Dear So and So

[bmccasland]

Dear numbnut that's doing the hazmat investigation - I don't care why you didn't get the contractor to do the change order, and are now doing the work in house. Acknowledge the fact that you haven't done the work YET, and the report is due, and get your sorry a$$ out there to do the work. No you can't drive right up to the site, you'll have to hike in. We knew this, we told you this. Just get the work done, and get the site report done, so I can get the next step done. Trust me, if the date gets missed, and heads roll, it won't be mine. You're already a month behind.

[Tuckervill]

Dear My-Dad's-Neighbor,

Did you really think it would help get rid of the solicitor at the door if you got in your car and tried to run him over? Did you really think this wouldn't lead to other problems? Like hitting my car broadside on the street? Really?

Did you really think it was wise to wait until after I'd left to come out and apologize to my dad? The estimate is $2,000. I hope you have to pay every cent out of your pocket! And I hope you move away soon, or at least keep your lawn mowed this summer.

Signed,
Just another of your victims

[Eden]

Dear Frustrated Drivers,
Yes I know its bike to work month and you are seeing a lot more of us out there, but think on this. Every time you threaten me by coming up behind and repeatedly blowing your horn, scream at me or pass me with cms to spare you are telling me through your actions that my health, welfare and very life are much less important than 20 seconds of your time. Now do you understand why I get upset? Please don't devalue my existence like that. I'm a human being going about my business too. You are not more important than me.

[cylegoddess]

Dear Bike shop,

how come It took me only five( only been riding a year, just bought a Zinn's bike maint manual) to fix my brakes, when I paid money and left my bike - and you STILL gave me back a bike that I rode for 6 months, with rubbing brakes?
Ive been riding on full brakes for 6 MONTHS!
I know you are all young and keen on bikes, but could you be keen on fixing them properly? I figured it out, and Im not terribly mech minded.( Just a tread head, working on it.)
Wow , I wonder how easy it is going to be, when I stop feeling so ill and try it out again....

[ccnyc]

Why the @#$%! did you slow/brake without signaling or calling out that you're slowing/stopping for no good reason (there were no road hazards, obstacles, traffic lights, darting squirrels, or stop signs) when we were doing 18+ mph on the straightaway by the reservoir? You were taught NOT to do that. You caused 2 of us to crash, go to the hospital by ambulance, destroyed one carbon bike, and generally ruined what was a lovely ride up until that point. I will be thinking of you every time I turn my head (ouch!), roll over in bed (ouch!), lean forward (ouch!), or see my left side in the mirror (yikes!). Oh yeah, I've got to shell out for a new helmet, too. My co-leader has to shell out for a new bike!!!!

If any of you ever show up for rides that I'm leading, you're not welcome.

BTW, you don't deserve to graduate from the CSIG program. You're a danger to riders everywhere.

[MM_QFC!]

It's bike to work month and today is bike to work day here in the Seattle area. I realize that a lot more people who are brand new to riding and/or to commuting by bike may be venturing out on the roads lately.
I was hit by a car in April last year, shortly before bike-to-work month started and am still not back to commuting to work on a bike, so I've either been observing when I'm on a bus or from behind my steering wheel.

As a roadie, I know that I'm even more vigilant for riders while I'm driving a car and - for the life of me - cannot understand why so many riders, even if you're a newbie rider - would wear dark clothing, not use lights nor reflective gear - ANYTHING to make you more visible while you're riding. Honestly, every day I see 'stealth' riders in all black, no lights or 1 very faint blinkie out there. How in #ell are drivers supposed to see you? Please be aware that it isn't just darkness that can render you invisible to others sharing (or wanting to safely share!) the road; you can easily disappear into the shadows and shade even on days with bright sunshine.
It doesn't mean that you need to buy new cycling clothes...either wear a reflective or highly visible vest or use lights, reflective tape - whatever it takes to keep you from being invisible on the road!
For what it's worth, when I read the police report of the car crashing into me and destroying my bike, it had lots of information for the reporting officer to not only note the basic facts of the incident, but also to note the conditions that were present: weather (high clouds, clear, about 60 degrees F), time-of-day (bright daylight/early afternoon), road (clear and dry, painted crosswalk, numerous bicycle crossing/caution signs), traffic (trail intersection with thoroughfare), as well as specifically weather the cyclist (me!) was wearing visible/reflective clothing (yes), helmet (yes, light colored one), had lights or reflective material on their bike (yes, both), etc...it all helped in quickly establishing that the driver was completely liable for causing the injuries and property damage.
So, if not for any safety reason for yourself, it might be worth your while to be covered on this point, if the driver (or their insurance/attorney, etc) says that they couldn't see you at all...

Tailwinds!
Mary

[Duck on Wheels]

It's bike to work month and today is bike to work day here in the Seattle area. I realize that a lot more people who are brand new to riding and/or to commuting by bike may be venturing out on the roads lately.
I was hit by a car in April last year, shortly before bike-to-work month started and am still not back to commuting to work on a bike, so I've either been observing when I'm on a bus or from behind my steering wheel.

