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

gatorgvl@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: gatorgvl@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>

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