Last Saturday's ride on the Twisted Pine Forest Loop (TPFL) saw the peloton heading out under mostly cloudy skies and chilly conditions from Fish and Wildlife. Several of the COUCs, (pronounced: kooks), were missing, but we had so many first timers that the peloton was fairly large for this time of year. I think there were as many new faces as there were familiar ones. Great group of about 15 to 20 riders stayed together taking turns at the front all the way out to our first antics of the day on the Wymart Road/Interstate Circle sprint.
The peloton was all together as we made the left hander off Longleaf onto the sprint lane itself. Happy took control of the pace making as we ascended the two hills that always have a tendency to soften up the peloton. He kept the pace in the low 20s as we crested the second hurdle and the survivors started their strategy in earnest. One of the new riders, Skeleton Man (wearing a jersey that looks like a body with no skin on, just skeleton...hence the nickname), was now taking responsibility for pulling the group into the mid 20s.
As we rounded the big curve with about 2 kilometers to the line, Skeleton Man had the hammer down with Prenti on his wheel and the rest of the bunch chomping the bit! At 1.5k to go, Crusher takes a flyer but no one took the bait. (I'm using a fishing metaphor here.) He managed a gap of about 50 meters, but no more. When the group saw Crusher's gap diminishing they started salivating. (Ever ridden behind one of those guys salivating? It's pretty nasty...does the phrase "windshield wipers" mean anything to you?) This slobbering bunch reeled him in like a mullet on a line. (Uh...another fishing metaphor.)
Just as Crusher was back in the fold with just under 1k to the line, Happy launches a vicious attack up the left side! No one responded wondering if he would give up the ghost like Crusher. Happy was head down and charging hard when suddenly we had the "Pick Up Truck Incident!" (PUTI...more on this later.) Prenti goes around Skeleton Man and gets a bead on Happy. With less than 500 meters to go the two look set to have it out for the win. At 200 meters to line it is anybody's guess, when out of nowhere comes charging up the middle Vortex 2.0. (This year's version of the Vortex is a bit heavier, slower, not as confident in his pedals and still hurts when inhaling...frankly last year's version was much better. But, as is the case with any software, you're kinda stuck with the latest version...at least until you can upgrade.)
Back to live action:
With his head down and eyes blurred, Vortex 2.0 looks to catch Prenti's draft just enough to slingshot him around Happy and charge for the line in what would be his first sprint points in 2012. At less than 100 meters to go he did just that, crossing the line just meters ahead of the stronger riders. When asked later about his strategy, he explained, "A man's got to know his limitations." (Using his best Clint Eastwood impersonation.) " Uh, I knew I didn't match the fitness of the likes of Happy and Prenti, so I used their drafts to suck (vortex) me forward. Cycling is a thinking person's sport and I was thinking." Ah yes, a brief glimpse into the twisted, spinning mind of the Vortex 2.0.
After our well deserved stop at Starbucks for a hot latte, we started for home and the final antics of the day, the Maygarden Sprint. Crusher had the bit between the teeth as he pulled the paceline on Langley. This set up the right hander onto Spanish Trail with Blue Boy and Red Fred (sorry guys I can't remember all the new names with the new faces, so I'm using jersey colors here.) doing most of the work once we were onto the Maygarden itself. Coming up through the S curves the Prenti moves to the lead and then Skeleton Man. With 1k to the line this train was moving towards the station under a full head of steam!
Now at 500 meters to go it was Blue Boy charging hard to the line with Red Fred on his wheel followed by Vortex 2.0. The pace was in the low 30s as these 3 round the final curve with 200 meters left in today's proceedings. (I just love this kind of stuff!) At this point V2, (as compared to a V8 engine) was ready to pounce sitting third wheel. With 150 meters Red Fred winds up what turns out to be the perfect lead out for V2 who spins up to a high rpm while seated, (not trusting those pedals) and comes across the line just ahead of Blue and Red. Great ride!
All told, we had about 44 miles. If you missed it, don't pout or throw a pity party, we're riding again next Saturday! In fact, we're doing the infamous All The Way Around The Bay Loop! It is 75 to 80 miles of fantastic riding. It doesn't get much better than this route in northwest Florida! Come on out and enjoy a day in the saddle with the cast of unusual characters...you'll be glad you did!
See you out on the road,
Bob
PUTI: As Happy was charging hard for the line on Interstate Circle, he was out towards the double yellow line. The group, was spread across the lane from the shoulder to the double yellow line for this last couple hundred meters or so. Just then, a nincompoop driving a silver Ford FWD pick up truck blows past us doing 50 to 60 mph! That was bad enough, but this meathead misses Happy by less than 2 feet! What kind of a scumbag would do something like that?! (Normally I would never use this kind of language on the Blogazoidal, however, when someone is in violation of that many laws and puts a friend of mine in mortal danger...he's well deserving of a few nicknames!)