As a roadie, I know that I'm even more vigilant for riders while I'm driving a car and - for the life of me - cannot understand why so many riders, even if you're a newbie rider - would wear dark clothing, not use lights nor reflective gear - ANYTHING to make you more visible while you're riding. Honestly, every day I see 'stealth' riders in all black, no lights or 1 very faint blinkie out there. How in #ell are drivers supposed to see you? Please be aware that it isn't just darkness that can render you invisible to others sharing (or wanting to safely share!) the road; you can easily disappear into the shadows and shade even on days with bright sunshine.
It doesn't mean that you need to buy new cycling clothes...either wear a reflective or highly visible vest or use lights, reflective tape - whatever it takes to keep you from being invisible on the road!
For what it's worth, when I read the police report of the car crashing into me and destroying my bike, it had lots of information for the reporting officer to not only note the basic facts of the incident, but also to note the conditions that were present: weather (high clouds, clear, about 60 degrees F), time-of-day (bright daylight/early afternoon), road (clear and dry, painted crosswalk, numerous bicycle crossing/caution signs), traffic (trail intersection with thoroughfare), as well as specifically weather the cyclist (me!) was wearing visible/reflective clothing (yes), helmet (yes, light colored one), had lights or reflective material on their bike (yes, both), etc...it all helped in quickly establishing that the driver was completely liable for causing the injuries and property damage.
So, if not for any safety reason for yourself, it might be worth your while to be covered on this point, if the driver (or their insurance/attorney, etc) says that they couldn't see you at all...

Tailwinds!
Mary

Ditto to that! Assume drivers are pretty near blind. Do all you can to be visible, and then still do all you can to keep an eye on those crazy drivers. Two days ago a geezer in a little grey sedan pulled an unsignalled left right in front of my nose. Claimed he didn't see me, and I was driving a big, tall, fire-engine red Eurovan! Now imagine how likely he is to see a ninja cyclist all in black with no lights in the dusk on a rainy day.

[crazycanuck]

Dear Western Australians that voted NO in today's daylight savings referendum.

What is wrong with you? Why is it that change is an alien idea to people in this state? Changing Shopping hours etc are just too hard for you to grasp. In regards to putting your children to bed when it's still light Where i come from in Alberta we have backwards thinking folk as well but we still accept daylight savings.

When i was young & the sun didn't go down til say 10pm in the summer, I still had to go to bed when the sun was up. It's called discipline & obviously parents nowadays don't grasp that concept either.

I'm not moving & am not applying for Aust citizenship just so i can vote on things like this. I have two already.

Fuddy duddies.

Unhappy Western Australian Resident

[Owlie]

Dear owner of the new white Trek on one of the north quad bike racks--
You have a lovely bike, and I hope you aren't just some freshman with more money than sense. I hope it was you who moved your bike and not someone who stole it. I would never leave my bike outside even with a lock, and mine cost less than yours did.

Dear self--
You have a bike. She's more than good enough for your needs right now. Please stop drooling over bikes that you are not going to be able to afford until you get out of graduate school. If you are going to look, look for a commuter bike for getting you between points A and B next year, not road bikes. She's getting jealous.

Dear bike--
I love you, really! I don't have time to ride right now, what with getting set for the new school year and taking the GRE on Saturday morning. Tell you what--Sunday morning, we go for a nice long ride with DBF and the Cannondale. Sound good to you?

[snapdragen]

Why is it every time I make plans to leave work early, all h*ll breaks loose and I get stuck. Now I get to drive over the hill to Santa Cruz in rush hour traffic....so much for arriving relaxed and calm.

[bmccasland]

Happy 4th Anniversary Hurricane Katrina.

We're still here, still rebuilding.

And news media - the blasted hurricane hit the Gulf coast of Mississippi and Alabama too. Just ask my colleague who lost his house in Bay St. Louis, and didn't have flood insurance. His house was hit by the out-bound wave.

[Trek420]

Typing from on top of the Hayward fault this could happen to any community here. I hope all will do whatever we can to help the Gulf Coast.

Not to politicize the thread but this is good, I think:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Weekl...he-Gulf-Coast/

[cylegoddess]

Dear eating disorder,ADD and chronic fatigue

I really REALLY at this point of my life want to do more than work in dept stores the rest of my life, so can you please; let me study in peace, its only 6 months and ED, please please let me relax and eat enough that I can teach cycling spin classes after that. Oh and CF please stay away wherever you have been the last three weeks, I really want this certificate. I have better things to so than worry about how fat my thighs are, or how little I ate yesterday.

sincerly,
cyclegoddess

[cylegoddess]

To the man in this photo.....


just thanks!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42034117@N08/386

[Selkie]

Dear Guardian Angel, thank you for coming back from the extended smoke break The fates seemed to have line up right this time, and my prayers were answered. Just a big Thank You to all those who helped!