dear bicyclist 10May08 | 1
Dear Bicyclist,
We both enjoy the road. Specifically, we both enjoy those twisty 2-lane mountain roads that grace us throughout the hils and mountains around here. Particularly when the weather is nice like today, there’s many of both our types… Us car guys are out there driving through the twisties and putting our cars through it’s paces. On the other hand, you guys are out there enjoying the great outdoor weather and having a great workout. Fantastic, but when they say “Share the Road” that means you too.
Here’s how I see it. I don’t want to run you over… I’m going to get in trouble, you’re going to get hurt or die, I’m going to have to repair my car, and you’re going to have to get a new bike. And for those reasons, you don’t want me to run you over too, I think. I also understand that there are probably drivers who are not very nice to you bicyclists. Therefore, when I’m driving up to you I am extra nice to you guys. I slow down, and won’t pass you on a blind corner that’s going to get us both killed. I leave you sufficient room to ride while I pass you and I don’t tailgate you while I’m waiting for a good time to pass.
Now, when I’m driving up towards you, I expect to have some courtesies as well since “Share the Road” means that YOU (the bicyclist) has to SHARE the road with ME (the car driver) as well. And this is what you’re NOT supposed to do… When I’m approaching you or your group, it’d be nice if you could break your side-by-side configuration and move to the side in 1 line so I can pass without going to the other lane. Or if you’re riding alone, it’s not quite necessary to ride in the middle of the whole lane. I mean really, the whole profile of the bike is about 18″ wide, you can scoot to the side and I’ll have plenty of space to pass you. And finally, unless you are literally superman, you’re not going bike as fast as I’m driving, so don’t try to speed up and lose me somehow.
Let’s bring some science into this. I’m driving a a 3600lb car. You’re riding on a 192.5lb bike, and that’s with you on top of it. My car is equipped with 10 air bags, safety belts, power steering and brakes, and a slew of safety features meant to keep me alive when I hit another CAR at 40MPH. You are wrapped in high tech spandex that offers minimal wind resistance, along with a plastic and foam helmet. So realistically, if we were to collide, my chances of injury would be very low. Chances of death? Nearly nil. Your chances on your bike are not as admirable unfortunately, and I understand that, which is why I try to be considerate when you are on the road with me.
Why is it (with consideration of the above paragraph), that you are so adamant about not sharing the road with me and deliberately make the driver of a 3600lb car angry at you? You heard me drive up, I saw you peeking into your rear view mirror in your sunglasses, and shifting your head just slightly to see me behind you. I gave you the benefit of the doubt and even revved my engine so you were sure to hear me. You still sat right in the middle of the lane going 20MPH. Fast for you, slow for me. We cruised through a few more corners and you sped up a few MPH to “get away” but you didn’t go that much faster. Finally, a small stretch of straight road where we could see ahead and you could pull to the right so I could pass. Yet, you did not do so. Dead center of the lane. So I downshift and start to pass you on the left, going far into the other lane. And now you actually swerve over towards me to “block” me from passing?? Are you serious? On your bicycle?!
Fine, be a prick, I can be too, don’t you know the brand of car I drive? I’m already an associated prick by purchasing this car! I really don’t like myself doing this, but sometimes the worst just comes out of me when something like this happens. You really had to provoke it and it wasn’t nice. I slammed on the brakes and got back behind you, since you didn’t want me to pass obviously. Now my bumper is 2 feet away from your back tire. You know I’m there, you can feel it, the hum of my tires and engine seem louder than before. And then, I lay on the horn. And I keep laying on it. Damn, it’s really loud, and that’s when I’m inside the car so I’m sure it is deafeningly loud when you’re 2′ in front of it. It doesn’t matter if you turn around and give me a dirty look, I think we’re beyond that now. Just pull to the side now and stop so I can pass. I think by laying on the horn for nearly a minute would signal to you do so. But apparently it was not very clear.
Another straightaway is coming up and I decide that I’ve been bad enough and I’m just going to pass you quickly and enjoy the rest of my drive. I start to pass you on the left, and you can yell things at me but my windows are up and it’s hard to hear you. It was much more clear when you gave me the finger though as I was driving by. You should really keep both hands on the handle bars though because while you were giving me the finger, I was starting to drive towards you to give you a final “thanks for sharing” gesture. As you noticed, I can steer the wheel on my car easily with one hand, and you have much more difficulty, causing lots of unbalance, a bunch of wobbling. Long after I passed you, you were still wobbling around on your bike and nearly flew off the road until you stopped. Good job champ, next time, just share the road.
Sincerely,
Driver

Before I know it, I’ve been driving for over 10 years now. Been through a handful of cars, about 15 tickets, uncountable track events, and somewhere between 250,000 to 300,000 miles. I figured that I couldn’t do something that much, for that long, and not be bored with it. Sometimes to relax I get in the car and just go somewhere, anywhere, for as long as I can or want to go with no destination in mind.





I typically don’t get to spend that much time with her so it was great for both of us to have a vacation together. I will post some pictures from Hong Kong later, but I haven’t even looked at them, much less processed any of them to put online. I didn’t end up taking many pictures anyway, so it will be a small album. I will mention my favorite time on the trip… At the rooftop pool at the Metropark Hotel, lounging around in the pool and poolside with food delivered. Great view, great company, and an absolutely relaxing time. Oh, and small cup of coke which costs $6.