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
SWGB
No, I don't advocate road rage, I do try to get to the root of a matter. Cyclist's tend to drive many up the wall. My concern is it seems incredibly dangerous to ride on the highway, seemingly unconcerned of other vehicular traffic. Cylcist's need to follow the rules of the road also. Many I've seen cannot keep up with the speed limit, weave on the road, ignore stop signs, generally create a nuisance.
It's a limit not a minimum.
SoWal Expert
She was actually making a reasonable argument for once - since people can't follow the rules of the road and courteously share (in cars AND on bikes) and there are more and escalating conflicts we should find ways to solve the problem.
Constantly saying "bikes can ride on the road, it's the law" doesn't help. If everyone in those situations was following both the letter and spirit of the law, it would be a non-issue!
Constantly saying "bikes can ride on the road, it's the law" doesn't help. If everyone in those situations was following both the letter and spirit of the law, it would be a non-issue!
SWGB
She was actually making a reasonable argument for once - since people can't follow the rules of the road and courteously share (in cars AND on bikes) and there are more and escalating conflicts we should find ways to solve the problem.
Constantly saying "bikes can ride on the road, it's the law" doesn't help. If everyone in those situations was following both the letter and spirit of the law, it would be a non-issue!
I understand that, but she constantly throws out the solution to a problem and then leaves the getting there part out. I guess my frustration is that someone with that ongoing mentality is running for office.
:shock:SoWal Expert
You preacher, me choir! :roll: Just trying to winnow out any good ideas and arguments.
That post was in response to Treefrog's comment - your 2 posts went in while I was typing.
That post was in response to Treefrog's comment - your 2 posts went in while I was typing.
Beach Fanatic
Once again you just blindly insult hard working people. To answer your question all of those require education, training, and hard work. You clearly have had things handed to you on a silver platter and enjoy complaining that people have it rough, while never actually having had it rough yourself.
You definitely fit the definition of elitist as you supposedly champion the causes of the poor, downtrodden, and under-educated, all the while belittling them for their homes, occupations, and way of life. I'm off to vote for anyone but you for any kind of public office in this county.
Just relaying the message many "native locals" want you to hear! I'm not talking about the world, I'm talking about Walton County! Some silver platter! You have no idea!
SWGB
Just relaying the message many "native locals" want you to hear! I'm not talking about the world, I'm talking about Walton County! Some silver platter! You have no idea!
I know plenty of "native locals" and most seem to have the opinion that you're a raving loon who they would be mortified to have representing them.
Beach Fanatic
Floridagirl would prefer that cyclists ride on the bike path and not on 30A.
FL law permits riding on public roads (such as 30A), and spells out the specifics for both cyclists and auto drivers.
I don't think we're going to change her mind, and I don't think she's going to change the FL law.
Let's move on...
You got it right mostly! Although, given the current state concerning cyclists and motor vehicles in the nation now, I would expect laws to follow.
I also wish for more compassion towards fellow humans who may be in a different culture, social status, etc. I do believe that no matter who you are, there is hope for a better tommorrow, people can change for the better. We are our brother's keeper.
Beach Fanatic
No, I don't advocate road rage, I do try to get to the root of a matter. Cyclist's tend to drive many up the wall. My concern is it seems incredibly dangerous to ride on the highway, seemingly unconcerned of other vehicular traffic. Cylcist's need to follow the rules of the road also. Many I've seen cannot keep up with the speed limit, weave on the road, ignore stop signs, generally create a nuisance.
I agree completely with your quote.
Beach Fanatic
Floridagirl would prefer that cyclists ride on the bike path and not on 30A.
FL law permits riding on public roads (such as 30A), and spells out the specifics for both cyclists and auto drivers.
I don't think we're going to change her mind, and I don't think she's going to change the FL law.
Let's move on...
I understood her quote responding to my quote; cyclist riding on 30A should obey road laws, as well as those on the bike path when crossing an intersection.
How many times have you stopped at the intersection of 395/30A, get ready to make your turn, and suddenly have to stop because a cyclist/bicyclist did not stop for traffic??? Just rode on through without any concern for their personal safety. This is my concern. I'm cool with the cyclist on 30A that obey the laws and I have no problem waiting to be able to pass them.