This individual passed with a double yellow line, was in excess of the posted speed limit and passed a cyclist closer than 3 feet. He just missed Happy! And for what? Because he was late or maybe wanted to make a statement to a bunch of Lycra wearing bike riders. No excuse is good enough if he had hit someone. None! But he doesn't care, he probably gave that little incident no more than a laugh as he related it to his buddies later on. There is no fear of punishment in his mind.
There is something terribly wrong in a society that punishes more severely a criminal for stealing money than for killing another human being who happens to be riding a bicycle.
Nincompoop? Scumbag? Yes, Bob, you should be ashamed of yourself............for NOT calling that driver what he really was! You are far too kind!
ReplyDeleteUh, well...
ReplyDeleteLet's see, how to explain this. I have an unwritten standard regarding obscene language on the Blogazoidal. Also, I try to filter any badmouthing of bike shops, riders and the like. However, since this unsavory driver was none of the above, I figured why not.
When you think about the far reaching consequences of a selfish action like that, it really should be called out for what it is. Thankfully, I haven't seen something like that in quite some time. But, I do know many a cyclist who has been on the business end of that equation and the results are not good. We really need to be careful out there.
There appears to be a growing number of motorists who could care less if they happen to "bump" a cyclist. Couple that with the distracted drivers texting or using their cell phone and the percent of tragic consequences soars. Vicki Grooters and her dear family can attest to that. Have you ever seen the absolute garbage posted on line after a cyclist is killed on the roadway? It's utterly disgusting the blatant disregard for a human life! You would think we're the worse kind of terrorists for whom the world rejoices when dead.
There must be something we cyclists can do! I mean more than some sign language or yelling out a choice French word or two. I recently visited Chandler, Arizona. What a wonderful cycling friendly community just outside Phoenix. I loved it! I know, it's not the only place in the country that is conducive to cyclists. In fact, I have ridden in Boulder, Colorado and Berkeley, California as well as many other areas. All in cities much larger than ours, yet incredibly nice places to ride your bike.
Why? What makes the difference?
How do we get from what we have now, to something like that?
Any ideas anyone?
Having lived in Pensacola most of my life I can say that it is definitely better than it use to be. But it could be better. Pensacola has always been about 10 years behind. It would be nice if it were like Boulder. I've lived in Boulder and it's great, but you still find some irate motorists there too. Some people don't get out of the woods or the farm very often.
ReplyDeleteI think it takes a lot of planning at the city/county level that we don't get here. Plus, the taxes in Boulder are higher, but if we could get the services they get in Boulder I'd be willing to pay the higher taxes.
The mentality here with the leadership is that they don't see the need. I believe that if they built for it the people would use it. They have got to plan for the pedestrians and the cyclists, but all they seem to think about is cars when it comes to planning.
My son got yelled out the other day on Scenic Hwy for not riding in the bike lane by an older gentleman. I just shook by head; my son on the other hand was a bit upset with this driver. I wanted to tell the guy it isn't a bike lane; it is a paved shoulder that cyclists try to use when they can. This was on a downhill section and we caught up with the driver and passed him at the light at the bottom of the hill. He had to pass us again. I'm sure he believed he was right and that we were crazy to be on the road anyway. I have a relative that believes cyclists should only ride on the track; not on the roads at all.
So, we need to start with planning and education.
Prentiss
Interesting that you mention education Prenti. Being on the Board of the West Florida Wheelmen, we have discussed this very topic twice so far this year. We are looking at billboards and ads in the newspaper to begin to educate the public on issues that pertain in general to the roadways and cyclists in particular. I agree, you will always have the ignorant motorist who just is irritated that some guy riding a bike is making him late to his appointment. However, wouldn't it nice if that were more the exception than the norm?
ReplyDeleteIt isn't all the motorists' fault though. We cyclists need to educate ourselves as to how to handle our machines around motorists and in traffic. I truly believe we are our own worse enemies! Hey, but that is something we can do now! We don't have to wait for our city planners or for the billboards to help it sink in as to how to pass a cyclist. We can and should be doing that now. I feel that is one of the most important roles of the cycling community; educate itself and don't tolerate those who would give us a bad name!
Let's start there, with something we can all do and has an immediate impact on our community. What do you say to that?
I agree with you. We are often our own worst enemy. I am guilty. There are some interceptions that I don't stop for. I am notorious for making right hand turns on to busy roads that have a bit of a paved shoulder (or is that a bike lane) without even looking.
DeleteWith that admission of guilt I also will try to wait behind cars at lights unless there is a paved shoulder for me to move up to the front, but still wait on the light.
I think one of the most confusing things for motorists is when they see a group of cyclists doing different things. Come to think of it, that confuses me as a cyclists.
