Scary!!! Look at what I read on my local Craig's List!

[squirrell]

My hometown is Virginia Beach--I grew up there and now live about an hour from there.

Let me say this--NO WAY would I ride on most of the city roads in that area. The road system HAS NOT kept up with the amount of traffic. The roads are NOT cyclist friendly at all in any aspect. And there is always-always-always traffic. I know--I worked Animal Control in that city for 5 years and was on the roads at all hours of day and night. There is never a time when there is not traffic on the roads.

And, I rode motorcycles there for years, commuting over 90 miles each day for 3.5 years to college plus general riding around.

There was also a time when I was 18/19 and I rode my old 10-speed around quite a bit--using it to get from work and back; to my then boyfriend/now DH and back, and to karate and back. I rode on some of the busiest roads in that area--including one of the roads mentioned by this person. But that was 26 years ago. There was still traffic but much less and there seemed to be a different attitude then. People actually gave wide berths to cyclists and showed common courtesy.

So, I have over 30 years of experience driving in that area in cars, bicycles, and motorcycles.

IN ADDITION: there are some of the WORST DRIVERS I have seen in my life in the VA. Beach/Norfolk/Hampton area. BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD DRIVERS.

And, I've lived in Florida, Tennessee, the Bay Area of California (LOTS more traffic there), and Northern VA (lots more traffic there). I've also traveled all over the U.S. and most of Canada via motorcycle, car, and RV.

But I've not encountered the level of incompetence among drivers that exists in Hampton Roads.

The people in the Hampton Roads area (as VA.Beach/Norfolk/Hampton is referred to now) simply do not know how to drive relative to the amount of traffic and road conditions. I DETEST having to drive over in that area now and get in and out as quickly as possible--thanking God I was not involved in some horrible accident.

They are also some of the most ANTI-MOTORCYCLISTS/CYCLISTS drivers I've encountered. They seem to regard anything that is not a "cage" (car) as a target and something to be hit and destroyed.

So, if you do ride in that area, please BE CAREFUL! Don't expect drivers to show any respect or compassion. Or to have any driving skills whatsoever!

{rant over}

[ASammy1]

Thanks Squirrell!

I thought it was just me (new to the area), so my suspicions have been confirmed...

[beccaB]

My hometown is Virginia Beach--I grew up there and now live about an hour from there.

Let me say this--NO WAY would I ride on most of the city roads in that area. The road system HAS NOT kept up with the amount of traffic. The roads are NOT cyclist friendly at all in any aspect. And there is always-always-always traffic. I know--I worked Animal Control in that city for 5 years and was on the roads at all hours of day and night. There is never a time when there is not traffic on the roads.

And, I rode motorcycles there for years, commuting over 90 miles each day for 3.5 years to college plus general riding around.

There was also a time when I was 18/19 and I rode my old 10-speed around quite a bit--using it to get from work and back; to my then boyfriend/now DH and back, and to karate and back. I rode on some of the busiest roads in that area--including one of the roads mentioned by this person. But that was 26 years ago. There was still traffic but much less and there seemed to be a different attitude then. People actually gave wide berths to cyclists and showed common courtesy.

So, I have over 30 years of experience driving in that area in cars, bicycles, and motorcycles.

IN ADDITION: there are some of the WORST DRIVERS I have seen in my life in the VA. Beach/Norfolk/Hampton area. BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD DRIVERS.

And, I've lived in Florida, Tennessee, the Bay Area of California (LOTS more traffic there), and Northern VA (lots more traffic there). I've also traveled all over the U.S. and most of Canada via motorcycle, car, and RV.

But I've not encountered the level of incompetence among drivers that exists in Hampton Roads.

The people in the Hampton Roads area (as VA.Beach/Norfolk/Hampton is referred to now) simply do not know how to drive relative to the amount of traffic and road conditions. I DETEST having to drive over in that area now and get in and out as quickly as possible--thanking God I was not involved in some horrible accident.

They are also some of the most ANTI-MOTORCYCLISTS/CYCLISTS drivers I've encountered. They seem to regard anything that is not a "cage" (car) as a target and something to be hit and destroyed.

So, if you do ride in that area, please BE CAREFUL! Don't expect drivers to show any respect or compassion. Or to have any driving skills whatsoever!

{rant over}

I might have to add to the Virginia driver thing- Winchester, where I went to college. I was a runner then and can't even count how many times people stopped me to ask for directions or whatever, and the out and out harassment from local males of little intelligence. Hoping to not be terribly politically incorrect, the movie - Deliverance- comes to mind.

