This morning at 6:30am I was riding my bike with three friends down 30-a heading west. There were absolutely no cars on the road and we were passing through WaterSound where they have the medians in the middle of the road. A mid-sized pick-up truck honked and then violently swerved around us passing us very closely.
My friend gestured for the driver to come back and talk with us. There was no reason for his aggression so early in the morning. The driver of the metallic orange pickup truck hit his breaks and pulled a black handgun out of his drivers side window and started waving it at us. He then sped away.
I immediately called 911 and we met with two very nice Walton County Police Officers and filed a complaint. The officers were very nice and took the situation very serious and said they have all officers in the area looking for the car.
If anyone sees a mid-sized metallic orange pickup truck with a male driver, please notify the police.
In all of my years riding I have been yelled at, honked at, spit at, had things thrown at me, been run off the road into a ditch, been intentionally hit with a car's mirror, had a Harley sneak up on me and rev his engine to scare me and then laugh at me, two weeks ago had a driver laugh and cheer when we had a cyclist crash...but I have NEVER EVER had a gun pulled on me for riding a bicycle on a Sunday morning.
I am from the west coast and stilll learning about Southern culture...I am still trying to figure out this whole aggression thing towards cyclists...but I am sure this was not a friendly southern gesture.
I could be wrong...maybe it was his way of cheering in awe as he witnessed a life changing athletic performance by some local cyclists. Or maybe it was his way of showing support for our cyclist in Bejing and his reaction at Sammy Sanchez from Spain winning Olympic Gold in the Men's Cycling Road Race yesterday over Americans Levi Leipheimer, George Hincape and Christian Vandevelde! Maybe he was saying, "I am with you brother and I solute you and your athletic acheivements on this beautiful Sunday morning...ride safe and I will lead the way!"
Replies
380Beach ComberAuthor
I suspect he thought you were shooting him a bird. Not a friendly move. This is an unincorporated area, people can carry weapons if they want. Secondly, the county went to a lot of trouble building a "BIKE PATH" for the tourists that like to ride bikes. Most native Walton countians don't ride bikes, too many miles just to get anywhere. Most vehicles that drive on highways have to be street legal, ie, lights and the ability to drive the speed limit. Highway 30A is a narrow road without any shoulder, and riding a bicycle in the middle of the highway is dangerous, inconsiderate, and very irritating. When I see a cyclist in the middle of the road, I think, why did the county put in a bike path? What, do they think they own the road? They have to much leisure time on there hands! And when they don't move out of the way, they have just made a statement that they don't care about anyone else on the highway, or where the vehicles have to go. They are on vacation, and to heck with the rest of the world!
Whoa Florida Girl! First of all, I am a local and not a tourist. I was riding my bike for leasure at 25mph at the time. If you have noticed, bicycle riding is a sport and people do ride them for enjoyment and not just as a means of transportation. The "bike path" is actually a multi-use path with a proposed 8mph speed limit. Which most of my friends run faster than that on their training runs and my 4 year old daughter has broken the 8mph speed limit on her bike a few times.
Please think through your responses before you show the entire community your ignorance.
I ride early when there is little traffic, I support our community and I am very respectful of drivers. Today's incident was un-provoked and un-called for. If you have ever noticed this area is getting more and more filled with people seeking a healthy lifestyle. You can see it with all of the walking trails, increase of cyclists, increase of runners on the trails, increase in restaurants serving heathly food and etc. Attitudes like yours need some serious adjustment.
Skunky
Actually, I have low income rentals, tourists don't rent from me, just locals, and they complain a lot about tourists! You see, before St. Joe quit being a tree farm, tourism wasn't our principal industry. When St. Joe decided to get into the real estate business, people got greedy, and created this mess we're in now. It wasn't a steady growth, it was greed.
And your tenants work where? THEY ARE IN THE SERVICE INDUSTRY! Quit being so bitter.
Skunky
Actually, I live in South Walton, and have all my life. I was here before you were. The main problem with that would be if you could carry on without the locals that have to travel across the bay to serve you, and believe me, many wish they didn't.
Gee, I never picked up on that!:roll:
Beach Fanatic
Whoa Florida Girl! First of all, I am a local and not a tourist. I was riding my bike for leasure at 25mph at the time. If you have noticed, bicycle riding is a sport and people do ride them for enjoyment and not just as a means of transportation. The "bike path" is actually a multi-use path with a proposed 8mph speed limit. Which most of my friends run faster than that on their training runs and my 4 year old daughter has broken the 8mph speed limit on her bike a few times.