Yes, we need to educate ourselves as cyclists too as to what the rules really are and do our best to obey those rules. Good point Bob.
Hey man, I do it too. Especially when out riding alone. I'm not sure if it is more important to stay out of motorists way and keep traffic moving or obey the letter of the law. However, I do think when we are out as a group, we should do our best to, as a group, obey the rules of the road. We are much more visible as a group and that can be a good thing...and a bad thing!
ReplyDeleteDo I always do that, nope. Is it something I should strive for, yep.
Discussion is a good thing though!
Once again, very good point Bob about the distinction between solo and group riding. As a group we should definitely be more mindful of the rules of the road. Now that you mention it, I personally strive to be more mindful when riding in the group taking into consideration those behind me when I come to an intersection; I strive to keep the group together and safe.
DeleteYes, the discussion is quite good.
Bob, I agree with both you and Prentiss on the eduacation issue. Everytime I ride by myself which is very often, I tend to rate the motorist on a percentage of consideration. I have to admit it has improved in the last 20 years but we have a long way to go yet. We cyclist have a lot of responsibility every time we ride to try and follow our ride rules the best we can given some of the poor road conditions and lack of cycle path lanes given to us. As a newbie with the group, I'm in for anything possible to make our cycling community now and our future cycling in Pensacola a much better experience. By the way "Red Fred" aint so bad of a name. Thanks for a great ride. Scott Diamond
ReplyDeleteI'll throw my two cents into this pot, especially after having a "close call" with a "nincompoop" who didn't think they actually had to stop at a stop sign just today while riding home to eat on my lunch break.
ReplyDeleteThis problem isn't really a driver vs. cyclist issue - it is more broad than that. Education on both sides of the fence is key to a better outcome, for sure, but the problem is, in my experience, more based on a false sense of entitlement, lack of understanding, and some people's inability to actually pay attention to what they're doing (whether riding or driving).
I have talked with plenty of people and their mentality is that bikes, and even motorcycles and some small cars, just simply do not belong. The only law they abide by is the law of tonnage. They know that it isn't the "right" way to behave, but to act differently is just "crazy". The larger vehicle you aim equals your entitlement to space on the road.
I have spent some time on and off in the DC area and there are tons of bike trails similar to our Blackwater trail. The place is saturated with a very solid infrastructure for cycling. Everyone, in some way, goes for a ride and feels safe doing so. When these same people get behind the wheel and see someone on a bike on the road they have a connection with that activity. They understand. They might not choose to get off the path and onto the road, but they can relate to that activity and drive more carefully around the cyclist, or if not more carefully, they are at least attentive to the situation at hand.
Also, I'm almost sure that nearly everyone who has swung a leg over a top tube has had some small incident where a driver has rolled a stop sign, noticed them, and then waived and mouthed "Oh, I'm sorry, my bad" or something similar. People just don't pay attention when they're doing things. The best of us don't pay attention to 100% of things we do at all times. This is why some people get snot rockets blown on them while riding - the guy in front wasn't paying attention. Whether it be because he was updating his Facebook status while riding or whether it is because the world around him is turning colors as a result of exhaustion from a massive pull at the front of the peloton.
Now that we've nailed down some of the problem, how do we move forward on a positive path? As others have mentioned - education, education, education. But, what else can we do? For one, we can try to be less of a jerk in response. When someone is guilty of an infraction towards you, don't be the raving lunatic shouting expletives - react like your grandma is watching you: what reaction could you have that would make her the happiest if she was watching? Be the example of how to act: lead by example. It is a hard thing to do, one I frequently struggle with, but it benefits everyone.
Great points guys!
ReplyDeleteI am attending a Board meeting for the club this morning and will bring up these concerns as well as those that haven't been printed here.
I wholeheartedly agree that there is much more that the cycling community can do for it's own benefit. I too, used to live in the D.C. area. I was born and raised in Arlington, VA. The whole Metropolitan area is very conducive to cyclists. However, it wasn't always that way!
In the 1980s things started to change ever so slowly. For example, when the I-66 extension from the Beltway to the river was planned, they included a bike path...and connected to the W&OD trail. That opened up the entire west counties to bike traffic! I could ride from the Monuments to Leesburg almost entirely on paved bike trail!
Now you may say that would never happen here. However, I found out years later that the local club, The PPTC was lobbying the planners for those amenities! The local cycling community helped make it happen!
I really want to live in a cycling friendly community, don't you? I think most folks like to live in that type of atmosphere as well. However, it just doesn't fall in our laps. It takes work. If enough of us who want this kind of change for Pensacola are willing to do something about it, then it will begin to tweak little by little.
Maybe we can start by educating one another on everything from traffic laws to acceptable behavior in a paceline. And how about a coalition of cyclists to lobby the powers that be in our area? (We could start with that new Bay Bridge!)