Dear So and So

[tygab]

No, you do not look cool riding on the side of the road, against traffic, with no helmet. Oh yes, I forgot to mention you're wearing dark clothes at dusk (and you don't have a light) and appear to be listening to music. I can understand why you think you might, in your baggy jeans and laid back attitude.

But you're really risking your life every time you ride like this. A helmet, some lights, taking the headphones off - this seems like common sense when biking in a car populated world. Riding on the right side of the road, maybe not something you would guess is the right thing to do, but if you learned a bit about your chosen transportation, then you'd know this too....

Signed, a concerned cyclist and car driver.

[Xrayted]

Dear idiot woman in the mercedes who p***ed me off today...
Thanks for being the free spirit that you are by throwing caution to the wind when we came upon a 4-way stop with a skittish horse in training, attached to an Amish buggy full of kids. Thanks for not understanding when we decided to allow the horse all the time he needed to calm down and resume peacefully so we didn't get hoofed to death crossing the road. I especially appreciate all of the horn blowing and expletives out the window regarding how we are holding up traffic. (You were the only car around so I'm not sure that constitutes a line being formed. ) It certainly made and impact on us and I know it made the horse so much more comfortable with his ultimate decision to bolt in our direction. The fact that we didn't get trampled amazes me still. Now I have a nice gash in my leg from falling onto a good friend of mine and her bike. My first fall, thankyouverymuch. (I thought it would come when I finally get my clipless pedals on, but no this one is all on you, oh Diva of Mayhem.)
Not being from this area, I'm sure you may not have understood some of the language I was using as I limped over to your window for a close encounter of the dangerous kind. All I can say is, try Google, it knows all. If you can't quite remember all of the commentary, feel free to come on back around and I'll remind you again.
Have a nice day! (Here's your sign.)
-X.

[Aggie_Ama]

Dear Woman With the Boxer,

If your dog is so mean that it will eat a small dog you might want to reconsider having it in an apartment complex. I realize my little Heidi should not have pulled away her leash, but I was chasing her down. She is simply a social butterfly and we have tried to teach her all dogs are not friendly. I felt bad enough without being scolded by a complete stranger.

Sincerely,

Glad to be moving to my own house with a fenced yard

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Dear OTHER woman with the boxer,
You may think there is nothing wrong with chaining your boxer and your rottweiler to trees right in your front yard about 12 yards back from the road we ride along, as you informed me "they are on my property so I'm within my rights" when I came up to politely talk to you about it and you closed your door in my face.
But the fact is, your vicious dogs are barking and snarling and throwing themselves against their chains and collars with all their might when we pass on our bikes, threatening everyone on the public road, and one day their collar or chain may snap and from my hospital bed, covered with skin graphs, I will sue your sorry moronic a** for everything you've got.

[Squeaky]

Dear Losers Who Fish, Picnic, or Otherwise Populate the Banks of my River,

It's not a dump site you lazy SOBs and I don't appreciate kayaking amongst your filth. I'm surprised you can get your pathetic lazy butt off your couch.

[Bad JuJu]

Dear Losers Who Fish, Picnic, or Otherwise Populate the Banks of my River,

It's not a dump site you lazy SOBs and I don't appreciate kayaking amongst your filth. I'm surprised you can get your pathetic lazy butt off your couch.

Hey, Squeaky, don't sugar-coat it--tell us how you really feel!

Seriously, we've got the same problem here with people who boat on the bay and pull their boats up on little sand-bar beaches--leaving their crap all over the place when they go. It sux, big-time. Who do they think is going to clean up after them? Wonder if they'd like me to come along and leave trash in their yard like that. I'm with you, Squeaky:

[Squeaky]

I know, I get soooo mad about this. It's one of the few things that gets under my skin. And it did feel really good to vent....

[Bluetree]

Dear Cycling Buddies,
Thank you so much for introducing me to the sport and helping me along in my initiation. You guys have been a constant inspiration to me and the best support group I could ask for, outside of the TE gals.
I know that when you guys ride with me (and I always appreciate your invitations) you are "slumming." Unlike you guys, I do not compete in Ironmans, triathlons, Xterras, ultramarathons, Death Rides, etc. I know that you are chafing at the bit to get moving, instead of doddling along at my 16-17mph clip. Instead, you do your 2,000 ft climbs before we meet, join me for my flat 30 miles and make sure I'm home safely before you finish the rest of your training ride.
You guys give me helpful hints, teach me the rules of the peloton, give me encouragement when I need it, spur me on when I feel lazy and generally protect me when I'm on the road. I don't mind the teasing because it shows that you have included me into your "club." And it does not go unnoticed that on windy days you ride so that you are blocking the worst of the wind for me. Dan, James, Jim and David... you guys rock.