Please think through your responses before you show the entire community your ignorance.
I ride early when there is little traffic, I support our community and I am very respectful of drivers. Today's incident was un-provoked and un-called for. If you have ever noticed this area is getting more and more filled with people seeking a healthy lifestyle. You can see it with all of the walking trails, increase of cyclists, increase of runners on the trails, increase in restaurants serving heathly food and etc. Attitudes like yours need some serious adjustment.
You know, there is one part of the information here that is not present. That of the driver of the truck. You don't know what was going on in his life at the time. I'm trying to give you understanding of the mindset of locals, but without actually having his statement creates a uncomplete discussion. Have you ever had trama in your life? He could have been facing some kind of distressing situation that was completely absorbing his thoughts, and you're hand gesture probably almost sent him over the edge. You're lucky he restrained himself when he did.
Those walking trails and restaurants serving "healthy foods" are for people on vacation. Particularly in today's economic situation, local people cannot afford this kind of activity. When people have to work 2 or more jobs to make ends meet, who has time to enjoy a walking trail? Much less spend a small fortune for dinner!
picky
So, what is the problem? I have to the best of my ability spoken the truth about a matter that is very important.
Florida girl, you need to improve your ability before you spout your truth. Because it ain't necessarily true.
At no point did cyclismo state that he and his friends were riding four abreast on 30-A. Think of it. If they were taking up the whole road, how could the truck have gotten around them in the first place?
I know you dislike the idea of cyclists in the road when there is a path for their use. However, if you ever rode your bike in SoWal, you'd know that there are curbs (the WaterSound curbs where ciclismo was riding, for example). These things slow you down. There's also the cross-over in Seagrove which does the same. If you're a recreational cyclist like me or my husband, these minor annoyances do not matter. However, if you are more serious about the sport--as I suspect ciclismo is--the road is a better place to be. It is NOT illegal for him to be there! And I can only applaud his consideration to drivers for choosing to ride so early in the morning when his impact is minimal.
Furthermore Florida gun laws state that while it is legal to carry, "It is unlawful to have or carry a firearm in the presence of one or more persons and exhibit the firearm in a rude, careless, angry, or threatening manners, except in cases of self-defense." The truck driver was committing a crime when he waved that gun around. Nothing justifies what he does, and I hope he is tracked down.
Beach Fanatic
And your tenants work where? THEY ARE IN THE SERVICE INDUSTRY! Quit being so bitter.
Lets see, they work for pittance so the owners can have their pool cleaned? The complaints are getting stronger from the people I run into, and I'm just supposed to ignore them?
Beach Fanatic
pulling a gun on a cyclist is just wrong. point blank.
Beach Fanatic
Those walking trails and restaurants serving "healthy foods" are for people on vacation. Particularly in today's economic situation, local people cannot afford this kind of activity. When people have to work 2 or more jobs to make ends meet, who has time to enjoy a walking trail? Much less spend a small fortune for dinner!
If those restaurants were made specifically for tourists, they'd all close from September to March. But, they stay open, so I assume some locals are eating there.
Also, it doesn't matter how stressed out or distraught the guy in the truck was. He had absolutely no excuse to pull a gun on those cyclists.
Skunky
Lets see, they work for pittance so the owners can have their pool cleaned? The complaints are getting stronger from the people I run into, and I'm just supposed to ignore them?
If you really cared you would waive their rent so their pittance would accumulate into a small fortune. How can you in good conscience exploit these downtrodden people!?
Beach Fanatic
If those restaurants were made specifically for tourists, they'd all close from September to March. But, they stay open, so I assume some locals are eating there.
Also, it doesn't matter how stressed out or distraught the guy in the truck was. He had absolutely no excuse to pull a gun on those cyclists.
Actually that would be the snowbirds, and other transplants, and those lucky enough not to be affected by the economic downturn. No, not a good idea to carry a gun when your mad, I agree. I choose to fight my battles verbally, I get better results. Not everyone does that however.
Beach Fanatic
ciclismo,
Thanks for your post. We certainly all need to beware and be aware. Pulling guns on each other (whether loaded with bullets or vitriol) is dangerous in any region or culture.
Thanks for your post. We certainly all need to beware and be aware. Pulling guns on each other (whether loaded with bullets or vitriol) is dangerous in any region or culture.
Beach Fanatic
If you really cared you would waive their rent so their pittance would accumulate into a small fortune. How can you in good conscience exploit these downtrodden people!?
