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
380
Beach Fanatic
I am just so happy that I am never stuck in traffic here and never have to inhale those god awful fumes of so many cars and trucks and SUV's that cram every highway in this country - I have zero problem with the few cyclists I encounter along 30A who are courteous to all the joggers, strollers, slow cyclists on the multi-use path by moving to the road - it has never been a problem to slowly pass them by swerving around (and if I am 5-10 minutes delayed then that is also OK) - 30A anyways is supposed to be for slower traffic. I understand that at times it is a bother and a nuisance but for those of you in a terrible hurry you do have highway 98 and that is never congested.
Beach Comber
Deport Florida girl and make her take her Jimmy Buffett CD's with her
Yo Florida Girl. good luck with your election. I hope you have a good campain manager to write your platform because it is gonna have to be good one. If my tax dollars go to pay you I may leave my beloved home of Walton County. As for pointing guns at cyclist, I think it is absurd and to try to defend them is about as insane. Do you know the alleged gun brandisher? I feel like you might.
How many of your tennants are local? True locals? How many of them make there living on tourism in which they turn around and hand you for rent? It is hard to beleive that there are many jobs here that are not based around tourism. Regardless of what you do here, most of it boils down to tourism.
I am local. Not a true local. I have been here 14 years and I ride my roadbike in the road.
Yo Florida Girl. good luck with your election. I hope you have a good campain manager to write your platform because it is gonna have to be good one. If my tax dollars go to pay you I may leave my beloved home of Walton County. As for pointing guns at cyclist, I think it is absurd and to try to defend them is about as insane. Do you know the alleged gun brandisher? I feel like you might.
How many of your tennants are local? True locals? How many of them make there living on tourism in which they turn around and hand you for rent? It is hard to beleive that there are many jobs here that are not based around tourism. Regardless of what you do here, most of it boils down to tourism.
I am local. Not a true local. I have been here 14 years and I ride my roadbike in the road.
got any pics?
Here's A Question
Why do people think a guy robbing a bank, threatening a teller with a guy (or killing the teller) is a horrible crime but swerving at a cyclist, trying to make them wreck and possible killing them is somehow acceptable?
I hear Harley riders laugh about sneaking up on cyclists and revving their engines so startle the rider in hopes they wreck. But they cus and are willing to hang a person that didn't see them and during a lane change. Their intentional act can does and will cause the same damage that might happen to them accidentally.
In Chattanooga a young Harley rider was killed when a lady didn't see him, pulled out in front of him and he was killed in the incident. The courts found her at fault but did not give her any jail time. The local biker crowd freaked. Literally calling for the death penalty. Hello, it was a horrible accident, she was at fault but she did not plan the incident. The local biker's rep get on the radio literally calling for her to be jailed for the rest of her life. Later he was bragging about scaring cyclists by revving his engine as he passed them. What if the cyclist has run off the road and on been injured or even killed? I wonder if he would expect jail time?
Sorry for the rambling post but I'm still ticked over this.
Why do people think a guy robbing a bank, threatening a teller with a guy (or killing the teller) is a horrible crime but swerving at a cyclist, trying to make them wreck and possible killing them is somehow acceptable?
I hear Harley riders laugh about sneaking up on cyclists and revving their engines so startle the rider in hopes they wreck. But they cus and are willing to hang a person that didn't see them and during a lane change. Their intentional act can does and will cause the same damage that might happen to them accidentally.
In Chattanooga a young Harley rider was killed when a lady didn't see him, pulled out in front of him and he was killed in the incident. The courts found her at fault but did not give her any jail time. The local biker crowd freaked. Literally calling for the death penalty. Hello, it was a horrible accident, she was at fault but she did not plan the incident. The local biker's rep get on the radio literally calling for her to be jailed for the rest of her life. Later he was bragging about scaring cyclists by revving his engine as he passed them. What if the cyclist has run off the road and on been injured or even killed? I wonder if he would expect jail time?
Sorry for the rambling post but I'm still ticked over this.
Beach ComberAuthor
My Harley experience experience got me very angry. I always thought folks on two wheels should stick together.
