Dear Friends: The letter below (and my reply, immediately below -read the bottom one first) relate to yet another incident of illegal riding. Let me remind all, once again, that the Florida Statutes require us to ride in single file as far to the right as practicable. The only exception to this law is that we may ride 2 by 2 but only if we do not impede traffic (which means not when there is a car or truck behind you - they have the right to determine if the are being impeded, not you). If you are riding side by side and a car approaches from the rear, the law requires you to go to single file. It is never legal to ride three or more abreast. Period. Riding in packs and blocking other traffic (what happened to Share the Road?) was rampant on the Horse Farm, reported by many people, seen by me on several occasions, and photographed. It is the subject of some interest by the law enforcement authorities. Running through stop signs seems to interest some people, as well. Don't say I didn't warn you. I should not have to say this, but the Gainesville Cycling Club does not condone in any way illegal cycling of any kind. Regards, Gainesville Cycling Club George Edwards Gerry: I am truly sorry for the performance of these individuals. If I had any real control, I would dismiss them from GCC. Unfortunately, I do not, and they do have their defenders (as hard as that is to believe). Were you able to make any kind of positive identification of individuals? Names would be a big help. Other than that, I can plead (with not much real hope of being right) that our jerseys are for sale on the open market, and maybe these were not our riders. There were two rides starting Sunday morning from the Chevron station on NW 43rd Street, but I know one went West on Millhopper Road. The A-Riders have been reported to ride like this before, so I would like to get some specific information. I will forward your letter to their Group Captain. Also, a call to the ASO via 911 might avert a serious accident. I lose sleep over worrying about some redneck cranked-up to the redline on speed loses what little control he has left and rams the back of a pack like that. He will end up in jail (for a while) but some of our cyclists will end up dead forever. I don't want to be the President of a club that condones this behavior. Thanks for bringing this situation to my attention. And again, please accept the apology of the Board of Directors for the misbehavior of an anti-social minority. And send along any positive identifications you can. Regards, George xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote: <blockquote style="border-left: #5555EE solid 0.2em; margin: 0em; padding-left: 0.85em"><blockquote style="border-left: #5555EE solid 0.2em; margin: 0em; padding-left: 0.85em">From page: Contact </blockquote>For: pres Subject: Riding safely and with consideration Sender: Gerry Woods @ Gator Cycle Sender's email: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx George, just wanted to express some concern about the riding habits of some GCC members. I was driving out NW 43rd </blockquote>AVE extension towards 441 on Sunday AM. As I approached the A ride group from behind, they were riding 3 or 4 abreast with 1 rider off the front riding almost on the center line. There were cars coming from the other direction and as I pulled up behind the group, none of the riders pulled over; they were blocking the entire lane. I have been a cyclist longer than most of these people have been alive and I really resent this type of riding as it creates ill will from motorists towards all cyclists. These riders have a very entitled attitude as exhibited by their riding habits and obviously have no concern for motorists or the effect that this has on other more experienced and safer cyclists. Please pass this on in an appropriate manner to those ride leaders that may have some influence. Cyclists should never ride more than2 abreast in a bike lane. Also, they should ride single file when a bikelane isn't present. Please appeal to riders to be considerate of the effect that their actions have on others. <blockquote style="border-left: #5555EE solid 0.2em; margin: 0em; padding-left: 0.85em"> Thanks, Gerry </blockquote> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from GCCMail, please go to http://gccfla.org/. Point to Members Area, and click on GCCMail. Use the form on the page.