Because these "downtrodden" people don't want welfare, they want to earn their own way honorably, the best they can. Believe me, I don't make a fortune off of them, in fact, if I wanted a "rich" lifestyle, I'd get rid of it, and live in a condo somewhere in some kind of luxury. That's not my idea of a good life though. The greatest blessing comes from helping someone less fortunate than you are. It's a good lesson to learn. Real joy is in giving.
Skunky
Because these "downtrodden" people don't want welfare, they want to earn their own way honorably, the best they can. Believe me, I don't make a fortune off of them, in fact, if I wanted a "rich" lifestyle, I'd get rid of it, and live in a condo somewhere in some kind of luxury. That's not my idea of a good life though. The greatest blessing comes from helping someone less fortunate than you are. It's a good lesson to learn. Real joy is in giving.
Perfect. Perhaps you can pass the word that giving bicyclists a few feet on the highway instead of pointing guns at them will make motorists all warm and fuzzy inside.
Beach Fanatic
I 'm not local ,but we have serious looking bike riders in my area all the time.I love seeing them! And even though this is a rural area ,there is a lot of traffic!
And people fly down the road!
Anyway,I would be embrassed for our little community if someone acted like the truck driver did.
6;30 am on a Sunday morning even! I bet he wasn't late for anything!Sounds like a bully to me.
And people fly down the road!
Anyway,I would be embrassed for our little community if someone acted like the truck driver did.
6;30 am on a Sunday morning even! I bet he wasn't late for anything!Sounds like a bully to me.
SoWal Insider
Wow, somebody needs to pull a gun on this thread :floor:
:blink:
:blink:
Beach Fanatic
Perfect. Perhaps you can pass the word that giving bicyclists a few feet on the highway instead of pointing guns at them will make motorists all warm and fuzzy inside.
There aren't a few feet on the highway to give! Maybe a few inches!
Beach Fanatic
I don't see the problem here. Nothing more humbling than passing a WANNABE Lance Armstrong on my mountain bike in my flip flops!
Beach Fanatic
I 'm not local ,but we have serious looking bike riders in my area all the time.I love seeing them! And even though this is a rural area ,there is a lot of traffic!
And people fly down the road!
Anyway,I would be embrassed for our little community if someone acted like the truck driver did.
6;30 am on a Sunday morning even! I bet he wasn't late for anything!Sounds like a bully to me.
On a Sunday morning, what leisure would he be engaging in at 6:30 am? Particularly by himself?
Skunky
On a Sunday morning, what leisure would he be engaging in at 6:30 am? Particularly by himself?
reading comprehension pop quiz-Was he by himself?
picky
On a Sunday morning, what leisure would he be engaging in at 6:30 am? Particularly by himself?
Please stop, Florida Girl. You are getting unreasonably angry. The truck driver was wrong, you were wrong to defend him, and now you are lashing out over silly things like the fact that some people like to exercise early. Give it up already.
Beach Fanatic
reading comprehension pop quiz-Was he by himself?
I read a male driver of the pick up. Was there someone with him?
Beach Fanatic
.
"Those walking trails and restaurants serving "healthy foods" are for people on vacation. Particularly in today's economic situation, local people cannot afford this kind of activity."
:idontno:Didn't know it cost anything to walk.
Perhaps we should all refer back to Robert Fulgham: (the parenthesis stuff if mine)
"Most of what I really need to know about how to live and what to do, and how to be, I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandbox at nursery school.
These are the things I learned:
Share everything. (including the road)
Play fair.
Don't hit people. (or pull guns on them)
Put things back where you found them. (like your tent, chair or umbrella)
Clean up your own mess. (including cigarette butts & large holes)
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
There's more, but I figure that's enough lesson for one day.
"Those walking trails and restaurants serving "healthy foods" are for people on vacation. Particularly in today's economic situation, local people cannot afford this kind of activity."
:idontno:Didn't know it cost anything to walk.
Perhaps we should all refer back to Robert Fulgham: (the parenthesis stuff if mine)
"Most of what I really need to know about how to live and what to do, and how to be, I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandbox at nursery school.
These are the things I learned:
Share everything. (including the road)
Play fair.
Don't hit people. (or pull guns on them)
Put things back where you found them. (like your tent, chair or umbrella)
Clean up your own mess. (including cigarette butts & large holes)
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
There's more, but I figure that's enough lesson for one day.
Skunky
I read a male driver of the pick up. Was there someone with him?
You win. I quit. I am going to go kayaking on my expensive boat now:wave:
SoWal Expert
:yikes::yikes::yikes:
Meow
ho-boy
have mercy
get over yourself
have a nice day
:wave:
have mercy
get over yourself
have a nice day
:wave:
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