Beach Fanatic
I am just so happy that I am never stuck in traffic here and never have to inhale those god awful fumes of so many cars and trucks and SUV's that cram every highway in this country - I have zero problem with the few cyclists I encounter along 30A who are courteous to all the joggers, strollers, slow cyclists on the multi-use path by moving to the road - it has never been a problem to slowly pass them by swerving around (and if I am 5-10 minutes delayed then that is also OK) - 30A anyways is supposed to be for slower traffic. I understand that at times it is a bother and a nuisance but for those of you in a terrible hurry you do have highway 98 and that is never congested.I'm not local but I agree Chickpea 30A is for local slow moving traffic its hard for me to drive down it and not go slow bikers or not. I like to savor each mile.:wave:
Beach Fanatic
Apparantly, someone hasn't witnessed 30A, especially 30A on the week of July 4th, at the 395S/30A intersection......we call that traffic, especially when it takes 30 minutes to get from Eastern Lake to get through that intersection.
Seaside is still a zoo and it scares me that someone is savoring the atmosphere and not watching the road!
Seaside is still a zoo and it scares me that someone is savoring the atmosphere and not watching the road!
Beach Fanatic
I've been biting my tongue on this thread...
What happened to ciclismo is unfortunate, and a matter for the Sheriffs. I'm glad to see they found the individual.
Over and over, we get posters who think cyclists should ride on the bike path. It's always clear, from their comments, that these folks have never tried to ride a lightweight road bike on the bike path. Their comments also usually indicate that they may not have significant experience with ridiing one at speed (15 to 25 MPH).
It would be a bad idea to ride a road bike on the path, because:
1-You'll risk a collision with walkers or slow cruiser bike pedalers. You = 20 MPH, them =3 MPH is a recipe for trouble.
2-The bike path is bumpy and, in some places, poorly maintained. Going 20 MPH is likely to lead to a wreck, even if you don't hit someone.
3-You'd be breaking the speed limit on the bike path.
Realistically, you'll never get anywhere in a hurry on 30A. Much of the speed limit is 35MPH, and there's more than a little bit at 25 MPH. There's no difference between going 25 MPH behind a cyclist and going 25 MPH behind a vacationer who doesn't know where they are going, except that you WILL eventually get a chance to pass the cyclist.
What happened to ciclismo is unfortunate, and a matter for the Sheriffs. I'm glad to see they found the individual.
Over and over, we get posters who think cyclists should ride on the bike path. It's always clear, from their comments, that these folks have never tried to ride a lightweight road bike on the bike path. Their comments also usually indicate that they may not have significant experience with ridiing one at speed (15 to 25 MPH).
It would be a bad idea to ride a road bike on the path, because:
1-You'll risk a collision with walkers or slow cruiser bike pedalers. You = 20 MPH, them =3 MPH is a recipe for trouble.
2-The bike path is bumpy and, in some places, poorly maintained. Going 20 MPH is likely to lead to a wreck, even if you don't hit someone.
3-You'd be breaking the speed limit on the bike path.
Realistically, you'll never get anywhere in a hurry on 30A. Much of the speed limit is 35MPH, and there's more than a little bit at 25 MPH. There's no difference between going 25 MPH behind a cyclist and going 25 MPH behind a vacationer who doesn't know where they are going, except that you WILL eventually get a chance to pass the cyclist.
Beach Fanatic
Recipe for cyclist on 30A going 20mph=being hit by auto at 35 mph....I'll take the bike path, thank you.
Beach Lover
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.
Culture? LOL. Anyway the gun thing is unusual, but I will tell you that we have the most over-aggressive idiotic drivers per capita on the planet right along highway 98 from Panama City Beach to Pensacola. Sometimes they get over to 30-A, but not too often. I am very careful at all times in a car- couldn't imagine how I'd be on a bike.
SoWal Insider
Culture? LOL. Anyway the gun thing is unusual, but I will tell you that we have the most over-aggressive idiotic drivers per capita on the planet right along highway 98 from Panama City Beach to Pensacola. Sometimes they get over to 30-A, but not too often. I am very careful at all times in a car- couldn't imagine how I'd be on a bike.