[jsgeneroso]

Dear Digestive Tract,

I know that things have been hairy for us lately. Even though Reason claims absolute bliss for having found "the one" and the prospect of living together would be sooo much easier and just awesome until we get hitched and bike into the sunset. Please don't let parents filling the brain with seeds of doubt and disapproval get you all bent and twisted because it is mostly painful and uncomfortable to constantly feel anxiety over the future, life changing and the two of us moving on and no longer being the parent's little girl. Life changes and it will be okay.

Your Mind.

[li10up]

Dear Boss:

Please don't ask me in the middle of the day what my plans are for after 5pm. I have a life...doesn't the bike on the back of my car give a hint as to my plans? But thanks for not making me stay after 5pm just to sit in your office so you can feel "safe" interviewing a female prospective employee. Especially since I already did the initial interview last week. However, anytime before 5pm is ok....or at least a days notice.

Thank you,

Partially dedicated employee

[Bikingmomof3]

Dear Dr. V.,
I know you have my best interest in mind, or at least you do not want me having another stroke on your watch. I get that and I appreciate it. I took the "no driving" instructions rather well, did I not? When I mentioned cycling 3 times and words such as "intense" and "training", what part did you miss? Is there a reason you decided not to share with me the very important (IMO) information that my already low BP would drop to points where I will faint? A little heads up on the fainting business would have been greatly appreciated. Especially considering I kept telling you how important exercise, especially cycling is to me. For the record, outdoor biking and fainting do not mix!

I am fairly certain down the road I will be eternally grateful to you for fixing my brain, but right at this moment I am too weak from a low BP and depressed from a lack of cycling to care.

Your grumpy patient.

P.S. See you on the 18th, when we will discuss cycling in depth.

[chickwhorips]

dear out of town hunter,
your not in the city any more your in the bush, middle of no where, BFE. there is no need to speed around. most people when they see someone out running with dogs would so down. do you? NO. yes i have well behaved dogs (not that you know that) that stay next to me and sit, but what if they jumped up for one reason or another (you flinging a rock at us as you speed by) and get infront of the car? arg! the farthest you can drive here is a whopping 10 miles, your not going to get there any faster unless you fly. speeding down the road doesn't work. the roads aren't build for that out here and the speed limit is only 25 and less then that in 'town'. your lucky it was my boss that rented you that car or else you would've had a flying rock at you. you deserve more than just a kick in the shin too. just go home and leave us alone. we don't need 'your kind' here anyhow.
a very angry runner with dogs.

dear community people,
thank you for slowing WAY down (at a crawl) and going WAY over on the other side of the road and waving at me. i'm glad i live around people with you who look around for the dogs even when i'm not out with them. you always slow down and wave so nicely.
your fellow community memeber

dear peanut (dog),
STOP ROLLING IN STIKEY STUFF. arg! i gave you a good scrubbing and you still stink! i understand you think you smell pretty, but really, you don't. (or is it your way of saying i need a bath?)
your loving mother

[indysteel]

Dear Guys:

I realize that our club's membership reflects that cycling is male-dominated and that you get excited when a young-ish, single woman like myself shows up for group rides. But I am not chum. I come to the rides to ride, first, and to make friends, second. If you're cool with that, then great, but otherwise please stop circling.

And while I'm on the subject, you gentlemen at my local LBSs need to bone up on your manners. Please do not use the phone number I give you to place an order to call me for a date. Next time that happens, I'm calling your manager. And please don't comment on how wonderful I smell. I suppose I should appreciate the compliment, but it's unprofessional. I come to your store to shop, not to get hit on.

Thank you.

[mimitabby]

Dear Guys:

I realize that our club's membership reflects that cycling is male-dominated and that you get excited when a young-ish, single woman like myself shows up for group rides. But I am not chum. I come to the rides to ride, first, and to make friends, second. If you're cool with that, then great, but otherwise please stop circling.

And while I'm on the subject, you gentlemen at my local LBSs need to bone up on your manners. Please do not use the phone number I give you to place an order to call me for a date. Next time that happens, I'm calling your manager. And please don't comment on how wonderful I smell. I suppose I should appreciate the compliment, but it's unprofessional. I come to your store to shop, not to get hit on.

Thank you.

Dear Indysteel
I agree with you. What a bunch of jerks
enjoy it while it lasts but don't take any bs from them.

mimi who is twice your age

[indysteel]

[QUOTE=mimitabby;130991]Dear Indysteel
I agree with you. What a bunch of jerks
enjoy it while it lasts but don't take any bs from them.

It's hard to know how to respond. I don't exactly have the general male population falling all over me and, having just gone through a break up, a little attention doesn't hurt my ego. However, there must be a way to be approached by men that doesn't leave my skin crawling. Why can't they just treat me as a friend and let it grow--if it's going to grow--from there? Oh, and the exact quote from the LBS manager was that I "smelled delicious." I about died.