Jan 16, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Whoa, check out the Excursion! I have got to get me one of those! It would be like putting the kids in the overhead bin of an airplane and commanding a military vehicle every time we drove the 1/4 mile to the grocery store to buy an ice cream. Think of the visibility and coolness factor among my peers (you know, the people in my area that have no idea who I am.)
7 Marrock // Jan 17, 2008 at 7:46 am
My girlfriend’s office is moving to a new location in the next few months and we’re giving thought to getting an actual vehicle to make the commute, I’m looking into a diesel powered vehicle so it can be converted to biodiesel eventually.
8 RL Policar // Jan 17, 2008 at 8:32 am
Marrock,
An old 1980’s Benz would be perfect.
9 Levi // Jan 17, 2008 at 9:15 am
SoCal is probably one of the worst places for this, but I don’t think I’ve been anywhere where you didn’t see a number of big SUVs. In rich towns you’ll see Escalades and Navigators, while other places you’ll find Ford Explorers on 24″ rims (and everything in between.)
10 Quinn // Jan 17, 2008 at 9:34 am
Unfortunately the SUV craze is every where
For Dip-s***s like that GMC, I carry a pressure gauge. What to do? *hint* they only/maybe carry 1 spare.
11 Lance // Jan 17, 2008 at 11:01 am
My neighbor has a Silverado with 38″ tires and those “show” rims. The lift must be about a foot high!
And how many times does he take it off road a month? ZERO! He must have over $20,000 of suspension work on there. Completely for show and completely disgusting. Ugh.
My wife and I walk our dog by a main highway and we count huge amounts of lifted super trucks that go by. I imagine them all saying “Look at ME! Look at ME!” as they drive past.
12 Val // Jan 17, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Agreed on all counts, but you call that a rant? Check out this lady: http://www.riinsrants.info/webindex.htm If you really want to hit the tires, a valve core remover is faster and more effective (yeah I carry one; haven’t had to use it…yet).
13 John // Jan 17, 2008 at 3:48 pm
The worst vehicles on the road! Yet they still keep making them bigger. Ahh!!!
14 tom // Jan 17, 2008 at 4:52 pm
You’ll notice the poorly parked Yukon XL in Orange County, CA has Minnesota plates. North Star State drivers have a national reputation for aggressive ineptitude behind the wheel as well as at the dealership.
Leave a Comment