I think in general that drivers everywhere are more aggressive. We are a society that is growing accustomed to having what we want instantaneously....that includes our destination.
I'm more leery of drivers here than in Houston though. :roll:
Beach Fanatic
I think in general that drivers everywhere are more aggressive. We are a society that is growing accustomed to having what we want instantaneously....that includes our destination.While I certainly agree with your part about "instantaneously", I certainly disagree with what you say about Houston and its drivers. It is the worst city I've ever driven in and that says a lot because I've driven in many, many cities here and abroad. As for the cyclists, it only takes a few seconds to slow down for them and give them the courtesy they deserve. You will find you are always able to pass them quite safely if you just bide your time for an instant or two.
I'm more leery of drivers here than in Houston though. :roll:
Beach Fanatic
FL girl, please try not to make it a them against us discussion. The worst thing North and South Walton needs is division.
South Walton very much needs North Walton and North Walton very much needs South Walton. And we all need the tourists or most of our incomes become directly or indirectly threatened.
Anyone disagree with these last statements
North and South Walton have had division particularly since Sandestin has been established.
Beach Fanatic
I too rode my bike today and did notice the motorists were more aggressive. I had several close passes which usually doesn't bother me. One of them was a lady driving a Silver BMW X5 baring a SoWal sticker on the right side of the back window and a 30A Radio sticker on the left side. Was this you FL Girl. You sped up to pass me (I was rolling 22 at the time :cool:) only 100' before the intersection the Seagrove Market and 30A. Funny thing you tried to jump before your turn in the intersection and I ended up right beside you. You never know who you are going to run into in SoWal 😀.
I forgot to mention that the time was 9:30AM CST.
I also had a couple of meat heads on a maroon minivan yell at me. Actually they might have been cheering me on. I couldn't tell because one of my favorite songs was playing on my IPod :idontno:.
Now lets talk about the "Multi-use Path". Back in June one of my friends had rented one of our High Pointe units. She and her 12 year old daughter were tooling down the Multi-use Path when a motorists pulled across the path without looking and hit the 12 year old girl knocking her off her bike to the ground. The Popo was called my friend declined to press charges because she felt it could have happened to anybody. Kudos to her.
:funn: I don't drive a BMW!
Beach Fanatic
Why can't we just be Walton County?
I wish, but both sides need to be willing to listen and come to some kind of agreeable compromise.
Beach Fanatic
Was this another one of your tenants, Florida Girl?
No.
Beach Fanatic
Wow, heard about this thread over the weekend, had no idea it had gotten this bad.
I would strongly encourage the WCSO to subpeona the sowal records to determine who florida girl is, I think she knows a little more about this incident than she is letting on. Oh wait, if they wanted to they could figure it out from the galleries she hangs her "art" in.
I do have a question florida girl, if I go into one of those galleries and smash the glass with a tack hammer are you going to forgive me if I'm having a bad day?
Wow! I could have sworn that I posted that words are much more effective? I don't have road rage, and since dad was a constable, some of the deputies do know who I am.
Beach Fanatic
Yo Florida Girl. good luck with your election. I hope you have a good campain manager to write your platform because it is gonna have to be good one. If my tax dollars go to pay you I may leave my beloved home of Walton County. As for pointing guns at cyclist, I think it is absurd and to try to defend them is about as insane. Do you know the alleged gun brandisher? I feel like you might.
How many of your tennants are local? True locals? How many of them make there living on tourism in which they turn around and hand you for rent? It is hard to beleive that there are many jobs here that are not based around tourism. Regardless of what you do here, most of it boils down to tourism.
I am local. Not a true local. I have been here 14 years and I ride my roadbike in the road.
:floor: Frankly, I could care less! I will continue to speak to try to bring some equity to the poor, and those who suffer because of the selfishness of others. Regardless of whether I win the election or not! This position is elected by the majority of voters, and the majority will decide.
I don't care for Jimmy Buffet, by the way. My tenants are people trying to make a living against the odds. If you read the Time Magazine article, July 21, it brings a lot of things to light. We need other industry beside tourism!
