It was suggested that I post something else to clarify my point. Fair enough, I feel it's a waste of everybody's time but here's the long version:
No, I am not John, nor James, nor Jason, Jeremy, Joseph or Jocob nor any derivation thereof. Most of you wouldn't know me from Adam if I stood next to you. From that perspective, Hmm is just as good a name as any.
When I wrote my original post it seemed very appropriate to say something something mean (a "joke", as Carol called it) about Orb in an anonymous fashion, as he was being mean about a total stranger that happened to pass him by. Not so ironically the symmetry was lost on Orb and Carol as well as others, an outcome that I entirely expected and frankly took some amusement in.
I've been lurking on this board on and off for about 8 months. It's a cycling board, by a cycling club. That would lead a person to expect a few things.
The TBC is the group that is supposed to be advocating cycling safety - yet I see derision and open hostility towards the people that bring it up. You folks should be the ones quoting laws, not having laws quoted at you. You should be the ones stressing signalling and following traffic markings and wearing helmets. Isn't that what you people do, sit around and talk about cycling and cycling-related topics?
I have had exactly one instance of seeing a group ride cut across 110, about a year ago. My wife and I were driving into town and there was a group in the turning lane facing south. As I neared, two cyclists cut in front of my vehicle. I stomped on the brakes and made a few rude remarks which don't bear repeating here.
When I see posts about reckless cycling do I believe them? Yes, because 100% of my experience with the TBC has left me with that impression. Given the fact that the same behavior appears to be happening a year later indicates to me that it wasn't an isolated incident, it's likely culturally ingrained in the TBC rides. And given the rhetoric here I am left with the impression that there are those here who are quite proud of being menaces to other traffic.
So I don't ride with the TBC, because I see the antagonism in the attitudes of some of the people posting. Orb, I singled you out because you seem to be the self-appointed spokesperson of that brain trust. You just keep bringing it up. You were right about one thing though. You and I will never ride together; if you ride like you imply you do then you're going to get yourself or someone else killed. I don't want to be anywhere around when it happens.
I am certain that the TBC has members who ride safely and are courteous to others who share the road. I know at least a couple of them personally. It's discouraging that their voices are not heard more often on this board. Common sense is always a welcome voice. It is completely irresponsible to promote the stance that you are somehow going to force your road dominance on the other drivers. You'll be aggressive, then they'll get aggressive, and then someone will go to the hospital or the morgue. Will it be the driver of the motorized 2 ton vehicle, or the newly applied hood ornament? My bet is that they will have to scrape the hood ornament off with a putty knife.
I never get hassled on the road, and I don't have cans thrown at my head. I see tractors driving slowly all the time; they don't get cans thrown at their heads either. Is it possible that the cans lobbed at your heads and the cars swerving close are because you are busy trying to assert your "taxpayer" status? Piss enough people off and by the law of averages you will run across someone who will try to get revenge.
The TBC is the group that is supposed to be encouraging community acceptance and goodwill toward cyclists. Instead I'm seeing a lot of us-against-them philosophy. I won't take part in that, because them *IS* us. The person you cut off may be a another cyclist driving somewhere; I can attest to that.
So there you go. Flame away, dissect each and every phrase, argue how it can't possibly be right to promote safety, go nuts. I am a realist enough to know that this post doesn't change anything.
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