Excuses? Or legitimate fears?

[mtkitchn]

Well, I haven't ridden in Phoenix for a few weeks since it's so doggone hot. Just when I think I'll give it a go anyway, one of the serial killers we have down here shoots a bicyclist! My husband doesn't want me out riding (since I ride alone in the dark to beat the worst of the heat), and I'm starting to wonder if it's worth it myself with all the crazies down here. Am I just feeding myself excuses? Should I stick to the gym for a while?

[suhollyberry]

Yikes! That's scary!

Why don't you just try to go earlier in the morning and find a riding partner. Also, stay in more populated areas. Maybe that will help?

[mtkitchn]

Hi suhollyberry (nice handle....makes me think of Christmas!),
I've been looking without luck for a riding partner since I started riding ( I ride weekday mornings, usually Tues-Thurs). I actually live in a well populated area, and the shootings are occurring in well populated areas.:eek: I might have to change my work schedule so I can ride on the weekends with the bike club. I guess I shouldn't let fear run my life, but what to do with the husband??? Can't get him out on a bike.....and can't convince him that I'll be safe....

[mimitabby]

Have i got this right, someone is specifically shooting at bicyclists?

[Cassandra_Cain]

Hey - I would never tell you to feel safe or unsafe - I mean that's a very personal choice obviously.

Still, one of the realities of living in a big city, is of course, crime. It happens every day, yet we carry on with our lives, oftentimes largely unaware. Ditto with accidents and so on.

I would ride in whatever environment/circumstance you feel comfortable with - if it is group rides only, so be it, or if you feel good solo, then go for it.

[mtkitchn]

Hi Mimi,
This guy is shooting at lots of people, it seems he just chose a bicyclist for his latest victim. We also have a serial rapist/murderer running around as well, so there are two locos out there (as well as the usual big city crazies).
Cassandra,
Good advice. I will probably stick to the gym while it's so hot anyway, and maybe get back out on the roads when it cools down and I can ride during the day.....

Thanks for the replies, ladies!

[dobielover1]

I don't think a crazy with a gun is considered an excuse...I'd worry if you didn't question your safety.

[hsmpcycle]

I heard about this on the news. IS this individual targeting people in a specific area of the city or at random locations?

I think the gym is a wise choice. I can't imagine one minute riding and enjoying the experience and the next thing I know I am on the ground with a bullet in my body. That just makes my skin crawl.

[Brandy]

I don't think that's an excuse...it actually sounds like a smart move to stay off the streets right now. That is so scary. I read an article when some of the forum members were talking about it a few weeks ago...is he still confined to a general area?

If I was in Arizona right now I'd drive up to Sedona and get some cooler riding in for a day...of course, I'll use anything as an excuse to visit Sedona. :p

[maillotpois]

I think the gym is sounding pretty good....

[Brandy]

Wow...that latest shooting took place right near the house where my dh lived when we met. Too scary, I think I'd be too nervous to ride.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0725mesashoot0725.html

[chickwhorips]

is this new shooter also the baseline killer or another one?

haven't heard this one yet.

wow i'm glad i moved when i did!

[CycleTherapy]

Chickw...
Two separate "perps"....serial shooter and a serial rapist.:(

[chickwhorips]

Chickw...
Two separate "perps"....serial shooter and a serial rapist.:(

same area of the valley or different?

[DDH]

Not an excuse in my opinion. Sounds like the safer thing to do. If you are able to go to the gym, even though it isn't the same as riding, thats what I would do. The bike will still be there when this guy is caught.

[Crankin]

I read about this when someone first posted the article. It makes me sad to see that there is so much crime very close to my old neighborhood (s/o Elliot and Rural). I know that my close friend who lives near my old house hears gunshots on a not too infrequent basis. What is going on? There's just too many people crowded into one area.

Personally, I would try to find a riding partner, but until they catch him (them), I might stick to the gym.

Robyn

[Trekhawk]

Yikes:eek: :eek: - heat and a nutter hanging around would be enough to make me consider the gym for awhile.

Keep safe and cool.

[Geonz]

And does the dude have preferred sniping times?

[chickwhorips]

one friend that still lives down there said between 10 pm and 3 am

[Dogmama]

My DH (ex cop) would tell you to stick to the gym for awhile. It's too hot to ride outside anyway. Why chance it?

Cops on the task force (if they're smart) don't tell the media everything. So, err on the side of caution. Can you get into some spinning classes?