Beach Fanatic
I have a great compromise...I'll keep coming down to my house on a regular basis and leaving money in the businesses (except the art galleries) in exchange for being allowed to walk on a path, ride a bike on the road, or do any other thing that is legal here or anywhere else.
I'm just poor and downtrodden too; that's why we bought in Seagrove and not Rosemary...
BTW- I love this thread!!!
I'm just poor and downtrodden too; that's why we bought in Seagrove and not Rosemary...
BTW- I love this thread!!!
Beach Comber
I currently live England and talk about narrow roads! Sometimes two cars can barely fit side by side much less two cars AND a cyclist, but I see it all the time. Not to mention parked cars in the street, mopeds and even farm tractors on the motorways. I've lived here for four years and I have never seen any road rage directed toward cyclists (no guns because they are illegal over here but that's a topic for another day!). People just accept that cars don't own the roads. Try driving in Holland - that poor man in the orange pick-up would have had a coronary with cyclists come at him from all different directions – he wouldn’t have known who to point his gun at first!
My husband & I recently spent the weekend in Paris and rode bikes all around the city. It was great fun. Instead of charging a congestion charge like London, Paris instead installed bike stalls all over the city. You can rent a bike at one location and return it to another. And people from all economic classes do this. It is ridiculous to try and defend that man’s actions – he was so in the wrong. I don’t understand how anyone cannot see that.
My husband & I recently spent the weekend in Paris and rode bikes all around the city. It was great fun. Instead of charging a congestion charge like London, Paris instead installed bike stalls all over the city. You can rent a bike at one location and return it to another. And people from all economic classes do this. It is ridiculous to try and defend that man’s actions – he was so in the wrong. I don’t understand how anyone cannot see that.
got any pics?
It is ridiculous to try and defend that man’s actions – he was so in the wrong. I don’t understand how anyone cannot see that.
Amen. :cool:
As for the cyclists, it only takes a few seconds to slow down for them and give them the courtesy they deserve. You will find you are always able to pass them quite safely if you just bide your time for an instant or two.
It amazes me how people can't chill for 5 freakin' seconds :idontno:
Edited
Beach Fanatic
My principle concern is how quick judgments are made without having all the data. Have you ever been judged erroneously? I don't know the driver of the truck; therefore I can't in all good conscience make a judgment against him. The cyclist posted on the board, here to defend himself. I say, we live in a scary age; folks are judge, jury and executioner all in one, at a rumor of an alleged suspicion! :bang:
Beach Fanatic
RO, are you sure you didn't mean "can't" chill for 5 freakin' seconds?
Skunky
My principle concern is how quick judgments are made without having all the data. Have you ever been judged erroneously? I don't know the driver of the truck; therefore I can't in all good conscience make a judgment against him. The cyclist posted on the board, here to defend himself. I say, we live in a scary age; folks are judge, jury and executioner all in one, at a rumor of an alleged suspicion! :bang:Do you think there is any valid reason somebody should point a gun at unarmed bicyclists?
SoWal Insider
Edited
SoWal Insider
:floor: Frankly, I could care less! I will continue to speak to try to bring some equity to the poor, and those who suffer because of the selfishness of others.
As oberger stated above, go to other countries and the bicycle, moped, small motorcycles are the mode of transportation for the majority of people in the world. The bicycle rider has priority in the road over the motor vehicle.
Part of leadership is having vision, and you might as well get used to the fact that this country is going to head into a more eco-friendly, oil and resource conservation society. You are doing a great injustice to the people you claim to represent by condoning bad behavior.
Further, you are wrong about tourism being the only industry. There are many open positions for engineers with major employers in the area. You should be encouraging people to further their educations. The alternative energies field is going to expand enormously, and there aren't enough educated scientists and engineers to support the growth as it is right now. These are well paying jobs. And don't tell me that poor people do not have access to money for education. It's available to those who seek it and work hard. Nothing worth having is ever easy to get.
Checking your forum account
Please wait while we verify your forum account.