Awesome!!

[channlluv]

Another thing is here kids throw rocks at cyclists, and even adults throw beer cans at cyclists. I even heard cow patties were thrown at cyclists and a friend once told me he was out riding and a group of cowboys dumped a bucket of you know what on him. We cyclists get the beat down in every which way. Another thing too is if you are riding a beat up bike, cops think you are a drug dealer.

Can't win, only persevere.

Geez, Charlotte, where are you?

Roxy

[Charlotte Berry]

I'm in California too, but there is big difference between the progressive coastal way of life, and the Redneck central valley. Good Grief, even Imax couldn't cut it in the central valley cause the valley culture are just not hip like the coastal culture. On the coast there is more of a health conscious ride your bike mentality, but in the valley, it's very closed minded. People don't think much of riding their bikes cause riding out of town only offers ranches and crop fields. Not a pretty place, smoggy too, dirty filthy air. No ocean breeze in the valley! The outskirts of the valley into the foothills, even worse. Full of Rednecks and illiterate children. I used to live in the valley, hated it. Now I live in the mountains, but the people are not hip, very behind the times. Air and water is better though at 2500 feet. Here no one rides a bike because going uphill is too hard. Lots of fat people here.

[featuretile]

Charlotte, I am so amazed at what you say about the central valley. I live on the coast and there are lots of cyclists. The drivers are pretty good. I try to stay away as much as possible from the main streets and ride in the country. I did not realize how fortunate I am. I did do a ride out by Fresno on the Blossom Trail route (where they do the century when the fruit trees bloom) and did not notice any problem, but maybe they are more used to cyclists since they do have a ride out there. I also did some riding on the American River trail by Sacramento.

I don't understand why drivers would have so much animosity towards cyclists.
I hope that will change some day in all parts of the country.

[emily_in_nc]

I don't understand why drivers would have so much animosity towards cyclists.
I hope that will change some day in all parts of the country.

It will change, I think, when gas prices rise significantly enough to get a lot more people on bikes, people who perhaps looked down on adults on bikes before. Until then, I don't think we'll see any significant changes in motorist attitudes.

[Charlotte Berry]

Those rides are usually in the spring when the air is clean and the trees are in bloom. Spring is nice, pretty, but that quickly turns into a very stagnant dry hot valley with really dirty air. It's been rated as the worst in the nation at times. But consider power in numbers, safety and confidence. Riding alone is never recommended, but there is power in numbers. I think when you see the massive numbers of bikes on the road like Holland, it sends a powerful statement to everyone. There is power in numbers, and it also commands a great deal of respect versus any one lone rider. I’m not sure critical mass is the answer, as that seems offensive and standoffish. How about instead that Critical mass just divided up into smaller segments all over the city to show us how it’s done Holland style? Don’t you think that would have a much broader positive impact then a pissing contest with motorists?

[Charlotte Berry]

Back to business tomorrow. It's been a fun thread.

See ya!