[wildhawk]

I concur ladies! I grew up in Virginia (central Va.) but visited my cousins at Deep Creek and Virginia Beach numerous times. I have driven out west and back, crossing many states, through large cities, small cities, driven the Capitol beltway, Delaware and New Jersey but nothing beats the drivers from Virginia. As a Virginian I can say that. Note: I moved to Wyoming in the 80s and have lived in Florida since 1990. And they say Florida has the worst drivers - argh. It is too bad too - we have beach communities here along the gulf where bicycling is encouraged and relatively safe.

[tulip]

Virginia Beach is known for it's horrible traffic and worse drivers. They have all those people on ships for six months at a time. When they finally get off the ships, they run to their cars and drive like maniacs because they can.

As for honking, I don't mind getting honked at. It means they see me.

[vinbek]

About 20 years ago, while living in Winston-Salem, NOrth Carolina I was riding on some back roads (I guess they are all back roads in that area!) on a familiar bike loop that clubs often ride. I was alone and just pedalling along minding my own business. There weren't any bike lanes in existence back then in the area. A truck came along and slowed down beside me. It kinda bothered me and felt creepy, so I slowed down to let it pass quicker. There were two guys in this truck - long hair, no teeth or rotted teeth, the deer scene along the back window with gun racks. Big grins. The one on the passenger side leaned out of the window and grabbed me. These guys were low wattage and had no idea that I was clipped into my bike. He lost hold of me. I was shaking all over - panicky feeling. He let go of me and thank goodness I did not fall under the truck. I landed right side up and stayed on the bike. They slowed down again to try to do it again and I almost stopped.
In the middle of no where, a car came along and scared these guys off. I memorized the tag (no cell phone then either!) I rode home and called the Sheriff's office. The sheriff came to my house to talk to me. They knew who these guys were - long history of complaints, warrants, etc. He told me that if I filed a formal complaint, the complaint becomes public record and the guys would know my name, address and phone number. I was single at the time. He said he would go have a chat with the guys and ruffle their feathers. I decided not to file a formal complaint. Sometimes it seems the bad guys have all the rights. Here in California on a regular no-drop route that several clubs ride, there is a guy with a white truck that tries to run us over. He has been cited numerous times over the past 10 or so years but nothing has ever happened to him. The local police and highway patrol are very familiar with him. He tried to run an entire group off the road - head on - we all jumped off the road. Just total hostility and ignorance I guess. Its hard to feel safe anywhere these days riding.

[spokewench]

Here in California on a regular no-drop route that several clubs ride, there is a guy with a white truck that tries to run us over. He has been cited numerous times over the past 10 or so years but nothing has ever happened to him. The local police and highway patrol are very familiar with him. He tried to run an entire group off the road - head on - we all jumped off the road. Just total hostility and ignorance I guess. Its hard to feel safe anywhere these days riding.

Is this on the women's no drop ride out in the Livermore area? or is this the guy that used to do this on Calaveras Road when I used to live in the Bay Area?

spoke

[vinbek]

Its the yokel in the white truck along Collier Canyon Road and Highland road areas. I'm sure you remember him - he is still at it.

[sundial]

Here in California on a regular no-drop route that several clubs ride, there is a guy with a white truck that tries to run us over. He tried to run an entire group off the road - head on - we all jumped off the road.

I think I would buy me one of those helmet cams that mtb'ers use and video him driving recklessly and aggressively. Then I'd make an appointment with an attorney and present the video and file a lawsuit against him. I'd also make the video available to the local news stations and have stills for the local papers. With enough pressure, eventually he'll be held accountable for his actions.

[Kvixen23]

I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to you. I have fears of that happening to me and my husband when we hit the road. Whether it's for a ride or we're commuting.

On my ride yesterday I started out waving and smiling at the Jerks that honked. By the end, I was giving them the finger b/c it's so frustrating that people in cars think they have more right to the road.

I hope you get this guy. My step-brother is a fireman in Virginia Beach and I would be happy to contact him to ask him what, if anything, you can do. Don't hesitate to contact me and ask me to.....

[wildhawk]

I am so sorry about your bad experiences ladies. I have always felt particularly vulnerable too since I am overweight. When I was a child growing up in Va. we would visit my cousins in Va. Beach and I would have rude things yelled at me on the beach. So naturally when I moved to Florida I expected more of the same. I can honestly say that has not happened - at least not on our beaches. We do have a lot of cyclists, several local bike clubs that routinely ride, and St. Pete is a huge supporter of cycling. So eventhough we have our share of idiots here too, we also have a large number of people riding scooters, bicycles, motorcycles, etc. so I guess more drivers are used to folks two-wheelin. I am always on the alert when riding - that is really your best defense - be aware of your surroundings and approaching vehicles and expect the unexpected at any given time. And flipping people off down here has resulted in guns being drawn so that is not a good idea either. Good luck out there - be safe!

[10yearstogether]

This is really scary...especially to new riders like me.