[Lenusik]

Mntkichn,

Where do you ride? I ride on Pecos in Ahwatuki and pretty early too. Usually I ride with my husband, but this morning I went by myself at 5 am and it was pretty dark until 5:20 am. I completely understand your concerns, but I cannot stay at home and just use my trainer. If you want to get together one day, we could ride together.

Lenusik

[mtkitchn]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. I hit the gym today and will probably do the same tomorrow before heading back on the road for work.

Lenusik,
You are right in my neighborhood! I usually ride Ray and Chandler and sometimes loop down onto Pecos as well. You are probably a better rider than I, but I'd like to take you up on the ride offer sometime! My email address is mtkitchn@cox.net. The last several times I was on the bike, I would get out at 5am as well to beat the sun, heat and traffic. It's a nice time of day.
Sue

[PinkBike]

the shooter hit three times in the area of 44th and van buren between 10 and 2. i ride my bike home from sky harbor at 10. think i'm not scared??? DH and i ride together, 2 other friends get off an hour later and ride thru there also. whatchagonnado? the shooter seemes to have moved out to mesa. Lenusik, where do you ride on pecos? the senior olympics are there in february, is it safe when traffic's not blocked off?

[Lenusik]

Mtkitchn and Pinkbike,
I try to ride early. It is still very dark at 5 am but by 5:20 am it is much better. I ride from my house on Ray and I-10 through Park and Ride and all the way to the end of Pecos and back. Sometimes I add 5th and 17th ave hills. I am 4 weeks pregnant now, so I am not pushing it really fast anymore. If you want to catch up sometime at Park and Ride it would be great!
-Lena

[Lenusik]

the shooter hit three times in the area of 44th and van buren between 10 and 2. i ride my bike home from sky harbor at 10. think i'm not scared??? DH and i ride together, 2 other friends get off an hour later and ride thru there also. whatchagonnado? the shooter seemes to have moved out to mesa. Lenusik, where do you ride on pecos? the senior olympics are there in february, is it safe when traffic's not blocked off?
Sorry PinkBike, I never answered your questions. Your ride seems quite scary to me. I would not ride there. I hope you have a gun with you. :D
Yes, senior olympics are there and it is fun to observe it sometimes. The road is usually opened even during the events. The bike lane is wide and it is rather safe.

[chickwhorips]

great he's moved on to mesa so now i have to worry about the friends out that way too.

between you girls on here that live down there and old friends that still live there, no wonder i'm not sleeping well at night. i'm to worried about all of you!

[Dogmama]

My DH was a homicide detective for 30 years & specialized in serial murderers. He is going ballistic over the stupid things the police are doing in Phoenix.

The serial murderer struck again on Sunday. The chief of police called him a "coward." WRONG! This guy will now need to prove he isn't a coward. Please be careful out there!

Other things they've done to screw this up ---

Most serial murderers get their self-worth from their murders and the attention they attract. The mayor (who should go back to kissing babies) announced a $100K reward for this guy. WRONG! Now, this guy is thinking, "Hey, if I kill & dismember a pregnant woman, will I be worth $500K?" It only fuels his insanity.

They have called him a predator and a monster. WRONG! This is EXACTLY the kind of attention he wants. Call him a murderer. Period.

The cops leading the investigation appear to be morons. They should be telling the press: "We know everything except the guy's name." Period. A lie? Sure it is. Will it stop the killings? It will make him slow down and won't fuel any more spectacular kills. Cops are supposed to protect us. If it means telling a few lies to slow down a maniac - so be it.

My DH was the lead investigator on the worst serial murder in Tucson - the Prime Time Rapist. This guy would stake out houses and rape women usually during the hours of 6-8PM (thus "Prime Time"). He knew everything about the women - including if they had pets, boyfriends, special nighttime rituals. My DH was able to not only catch him, but force him (through manipulating the press) to come out & commit suicide - thus saving countless women from having to testify and be raped all over again by a defense attorney. He learned that the guy had huge guilt issues - he played the press until the rapist had no other choice than suicide.

(Sorry for the OT - but just to show that smart investigators can save lives)

[jeannierides]

mtkitchn - and all - I was happy to see on the news (and in the press) that the police have arrested the shooters. Do I understand correctly that there is still another serial rapist/killer out there?:eek:
Stay safe!

[Dogmama]

Still be careful. Cops make mistakes. There has been a lot of pressure to arrest somebody. These guys might not be the shooters.

My DH is an investigator & does a lot of defense work. It is amazing how many times people are released because the cops just needed to make an arrest to keep their bosses (and the public) happy.

I really hope they have the right guys. But until we know for sure, I would still keep an eye on my surroundings.