Firecrackers

[makbike]

I decided to go out for quick spin this evening. I was about 2 miles from my house, riding on the shoulder of a busy road when a green pickup passed me and out of the passenger window came a string of live firecrackers. They exploded in front of my bike scaring me to death. The truck then took off making it impossible for me to get the plate number. Unfortunately for them, fortunately for me I saw the truck pull into the driveway of a colleague. I made my way up to the house, found the truck pulled in the back with not a soul around. I rang the bell, no answer so I calmly called 911 and requested an officer so that I could file a complaint. I rang the bell again, no answer. Eventuall two young men came out of the house and I asked who owned the truck, one claimed ownership. I then asked who tossed the firecrackers and the other one admitted to it. I then informed them I had called the police and was simply waiting for an officer. They told me it was an accident, the firecrackers weren't intended for me but the guy in the back (there was no one in the bed of the truck when they passed me). I told them to save it and share their story with the police, I really wasn't interested, simply very angry. It was at this point I went into the "do you realize you could have caused me to have an accident" mode. In the meantime the youngest son arrives home, they explain what has happened and he simply says "you all are so stupid" and walks into the house. Before I left the young men again apologized and told me the firecrackers weren't intended for me but for the "guy in the back" to which I replied "there was no one in the bed of the truck." They told me he was in the back seat. I stopped them and asked "let me get this straight, you were tossing live firecrackers into the cab of the truck?? Oh my gosh, all I could do was shake my head and tell them for college students who were suppose to be intelligent that was one of the dumbest things I've heard. Maybe I'm getting old but please those firecracker were tossed at me, they know it, I know it and the police office knows it. Before I departed I explain to them that as I cyclist I'm entitled to the road and they actions could have had some serious ramification had I lost control of my bike. The police office simply let me vent, again complimented me and wished me a good ride. I simply headed home for it was too late to get any miles in before the sun called it a day.

I was given the names of the three young men and encouraged to make a visit to the county attorneys office tomorrow to file a complaint. The office was as helpful as he could be, complimented me on how calm I was and told me he would file an incident report. I'll make the trip into town tomorrow and see what I need to do and what they think will come of this.

[Denise223]

Dear Makbike:

I am very sorry to hear about what happened to you this evening .

Before I departed I explain to them that as I cyclist I'm entitled to the road and they actions could have had some serious ramification had I lost control of my bike.

I am extremely happy to hear that you are physically okay.
Please do keep us all abreast on how you make out tomorrow at the county attorney's office.

Wishing you & yours a peaceful evening!

Denise

[tprevost]

MB,

I am so glad you weren't hurt in this incident! How did those guys get into a college given that they are so STUPID!!!????? UGH!

I commend you for your follow up; I'm sure they thought that you wouldn't or couldn't do anything about it... hopefully next time they will think twice before being such idiots.

Again, I'm really sorry you had to go through this!

Tracy

[Bad JuJu]

Jeez, I got angry just reading about that! Kudos to you for remaining so calm and clearheaded through it all. And what a couple of knuckleheads you had to deal with?

Glad to hear you're OK, and I hope you'll let us know what comes of your complaint to the police.

[donnambr]

I am also glad to hear you are ok. I hope you follow up on it. In the long run, you will be doing those young men a service by holding them accountable for their actions.

[Lise]

MB, I am really impressed with your calm presence of mind and focus. Good for you. Keep us posted. Stay safe. Lise