Oblivian is a problem, not only on 30A but on double red flag days as well.
SWGB
Umm don't the bicyclists on the bike path have the right of way at 395 since they have that painted crossing?
SoWal Expert
Bikes are supposed to stop at all stop signs too.
I think she was referring to the typical lack of a stop by the bike that prompts a sudden re-stop of the car. :roll:
I think she was referring to the typical lack of a stop by the bike that prompts a sudden re-stop of the car. :roll:
SWGB
Bikes are supposed to stop at all stop signs too.
I think she was referring to the typical lack of a stop by the bike that prompts a sudden re-stop of the car. :roll:
Well there is a stop sign for traffic on the road, never seen the one for the bike path.
I completely understand that, although my favorite is the fasle restart after stopping and no communication. I've found it safer to just let them go and then the issue is moot.
Beach Fanatic
The lack of response is obviously attributed to the utter sadness/ignorance of these comments. QUOTE]
I know a lot of guys that drive pick ups that don't have a computer, don't want one. Lack of response is not so obvious.
Beach Fanatic
Well there is a stop sign for traffic on the road, never seen the one for the bike path.
I completely understand that, although my favorite is the fasle restart after stopping and no communication. I've found it safer to just let them go and then the issue is moot.
Bike path is same as a sidewalk. You stop for traffic at a stop sign.
Beach Fanatic
Okay..this might stir things up a bit, but in this day and age, don't you think it is almost like being illiterate not having a computer????
Beach Fanatic
They cost as much as a gun.............
Beach Fanatic
Okay..this might stir things up a bit, but in this day and age, don't you think it is almost like being illiterate not having a computer????
Maybe, but none the less so.
Beach Fanatic
They cost as much as a gun.............
I don't know how much they cost, but I'm sure Copelands could work a deal!
SWGB
Okay..this might stir things up a bit, but in this day and age, don't you think it is almost like being illiterate not having a computer????
Start a new thread. ;-)
SoWal Insider
Okay..this might stir things up a bit, but in this day and age, don't you think it is almost like being illiterate not having a computer????
Not so much. I know some highly intelligent people that don't have a computer in their home. I also know a few boneheads that cherish their home computer because it's their main source for porn. They might be better served actually reading rather than surfing the net.
Beach Fanatic
How many times have you stopped at the intersection of 395/30A, get ready to make your turn, and suddenly have to stop because a cyclist/bicyclist did not stop for traffic??? Just rode on through without any concern for their personal safety.
Given that this thread long ago devolved into another rant against cyclists (usually referred to as Lance wannabees) on 30A, here's the irony:
Every time that's happened to me, it's been Ma, Pa, and all the little peepers on their beach cruisers on the bike path who blithely pedaled out, often without looking, expecting not to get squashed. Can't say I ever recall that happening to me with a "cyclist", i.e. a serious rider on a lightweight road bike who is riding on 30A, not the path. Not to say it hasn't happened to someone else, but I go through that particular intersection several times each day.
SoWal Expert
Based on what I see regularly, spandex clad folk can be as oblivious to the stop signs/intersections as the beach cruisers.
Beach Lover
They cost as much as a gun.............
"give it a rest"
SoWal Expert
Newsflash!!
The Beach Breeze/Defuniak Herald has a full article in this week's edition- front page.
The article uses the initial SoWal.com post to tell the story of what happened, then quotes Floridagirl from her initial post, then identifies her by name.
Guess the article's writer, was as horrified as the rest of us over what happened AND Floridagirl's comments!
The Beach Breeze/Defuniak Herald has a full article in this week's edition- front page.
The article uses the initial SoWal.com post to tell the story of what happened, then quotes Floridagirl from her initial post, then identifies her by name.
Guess the article's writer, was as horrified as the rest of us over what happened AND Floridagirl's comments!
Edited
Meow
Newsflash!!
The Beach Breeze/Defuniak Herald has a full article in this week's edition- front page.
The article uses the initial SoWal.com post to tell the story of what happened, then quotes Floridagirl from her initial post, then identifies her by name.
Guess the article's writer, was as horrified as the rest of us over what happened AND Floridagirl's comments!
There is a God.
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